Filmmaking
Filmmaking
-
Review and Collaborate on Projects with Wipster
If you’ve ever dealt with a video project that needed feedback from a team of people, chances are you’ve worked with Dropbox files, password-protected Vimeo links, and a scattered selection of email chains. Wipster aims to streamline the process with their online platform. Simply upload your video file and choose who you want to share it with. Everyone you list will get an email with a unique URL to view the video without needing to create an account and log in. From there they can use Wipster’s powerful commenting feature, which lets any collaborator comment on any frame in the video just by […]
-
Solo Smart Drone Creates Virtual Second Operator
While news of another GoPro drone being released may not seem too exciting, 3D Robotics’ new Solo drone has some incredibly smart features that set it apart from everything currently on the market. Anyone who’s operated or dealt with a drone on a shoot soon realizes that to get very complex camera moves you need two operators — one to pilot the drone and one to control the camera. Solo is able to automate some of the tasks of piloting and camera control so a single shooter can get some incredible shots. Check out the video below for an idea of […]
-
The Seven Arts of Working in Film: A Necessary Guide to On-Set Protocol
Welcome to your first day on a film set. Perhaps you’ve gotten a new job as a production assistant. Perhaps you’re still in school and have been given an opportunity as an intern, or you’ve recently been asked to help out with a friend’s production. You probably have some questions. I’m writing this because I’d like to try to answer some of those questions in advance, and because I have hope. Hope that maybe the next time I ask someone to sweep up some glass that just broke, I won’t have to explain where to get a broom, how to […]
-
Blackmagic Announces New Cameras at NAB
It’s NAB, and Blackmagic have once again announced some exciting new cameras. Blackmagic has developed a bit of a reputation for announcing cameras with amazing specifications at incredibly good prices. They may not be as refined as the cameras from Sony, Canon et al., and they may not always ship on their announced dates, but if you’re a shooter on a budget you have to look at Blackmagic’s camera offerings. Blackmagic’s first camera was the Cinema Camera. Despite its unusual shape and user interface, this camera was a hit because of its high dynamic range, reasonable price, and its support […]
-
Sennheiser Rethinks the Wireless Lavalier with AVX
Traditionally when you see a lavalier you’re looking at two identical boxes with frail antennas and dangling cables. Sennheiser decided to rethink this with their new AVX system. The completely redesigned receiver is designed to plug into the XLR input with a very minimal profile. This connects to a wireless lav or handheld transmitter, also streamlined to have no dangling cables or antennas. Both units are rechargeable and simplify wireless recording by automatically finding free frequencies. A complete kit sells for $899 and will ship in June. Update: the rechargeable batteries are replaceable with either other rechargeable batteries or regular ones. Also released […]
-
Living With Lincoln: An Interview with the Filmmakers
In the late 1890s, Frederick Hill Meserve, the son of a Union solider, started collecting photographs from the Civil War. Collecting images — particularly those of President Lincoln — became something of an obsession, and he eventually acquired the largest single collection of Lincoln images. Meserve’s collection was used as the basis for the penny, the portrait on the $5 bill, the Lincoln Memorial and Mount Rushmore. The collection is vast — over 70,000 items — and became a family project for five generations. As if this didn’t sound more amazing than the plot of National Treasure, it gets better: Dorothy Meserve […]
-
Aputure DEC Adapter Turns Still Lenses into Smooth Remote Follow Focus System
It’s that time of year again for a slew of new cameras and gear to be revealed at NAB. I’m out at the show for my second year in a row, writing about new gear throughout the week on the site. I’ve got an interest in gear I’d use myself, for single shooter setups and low budget productions. But if there’s something you’d like to see covered, just reach out to me on Twitter or comment here. One new device I saw that really solves a lot of problems for the one-man band shooter is the DEC Adapter from Aputure. […]
-
Fotodiox’s GoTough Filters Add More Image Control to Your GoPro
While GoPros shoot great action footage, there’s some effects you may want that can only be achieved through filters. Fotodiox offers a filter set and mount to offer more control over your GoPro image with their GoTough filter adapter and WonderPana filters. I tested out a set with the HERO 3+. The kit really depends on the housing used, so it can work with a HERO3 or HERO4 too and there’s an adapter for older HERO3 housings. The kit comes with a 53mm filter adapter, UV, ND8, and a polarizer filter. Because of GoPro’s auto settings you won’t see much of […]
-
Domke Journalist Series Next Gen Camera Bag Review
If there ever was a piece of gear that I’ve experienced a Goldilocks dilemma with, it’s my camera bag. Or bags: different jobs call for different bags and configurations, so I’ve gathered a few over the years. Recently I’ve gotten to put a classic through real world use, the Chronicle from Domke’s updated Next Generation Journalist Series. Domke is an iconic camera bag you usually see slung around the shoulders of journalists out in the field (or movies, like The Bang Bang Club). The Chronicle is a medium sized bag that feels extremely sturdy and well built. It’s got a […]
-
Offload Review – Red Giant Securely Transfers Your Media
There’s a lot less to worry about when transferring footage off your camera than during the days of film (light leaks, scratches, unspooling, developing errors). But the copying of 1s and 0s from one form of media to another isn’t always flawless, and with the amount of files generated, organization is key. To help with the process, Red Giant has released Offload – a very basic piece of software that serves one purpose – get the footage off your media cards and onto hard drives quickly and securely. Now, this isn’t the first piece of software to do this. I’ve been […]
