Mitch Beaudry

So if you saw Transformers you saw the trailer for Cloverfield, the film about a party in NYC that breaks up when the city gets... we really have no idea. The trailer is here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/11808/large.html Judging by the print I saw and the trailer online I'm guessing it's shot on video but it looks like a blockbuster flick done RIGHT. Anyone else hyped about this? Here's the site for the film. That's all there is. http://www.1-18-08.com/

I really liked it. I think Super 8 was a great choice for this video because it gave it this "homebrew" kind of feel to it that was really nice. Great work! B)

I'll accept Yankee money no problem. How 'bout $50?

I have one recan of 350ft Kodak Vision2 200T 35mm film. The film has been frozen since it was used in Januaray 2006. Located in Toronto and able to meet you in the city or ship it to you within North America. Just looking to get it off my hands and willing to make a deal. $125 CAD

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I just love stories about the Apocolypse. And comedy. And depictions of children as the devil.

Well, the shoot was yesterday and was as smooth as butter. Thanks everyone for your recommendations, especially Rory who's list came in real handy and Brian for recommending Doug Hart's amazing book. I did end up bringing more stuff to the set than I needed, however I was very glad I brought more than needed than less. Thanks again everyone.

Ryerson is certainly the most recommended film school in Canada by professionals. They have decent equipment that's not exactly "cutting edge" but it does function. But from my own experience I would recommend you look at the Toronto Film School. The school has great facilities (film studio, TV studio, great editing suites, sound editing suites) and great equipment (several lighting kits and studio lights, SRIII 16mm cameras, BL3 35mm camera, HDV cams [sony HDR], Beta cams [sony D30], Mini DV cams [Canon XL1s, Sony PD170], DAT recorders and everything else you need to shoot a film). The cinematography teacher is amazing and is one of the most resourceful guys you will ever meet. He not only lights wonderfully, he knows how to cheaply solve expensive problems and offers the best advice. The only downside is the cost. Tuition was something like 25 grand when I went and I heard it's risen since. If you can take the debt and be able to make the OSAP payments though, it's a great school to at least give a look at.

Thanks guys, that really helps me get an idea of what I'll need. Wish me luck!

I just got off the phone with a producer who just hired me to work on a short with an established director and DP. I've worked as an AC on shorts before and I know I have the skills to do the work. My only concern is I don't have a "proper" AC kit. Because this is my first time working with an established DP and director though, I want to be prepared for anything. We'll be shooting with the Grass Valley Viper and I'm wondering what should I put into my kit? Should I buy one of the pre-made kits offered online or just make my own? Any help would be great because I'm really excited about this chance and I really don't want to blow it by coming off amateurish. Thanks in advance!

Actually, the best place I've heard this discussed is actually on the directors commentary for Donnie Darko: Director's cut. Richard Kelly and Kevin Smith talk about how in the scene where Donnie references to Christina Applegate, it was originally for Alyssa Milano but her people wouldn't let him do it. They talk about this process where they have to submit all the references to pop culture to somebody (I'm guessing a lawyer) who then approves/disapproves the specific references. That could just be when you're referencing people though. Then again, I think this is more of a grey topic than a strict black and white like the torn poster Sam Raimi/Wes Craven exchange. Good luck! Oh, in regards to: Fair use for comment and/or criticism is also legally valid. Think of how many critics there are in newspapers and on TV, etc, which regularly talk about films and other types of copyrighted works. All forms of "news media" are exempt from copyright laws all together, so their rules don't apply to fiction.

We found that after we set the focus for a long, steady shot (not moving) the focus seemed to"drift" during the shot and the footage by the end was not usable.

I just stuck an apple sticker on my $25 DVD player instead.

One of the better new scores I've heard was for Night Watch. However, if we could have frozen Bernard Herrmann or some how keep him alive on tubes with a baton in his hand a lot of today's scores would be more impactful.

I believe you can actually use some of the prime still photo lenses from Canon on the XL cameras. I've never seen it done though, just the 35mm adapters.

From the sounds of it you may want to try to get your hold on a A-Cam. It's really small for a S16 camera and can shoot at 6fps I've never actually used one but I've read various articles about it citing positive things. As far as cameras I have used if you can afford it I'd recommend the Arri SRIII. It's not the smallest camera in the world but it does do ramping very well.