Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/13/13 11:02:25 AM
Comparing Resolutions of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera to the RED Epic
EOSHD finishes up their two-part post comparing the Blackmagic Cinema Camera to the RED Epic by focusing on resolution. They write, "Most will rent the Epic of course, but Blackmagic Cinema Camera ownership is more economical for longer projects or freelancers who shoot regularly throughout the year. The image from the BMCC is far better than what you get from a DSLR with the same investment. The main investment you will make in the Blackmagic Cinema Camera is time." Read their full post here.
02/13/13 11:02:25 AM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/12/13 06:02:15 PM
Zylight: An 'Almost Perfect' Line of LED Lights
Michael Sutton of Wide Open Camera writes about the benefits of Zylight LED lights. He says, "Why is Zylight so great and why am I writing a post singling out this one brand specifically? It’s really quite simple. Unlike most LED manufacturers Zylight has truly engineered an almost perfect line of fixtures. A few of these features stand out as revolutionary in this arena and it's made in the USA." Read his full post here.
02/12/13 06:02:15 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/12/13 06:02:21 PM
Beautiful Time-Lapses Captures Rare Mist in Deadvlei
This time-lapse from Marsel Van Oosten and editor Daniella Sibbing captures not just beautiful natural phenomena, but a very rare occurence to behold. As they explain on their Vimeo page, "We used small headlights for selectively lighting trees and rocks, and we sometimes used the moon. The brighter the scene, the more moon there was at the time. For the arch scene we timed our shoot exactly with moonset, which involved quite a bit of calculating and planning. But the hardest one of all was probably the mist scene in Deadvlei. Mist in Deadvlei only occurs around five times a year, so we had to keep a close eye on the weather predictions and many attempts were unsuccessful. When we finally got it right, the results far exceeded our expectations and show Deadvlei as no one has ever seen it before."
02/12/13 06:02:21 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/12/13 03:02:11 PM
Comparing the RED Epic to the Blackmagic Cinema Camera
EOSHD compares the grain, workflow and form factor of the affordable Blackmagic Cinema Camera to industry standard RED Epic. They write, "Although a very short test, this was an eye opener in so many ways--not least of all because of the low price of the Blackmagic and how good the image on that [was]." Read the in-depth piece here.
02/12/13 03:02:11 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 06:02:16 PM
A New Vector-Based Codec Could Spell the End for Pixels
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a codec which can fill in vector-based images like never before in order to create photorealistic images -- possibly heralding the death of the pixel. As they write in their whitepaper, "Until now there has not been a way to choose and fill between the [vector] contours at professional quality. The Bath team has finally solved these problems. A codec is a computer programme capable of encoding or decoding a digital video stream. The researchers at Bath have developed a new, highly sophisticated codec which is able to create and fill between contours, overcoming the problems preventing their widespread use. The result is a resolution-independent form of movie or image, capable of the highest visual quality but without a pixel in sight.” Read more here on EOSHD.
02/11/13 06:02:16 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 05:02:56 PM
Video Head Is a Camera and Helmet in One
Video Head is attempting to bring something new to the action camera market by offering a helmet and camera in one. Explains Gizmodo, "A repositionable lens sits above the wearer's eyes so whatever they're looking at is always in frame, while record and other function buttons are always in easy reach on the side of the helmet...A low-res 30 fps VGA model will sell for just $55, while 30 fps 720P and 60 fps 1080P options will also be available for $120 and $200 respectively." Read more here.
02/11/13 05:02:56 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 04:02:33 PM
Watch Philip Bloom's South Africa Mini Doc Shot on a Canon 1DX
Philip Bloom used the Canon 1DX as his main camera to capture this final installment of his beautifully-shot short series of mini documentaries taking place in South Africa. The Sony FS700 was used for the interviews and slow-motion shots. For comparison, here is the first documentary of the series, shot on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. The second one was also shot on the Canon 1DX.
