Tim Fabrizio

Adrian, I had the pleasure of spending a week in Shanghai a couple of years ago for a commercial. Be sure to hit up the outdoor market on Dong Tai Road, near Xizang Nan Road. And of course check out the Bund. There is a great rooftop bar,if its still there, on the Bund called Rouge. Have a great trip. Shanghai is awesome. Tim

So they say... LOL. So much for the conspiracy theory. And last year it was Ben Still dressed as Joaquin Pheonix wandering around while the cinematography award was announced. No love, although it keeps the mystique alive.

So,in your opinion,you think the fact that they didn't run clips was a mistake? Regardless of the quality of scan etc. it would still look computer generated. That film doesn't look like it was actually photographed. Put next to a film like White Ribbon or any live action film, it would still look a computer video game.

I found it strange, be it a mistake or not, that when Sandra Bullock was announcing the cinematography nominees they didn't show any clips. In every other category they showed clips. Even the sound editing and sound mixing categories got clips run over the nominee announcements. Of all the categories, cinematography deserves to have the clips run. I wonder if when you put all the clips back to back it would be glaringly clear that Avatar was a computer generated film. Maybe they did it on purpose. Who knows?

I went to CSC's lighting workshop in October and PS Technik was there with their prototype for their digital mag for the SR3. http://www.pstechnik.de/en/digitalfilm-16sr-magazine.php

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! Sometimes their rigs are so overthought its ridiculous. When I saw their whole rig for the Mark II, I thought they were pushing it. But when I saw the iPhone nonsense it just pushed me over the edge. I really only like a few of their rigs. Their microforce holder is a pain in the butt.

Pull focus. Its your job. It keeps everyone at ease (operator, DP) when they know that the AC is taking it seriously. If I saw the barrel set at 4ft and the action was at 6ft+. I would tell the AD we need another take.

Try using tape measures like these...and see what kind of reaction you get.

Put him in charge of craft services.

I agree, sometimes the most beautiful light is meant to be observed and captured with a still. Also helps to have beautiful light/wife. And to like them both. LOL

There are so many other duties to an operator than just operating the camera. You have to pay attention and anticipate. Listen to what is being said on set, the discussions between DP and director as far as lenses,etc. Communicate with your assistant. And once the camera and lens is up, make sure you are at the camera. The key grip, gaffer and dolly grip will be constantly asking you what is in your shot and if stands,flags,etc are creeping into frame. Don't bog your DP down with info that he doesn't need. Make sure your ACs have your back and you have your DPs back. Relax and have fun with it. Operating is fun, you are the first person to see the movie captured.

We are talking about The Academy Awards not The ASC awards. And I do believe that career does have a lot to do with it.

I think either Pfister or Stern. Miranda has only shot 3 features and I think Dark Knight was so dynamic and Pfister has such a great resume already. Stern does too. His films are visually stunning.

JIm Carey has already been in a Batman movie. He played the Riddler. I heard that Johnny Depp will be playing the Riddler in the next Nolan Batman.

I am fan of Northern Renaissance painters like Vermeer and Frans VanMieris. VanMieris played light and detail in the shadows beautifully. Edward Hopper actually was a huge fan film and motion picture and was inspired by the moving image.

I am all for meeting up and having some beers. Date,location call time?

I love these. David, thank you so much for your insight and lessons. I (we all) truly appreciate. Manure...sounds like a poop show. HA HA HA. Good luck!

I'm getting one. I can see it now. Loaders and camera PA's will become so good at this being stuck on the truck all day.

They are just there for reference and a quicker way to do focus. Some assistants put a laser pointer up there as well and thats how they dial in the cinetape. Since proper focus is done to the eye of the subject dialing in with a laser pointer is exactly the safest way. I have seen guys aim the laser just below the eye. Still not exactly the safest thing.

I agree.Memoirs is beautifully stunning. The opening shot as the camera comes down across the rooftops,with the snow falling and the window is closed as the camera passes is fantastic. They previsualized that shot with a scale model and a small DV camera. Pretty cool.

I am pretty sure you can get it with the HDX900. For Varicam its in the VF/MARKER menu, called VISTA 2. I used it on some pickups I shot for a 35mm feature and they wanted to use a varicam(budget thing).

I have run into issues before with neon tube lights (the ones that you would see on a sign). I in shot a huge hotel lobby and behind the reception desk were this purple neon lights that ran from floor to ceiling. In the same shot were flourescents as well. Those I could dial out, as well as computer monitors. No matter what I did (shutter, speed, etc) I couldn't phase out the neon. It ended up looking cool and director loved it, got lucky. David is correct though, at a 1/50th everything at 50hz should be fine.

STEADICAM. DONE!

I agree with Andre. C-Stand!!!! Bag the hell out of it.

I just realized that I quoted you, Walter, in my last post. HA. Thanks for the info.