Ricardo Diaz

I was the DoP on this project and would certainly love peoples feedback on it. I know of the ghosting that plagues some shots so I take responsiblity on that. Love it or hate it would like to know your thoughts.

I saw a preview screening last night in Austin and job well done Eric. Truly one of the most enjoyable films I have seen this year. Charming, honest, clever and wonderfully photographed. I realized when the film was over that I hadnt paid a bit of attention to your work because I was so engulfed in your teams (cast and crew) storytelling. THATS how i knew your work was wonderful. It was beautifully transparent. Again, job well done and you are the luckiest dude I know to continue to work with such talented people. I am word of mouthing the poop out of this movie in the best way possible.

Nolan and Pfister are at it again as well. They are testing 5perf 65mm for their new flick. I know this cause I saw the reels at technicolor last night and this morning. I would love to see a new film shot 65mm.

I dont know if its Q or not I just know typed what I was told. But like I said alot of that footage is being put into Tree of Life AND also being used for the IMAX film. That is all I know at this point.

There will be an accompanying 45 min 65mm IMAX film called Voyage of Time that will be released separately but also cut into Tree of Life. I didnt quite get those specifics as I was too involved in hearing about Chivo from my camera friend and Terrence from my editorial friend. So not sure if they shot the 65mm stuff simultaneously or if its a new project (and if so will Chivo shoot it) but I plan on finding out after i get a beer with them this coming week. Either way sounds good to me. You got 65, 35, and digital all being used. Anyway, back to the topic. I'll type something in the other thread u started if I hear something interesting.

Of course for my own record these sources may have their own agendas as well. But this is what they told me. They are close friends and I believe them.

For the Record Tom. I have two sources on Tree of Life who say that Terrance despised the look of the Red after further evaluation of the material. One source is in the camera dept. and the other is in the editorial dept. Also Chivo doesn't seem to be to impressed by the results either. Chivo loved the size of the camera and what its size can do for you creatively but was indifferent about the image.

Eric, Just curious what you are shooting down in Texas. Being a former Texas 2nd AC its nice to hear that people are still trying to go to the state after Louisiana and New Mexico passed those tax breaks. It got really slow in Austin I remember for a while. Anyway would love to get a good production blog on your lastest down in the Lone Star State.

Before you learn how to light and compose, learn how to tell stories through images. More than anything learn how to tell a story. At the end of the day you are a filmmaker telling stories. If you understand your story and its characters then the lighting and compositions become intuitive. Oh and watch some Storarro it helps in understanding this concept.

David, Just wanted to know about how you crop your images in photoshop to get the proper aspect ratio? Also what was the reasoning or motivation for the Cyan60 gels? What kind of practical street lamp is it replicating? Maxilight is the same as a nine like Maxibrute, and what globes did you use on it? Were they all narrow spots or very narrow like the 1k singles? Thanks! Rick

Congratulations and good luck to all who got the call today from Stephen regarding addmission. I am incredibly excited to be a part of the 07-08 class at AFI and I can not wait to get to meet all of the others! And I hope to see everyone who didnt get in apply the following year so we can all hang out and work together. take care and god bless!

Thanks guys for your advice I have changed it up since and whittled it down to about 1:25. I will post here when it has been changed. Should be up in the next week. Would love to see if you agree with the new cut. I kept the song (i know some of you didnt like it) but i did cut alot of the beginning and put some of the things you like better towards the front so let me know. Thanks again.

Either way Mr. Fong, I cant agree more with Krystian. We are really spoiled and blessed to have such talented artists like you and Mr. Mullen who are so open and willing to share you experience and knowledge. BTW have seen 300 three times and I am still in awe of the visuals. I am not sure if this has been asked, but did you photograph the rain/water live or (for instance the shot of Gerad standing on the cliff holding his shield to block the water) was that done in post. I have never seen rain look so good. Also did you use alot of speed ramps for those amazing action sequences or was that also post? Finally, what lamp did you find yourself using the most on this film when it came down to shooting closeups and in what configuration (i.e. 2k bounced off a card through 250)? Thanks

Galen, Wow if that is that case then what a pity. When I was there I got Film 1, Film 2, Advanced Production and cinematography. Four classes that demanded me to shoot film. I only directed once and instead decided to take those classes to shoot everyone elses projects. I had a reel to work with (whether its good or not I dont know) that consisted of plenty of 16mm and S16m along wth DV and HD. I know that PJ and Nancy would definitely sign some kind of faculty petition. I know if you asked around many would agree. At the same time I remember hearing constant complaining from the Grad students as to why undergrads were allocated SR1 instead of giving them to the ones who "make decent films" as they put it. I say get the faculty involved as well as the students. No film educator in their right mind would find eliminating it from the undergrad program a wise choice.

