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Serge Teulon

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Posts posted by Serge Teulon

  1. Yes we have got much to used to CGI and the magic has gone !! Stop motion and large scale model work still rule as far as i am concerned !!

     

     

    It's funny you should say that John.

    Not so long ago, I was having a similar conversation with a couple of mates of mine about Avatar. Neither work in the film business but both are photographers.

     

    I was basically saying how I couldn't believe that they didn't resort to good old traditional methods with todays technology. I mean, the technology of today was all that was missing from those films in 70's and 80's, right?!

    And as far as I know Avatar is actually quite an interesting story, so I found it to be a real shame.

    They're argument was that the whole CGI created a different realism/world. A good point but I couldn't remove myself over the fact that when I watch a film I want it to have some inconspicuous fantasy but with a firm, solid foundation that relates to our everyday life. That for me is where the magic is! You grab something, run with it but you keep the interest by making our world a direct relation to whatever is being depicted.

    That is what Star Wars, Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek etc....did.

     

    I feel like I've deviated a bit over the heading of this post but in the same breath I also think it relates to 2012.

     

    IMO where it is going wrong is that CGI is the MAIN ingredient in too many films......but then again who am I to say that these studios are making the wrong choices!

  2. Hey Fuad,

     

    There is a recent post which has some really good information as to what a dop should excel at.

     

    In relation to your own assessment about your still photography and your moving photography. I think you need to assess the differences between them.

     

    They are both very closely related.

    In still photography you have to capture the whole story or suggestion in 1 frame, whereas in moving photography you can tell the same story/suggestion within several frames.

    Neither is easier than the other. They both require the right feeling.

  3. You're right Dominic. If you really think about it, it is absolutely amazing how the whole process represents the colours as the eye, in some cases, sees it. Specially as there are so many stages where the film could be 'tricked'.

     

    A better dye density could be the thing....but it would be very interesting to hear/read an actual bonafied reason as to why it reacts the way it does. In both cases...

     

    Anyone?

  4. Hey Adam,

     

    To me, and I'm pretty sure that it is, it looks like a coloured screen that was backlit.

    In this way there is not only freedom of movement from the artist but also consistency for the DoP. Both equally important!

    Additionally, if you have a hard & spotted source that is overexposed you can create that 'white' spot.

     

    I'm not a big fan of the hip hop of these days. I'm from the Houdini, PE etc days but Kanye West is very good...great song!

  5. That's really interesting...

    I had no concept about pioneering stocks like these and the responses have made me research and learn more.

     

    What I would like to also know is, why does the fact that Agfacolor, with its multi emulsion layered structure, not reproduce exact colours?

    Where as with Kodachrome, as it was added in the process, it did.

  6. Newbie to the red. Was wondering how most people set their stop with the camera. Do you treat it just like a film stock and set everything/get your lens stop with your light meter? Or do more people go with the histogram and predator mode to set their stop?

     

    Thanks

     

     

    I follow the histogram and make my final decision with the help of the traffic lights. The red prefers a slight overexposure to underexposure as it can generate alot of noise if pushed in the one light.

  7. To be fair, I love a lot of that classic glossy photography, too!

     

     

    That type of photography was definitely nice in places and its become one of the many styles in our palette.

    But Willis' lighting was always so much more interesting.... it has so much more depth.

    He just wasn't recognised at the time because he was breaking the mould.....as we all know, in most industries the pioneering mould breakers never get the recognition they deserve until much later in life!

  8. Hey Stephen,

     

    How are you?

     

    From those pics what is clear is that the exposure is set on the fill side with key being a hard edge and shallow dof. The flare that lowers the contrast of those images comes from the hard key.

    If you follow that method I'm sure you'll get what you want mate.

    Additionally you can use a very subtle soft filter or some 'smoke' to further lower the contrast.

     

    As for shooting with film, my only advice if light by eye first, then get your exposure right. Film is ALOT more forgiving than digital!

     

    Here is a still from a promo I shot last friday on 35mm Anamorphic, which employed the same 2 light style as your stills with smoke dry ice smoke.

    The light set up was an open 2k fresnel about 6 feet behind her and one of those rectangular light panel lights that sit on the camera. But in this case it was on a magic arm set below matte box with full cto gel on it.

    post-27102-1254309225.jpg

  9. Hey Jack,

     

    David is right....get that book.

     

    In the meantime the reason nobody has mentioned to shoot with an 85 because there is no such thing as needing to shoot with an 85 by default. Unless you are shooting tungsten balanced stock whilst relying on natural daylight.

    In the 85 filter set there are 3 individual ones : 85, 85b &85c.

    They are all amber coloured. Each one represents a different colour temperature. I.E 85b = 3200K(tungsten)

  10. What I mean is that gmail is a free account. If one purchases their own website/domain name for business the domain name would be a part of their email, like Solar Productions for example. I feel that the company has made a commitment to doing what they do by having this to support their "product." As a consumer in the internet marketplace, I have more confidence in a company with it's own domain. With that name, I can search for reviews do a little more research before I spend my money. You don't need to feel that way, but I do.

     

    Tom

     

    Ok I understand. You're referring to a company.

    I'm self-employed but not a company.....

  11. Hey Ben,

     

    In our industry most ppl are really helpful and accessible. What you are getting in here is solid advice.

    A bit harsh and blunt but hey, you need a thick skin in this industry and this is as good an intro as poss.

     

    So keep your chin up and if you do decide to go onto film school make sure you get some work, at the same time, on shoots as a trainee, runner, PA etc....

     

    Good Luck

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