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Hey guys, I haven’t been on here for a while. I’m looking for some advice. Sorry if this is long winded…It’s been in my head for a while. I’m a Scottish DP based in Hong Kong and I’m thinking about relocating back to the UK & trying to get into production work. A bit about me : I have an undergrad in Film from 20 years ago and about 10+ years experience in the camera side of production…everything from AC to Gaffer to DP but mainly on small productions - loadsa of Short films, Indie Music Vids & tons of corporates. (I’ve shot corporates & Indie stuff in about 12 different countries.) I haven’t shot very regularly for a few years after a back injury took me out & I ended up getting a very well paid job in another field. When I recovered I didn’t want to continue shooting corporate jobs but I have been teaching Cinematography at a Film School part time and that’s fired me up again. I’ve always wanted to work in the scripted TV/Film drama genre but there just aren’t many opportunities here in Honkers for non-locals and I feel like there are no options to progress – I really should have left 10 years ago. I’m single, getting on a bit - 40+, female with no strings attached…no debts etc... So my question : How would someone with my years of filming experience but no real 'industry' experience fair in the UK film production scene? I've lived outside the UK for about 17 years so I’m considering taking an MA in Cinematography partly to acclimatize myself back into the country & partly to network for industry contacts plus I do enjoy teaching film and Masters would allow me to teach college classes if things didn’t work out.... BUT I’m not sure if I should go this route? It’s quite a lot of money to put out…OR …would I be better keeping my money to support myself while I just try to network on my own to get contacts & production jobs. In terms of work I have no delusions of turning up & getting DP work and I would have no prob starting at the bottom of a cam dept or even a rental house, I just want to work in the camera dept with good crews but is it realistic for someone in my position and age to try to re-start a career that's been on & off for 2 decades & what route do I take? Thanks for any thoughts or advice...harsh, truthful or difficult...I'd like to hear peoples honest opinions so i can make an informed decision...

Hey Guys! I'm going to shoot a shortfilm set in a dry-cleaner's in a bit and am currently looking for inspirational films/scenes that use fluorescent top lighting as key, since i would like to go with fluorescent tubes that are already part of the location as practicals. I'm currently looking into "The girl with the dragon tattoo"; "Arrival"; "Fight Club"; "Fallen Angels" etc. to learn how to create dramatic/thrilling scenes through the use of neon/fluorescent light from above. (The ceiling of the dry-cleaner's is going to be pretty low, so I don't think I'll be able to hang Chimera Quartz's of any size, my initial idea was going with diffused Kinos or maybe pancakes if there is enough budget for it. I also would be happy about more ideas of Lights to use. I also thought about bouncing light into ultrabounce/musslin/silk attached to the ceiling, I'm not really sure if it's the right characteristic though, so I need to test this in the next few weeks) So if you have a few other films on your mind that utilize remarkable top lighting, and of course your own tips/experience regarding working with top-light, I would be glad if you could share them with me! I'm also happy about every bit of behind the scenes material of films using this type of lighting! Cheers!

Saw this and thought I would share: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/12082238/British-production-firms-spend-big-on-vintage-lenses-to-profit-from-period-drama-boom.html

Dear Friends and Colleagues, My name is Vann Le Usami. I'm currently Managing Director of Carmudi.vn, a Rocket Internet company (https://www.rocket-internet.com). Though I spend hours on end running this new tech startup, I love Films and Cinemas. Currently our expat group in Vietnam is working on a Film on Ly Son island in Vietnam and we would love to have volunteers to join our project. Our goal is to lead the somewhat under-developed film industry in Vietnam to elevate the overall film industry, especially in cinematography. Production will be for one-month period in July/August 2015, depending on crew. We would love to have some volunteers onboard for this project. It's a beautiful love story between a NY Investment Analyst and a local fisher-woman in the midst of sun, blue skies and endless clear ocean of Ly Son island, and etc.. Our goal is to deliver the Sun, Blue Skies and Endless Clear Ocean the love persona between these two people. I truly believe great Cinematography is key to this story and the success of it. Anyone who has 2 to 3 months to spare this summer to join our project, please contact me at: vann.le@carmudi.vn or by my Skype ID: onhello.com (Please type 'Cinematography - 8 Days' in your connect request for me.) I would love your help and advice, especially your tremendous professional hands to join our project. Cheers, Vann Le Usami

Hi, Been a reader for a long time but haven't been active on the site much, thought you all would have some good insights on my most recent reel. What you like, what could be done better. It's a mix of F65, Red, 16mm and one or two DSLR shots. Thanks guys, all the best! Ben http://fischinger.com/showreel-2014/

I am looking for a cinematographer. I am filming a pilot episode for my short drama next week Monday and Tuesday in Watford (UK) and next week Friday in Middlesex Hendon (UK). Then the following week beginning the 21st we plan on filming episode 2. We have a few independent production companies interested in this drama. Would you be available? Do you have your own equipment? For more information email me at jevan_buckley@hotmail.co.uk Thank you Jevan