Well then I guess I have only seen season two. I need to catch season one then! Thanks Brad for the heads up and the link to a far more credible source.

In the UK yes I believe you are right. Here in the states we have only gotten season one. Maybe it was after the third season not sure let me try and find the article. An article in the most unreliable source imaginable (IMDB) had this to say... Comedian Ricky Gervais will make a final Christmas special episode of TV hit Extras before axing the show, according to reports. The Emmy-winning creator of The Office is determined not to risk the failure of a poor third series, and would rather move onto new projects. After the success of The Office, Extras attracted a host of A-list celebrities desperate for cameo roles including David Bowie, Chris Martin and Ben Stiller. The insider tells British newspaper The Sun, "There had been reports that Ricky was going to go ahead with a third series of Extras. But he is firmly of the opinion that third series are rarely a success and has decided to quit while he's ahead. When he said goodbye to The Office with a two-part Christmas special, it was a smash hit both in the ratings and critically, so he's decided to do that again. He's loved making the series and there are tons more A-list stars who want to appear. But Ricky has lots of other things he wants to do and feels this is the right timing." http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2007-03-20 scroll about halfway down the page.

Fair enough. Thanks David.

On La Brea next to the Studio Depot. I was curious to know if anyone has been? Is it more a history museum or a display museum of the progression of the technology? Did you have a good time?

AHHH this show is hilarious. So its TV who cares in this case its about the content. Unfortunately, I just read that Gervais wants to end the show after the second season like he did with the original "The Office". So we only get one more season. Quite a bummer.

I am gonna go Superman Returns, Zodiac, The Quiet, and for its time Once upon a Time in Mexico was a a great exploration of the F900's limits and faults at an early phase.. Sin City was a technical achievement but just looked like HD. I feel like the Genesis has produced the most filmic images of the bunch but the Vipers native 2.35 and recent advances in its workflow have become very good too (along with price tag).

To be fair to Burnt Orange while yes they do not actually place students in real key positions (except their second film which was a very small effort) they do however give many students, such as myself, a chance at getting some real work under them. David can tell you that Jeremy Rodgers was a relatively fresh face when he started. He is now doing very well for himself after finishing The Quiet with David. He had paid positions on every B.O. film and has worked on many other features including the tv series Friday Night Lights. I can attest too that it was monumental in helping me build a network and has led to 8 features in little over a year that I worked on as a 2nd A.C. or camera PA. I was even asked to DP the title sequence for their most recent film "Elvis and Anabelle". That was a film shot by Conrad Hall jr. so to get to work with him and then shoot material that would cut with his work was more educational than any classroom. Not to mention my first venture shooting 35mm. So show some support for B.O. Galen I think that if you really want to work in Austin B.O. can help you get in. I hope they continue to make their films and bring in incredibly talented people like David Mullen, Scott Billups, and Conrad Hall jr. to educate by example. So thank you David and I hope that you too support their effort, just wish that I could have worked on The Quiet (it was the only B.O. that I DIDNT work on) so I could have got a chance to see you work.

Well after anxious waiting and restless nights I never got a call. I am pretty disappointed that I didnt even get to interview but I guess there was just a big list of far more talented folk. Whats a man to do? It sucks because I got all excited after jayson said that those that make the last rounds get that financial aid package. Well I got it and was never called for an interview. Friend of mine has her interview tomorrow so I can only assume they have already made all their calls. Congrats to all those who got a call and knock em dead in the interview. Who knows maybe Ill still see in a couple years. Best Me

Fear not. According to the admissions office they have only begun calls. My guess would be calls will go out till the end of the week. Again thats my guess. Best wishes guys.

Well seems like calls have gone out for cinematography students. I haven't got one yet still crossing my fingers but good luck and congratulations to those who get/got one. Thanks Mari for the heads up!

No and I must say it is driving me crazy but luckily I am at SXSW film festival so it is helping me take my mind off of it. Got some material into the festival so it has been fun.