Guy Meachin

If the Canon 14 x lens is so well thought of for the prosumer range - I believe the lens is the same as the Canon lenses used on more expensive cameras but with a different mount - then why does this lens 'barrel' so much!? It's really quite poor for focus pulls!

I had considered diffusing the light - the problem is that moon light is quite sharp - is it not? For the positioning of the blonde I was just going to strap it to a very tall tree!

Hi I'm shooting on DV CAM or Mini DV on my XL1s with the Canon 14x lens. Like I said it's just an experiment so I'm pretty flexible with the rest. I want the scene to look a silvery white such as the light from the moon. I wanted a wide shot to begin with and then some coverage afterwards. Hope that helps. Guy

Hi As an experiment I'm trying to light a forest at night with the effect of the moon shining down through the trees from left to right. I have access to 1 blonde, 3 Redheads, and some microlights. I also have a geny, not sure of the power output yet, I will find out. Would my blonde be powerful enough to light as if it were the moon? I could tighten the shot if need be. I'm not sure what to expect so I thought I'd as for some advice first. Maybe the only way to find out is to go out and do it? I was looking at using some of the redheads for some backlight to add some depth and to get the blonde really high up in a tree somewhere! Any ideas for rigging the blonde in a tree? I may have been ver vague here so if you want any other info - please ask! Cheers Guy

Also - NTSC is visually pretty poor. PAL is better quality. Am I right?

If camera dynamics are nessacery for telling your story better then there should be no avoiding them - In my very humble opinion - isn't that what Cinematography is about? When I shoot a short film I love to use the dolly especially, they give your film more credibility, you've made the effort to set it up for one thing. The fact that track can take ages or you have a dolly shot in an obscure place will give an educated audience more to enjoy. But your movement must be motivated by the story eitherwise it will look like you're trying to be too fancy.

Just got back from NY. Superb place - especially on top of the Empire State at nite! Went to B + H. Pretty good also, bought a new lens for my FM2, some cini film and 'Matters of Light and Depth' - it came highly recommended - anyone heard of it or read it. Can anyone tell me why 90 % of employees in NY are SO RUDE!? Are we over polite in Britain? So they are seriouly moody or unhelpful, then expect a tip! :huh: The thing I couldn't get my head round was that when you meet people in the street they're so nice and freindly. I know it's not just me because my freinds said the same. Maybe NY'ers don't like the English. That aside - I went to see the Machinest in a small cinema in Greenwhich village. What a great film! The old Welshman was superb also! I think this a good example of a bleech bypass (correct me if I'm wrong) also. Anyway it was mostly a thouroughly enjoyable trip and thanks to the NY'ers (those met in the street anyway) :D

Think he's the head of cinematography at the NFTS.

Is the LFS the same as NFTS? Did anyone see the film on C4 last night made by students from the NFTS? Had the making of the film before hand. Really good prog. Been looking into the NFTS myself. Seems very expensive but I'd love to study cinematography as a specific subject. Think it's the only one in the country. I know Brian Tufano is one of the tutors there - he's a very interesting bloke and a real inspiration.

Thanks. I'll do that

Well I've got enough storage so I can afford to be lazy! :D

Is it possible to capture all my footage as one clip and then split the clip in to seperate ones in FCP. Surely this would be quicker than going through a tape and selecting in and out points. Call me lazy!

On the MA 200 I've plugged in my mic into audio 1 Left. The sound only comes out of one channel - my levels are showing sound in the left channel only. Obviously I don't want to shoot with only one channel. How do I get the sound through both channels with one mic? Is this possible? Do I need some sort of split cable connection? If not, is it possible to send the (rubbish) mic that comes with the XL1s through the right channel as well as the boom mic through the left? I realise this isn't relivant to cinematography but if anyone could give me a solution I'd be grateful. Guy

Thanks all!

Does anyone know how Top Gear apply their filters? Do they shoot with filters or are they added in post? Some of their sequences use some lovely grad(?) filters. This might not apply to people outside of the U.K. - I doubt it's shown anywhere else.

Thanks, Museum of moving image sounds good What's B an H? Benson and Hedges? :D Also is it easy to buy cini film in New York fairly easy? I'm thinking it might be cheaper to buy it over there. Only problem is that I'm not sure whether Kodak - being the only place in the U.K. who process 8mm I believe - might not process it if it's not been bought in the U.K. as processing costs are inclusive with the film.

Just trying to work out this attachment nonsense

I have this CHINON 672 classic auto zoom super 8 movie camera and know almost nothing about it. Unfortunately the instructions have been lost. Is it a good camera? Baring in mind it cost a fiver! How do I control the aperture or is it automatic - hopefully not. Anything else you might know would be appreciated.

Wasn't sure where to post this as the help forum seems to have dissapeared. In the Leone post there are screen shots from his films. How do I attach screen shots to a post? I tried attaching some screen shots before with no luck. Any advice? Thanks

Thanks for the advice, my walking boots are packed! :D

Hi Just booked a weeks 'vacation' (to use the yank term) in NY. Know nothing about the geography or what's worth seeing there. Can anyone recommend anywhere to do with film or cinematography that's worth visiting? I'm taking my Super 8 with me as it seems like the perfect opertunity to use it Cheers Guy B)

The rent is seriously OVERDUE! :D

Is there anyone on the forum that works in Documentary? What's the best way to enter into it? At a stage where I don't know what area of cinematography I want to try for a career - interested in trying to get into Doco, wildlife, or cinema as DP? I never hear of anyone talking about documentary's, and doco crews seem fairly thin on the ground, maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

Does anyone know if Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More are likely to be released on special edtion? Not sure whether to buy the box set or not?

I regularly shoot my own stuff and normally light myself aswell. I think I need some experience shadowing a DP or something to make some progress. I'm in the process of getting hold of some lighting books at the moment. Since my last shoot I've started to feel a little more confident lighting a set, but I'm fairly limited to what equipment I can get my hands on. Like you say though, if I can get some nicely lit films on my reel I can show people and go from there. Thanks