Jon O'Brien

Okay, not always.

Anyway, what's the big deal? Can't people just re-tool? Is that really such a difficult thing as long as there's a market?

I think a movie can be great and very entertaining if shot on digital. I just like the look of film even better. It's got to be said - many think so too.

In my opinion fatih is correct when he points out that shooting on film will help a good or great script. But that's just the opinion of some. The look of a movie has a big influence on how enjoyable the cinema going experience is. If you're watching it on tv, it's still very important there too. I can tell on tv if something is shot on film. So if this is all just opinion, what's the point of this thread? Because film lovers want to make sure film doesn't get killed by video, which nearly happened. We keep saying, and it's blatantly true, that most current cinema is projected digital tv. We've already got that at home. Yes, sure, people still want to go out.

I think fatih has made some very fair points. People seem to get troubled when a famous name is invoked but I think that's just part and parcel of the arts. Deakins himself isn't being attacked - fatih's comments are aimed at a huge overhaul of cinema. It doesn't matter that it was 10 years ago. That doesn't mean anything really. Students should be encouraged to make comments on what they like. He's saying that his mates feel the same way too - and that they know film. Some like their steak rare, others medium rare, others don't eat meat at all. Deakins is at the very top - his position is assured. It's digital vs film that is the subject here - not the abilities and talents of individuals. It's just a variation on "Oh, I think rap is boring, I prefer jazz." I agree with fatih that a film shot on film improves the entertainment value of that film because it looks better. But that's just me. Most others don't care, so they say. I'm still not convinced though. There is a resurgence of interest in film projection, and I suspect it's not going to go away any time soon. Queues going around the block? I haven't seen that since I was a kid: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/dunkirk-70mm-screenings-of-christopher-nolans-film-at-astor-sunk-by-distributor-20170713-gxafaq.html

Now, now. We just need more film being shot so that Kodak gets bigger, not smaller.

Some here would say you throw the whole kit over one shoulder, as in throw it. Then be a videographer as opposed to cinematographer, smoking Gauloises and occasionally flicking your Isle of Harris scarf off your man bun while studiously checking the side LCD display :)

Ah, the invocation of the cappuccino, beret and arty cigarette - the last desperate refuge in arguing a point of view. What's wrong with berets, anyway. Had a cappuccino the other day it was rather good.

Worth a read, if you haven't seen it: http://www.ozmagazine.com/single-post/2017/09/22/For-the-Love-of-Film-An-Interview-with-Kodak%E2%80%99s-Michael-Brown

Something like this Robin? But maybe in 150mm. Just keen to learn more: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/232996-REG/Miller_925_ENG_Carbon_Fiber_2_Stage.html

It's funny how owning something can cause happiness. I get a glow whenever I see my Arri sitting on the shelf at home. Will I ever film with it? Sure hope so. If I do, first step is to get it down to Bruce McNaughton to get the Panavision mount changed to PL. Just got to sell an accordion first - have been trying to sell the thing for ages. Slightly obscure musical instruments must be the most difficult thing on earth to sell. I keep waiting for some Russian immigrant here to buy it as it's a Russian type.

That would make a good T shirt - with a picture of a Bolex or Arri S or something like that. Probably already been done. "Get out there and get filming"

Yeah, the tripod and head I bought are, I'm pretty sure, going to turn out to be (ideally speaking) too light for my Bolex, which is approx. 4.5 kg but I'm only using an inaccurate scale to weigh it on. I could have bought an old Miller but went with a much newer Manfrotto combination that is rated at a maximum capacity of nearly 7kg, so strong enough in that sense, but rated at 4kg for the non-adjustable counterbalance mechanism. So my camera will be too heavy no doubt. However, I had to weigh up my limited budget with the need for a tripod/head with a lot of versatility. These Manfrotto tripods are very variable in height. With the sort of filming I want to do, if I'd gotten the Miller I would have also had to buy a tiny hi hat type tripod as well. I hope to later on, when I've saved up more, buy a bigger Miller tripod and head but the priority for now is get out there and get filming.

Directing suddenly seems very appealing. Come to think of it, I once directed a Super 8 production at school and got a reputation for being too demanding - but the film was a success. Edit: correction, two films I directed at school, plus the ones I did at home. It's all coming back to me. Man, that was a lot of fun.