02/11/13 04:02:33 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 04:02:24 PM
The Canon C300 Vs. C100
Filmmaker Magazine compares the Canon C300 and C100 which, despite having very similar bodies and the same sensor, have a $9,500 price difference between them. They write, "Ultimately, the decision may be a personal one. If you’re shooting with DSLRs, the jump to the C100 can be more than enough; the image is noticeably sharper." Read the full post here.
02/11/13 04:02:24 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 03:02:42 PM
A DP's Journey to Choosing the Right Camera
Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut blogs his experience on testing out and ultimately choosing three cameras for his latest feature, Need for Speed. He writes, "I trusted my instinct on film and its emulsion attributes. This is exactly what our digital cameras are, another film emulsion. You have to pick your emulsions, not singular, because specific cameras have their unique benefits, their unique emulsion. So trying to use their best aspects and not being locked to one emulsion to shoot your movie is paramount." Read his full post here.
02/11/13 03:02:01 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 01:02:37 PM
Canon Gets Serious About Video with the 1DC
Filmmaker Nino Leitner shoots with and reviews the Canon 1DC, writing, "By releasing the 1DC, Canon has finally proven that they are indeed serious about putting proper video functions into their DSLR line. It’s their first serious attempt, so let’s not be too demanding. The Canon 1DC definitely is the most versatile and accessible professional 4K camera on the market right now." Watch his test footage below and read more here on his blog.
02/11/13 01:02:38 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 01:02:33 PM
Watch AbelCine Expo's Presentation on Camera-Mounted Recorders in Full
Watch video from AbelCine Expo's presentation on camera-mounted recorders, which took place in January. This presentation features devices from AJA, Atomos, Convergent Design, and Sound Devices. Watch below.
02/11/13 01:02:33 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/11/13 12:02:52 PM
'Bellflower' Filmmakers Now Making a New Film Harkening Back to '80s Side-Scrolling Video Games
The team behind guerrilla indie film Bellflower are about to be at it again, as they raise funds for their latest comic action film Chuck Hank and the San Diego Twins. As writer/director Jonathan Keevil explains in the video below (which features NSFW language), the crowdsourcing is going to cover some of the film's crazier special effects and action sequences. He says, "I realized we actually, literally can't make those without some money or else we'd probably die. So I was like...let's see if real people in the real world want to help us make those crazy parts of the film and then we can cover the rest." As of this writing, the team is less than $4,000 away from their $60,000 goal. Check out their site at coatwolf.com to see more behind-the-scenes clip and to donate.
02/11/13 12:02:52 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/06/13 07:02:39 PM
Jess Dunlap Creates Time-Lapse with 17,000 Photos
Jess Dunlap shot for over a year in locations ranging from Yosemite and Lake Tahoe to Convict Lake, June Lake and Simi Valley to create the four minute time-lapse spectacle "Monolation." The video is comprised of over 17,000 photographs and set to a slow-building symphonic piece called "The Haunted Ocean" by Max Richter. Watch below.
02/06/13 07:02:39 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/06/13 05:02:44 PM
Blackmagic Cinema Camera Raw vs. ProRes
Check out this side-by-side comparison of Blackmagic Cinema Camera raw vs. ProRes output. Explains uploader Lindqvist Radio & TV, "I set up 1 pcs 24W LED (from right side). Adjusted dimmer on LED to match T/5.6 on lens. I then adjusted iris only on lens for the different shots, light stayed the same. BMCC was set to ISO 800, WB set to 6500. While filming ProRes camera was set to 'Film.' In DaVinci I used 3 way CC to get the 'X' on the waveform to end up at 50% (512 value). No adjustment to other setting such as saturation or color. ProRes clips was done in 709, RAW clips was set to 'BMD Film.' Only on iris 1.3 did I use the 'Highlight recovery' function (this can only be done to RAW files while in BMD Film mode). Uncorrected RAW at T1.3 was exported from DaVinci as still DPX, same with uncorrected T22.
