Justin Oakley

Hello again, Im trying to figure out whats what in regards to Sony batteries...before I go spending (yet another) small fortune and realizing they dont work or I got the wrong ones. First, Im looking into buying an Aputure Amaran light. It requires Sony F series batteries. And from what Ive seen, the 970 is typically used. So can I use ANY battery, but 970 is better because it has a longer life? Another question I have is why are some of these batteries cheaper than others? Were not talking 20 bucks here. I found a 2 pack of non-Sony batteries for something like $71 With a charger. But I found a 2 pack of actual Sony f970 batteries for like $200...no charger. Onto chargers...Is this a one size fits all deal? Like any battery in the F series? Because that sure would be convenient. The small hd focus monitor I bought came with an f760 battery and a wall charger. Could I use that same charger to charge a 970? From my not so experienced standpoint, one could use various batteries interchangeably with different accessories as long as they are in the same series, right? whether its f-720...770...970...980, etc Sorry if this is a long post. Its just all very confusing to me. Or maybe its not all that confusing and I am just thick.

The focus assist closely resembles what Ive always understood to be focus peaking. Maybe the same thing

Only the focus assist has color.

Thats what I was hoping. But no color option. You can change the intensity though. I dont know. Its just kind of odd working with it.

Yup it has both. But I was referring to the focus peaking that has an actual color you can choose, that appears around the edges of the object when it is properly focused.

The focus peaking isnt displayed like Ive typicaly seen it on other monitors. Instead of displaying some sort of color indicator telling you what is in focus, its weird. No defined color. Its just REALLY oversharpened. I was able to eventually find some info. I guess this is the way it is designed. Now Im just trying to figure out if the part of the image I WANT in focus actually is. When I was testing it, it appeared as through just about everything in the frame had this heavy sharpening effect.

does anybody here use, or has anybody used, the small HD Focus monitor? I have a question about the focus peaking tool. And its kinda bugging me?

Cool! You wouldnt happen to have a still if the footage that I could look at, would you? So you just kind of placed a couple of these around the scene?

No power. Portable, rechargeable work lights from Lowes. So maybe use a practical ie: lantern or flashlight? You said I could let it fal off into black. like BLACK black? When opening the scene up a bit to show the grave its ok that theres a bunch of black space? Again, Im new to this. I would like to be able to show more of the surroundings. Not like oh he must be in the woods...I can see a tree or two. More like oh poop, this dude dug a grave in the middle of nowhere. If I could manage I guess I could use lights from a vehicle. Another quick one...when lighting the subject, with the lantern at his feet, should my key be shooting up at him from the ground? Or can I light him from more of a neutral level?

Im going to bump this thread so I dont make a new one and clutter the place up. Any idea how one can do this on a budget? And by budget I mean, like no money. I do this stuff as a hobby and dont have access to $10,000.00 lights and crews to rig all kinds of stuff. What I do have...some portable work lights, CTB and CTO gels, a couple 5 in 1 reflectors, a couple cheap light stands. Need to light a man standing in the woods above a shallow grave at night. And its not just close ups and medium close ups. There will be a long as well. So not only do I need to figure out how to light using what I have and with very little money, I have to make it look real. I dont necessarily want it to look crazy blue. I see fog helps. That I could probably figure out.

Thanks. Im writing it for myself. So I guess its ok to say off camera, etc? I originally thought about using (V.O.) but it didnt seem right. Its a conversation between two people. And when I think voice over I think of internal dialogue or narration or something. Just for kicks, if I were just writing and somebody else was reading, would I want write the action and then write the conversation separately? Otherwise it would look and feel odd if theres a conversation taking place via phone and Im writing action taking place simultaneously... like a dude swinging a bat or something. Right?

Hello, Im trying my hand at writing. Ive had some ideas and I managed to turn one into a script, using Slugline. Amateur...baby stepssimple concept, minimal characters, locations that are easy to access should I choose to film it. Anyway, Ive got another idea but Im not sure how to script it. The basic idea is this: The shot is holding on a mans face as a phone conversation between him and his wife takes place. Like, we can hear the conversation, but its not in real time. The action is pretty much just the man staring at a point somewhere out of frame, smoking a cigarette. Any idea what language I use to describe this shot in a screenplay? John brings the cigarette to his lips and takes a drag. The phone conversation continues... Or does this require more specific details, letting you know hes not actually talking on the phone in this particular shot? John brings the cigarette to his lips and takes a drag. Off camera the phone conversation continues... Is off camera even the appropriate language?