Have got to write up a list of remember-it points for first shoot. One is, shut viewfinder off when taking eye away. Have decided I will do a bit of taping here and there on door and filter slide. I think the reminder that film is in there is as good a reason as any, and the pros do it, too. A short poem: My tripod quest bore fruit It is now Time to shoot

Yes, there is a head on it already and it's also rated for the same weight. It's a 502HD fluid head with flat base. Second hand and not too far away from me.

Tyler, and anyone else, if I can ask your opinion for a tripod that would go well with a Bolex H16, about 4.5 kg, what do you think of this type of tripod. I ask because it is the same brand: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=504845&is=REG&fromDisList=y It is rated to approximately 7kg so should be strong enough. I know that it will be useful for the Bolex only, and nothing bigger, and also realise that it doesn't have a 100mm bowl so is limited in the type of heads that can go with it. The appeal of it is that it can be used for very low to the ground camera positions and is a lower price which, at the moment, is very appealing to me.

You must have sold it to me. I will go and see it.

Thanks Doug for your valuable advice. One thing I wasn't clear on, though, in your last two sentences. Are you saying that for normal shooting eg. of live action footage, that you do tape up the door, just in case? I've never bought camera tape. What is the type to get? Excuse my ignorance - I was mainly into Super 8 and such details of film production weren't necessary back then.

There's something magical to me, I must admit, about the film compartment of a movie camera - the bit where the film gate and sprocket wheels are. Partly what motivated me back to a decision to get into film again (I was already moving in that direction but this helped to speed me up) was the brief shot in The Force Awakens 'making of' segment on location where they open up the Panaflex camera and run the mechanism. I was completely hooked when I saw that. It brought the magic back to me after many years of being bored by the idea of cinema. I'd still kept going to see movies but the flickerless video projection had reduced my interest in "film" by 'a lot.' So to the people who made the decision to show that little tidbit of filming on that documentary: thanks! And to the ones who think my thoughts above are pathetic and cinephile-esque, you don't have a leg to stand on! You are just as much in love with those ENG "cinema" cameras with Arri and Red written on the side, and little fans blowing to cool off all that technological hot air.

Thanks Gregg, if I buy from him I will take the bigger aluminium one as per your advice. Just going through last moments of indecision. Can anyone comment on what these Manfrotto video tripods are like, for an H16, such as the discontinued 055XPROB, which unlike the bigger Miller/O'Connor 100mm bowl type tripods seem to be able to get a lot lower to the ground and in some ways might be very versatile.

Guys, now cool it, everyone get back to work. Aren't we supposed to be working? Just kidding. I think this has been an interesting thread.

Sorry! My mistake. I typed "my friend" into a French translator and that is what came out. Merely a faux pas on my part. I'm not French and indeed of Irish stock mostly. You coming from Europe, and far away from Australia, I had a mental image of Hercule Poirot for some reason, and typed that welcoming phrase without giving it much thought. It was not meant to be offensive or to be humour at your expense, or indeed anyone else's. You see, like anyone else, Australians can put their foot in it, so to speak, when writing!

Ah-ha yes, the penny has dropped, now I understand. Thank you Simon. It is for threading the LOOP straight through, as if loading a Panaflex or something like that. I get it. Thank you, mon amie.

I will definitely keep that firm in mind, Samuel. Found these two Millers not too far away, and the shipping shouldn't cost too much. Contacted owner and he said they were a relative's of his and have been in storage since 1991. They mightn't have been used for some years before that. The prices are good! Anyone know if a Miller fluid head likely to still work okay after maybe up to 30 years or more of storage? The fact that the ball bearings have been sitting soaked in oil/grease all that time means they might be fine. I'm more interested in the smaller one with wooden leg tops: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/marks-point/video-camera-accessories/miller-tripods/1161323354 How do they look? A bit old and not very snazzy, sure. The other alternative, more expensive, is a used Manfrotto 502HD head, flat base mounted on an 055XPROB tripod. This is for a Bolex H16, weight about 4.5kg maximum. Any opinions on these? Thank you.