Ckulakov

Actually it was rated a "B" for the overall movie by critics. And I think its one of the most realistic, and elegant movies ever. I am a immigrant from Russia (which is not that different from this make believe "Krakozia") and many of my reletives have immigrated here and we are not any different from his character. My parents work for a immigration company and actually it is very possible to have the same problem Victor Navorski (tom Hanks) had. And I think that it is one of the most inspirational films I have seen. Tom Hanks gave a great performance and I actaully felt like I was with him in that airport. This film was so realistic Steven Speilberg and Tom Hanks probably had to do allot of research. And what happened in this film has happened before. And I know that the airport reacted in the same way. Maybe this story whent a little to far with Cathrine-Zeta Jones, BUT WHAT MOVIE DOESNT??? OVERALL THIS IS A REALISTIC, FUNNY, INTERESTING, INSPIRATIONAL, MOVIE. You might call me crazy but this is coming from a guy that has seen this film over 5 times.

Dear Filmmakers, I really like your ideas ( and they really would make the composition more powerfull and interesting) and I would use them but the mood and atmosphere that it creates does not match the scene. It needs to look very normal with most of the light falling on the front of the subject because facial features really need to be seen the best, and there has to be the sunlight coming from the right when the subject eneters. Thanks and I will leave everything the same and just have more light to come from the window visible in the shot. Thanks

What was the thread. Please give me a link.

Dear Filmmakers, How many of you have seen Spielbergs "The Terminal". What do you think of Kaminskis work in the terminal as well as in "Catch me if you can". Why dont any of you really talk about any of Kaminskis work? He is the DP of one of the world's best Directors for one thing. I really loved the crane shots from "THE TERMINAL" they where breath taking and powerfull also the romantic dinner scene with Tom Hanks and Cathrine Zeta Jones with the cool blue and pasty colors in the background and warm golden tones on the actors looked beautifull. If you havnt seen "THE TERMINAL" you really should, it has amazing cinematography. Steven Spielberg and Janusz Kaminski can come up with some amazing stuff. "Catch me if you can" also has some amazing composistions. Thanks

Please keep posting your opinions. What do you think of this update.

Yes bribe money is a good idea. Also if you are traveling with someone who knows the rules he knows what to say and when. Usually no more than 20 dollars is needed. It is not that common in Russia since there are lots of american tourists flying instead of using a train. Usually if you are going on a train you will be stopped on every border along the way like in the Ukraine, Moldova, and Russia.

Dear Brian, My mom is from Moldova(country right next to Romania) and my dad is from Russia. I moved to the U.S. just 5 years ago. I visit Romania and Molodova often. And I will tell you its not the U.S. unless you are staying in the capital with a very nice hotel. You wont be able to buy anything american for the price you can buy it here in the US. If you are shooting out in the country you wont be able to charge or power anything unless you have someone who has some power (most likly not) so have lots of batteries and charge them with every chance you get. Also go with someone who has been to Romania and knows how to speak both Romanian and English. Because the customs are not the most honest people in the world and they will make up things just to scam you, so having someone experianced will help. Dont show your cameras and expensive American things because they will know you have money and try to scam you. (other clues are back packs, shorts, baseball caps, other sports attire) Take extension cords, and converters. Take losts of batteries for you camera. Take a flashlight Take at least one small, sturdy (sturdy is important) stand, 6 feet high for your reflectors Take clamps. Take gaffers tape Take ND filters. Take lens hoods Take some small tools like screw drivers, pliers, and some other tools just incase something brakes. Dont (do not) take anything that you wont need but will make you look like you have lots of pro equipment. I dont mean to scare you because it will be allot of fun even though you will run into allot of problems. Just take someone experianced and that knows the people and you will be fine. Good Luck.

NIGHT FOR DAY UPDATE Thanks for your advice What do think about this. Thanks

I should of turned of the the practical lamp though.