Right on. Yeah, I was aware of the importance of audio, along with a couple other fundamentals...rule of thirds, etc. but only on a very basic level. And yes, I actually fired the gun. I wanted the sound of a gunshot fired outside in the distance. I didnt really know about how or where to acquire pre-recorded foley at the time. I guess I picture those cheesy 70s tv gun sounds...you know, the really echoey flashy sounds...where every bullet seems to ricochet off something.

And yes, this is for my personal use. However, there are local filmmaking groups that I hang out in (mostly via social media) where people share ideas and collaborate. If I did feel like sharing at some point I wouldnt people reading my stuff like wtf is this?!? Shut up already.

Thanks a lot! I guess this is kind of what I was looking forexamples. so, from what I gather, it is technically okay to be thorough. And as far as the line spacing thing, I pretty much already did that (breaking it into smaller chunks that are a little easier to digest).

But is there a right way? Not that I intend to, but in the off chance that I DID want to share it, what is a correct format? You said not to exceed three lines of text. But that is the exact problem I have. There is very little dialogue.

Hello again. First, let me start by saying I have never written a script before. So I have an idea for a short, but Im having a little trouble sorting out the format as it has little to no dialogue. How on earth does one accomplish this? I just installed the Slugline software (pretty neat, by the way) and started writing. But as I jam away at the keys, I feel like Im writing a damn novel trying to articulate the action. I know brevity is key with screenplays. But I also want the ideas and actions to be as clear and concise as possible. Is it okay to write like this? Or is there some sort of script-specific technique for action, or short-hand I should be using? Oh, and this is some pretty violent subject matter so I want to script the scene in vivid detail.

Thanks for the input. This helps because I am literally just...going with it and learning along the way. In just the short time between shooting and first edit I learned all kinds of stuff and just kind of smacked myself wishing I could go back knowing what I know. By pan, you mean play with the audio so that it is kind of focused on one side or another? Ill consider this another tool in the toolbox because I honestly didnt even know how to do that then. So is it wise to isolate certain sounds (not the score) to one side? How do I know which side? Is it dependent on the framing? When I first cut it, there was no music...only those long droning sounds. So by the time I was on round two, and three, the original sounds (ext. wind, inside cab, radio, etc.) was already cooked into the film. Again, this sucks looking back. And I definitely notice spots where the music kind of drowns out any other sounds. I think you can just barely hear the wind in some parts. The gun shots (so I thought) were about as real as they get. I wrapped the phone in my shirt, plugged one ear, and fired about 4 shots from about 5 feet away. The knocking on the window...another glaring piece of detail that I completely overlooked. First time. I think one thing I have taken away is save the project! I went all crazy, stoked about my first short film, cut it, saved it, and deleted the project. Haha, lesson learned. Thanks again

Im not worried about maxing it out though. Im worried about it not being heavy enough. The camera is only a few pounds (with a cage).

So maybe add stuff to the cage to bring the weight up a bit?

Question for Glidecam users I would like to get a Glidecam stabilizer, but Im a little unsure which one. Im thinking about the hd4000. The current camera I have (with a cage) is about 3lbs and some change. I plan on getting the new BMPCC, which I think is about 1.9lbs (bare). Is this too light for something like the 4000? If I can manage to use my universal cage with the BMPCC do you think this would help add a little bit of heft to the setup?

Oh, and because I like to complicate my life, it was shot outside after we just had some rain. The clouds were floating in and out...as you can see. What a great day.

I actually made this around January time frame. I always wanted to make movies but never really bothered trying. I bought this cheap DSLR years earlier, took maybe two dozen photos, and it sat in my closet. Because...well, photography is boring, in my opinion. I only recently revisited this short I made and jacked around with the color, removed some other nonsense, added a couple inserts, mixed up some additional music and misc sounds, etc. Filmed 100% solo, with a Canon rebel T5 and the kit lenses. Recorded audio with my iPhone wrapped in a sweatshirt. No money, no crew, no clue. Check it out if you have a few

Ok. So theyre not exactly portable...the external GPU I may end up getting he one you linked.

I see. I wish I knew how to compare graphics cards. I have no freakin idea. If you were two list two I wouldnt be able to tell the difference. So what about external GPU? I read about those things yesterday. From what I gather, you plug them into your computer like you would an external HD or something? I guess they make some that are compatible with newer Macs and hook into those thunder ports. So you plug it in and juice your graphics a bit? It seems a little too simple. It sure sounds great but I get a feeling that Im not fully understanding how this works.