Gregory Earls

Thank you so much, David! I appreciate you taking the time to answer this question.

Hey Folks, I was reading an American Cinematographer article (September 2007) about the movie "Caravaggio," shot by Vittorio Storaro. When asked what type of lighting he used, among other fixtures he mentioned that he liked using Concordes, which contain 7, 16, 24, or 31 globes. I couldn't find anything on them. Are any of you familiar with this unit? I'm guessing that they must be similar to Maxi Brutes? I'll place the full paragraph below. Thanks in advance. "...The lights I use on location and in the studio were designed for me by my former gaffer, Filippo Cafolla, and built by the company Iride. These multi-fixture units comprise frames containing anywhere from one to 16 Par-64 globes in different configurations. I also use Jumbos, larger units that are similar to aircraft landing lights and contain eight or 16 globes; or the Concordes, which contain seven, 16, 24 or 31 globes. I’ve been using these types of lights since 1982."

It looks like the DP used some heavy vignetting in the D.I. as well.

Location is Los Angeles. Date is TBD. Probably shooting sometime in Feb of 2016.

SHORT FILM: "Life Drawing" SYNOPSIS: "Life Drawing" is about a plus-sized college student with low self-esteem, who is bullied into posing for the art students’ figure drawing class. However, it’s through the eyes of these strangers that she finally sees how beautiful she actually is. CINEMATOGRAPHY: Low key style of lighting with a limited color palate. Digital format. Camera, Grip and Electric will be provided. COMPENSATION: Paid THE DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA & POWER: Production company which seeks to raise awareness amongst the general public on critical issues facing today’s society such as body positivity, racial equity, gender equality, human trafficking, and other compelling social and environmental causes. If interested, please email reel and resume to the following address: DCPfilm15@gmail.com DCP website Thanks! Gregory Earls

Thanks so much, Paul! Now I have to finish it. Lots o' work.

Chase. Thanks!!! :)

Hey folks, My fiction novel about and AFI Cinematography student is now FREE, Kindle edition. :-) ENJOY! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PHGER6 Description: Jason Tisse is in over his head. As a young black cinematography student at LA’s notoriously tough American Film Institute, he’s got the vision, but not the balls to battle the ruthlessness that is Hollywood. After a failed year at AFI, which includes nearly electrocuting a fellow classmate, Jason embarks on a trip to Europe to hunt down the works of his favorite painter. Armed with an enchanted camera gifted to him by an eccentric film professor, Jason is prepared to master the art of light and shadow as depicted in the infamous baroque artwork of the original Emperor of Light known to the rest of the world as Caravaggio. What Jason doesn’t expect, however, is that the innocent-looking Kodak Brownie camera he’s been given holds remarkable powers, capable of miraculously bringing his idol’s artwork alive with each snapshot. Caravaggio’s work, packed full of sex, religion, violence and some outrageous hilarity, explodes to life and sends Jason spiraling from one escapade to the next. Spanning the bright lights of Paris, the grand churches of Rome and the cutthroat alleys of Naples, Jason must overcome his inhibitions—even at the risk of life and limb—if he is to one day rule his own Empire of Light.

Kindle Edition of Empire of Light is now FREE again! Get your copy! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PHGER6

Hey folks, I dug up a vintage Beaulieu 5008s Super-8 camera. It comes with a cable that charges your battery via car battery, but I'm missing the battery! Called the usual suspects here in Los Angeles; and I'm trading emailed a couple of contacts in Europe. One of which, I got from an old thread in this forum (so old that I some links don't work, thus the new thread). Hoping somebody out there has a camera for parts or an old battery they'd like to sell. Any ideas appreciated. Would love to get this ol' gal up and running again. Thanks! Greg

Crushing news. Just noted last week that Harris shared the same birthday as my favorite painter, Caravaggio. Loved his work, my favorite music video of his, "Rain," is just inspirational. A fitting tribute on a rare rainy day here in Southern California... Rest in peace, Harris Savides..

Thanks, folks! I actually ended up getting permission to drill into the ceiling. Here's a look at the set up... Hope you folks dig it. Peace, G.

Sorry. Meant to place this in Grip forum.

