John Sellar

Kieran, Thanks, I learn from this forum, books, AC magazine and from experience. I haven't taken any cinematography courses at NYU yet; I'm just finishing my second year. I'm worried because I failed two classes this term, but it was because I shot seven student shorts--one every weekend for the last two months. I think it was worth it though; I learned a lot. NYU doesn't offer as much as I'd like in terms of cinematography classes. I'm trying to find an apprenticeship for a working DP this summer. -John

oops, forgot the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCA2kZTXK-s

All of this stuff is from a selection of NYU shorts that I shot over this past academic year. Weaknesses? Constructive criticism is welcome. -John

Hal: We've already bought the '18 stock; no going back. So should simply light for contrast and tell postworks to give me more contrast in the transer? Or should I do those things and also overexpose by 2/3 of a stop?

Kevin: I'd like to do as little tweaking in avid as possbile. I'm trying to not rely on post so much. I won't learn anything that way. I've just started shooting, I need to learn how to make it look the way I want in the can, before the telecine. You know? Jarin: I am going by the video dailes, so it might be more of a timing issue. The director for this weekend doesn't want to push process. thanks for your help guys.

yeah...what I saw IS what I got. What really ticks me off is that I took some 35mm slides on kodak elite chrome 400 just for fun, and they look exactly how I wanted (and thought) the actual film would look as far as contrast and depth. so I'll overexpose 2/3 a stop, how should I shoot my greycard?

**more saturation and contrast I mean.

Hello, I shot an NYU short last weekend on the 7218. Got the dailies back and was slightly disappointed. I lit mostly with 1k bounces and china-balls (what came in our kit). This was my first real DP gig; I'd only shot my own stuff up until now. I shot mostly b&w reversal last term, so I'm used to its contrast and latutude...but as you know, the 7218's latitude is WIDE, not what I'm used to lighting for...everything looks flat, bright and boring. The director seemed happy, but I wasn't. I'm shooting another student short this weekend on the same stock. As far as exposure and timing, does anyone have suggestions for how I can get more saturation and depth? We're doing a best light transfer, I don't think the director will ever want to do anything more. no prints or supervised transfer. Thanks for any help. -John

I need to build my G&E vocabulary. Is a grid cloth like a silk? I've seen a reflective metallic cloth used as a bounce for this effect. I think they did it in "Pi" when the main character is freaking out and the door flies open (look in the special features on the DVD)

Hello, What are some techniques used for this kind light (coming from the open door):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU7LZts87Zg HMI's I'm sure, but where do you think it was positioned for the shots facing the door? is it bounced? I'm a student shooter trying to create this natural look for someone's project. Thanks -John

I haven't had much luck at my school's library (I go to NYU). I went on the New York Public library's site and couldn't find anything. I guess I'll just go in person. I'm taking the advice of David Mullen and others, who always talk about how much they learned from AC when they were starting out. -John

Hello, does anyone know where to find an e-text of AC mag? I'm looking for issues dating back to the beginning. My next stop will be the new york publick library. Thanks. -John

This lady seems very, very cheap and uninformed. She said she only wants to spend $500 on it...the whole thing. I told her that the kind of video she wants can't be done well on that budget, even if we shoot on video. She kept saying how she didnt have money now, but in nine months everybody in the Latin hip hop community will know who this artist is...her song will be featured in the new Queen Latifah movie...blah blah blah. (she dropped many questionable names) This is why I should just stick to cinematography...to avoid dealng with people like this.

It's not a question of how good video can look. It can look good, very good. I'm just really trying to push 16mm on these people... I want to be able to say..."I told you so, lady, film is what we're used to seeing"

this is a silly question, I know: has anybody seen the video by the band "ok go" where they dance on the treadmills? Here is why I need to know: An artist's manager wants me to shoot a video for her on a very low budget. I said it can be done, but I think we should shoot on 16. She said plenty of videos are shot on video, and I agreed with her. She then sent me the link to this video: I told her it looked like it was shot on film (but I am not sure, the quality is low and they were clearly going for a low budget look). I couldnt' find any production info online. What do you guys think?