Serge Teulon

That's a busy front room you've got there Walter......what do you keep in the cage?? S

That was great Fran! Hearing about events like that I wonder if in our culture these days we would have the strengths that guys like your dad had to fight a war like that. I have utmost respect for the people that fought in WWI and II! As for the topic.....Film for me will always be favored over digital! Cheers S

When I assisted I worked for dp's that were really easy going and chilled out. But I also worked with some right ego cases!! The latter were the ones I was 'busy' when offered work. When I began working as a dp I found that my natural way of being veered towards easy going and quite chilled out. And it has remained so. I like to have fun and feel a real sense of team, its an amazing feeling when everyone is in sync! I do however have moments when I see things taking too long to happen and that is when I will have a calm word with my 1st or gaffer. In most cases they're so in tune that they understand what needs doing. I don't believe in losing it and start shouting. That never achieves anything apart from resentment and bad feelings. Why do you need to shout to get your message across?! A calmer and assertive word achieves more. There is one thing that pisses me off. AC's with chips on their shoulders! I had one once that was playing all sort of mind games with me. He would even try and trick me by phasing the shutter in view. I would look in my viewfinder and see black. At that moment I was under pressure with a scene at 3.30am on a winters' night in the middle of London and the last thing I needed was my AC fooking around with some emotional problem! Needless to say I've never called him back and never will. Cheers S

I understand your point but that is what they seem to charge over here unless on an extensive job. On a film I shot last week the charges were 19pence (9.5 cents?) per foot including best TK and transfer to digi (digi stock incl). What's the norm over the pond?

Aaah got it!! Thanks a bunch Michael, that really helped! Cheers S

Hey Sam, Firstly, you are in the right place. Welcome! Being a cameraman is loads of fun but also loads of hard work. There is a bit of technical stuff you need to learn to help you understand how it works but above that your creativity is what separates you from the rest. My advice is if your not, then start to watch loads of films from the past and now. Read some books on the basic technical side of cameras and light and then go out there with a camera and have some fun! Don't be afraid to make mistakes as it's from the mistakes that you'll learn more. A good book that I can recommend is called "Cinematography", written by Kris Malkiewicz and our very own David Mullen. In terms of studying and what route to take I would advise that you go down the photography route. A good place for you to aim at is the National Film and Television School (NFTS). I hear from other people that their Cinematography course is one of the best if not the best in the country. Hope that helps and good luck! Cheers S

Hey Chris, Just tried the formula you gave and I'm getting 2.08=(1/24)*(180/360).....my maths is my weakness so can you please detail that calculation? Cheers S

Hey Rolfe, With smaller sources you can achieve a soft look by placing several units next to each other....so essentially it could work for you. Cheers S

What camera is it for?

Hey Karl, I've been using a new lab here in London called 'ilab' they charge about £50 per still roll for an ECN-2 process. Why they charge more than the C-41 process must be down to costs on logistics of processing. Chemicals, machinery etc....I mean, the 'snappy snaps' on the high st has an automated machine that needs an operative to have about 10 mins induction to work it, whereas a pro lab, as you might know, is a 'little' more complicated. I don't really get too involved in the intricate technical depths of it but I'm sure someone else here that is more technically minded in this dept can help. As for the grammar question, a still slide is a single frame that is put into what we call a slide case where as a movie print is a roll of several frames. Unless I'm not getting your question I don't particularly think that our grammatical differences have any play in this instance. Cheers S

Eric, When testing for a lower budget project I usually get some 35mm respools from Kodak. Its a great way to test without spending lots of money. However, the processing is a lot more expensive than developing 35mm that doesn't need to go through the ECN-2 process. Also, 1/50th is absolutely fine and if your camera doesn't have the option then 1/60th will do too. The difference is 1/10th. Cheers S

Top five is very hard as there are loads of amazing films.....but here goes anyway. My top five that come in to mind and that were made in the last 30 years or so - Once upon a time in America O' Brother where Art Thou Goodfellas Etre et Avoir True Romance Other Contenders - Delicatessen, Amelie, Edward Scissorhands, Catch me if you can, Big Fish, ET............

That's right, it has been a desert since the start of 2008. I do however believe that it is all starting to pick up. Dave, Just a thought but how about phoning and emailing DP agencies and diaries. Good luck mate! Cheers S

Hi Freya, There is a unit on Brixton rd in what I believe is called Kennington Park trading estate. I can't remember the name but it supplies the NT. They are not too far from the Oval tube station and cricket ground,....I rented a costume there once for a fancy dress party and whilst there I had a walk around. The amount and variety of costumes was amazing. And best of all I remember them not being too expensive! Angels is waaaaay over priced! S

Chris, Everytime I see your picture you remind me of Sergeant Herc in "The Wire". You probably don't look anything like him but in your avatar you do.....just had a compulsion to mention. ;) Cheers S

Hey, you can get them at panavision. S

Hey Vincent, There are some net holders which screw into the back of primos. It works in the same principle as a painter's canvas. Cheers S

That should do it mate. Good work!!! Cheers S

Top man!! Many thanks! Cheers S

Does anyone know where I can pick up a PDF of SR3A manual? Cheers S

Saul, I'm not one to be pedantic but I must correct you in the fact that I didn't say MUST but COULD. 2 very different meanings. S

Does the above apply just to US citizens or does it also apply to foreigners? S

Devon and Cornwall....in the right conditions can be AMAZING! That area of the UK gets the remnants of the gulf stream and believe or not it is actually milder than you would expect. As for Gatorade in the bath.....hmmmm....a bit of a sticky mess eh? :P S

Devon and Cornwall....in the right conditions is can be AMAZING! S

I tend to choose T stock in daylight as I find that the 85 slightly enriches the blacks. If thats what I am after of course.... S