Thanks You Here is the improved night for day test. What do you think

:) Thanks you very much for everyones great advice and criticism. it means allot. What I will probably do is - Back up the light coming through the window and make it more broad and diffused like daylight( no sunlight) - Put the bush farther from the window and closer to the light. - Make the light coming from the right more "direct" with more crisp shadows to make it look more like sunlight and heighten it up a bit more. - Ad a accent light backlighting the subject. I understand that this needs more polishing. It is just a rough test. I will obviosly ujust it and make the framing composition look more pretty. And like I said "remember that Im not trying to exactly replicate daylight im just trying to hint in a stylized manner that this is a day time shot" I really appreciate your input.

Lmar King, What do you mean by "knock down the light in the window in the background"? Do you mean lessen the intensity? Also the shadows on the right side shoud not be there or be there? Thanks for you advice

Thank You for the reply I understand what you mean, but what I am trying to do Is show one of the windows in the shot, and have the audiance think that there is another window to the right with direct sunlight and a window pattern showing on the left side.

What about the light coming through the window? KEEP ON POSTING

Oh yah I also I shot with a 1/2 black promist to make the window not look so harsh with a hard edge. AND remember that Im not trying to exactly replicate daylight im just trying to hint in a stylized manner that this is a day time shot.

Dear Filmmakers, Earlier I posted about how to creat a daylight scene at night indoors and this is what I got. I created a window inside the house on one of the walls leading to another room and shot a slightly diffused 250 watt photoflood through the blinds. And shot a direct barndoored 500 watt photoflood through a window cut out that appears on the left side of the wall. I white balanced 2900 degrees kelvin. And used 3200 degrees kelvin lamps. This is just a rough test and I will work on lighting the face better. But generally tell me what you think. THANKS THE FAKE DAYLIGHT TEST SHOT

Mr Mullen, I am originally from Russia. I moved to the U.S. 5 years ago and visit it allot. What films have you shot there? I heard that you where in the Ukraine too. What connection do you have with Russian filmmakers? It would be great if you can tell me more. Thanks or "Spasiba" in Russian P.S. Have you seen Andrey Rubluv?

What type of tape is the most similar to gaffer tape eg. Masking tape, electrical tape, duck tape? And what is so special about it? Also why is black wrap so expensive? The ones I found are 20 dollars a roll or more. Where can I find a cheaper kind? Thanks

Interesting cool idea. KEEP THIS THREAD GOING Thanks

Dear Filmmakers, What are some of the most useless and abnormal things that helped make your day or shot in the filmmaking (cinematography) world. For example chap stick, tile, a window pane, baby oil, a band aid, paper clip, brick, or literarly anything in this world that you thought you wouldnt use but helped make a beautifull shot or scene. HAVE FUN :) :huh:

At around 2:00 PM on a day with very little overcast and in D.C. would the light enetering through the window be considered hard or soft (diffused)? Also what would be the approx. color temp? Would a few 500w photofloods through something like a bleached bedsheet about a foot away get a effect close to that? Thanks

dear Filmmakers, I have a lower-end sony DV camera that gives me everything I need manual(focus, exposure, shutter) but the manual white balance. It just automaticly balances itself constantly when the color temp is changed. Any tips on how to overide this and somehow get a consistant effect with the lighting. Whenever I use filters it shifts back to normal once I put it on. The reason is because I am trying to get a cooler look with my movie. But this isnt for long I am getting a 3ccd camera in a couple months. But for now any tips or suggestions for what I could do. Thanks

With your experiance what is the best and most versitile color to paint a room that will work and look good with lighting? And will handle most of your needs. Thanks

I am shooting a lunch scene of a table with light apearing to be hitting from behind the camera onto the table from a set of windows. I am trying to make it look the same for every shot. Mr. Mullen If i shoot tungsten balance with the photofloods it appears slightly on the warm side. but when I shoot with the windos open and real daylight coming through with daylight balance it looks on the cooler side. Also should I diffuse the light or make it look direct? and should I gel the lights any different kind of gel.

Dear Filmmakers, I need to shoot a indoor scene with the windows covered using 500w photofloods to make it look like daylight coming through windows and NOT to brake continuety. I put full blue CTBs on the lights but It still doesnt look good enough. Any interesting setups that worked for you please post them. Any sugestions on how to set up the lights and any other techniques. I really need help. Thank You in Advance