Rory Hanrahan

Try this: • Create an AV file in your NLE including the song and generated TC. Be sure to add 10 seconds or so of pre-roll (with countdown) so that the song/tc doesn't start the instant you hit play. • Load this file into iTunes or some playback app on your iThing • Use a wireless mic system -- transmitter on the iThing, receiver on your playback system -- to broadcast the audio. • Simply start/stop the playback from the iThing, making sure to film a few frames of the TC displayed on-screen. There you go -- very easy, very cheap.

I've been using UltraLights for years and love them! I think they work better than most small Noga arms, and having the ability to "tinker-toy" an accessory into whatever configuration suits you is awesome. The individual parts are pretty expensive, but if you take care of them it's well worth it. In regards to long-term condition, they hold up pretty well, except for the O-ring issue you talked about. I've never looked into getting them replaced, but if that were an option I'd be impressed.

IIRC, the 42 has a visual scope built into the side that allows you to pinpoint your target when spotting the little red dot can be a hassle (in bright sunlight or when gauging long distances, for example). I might have the model names mixed up (I don't know if they've revamped the line-up lately), but I think the scope is worth the $.

Question for the New Yorkers here: Does anybody have details regarding the 5207 demo screening supposedly happening in NY this week? I ignored a notice I was sent regarding this, but my schedule has opened up and I'd love to attend. Google, apparently, is not my friend today. Thanks!

"Spendy" is true, though i do feel my Hilti saves me $500 worth of running around every feature (whatever that means…). I've suggested before and will do so again: spend the extra ~$150 and go with the Hilti PD-42 over the 40! I ignored a friend's advice and have been kicking myself since. BTW, anybody wanna buy my PD-40? (/jk)

That depends… Where do we draw the line between changing bag and darkroom. Specifically,what size person needs to fit inside before it becomes the latter? Discuss. I know this is thread-rot, but its better than arguing. I'll allow it.

Boy, the AC forum has been getting pretty uncivil lately… I guess work is slow. Me three in the whole "never written 'no core'" jawn; though I do insert a core in every 5th roll just to f* with the lab. (It's the little things that keeps me going…). Its not an issue, and while I'm sure mistakes have been made, the lab techs are smart enough to, y'know, feel the roll and check to see if there's a core or not. Ya see what you've done now, Dan? Asking a relevant question in a professional forum, therefore starting a snark-war to determine who's got the biggest… changing tent. This is why we can't have nice things!

I completely second the "do not roll-out" stance. There is no worse offense than losing a take, good or bad, because of your lack of diligence. That is the kind of thing that keeps an AC from getting rehired. As far as the concern over dirt & scratches on the last 10' or so… You should always roll a few feet of waste through the camera at the end of a roll. Standard practice for eliminating that issue. David, I think there is an old-school/new-school dichotomy on this and many other topics. Some experienced shooters tend to dismiss these "hard & fast" rules as time- (or film-) wasting obstacles… Personally I prefer the more disciplined approach. Regardless, I'll keep your preferences in mind should we ever meet on-set…

Practice. That's all there is to it.

Yeah, we used that for diffusion once. Production cheaped out on filtration so I had the loader unspool and apply Vaseline to the stock before loading. Worked great, but the rental house won't return my calls anymore. Weird…

Y'know how you shoot off a few shots of DustOff before hitting the lens? If I'm forced to use Instant Self-Generating Halation (ie. breath) I'll shoot a quick look over each shoulder as a similar safety precaution. This ensures no PA's or grips run over and yell, "Hey! That's bad for the lens!"

Keystone is good people. They also happen to be a great (albeit small) rental house. I can't speak highly enough of their rental tech (and AC) John Dearnley.

I've used the Lensbaby on both my Canon DSLR, as well as a PL-mount version that I just finished a feature with. Love the lens system, but I think it works way better with a mo-pic cam, as all of the great kinetic effects you'd usually see while setting up the still frame, er, get captured. Lots of fun, and a great tool that will probably get overused too soon… The only note I have for shooting this way is to make sure you get DSC charts on both the lensbaby and your standard lens set for each setup. The LB will not match most lenses, and while I've found the optics to be adequate for what a simple system it is, you really need to give yourself the room to correct the lens in post. BTW Adrian (and any other East Coast fellows) -- I'd be happy to supply the PL-mount Lensbaby to any interested productions…

I've been using a Hilti rangefinder (forget the model, $350-400 range) for a while now and love it. Can't speak as to the quality of the Bosch. You'll find yourself using this everyday, and upgrading to one with a visual sight as soon as you can…

It's great seeing that Crazy Eddie's ad again, and Walter -- great to hear about the behind the scenes. Everybody in the tri-state knows the ads, everybody knows something went down, but all-in-all its an interesting story. But that Cheerios spot -- that's been driving me nuts for months! I noticed the box composite immediately, but there also seems to be some weird framerate/speed issues in those cuts too (maybe just an artifact from the composite?). The tech issues of the Cheerios spot isn't as bad as the writing though. Is this meant to be a snapshot of a smarmy, tense, loveless relationship, or do I just not get the "humor"? I don't mean to slam anybody's work, of course, so if anybody here did that spot I come in peace. I've done my fair share of crappy daytime TV commercials -- "Need Cash Now?" kinda stuff (can't find any on YouTube, unfortunately, but who doesn't know and love JG Wentworth?).