02/06/13 05:02:44 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/06/13 04:02:10 PM
Twitter Cofounder Biz Stone on How Filmmaking Is Like Running a Startup
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone talks to Fast Company's Co.Create about what it was like to turn 91 photographs into a short film for Canon's Project Imaginat10n. He says of the similarities between filmmaking and running a startup, "It’s similar in that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts; everyone is doing one little thing. One person is creating the tiny figurine for my model, another is selecting lenses, there’s one technical team and one artistic team and [just like at Twitter or any of his startups] everything comes together to create one unified product that people will hopefully enjoy." See the images Stone chose and read more here.
02/06/13 04:02:10 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/06/13 04:02:15 PM
A Basic Timelapse Workflow
Preston Kanak writes up his basic timelapse workflow on Philip Bloom's blog. He says, "Shooting a timelapse is not a science. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances. One of the challenges you need to overcome when shooting is determining the ideal setting for your camera. In this post, I will walk you through a few of the settings you will need to consider. I will also be asking a few questions that will help guide you towards the perfect settings for your given scenario." Read his full post here.
02/06/13 04:02:15 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/05/13 02:02:44 PM
How 18 Seconds of Choreography Became Three and a Half Minutes of Fascinating Slow-Mo
The below three and a half minute music video depicts only 18 seconds of real-time, all done in one take, with a RED Epic shooting at 300 fps. Watch the intricately choreographed results, featuring fire, confetti, tumbling, popping balloons and more, below. Here's a behind-the-scenes video showing director Andre Chocron and his crew at work on their complex set-up.
02/05/13 02:02:23 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/05/13 02:02:23 PM
Rear Projection with a Home Projector
Director/DP Rick Macomber used a Vivitek D950 1080p HD home projector to create rear projection for Air Traffic Controller's "Ready or Not" music video. Explains Filmmaker Magazine, "This wasn’t true rear projection; the projector wasn’t behind the screen, it was in front of the performers. This meant that the projector had to be high enough — and the performers far enough away from the screen — that the projected image wasn’t touching their faces. You couldn’t do this in a 20-foot space, but in this medium-sized studio — which admittedly also had the advantage of high ceilings — it was quite doable." Watch a behind-the-scenes-video below and read more about the production here.
02/05/13 02:02:23 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/05/13 01:02:40 PM
Some of the Disadvantages of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera
Filmmaker Daniel Freytag reviews the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, writing, "The Blackmagic Cinema Camera is in my opinion not a solution which I'd buy right away. It's a nice camera with nice images. But it's not that unicorn what everyone expected. I think there are simply too many disadvantages to use it for my productions. It has some nice things like 10-bit SDI out, 2.5K RAW recording with 13 stops of DR but on the other hand it has a huge crop-factor, it doesn't have 50/60p and the battery solution is not optimal." Read his full review here.
02/05/13 01:02:40 PM
Added by Sarv Taghavian--Creative Planet Network,02/05/13 01:02:30 PM
Philip Bloom's Canon 1DC Test Film
Watch Philip Bloom's Canon 1DC test film, "4 Inches of Ice" below. Says Bloom about the experience of shooting with the camera, "Shooting was a breeze. It's a DSLR, it may have been shot in 4k but it operates the same way! Miller DS20 tripod. Lenses were Canon 16-35. 24-105, 70-20 F4, 100mm Macro (used for the interview for some utterly bizarre reason!) Audio was a Rode NTG2 into a Roland R26 and B-roll audio was the Rode Video Mic Pro. "I had a lot of issues in post though. This was shot in 4K, downscaled in to full HD for editing (I do plan to remaster as a 4k version soon). In the edit I noticed a lot of problems, banding, magenta tinges on parts of the frame. Basically we worked it out and it was down to a number of things. The compression of the 4K, combined with the Canon log mode shooting below the native ISO of 400 which is a bad combination."
02/05/13 01:02:30 PM
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