Jeff Locke

I don't think this is the best place to be advertizing your services. You should try your local Film Commision, Mandy.com, or Backstage.com for job announcements.

Well, being from California I can think of ten off the top of my head: USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton, LA City College, Cal Arts, SFSU, Brooks Institute, UC Berkley, and New York Film Acadamy - Universal Studios Campus. Go...research...call... BTW, you should have been applying four months ago.

Very nice quality! I prefer the first still where the background can be seen. To me the shot emphasizes the desolation of their location, as opposed to the second shot where they could be anywhere. One point though, in the first shot there is a shadow on the left from what looks like a board. At first I thought it might be a rock formation, but it's obviously a 90 degree angle. My 2 cents...

My perspective is a little different. I come from a theater lighting background where you are forced into lighting your set and actors adequately and appropriately. I want to do the same on a set; light it like I want in order to acheive the look I want, then adjust the camera to complement. The arguement against this is the cost of film stock, or post work, but if you test enough, there should be less time wasted figuring out how much light is appropriate, or how much color correction is needed. This idea is already in place for filming theater productions; the camera must adapt to the conditiions, not the other way around. I'm pretty sure The Met shoots in HD, and the San Francisco Opera might shoot in film. (the local movie theater shows monthly recordings of the opera, and I don't think they have HD in the room they show it.) I always think it is a good idea to learn the art of lighting design. (Here I go...) With the advancements in computer technology to the point that they can recreate a person so well it fools the eye, I fear that there isn't going to be a need for an on-set DP, they will have all migrated to the post studio to do the correction needed to add light! A bit far fetched, but the old fashioned way looks more natural. Of course if you don't want natural then go ahead, but I'll take Blade Runner over Button any day. <_<

Uh, sort of. While the HMI's can be run off of house-hold power, (2500 watts is rated at 140-150 volts) I would recommend solving your ballast problem first. The cable can be bought from www.bhphotovideo.com Also, I would recommend that you use a high-end power strip / or power cleaner like the ones from Monster Cable. That way there is extra protection on both sides of the powerflow. BTW, how much did you puchase this set-up for?

You know, I don't recall many people taking pictures while I was there. I think I saw one person. Jose, Angstrom Lighting is offering a class this Saturday. However, I registered a couple of weeks ago, so there might not be room at this point.

Thank you David, I couldn't remember his name. He was quite impressive to me because as we were sitting at one of the tables, he could relate to my Theater background. We probably spent ten minutes talking about those Source 4's. He told me about some new ones coming out of New Zealand that use a mirror reflection system with a massive heat sink that allows the body to stay cool enough to not have to use gloves. Cyclon I believe they are called? Anyway, I didn't recognize anybody by face, so sometimes I didn't know who I was talking to. :D

I am extremely suprised no one has started this before me... So, I went to the Open House on the 14th, and had a blast. I met David Mullen, Larry Parker, Woody Omens, David Stump, the guy who does Burn Notice, the guy who does Flash Point, the really embarrased guy who is doing The Jonas Brothers tour :lol: , and many others. I also met a couple of you guys from here on the forums. I think this was one of the best venues for networking and learning I have ever heard of. So, what did you guys think? Who did you meet, talk to, annoy, etc.?

That's a bummer, Thursday evenings don't work for me. Thank you for the offer though. If they had a class on the weekends, I could do that.

I'm sure these are called something specific, but we made these all the time at my theater. Another way to go would be to make the frame out of thick walled PVC. Build the frame from 1" pipe, drill holes for the mounting pins, and for the fabric mounting points. This way you can attach the fabric to the frame on one side for transport. Also, you can end up making any shape you need, and it shouldn't take more than two hours under the worst conditions. (provided access to a table saw of course.) To attach the other three sides, take 1 1/4" pipe, cut length-wise so that the pipe is a cresent shape. (You will end up with a 210 degree circle shape) Then cut this into one foot sections so you can customise the fit and strength. Pull the fabric taunt over the frame, and pop the new cut pipes over the fabric on top of the frame. Make sure to sand the inside edges of the cut pipe smooth so you don't snag the fabric. The versatility and low weight of the PVC allows it to be gripped like flags, boomed over talent, or elevated on four combo stands with tie down anchors to diffuse a large amount of sunlight. I would also grommet the side that permanantly attaches to the frame so that it is more secure and won't rip. The ability to "undo" the screen provides some safety in high winds as well.

That sounds like a great class. Is it open to the public? If so, does it cost anything? I would love an excuse to go to San Francisco.

So what is your next step? It sounds like you are not finished shooting, correct? I am only 3 1/2 hours from The City, so if you need any help on set, electrical, gripping, set construction, just say the word and I'll be there.

MMMMM, Amanda Peet in The Whole Nine Yards.

The number one problem I come across is Vocabulary. New people, and students, are unused to common vocab that is used in the profession. Perhaps these newbies do know how to do something, but they are used to a different word or phrase. Especially if they are coming from school or another medium like theater. I always spend time going over vocab with my students.

this doesn't cost anything?!!!