Hey folks, Shooting in an office this weekend and we're hanging Par Cans from the ceiling. Unfortunately, there are no beams to use a clamp and the walls are too far apart to use a wallspreader. So I'm going to drill plates with studs into the ceiling. Paranoid about two things... Par Cans can get hot, but there are sprinklers about 5 feet from where I want to place the lights, so I think I won't flood the place. But I am worried about drilling into any plumping or wiring, not that the screws I'd use would be that long. Any hints on making sure I don't drill into something stupid? Thanks! Greg

Hey folks, I just blogged about one of my favorite cinematographers, Douglas Slocombe. Thought you might dig reading it. The Chiaroscuro Life - Slocombe http://gregoryearls.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/the-cinematic-chameleon/

Hey folks, I'm shooting in an working office, and I want to light the actors from above with Par Cans, which are relatively light units. There are neither pipes nor beams in the ceiling, so I would like to screw three wall plates with studs into the ceiling, and hang the Pars from them. However I'm not sure yet if the owner is going to let me drill. As an alternative, I was thinking about a wall spreader or a Matthpole, and hang the Pars from them with clamps, but the walls are about 23 feet apart, which, I think is too long for either. What other options do I have, if any? Thanks! Greg

Using Par Cans for an overhead halo look for my actors (two guys sitting on opposite ends of the couch. In close up, I can use bounce card as a source on their faces, but I need to match that look in the wide shot, where cards will be seen. I know that a white table cloth (or another white object on a table) acts as a practical fill, however that is not an option. I'm thinking of using LED lights, with Light Grid Cloth as as a diffusion, to bring up the ambiant light for the faces. Then switch to bounce in the close ups. Wondering if these seems feasible to you folks, and I have a couple more questions... LED lights have a dimmer on them, do you know if there's a change in color temperature with these lights as you dial them up or down. Do you think I should leave the bounce cards out all together, and just use the LED fill for consistency? Thanks. This is my first shoot in a loooooong time. Gave up the career as a DP at a young age. This is my first time back in the water, at age 46. Wish me luck. :-) G.

Good point. Other friends I've spoken to have suggested the same thing. I have to admit that I'd rather be a cinematographer. There's a part of me that is too linear in thought, get a hold of the technology, the tools, then move on to the art. This is all great food for thought. Thanks so much, man. G.

Michele, This is great advice. I will test the water first and get a feel for everything. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Wish me luck. Greg

Hey, Looking for some advice. I attended the American Film Institute as a cinematography fellow at age 22, back in 1989. After graduation, I got a full time job at 20th Century Fox, with a nice steady pay check. So the life of looking for the next gig went by the way side. Well, now at age 45 and married, I really miss cinematography and I day dream about getting back into it. I even wrote a fiction novel loosely based on my days at AFI, hoping it would fill the void a bit. Anyway, I know I'd have to start all over again as an assistant, which seems daunting. So I have a bunch of questions... Has anybody every worked with a 2nd AC at this age? If you are one around that age, how do you handle the physical demands (late nights) and most importantly, how's the pay these days? :-) Is there any work these days? I know the studio sends a lot of work up to Vancouver, Louisiana, etc. Anyway, any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks, all.

My book, EMPIRE OF LIGHT, which is inspired by my time as a Cinematography Fellow at American Film Institute is now available. Great book for young folks thinking of attending film school and needing some inspiration! Description: Jason Tisse is in over his head. As a young black cinematography student at LA’s notoriously tough American Film Institute, he’s got the vision, but not the balls to battle the ruthlessness that is Hollywood. After a failed year at AFI, which includes nearly electrocuting a fellow classmate, Jason embarks on a trip to Europe to hunt down the works of his favorite painter. Armed with an enchanted camera gifted to him by an eccentric film professor, Jason is prepared to master the art of light and shadow as depicted in the infamous baroque artwork of the original Emperor of Light known to the rest of the world as Caravaggio. What Jason doesn’t expect, however, is that the innocent-looking Kodak Brownie camera he’s been given holds remarkable powers, capable of miraculously bringing his idol’s artwork alive with each snapshot. Caravaggio’s work, packed full of sex, religion, violence and some outrageous hilarity, explodes to life and sends Jason spiraling from one escapade to the next. Spanning the bright lights of Paris, the grand churches of Rome and the cutthroat alleys of Naples, Jason must overcome his inhibitions—even at the risk of life and limb—if he is to one day rule his own Empire of Light. FREE Kindle Edition Empire Of Light (Kindle Edition) is now available FREE on Amazon.com for the weekend of February 3rd, 2012. Snatch it up. Enjoy. Tell your friends! Empire Of Light - FREE Kindle Edition

My book, EMPIRE OF LIGHT, which is inspired by my time as a Cinematography Fellow at American Film Institute, is now available FREE on Amazon.com. The Kindle Edition is free for Super Bowl weekend only. It was inspired by my time as a Cinematography Fellow at the AFI. Snatch it up. Enjoy. Tell your friends! Empire Of Light - FREE Kindle Edition

Empire Of Light - Barnes & Noble Empire Of Light - Amazon.com Thanks for the support! Remember, it's a good Xmas present for someone who loves film. ;-)

If you could get to a friend's crib, get some gaffer's tape and hang sheets and blankets on the wall, you should be good to go. Woody Allen is famous for snagging lines in hotel rooms.

Great job! I need to see this. I'm an AFI cinematography alum, but I moved into a studio job. I'm real proud of the work you and other AFI DP's have displayed. Strong work!