James Malamatinas

So, it appears Peter Jackson will be using RED's new EPIC camera for shooting The Hobbit, link below:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=52300

Just wondering if people consider this just another small evolution for digital cinematography or whether this camera, as well as the Alexa, will have a big impact in moving a lot of direcotrs and productions from Film to Digital? Alternatively, is it simply because the film is due to be shot in 3D that the filmmakers have taken this decision?

After Avatar ushered in a new 3D era I've found it interesting that a lot of filmmakers are having to use digital cameras instead of film to shoot stereoscopic and wonder whether this will have a lasting effect?

At the same time, has anyone had any time testing the EPIC or seeing its capabilities?

Sorry for the late reply guys, just wanted to say thanks for all the advice, its appreciated. Will be looking to pick up some kit in the next couple of weeks and just get the very basic items, after that I'll pick things up as I go along and learn more and more what suites the way I work.

I am in a similar same position to you Ben. I'm currently talking with rental houses in London to try and find an opportunity to pop in during quiet periods and get some hands on experience handling film cameras and magazines. I realised having done a few months of camera assisting that I have a very large limitation with not being able to work on film and with it realised that the chance of getting to learn about film and film cameras on set, where mishandling film has enormous potential for damage, is extremely slim.

Most of the people with film experience I have met were either; taught in Film School, through a friend with film equipment or, the lucky ones, by having been a camera trainee. If you don't have one of those options open to you I think Rental Houses are extremely valuable. You also have the benefit of starting to meet the people that work in them which becomes useful when you eventually need to hire kit for yourself or for a project for which you are hired.

Hi guys,

This year I've finally managed to move from running into camera assisting and now, having seen that I am getting regular work, feel it's time to invest in my own kit.

Up until now I've been using items provided on the shoot by either the 1st AC or DOP (not ideal I know!) but I'm determined to do this full-time so wish to start investing myself so I'm properly prepared for each shoot. I'm basically looking for advice on what you guys think are the essential kit items I should get to begin, I've listed a few below which I think are absolutely necessary from my (limited) experience.

- various tape (1 inch, 1 '1/2 inch etc)

- tape measure

- clapperboard (I've found a lot of my shoots don't have one and they expect the 2nd AC to have his own)

- D ring

- Sharpies, pens, markers

- Torch

Also, until I have more kit I thought a full floor bag may not be necessary and instead was looking at something like the Portabrace AC Pouch (mentioned a few topics before this), I would wear this while actually shooting and have essential gear to hand. This make sense?

What else do you guys find yourself using everyday?

Cheers in advance,

James

The credits of the ACs on the Arri Crew service is impressive!

Thank you very much for your advice, both of you.

I was aware that many other skills go into being a respected clapper loader or camera assisting - I have worked as second AC on several low budget productions, and also focus puller on a couple of other micro budget shoots - but as you point out I need as much experience and practice as I can in all of this. I was more concerned with handling film specifically because I am very VERY aware of what the costs can be if you do not do this job correctly.

I will definitely check out the books and forum, in fact I have already read the third book by David Elkins. I will also contact some rental houses to see if there is anyone who will let me practice on some mags or short ends.

If you think of any other advice will be very thankful to hear it!

I am searching for some advice on how to get experience clapper loading. I've recently moved from running to camera assisting (something I am looking to do full time) however I have been limited to digital productions currently because I have no film experience - as such I keep seeing and missing film projects looking for clapper loaders, many of which are larger, more valuable opportunities.

Given how much responsibility there is in loading/unloading film i.e. the cost of, and risk to, damaging exposed stock, I assume there will be few to no shoots that will allow me learn on the production so I am looking for a way to get this knowledge elsewhere.

Can anyone recommend a way? Would rental houses be a good option? If I buy short ends and a mag can I learn myself? Ideally I am looking for teaching that would give me enough confidence and skill to go onto a production in this position.

I look forward to your thoughts, thank you.

I have found an answer to part of my question at the below link:

No Filmschool HDDSLR

As for picking the right starting out lens... the plot thickens!! So much to learn about lenses, might put off the buying until I have a better understanding.

I am in a similar situation as you and have been research a lot about lenses, I think the following articles will be useful:

1. No Filmschool HDDSLR Intro

Great introduction to HD-DSLR shooting included detailed section about choosing lenses

2. Shane Hurlbut Blog

A great blog which I have only found today by Shane Hurlbut. Has great information on lenses as well as a done of other informative blog posts.

Hi guys,

I am about to purchase a 7D that will be used mainly for short films that I will be shooting to learn various aspects of film making, before hopefully moving towards a feature. I do not however have much experience with different lenses either for stills or video and need some advice on picking lenses for the new camera (my last video camera had a fixed lens.

My main question is - are there different 'prosumer' lenses for video opposed to stills i.e. not motion picture lenses, or can stills lenses be used perfectly with video?

I initially started looking at the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS however I am a follower of Philip Bloom and I saw this article which made me consider Nikon/Zeiss lenses - http://philipbloom.net/2010/05/11/why-i-recommend-the-zf-2-lenses-for-canon-dslrs-over-the-ze-2/. I don't however understand completely what he is talking about and how it affects the final video image (if at all).

I should point out that as well as advice on specific lens I appreciate any links to understanding the qualities and aspect of lenses in more detail - currently using http://www.photozone.de as a guide for reviews.

I have about $2000 max to spend on lenses - all advice is welcome.

Many thanks in advance,

James

I'm 2/3 of the way though Elkins book and it's been really informative for me. I'm currently a runner but looking to get into camera department so I picked this up so I would have an idea of what would be expected of me as a 2nd or loader and the book does a great job of summarising this.

I'm working on film for the first time this week (HD only so far) and it's quite a small crew so hopefully, if I get asked to help out with camera at all I'll have at least some idea of what to do!

I have worked as a runner on several UK short films and features over the last year however my real desire is to get into camera department so that I can get more hand-on experience of cinematography and the skills needed to be a DOP. I am extremely keen to learn and build up knowledge of all aspects of cinematography including knowledge of cameras, lighting methods, equipment, colour grading etc and think working in one of these roles will be by far the best place to learn.

I was hoping people on this forum could share their experiences of how they got jobs being camera assistants, focus pullers, Loaders etc and whether you can recommend any advice that would help me get myself in such a positions i.e. training or qualifications, knowledge of certain equipment/procedures that you must need and so forth.

All replies are much appreciated.

Thanks,

James

Sorry for my very late response! Been having some trouble with my internet back home.

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, in the end I had to completely change the way I shot the video due to time constraints and the locations we had access to, your feedback is much appreciated though.

As I'm just starting out and experimenting with exactly how different factors affect my footage I'm sure I'll be back here often to get more tips and advice!

Hi,

I've been asked to do a company introduction video for the company I work with and this will be my first time doing a film-making project so I'm looking for some assistance. First of all I have the following camera:

Panasonic HDC-TM300

Part of the video I'm filming will have people talking to camera like in a documentary and I have found a video on vimeo here: http://vimeo.com/8217311.

At about 30 sec there is a style I like very much and would like to replicate, I do not however know quite how to achieve this and need some help.

What sort of settings would I need to achieve this, or close to this, with the camera I have. The shot seems quite zoomed in and I presume I will have to set quite a low f-stop. The main manual features my camera has is adjustable f-stop (called iris), adjustable shutter speed (1/50 to 1/250) and a manual focus ring.

I'm also unsure how much of this effect is post-production, some of the lighting and colour appears slightly unnatural. Could this be the case?

Any help on this matter would be much appreciated, I have only just purchased this camera (the best I could afford in my budget) and as mentioned this is my first attempt filming.