Production Diary

2017

I’ll Follow the Sun: On Location in Weehawken

My goal is to film the sun rising over the iconic New York City skyline.

2017

So Long and Thanks for Chuck Fishbein: What Happens in Vegas

Friends, after 10 years of writing this page, it's time to bid a fond farewell.

2017

The Running, Ducking and Praying Like Hell Film (Or, That Was the Month That Was)

The month starts with an up/down one-day trip to Seattle to visit wonder kid Adam and my new 3D 4K P2.

2017

Still Crazy After All These Years: A Room with a VU

This is my new "edit suite." I really call it an edit room, as "suite" sounds pretentious. I'm just simple folk. "Room" will do.

2017

Diary of a Madman, Part 2

Tra La, My Ship Is Going to Be Launched

2017

Diary of a Madman: Tra La, My Ship Is Going to Be Launched

I started filming the construction of the brigantine Matthew Turner way back in 2012. Now it’s finally going to be launched. Exciting! I have...

2017

Where 4K Art Thou, Stefan?: A Month Ago I Was Nowhere, But Now …

My New 4K Rig Only a month ago, 4K was a total mystery. What to buy? Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony? It’s scary when you’re...

2017

Emu Killed the Video Star: A Big, Badass Bird

Every week for TCN9 I film the Caper Cops. It’s a direct steal of the American Keystone Kops, but this is Sydney, Australia, in...

2017

No Shoes in Dome Pls: Welcome to Wayne’s World

Out of bed at 4 a.m.; 90 minutes later I arrive at SFO. I’m going to Seattle. SFO has just three domestic terminals. I’m...

2016

Up Close and Personal: Tips for the One-Person Crew

Holidays are a drag. Where to go? Book the hotel. Book the flight. Rent the car. Then, oops, it all falls apart. Why? Because...

2016

Three Weddings and a Vimeo: Where KISS Is an Acronym

1. Bad Zipper – Fun Wedding In the photo, a very young Stefan is pretending to monitor the sound. On my left is school...

2016

Where Have All the Digi-Trails Gone?: Nonlinear Editing Killed Them, Every One

We’re here at San Francisco’s Exploratorium to see Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest exhibition. One of his many kinetic sculptures struts its stuff. Jaw...

2016

Connections: Goof Off and Die

Ever walk away from your real-world obligations and just have fun? Be warned… I’m co-owner and CEO of Molinare, the largest video facility company...

2016

DCP BFD: Kiss Your ‘Cinema Paradiso’ Goodbye

FYI: The world has changed. The movies you see at the cinema are no longer projected from 35mm film. Instead, the moving images are...

2016

All the World’s a Stage: But Let’s Make It Look Like a Movie

Working as a cameraman for director Ken Russell was scary. One mistake and you’re out. Pity the poor PA who quipped that a shot...

2016

Brush Up Your Shakespeare: Right Back Where I Started From

Yay! I’m back at BBC Ealing. I’m so happy! I run up the stairs to the room with all the FOMs. “Hi Fred, hi...

2016

Blaze of Glory: My Secret Life as Jennifer Beals

My four-month holiday relief job at the BBC is over. One more visit to say goodbye to my FOM, Fred. “You heard? He burnt...

2016

Ken Russell Burned My Clapper: ‘Z Cars’ It Ain’t

I am employed at BBC Ealing Studios as a cameraman. Well, that’s what I thought until I met my FOM, film operations manager Fred,...

2016

A FOM Called Fred: Good News at the British Museum

I’m working for ITN, the news station owned collectively by the UK commercial television stations. No, “working” is the wrong word. ITN is a...

2016

Shibui Is a Star: And Right PITA As Well

My artisan wife, Tricia, has made a quilt out of linen scraps. She brings it home. “I should have filmed you making it.” “I...

2016

On Being a Director

Hint: Try Starting with a Shot List

2015

One Down: 49 Film Festivals to Go

Here’s My First Acceptance Congratulations! Your New Media submission, “We Built A Ship” (17-minute version), has been officially selected into the 7th Annual New...