Nick Harris

All of that sounds like it should get me what I'm looking for! Thanks for the advice guys. -Nick

Hi there! I'm in pre production on a commercial that's set to shoot in a couple weeks. I've never worked with compositing outside of some minor green screen work, and we have a subtle effect that's got me a little stumped. At the end of the commercial, our principle picks up a cherry ball (about the same size or slightly larger than a bowling ball) and kicks it. Rather than sailing into the air, it explodes right on his foot. I'm wondering what sort of methods are available for me to composite, what should I shoot in regards to background plates? Do I have the actor kick the ball, then do one with no ball, and then a clean plate? Do I shoot green screen of the ball exploding in an exact frame match from the location footage? Is this the sort of thing that's best left to CG? Does anyone know of any reasonably priced effects houses in town (I'm in Burbank) that might be able to help me out? Thanks a ton! -Nick Harris www.sunspot-pictures.com

When shooting outdoors and without hte budget for HMI's, I usually like to cut the sun with a double net (also a 1/2 or 1/4 silk works), although I find a full silk to be a bit too much. Then I bounce in underneath using shiny boards, each with a single/double net to control how much I'm getting off of each. This should give you a nice ability to control the light with no powered lights. Here's a sample of a commercial I shot using this approach. http://www.sunspot-pictures.com/commercials.php Hope this helps! -Nick Harris www.sunspot-pictures.com

Wow Andy, great job! This is one of the few videos I ever see on these forums that feels professional top to bottom. Great lighting, and the effects and concept really work. -Nick

Thank you guys so much for responding to my questions. I ended up buying a Fujinon HAc15x7.3 cine zoom and I'm INCREDIBLY pleased with the look and performance of the lens. With that puppy riding upu front this camera is quite the head turner. If you're interested in seeing some stills and a compressed video I cut from my test shooting mosey on over to my website, http://harrisfilms.com -Nick

I'm in the market for the HPX500 for use in narrative shooting situations. I've got the budget to go with some nice lens choices which I feel is the real investment here, as I am looking for lenses that will do me well through an upgrade in camera body down the line. I'm somewhat stuck in the mud as far as where to even start looking for reasonably priced lenses. Do I need to exchange the bayonet mount for digiprimes? What sort of lenses aside from the normal ENG style zooms will mount on the camera as it comes from Panasonic? Do the digital cinezooms offer enough DOF or would I do best to stick with digiprimes? I got all excited when reading about Canon's new AVC-235 anamorphic lens converter, but then saw that it retailed for what would be an additional $25,000 that I would prefer not to spend just yet (however I wouldn't mind making lens choices in anticipation of a later purchase of the AVC-235). However, I did start looking at Canon's FJ digiprime series, which is also a bit pricey. So I'm thinking a pair of digital cinestyle zooms might do the trick at least for the moment. Will these lenses give me adequate shallow DOF, or will they still look deep and video-ish? Any suggestions as for places to look for digiprime sets that might be a little more affordable? Any advice would be much appreciated! -Nick Harris

The best thing to do, so far as crediting yourself on your resume is to stick with a trade and run with it. I started out as a DP because I had the funds to invest in camera, lights, cheap dolly, etc. I occasionally AC and gaff, but never add to my resume unless it's DP work. My suggestion is to be on set in whatever capacity you can afford to be and just be a sponge. Watch what everyone is doing, ask questions, be annoying. More often than not, these people love to show people how much they know... us film jerks have egos the size of a Buick! Every so often you'll find someone who doesn't want to share their secrets or doesn't want to answer questions from some kid, but if you don't ask you'll never know, so just roll it off your back and keep on keepin' on!

Thanks for the encouraging words guys! Hmm, I've been using this song for 3 years now on my reel. I'm personally sick of it, but every time I post it or someone new sees it they compliment the musical choice. It definitely fits my shooting and lighting style. I have a feeling that these other cats must have seen my reel and thought to start using it, as it's not really in the mainstream any more and as I recall, I had a hard time tracking down the artist after I happened to hear it on the radio 3 years ago. But who knows, I shouldn't assume, haha.

Myspace and FOX have this contest for a chunk of change and a development deal with FOX for a TV series pilot. We had to submit 5-7 minutes of our pilot to convince them we're the onces for the job. When I saw this contest, and already had a video shot and cut to submit, I thought "why the hell not?" We went and did some pickup shots a year after the initial shoot, recut what we had, tightened it up, got a score done, and came out with what I feel is a pretty nice little package! So please please PLEASE go to the link below and VOTE "Thumbs up" on my video if you don't want your whole family blown up in a boating "accident". http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=...ideoid=21661723 PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ACTUALLY VOTE, AND NOT JUST WATCH, IF YOU CAN! Thanks! Nick Harris PS: I apologize for threatening your families, I feel kinda bad about that. I suppose I could have asked you to vote for my video without threatening a high octane speed boat chase somewhere in the mid-Atlantic, which climaxes with two boats colliding mid air at speeds of no less than 85 mph (i don't know nautical terms for speed, but I'm pretty sure that's like 10,000 knots), and raining down stolen Vatican gold bars once headed for the black market, but now the bottom of the ocean. I apologize for that. It was wrong of me.

Thanks Chris, I've been wondering that for quite a while!

Thank you Chris, I know what you mean about the forest (actually a Louisiana swamp) shot being a bit mundane and strobing... for now though, it acts as a bridge between the darker shots and the brighter stuff, and I really like the wipe with the tree. It will be the next shot I look to replace though! As for the letterboxing, I would LOVE to know how I can cut the bars off. The problem is, I had exported an older copyo f my reel in full anamorphic quality so that I could delete some of the source files and just use that as a reference. However, I ended up accidentally deleting the anamorphic source file, and all I have left is the letterboxed version of those shots. As is, I'm only sending out letterboxed DVD's to producers, so it's not a big deal. But I know what you're saying and it has been bugging me to have the internet version letterboxed unnecessarily. I'm cutting on Final Cut Pro 5.1.4, any advice would be great! Thanks again, Nick

I think I posted this earlier in the wrong forum, but I'd love to have you guys critique my reel! http://harrisfilms.com/videos/dpreel_sm.mov Everything on this reel was shot on a budget of $10,000 or less, with the exception of the film noir, 1930's era stuff (which was still super low budget). I look forward to hearing what you all have to say! -Nick Harris

I'm in Los Angeles

Hi all, I've been working as a DP from prosumer DV to Low end HD for 4 years now. I'm finally to the point where my company is getting ready to leap into high end HD, and will soon have the money to back a purchase of one of the bigger HD cameras. I'm looking at the Sony F23 right now, but can't find any dealers or prices! I'm guessing the cam is in the $200,000 range with the Recording drive attached. Does anybody know any high end Sony dealers, or do I haev to directly purchase form Sony... and if so, HOW?! Secondly, I just updated the old DP reel, I'd love to hear some criticisms from you guys! Here's the link: http://harrisfilms.com/videos/dpreel_sm.mov Take it easy, Nick Harris