DSLR vs. 35mm Film!

In case you missed the tweet, Zacuto are hosting a spectacular event on March 24th.
The DSLR Vs. Film shootout!

For details, check the trailer here: http://vimeo.com/10238227

So now we wait...

The DIY Rig Project (contd...)

Made the rail system today. Well, when I say 'made', I kinda mean 'cobbled together some junk and hope my cam doesn't fall of it at some crucial moment'!




Next stop: The Follow-focus...

The DIY Rig Project...

Part 1: The Matte Box.

I'm working to an incredibly small budget right now and the new camera and accessories pretty well wiped me out. So, being the resourceful bugger that I am, I popped to my local DIY store and grabbed a handful of materials.

I'm making a fully railed rig with follow-focus, matte box (with filter holder) and a slider. All of which will be tripod mountable.

To get things moving, I started with the matte box. Cut from a gas fire installation plate (a light guage aluminium) and held together with a combination of 2mm pop-rivets and m6 bolts. The bolts are currently 25mm and have large, unattractive wing-nuts but I'm on the lookout for 20mm replacements and some prettier anodised thumb-screw-type nuts. Meanwhile, cost is more important than looks.




Next step will be the rail system with mounts to support the camera body and matte box. Then I'll work on the integrated filter holder. Finally, I'll make a follow-focus to fit the rails.

Keep posted for the next instalment.

The best 59p I ever spent?

I found a fabulous app the other day called Tiltshift (http://imimux.com/tiltshift/).
It's available on the iPhone or as a mac application (not sure if there's a windows version).

I could harp on about its incredible image processing capabilities or the wonderful effects it renders, or I could just post some photos below and let you see for yourself...

BEFORE:



AFTER:






Yes it's silly.
Yes it'll be easy to over-use.
But hey, it's a whole lot of fun!

Vimeo group established

We now have a group at Vimeo.
Look forward to seeing you there.

To cast, or not to cast!

The casting breakdown went out yesterday for the latest project (where would we be without PCR)!

As the CVs and headshots come in I’m struck with how similar this is to recruiting staff in an office…

Some emails simply state “Oi! Here’s me headshot, have a gander” (I’m paraphrasing but you get the idea). Now amongst these mails are some headshots which look right for the roles, but…

On the other hand, there’s the odd email which is well crafted and before I even get to the link to the dreaded headshot I’m putting this person in the ‘to be considered’ pile.

If you’re planning on applying for a role, it pays to take a moment to consider the quality of your introductory message.

A

Awaiting delivery...

I couldn't resist it any longer. The EOS 550d looks too good to be true so the credit card has been dusted off and I'm now waiting for the postman to knock in a few days time.

Since I'll be using the almost camera exclusively for filmmaking, I went for the body-only option and will be adding some old Zeis primes with the help of Canon AF -> M42+1 and Canon AF -> K-mount adaptors.

Contrast can be a little high with these old lenses and highlights a little more prone to clipping but I find the flatter colours more pleasing than canon's warmer EF range.

So now I wait...