Canon Filmmakers

Canon Filmmakers Live : Thanks For The Memories

2010-07-18T22:50:00.001-04:00

I thought I would use this time to thank each and every one of you personally!
When Cristina approached Phil about potentially doing a workshop in Philadelphia it was really just our way of trying to get our favorite DP to the place we call home. We had no idea what to expect as it started to look more and more likely that somehow this just might become a reality. So without any hesitation Cristina decided to undertake what Event-DV called our "most ambitious project to date". So,now we were on our way. The first step once we had Philip on board and tentative dates was to find the right location. After a long search through nearly every venue in Philadelphia we finally had a meeting with Gretchen from World Cafe Live. As soon as we sat down with her we knew that this was where it had to happen come hell or high-water. It was perfect.

We already knew for certain we had to have our good friends and social media gurus John Hyland and Anthony Quintano. We met John Hyland at Re:Frame Austin. We want to take a second to sincerely thank everyone involved in that event. Without that there would never have been a Canon Filmmakers let alone a Canon Filmmakers Live. We later met Anthony Quintano at Re:Frame San Francisco and immediately became great friends. So that being said thank you Re:Frame Collective you really opened our eyes and the network of incredible friends we made is priceless.

We couldn't have an event in Philly and not bring out our own Dave Williams. Owner of
Cinema Cake, master of the Glidecam, and early adopter of DSLR's for live events. We were absolutely thrilled to have him on board because we knew you guys and gals would get a lot out of his expertise.

So,now with those guys on board this thing was starting to feel like it could happen.
Next, we began contacting all of our favorite companies regarding sponsorship. The response was amazing. Kessler Crane, one of our premium sponsors, was one of the first on board and has been such an integral part of this event even happening. So from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to personally thank Eric Kessler. We had the good fortune of meeting him personally in Key West,about a week prior to the event and, I have to say, he is one of the most genuine, honest, hardworking and nicest people we have ever met. His approach to business is less about business and more about putting his soul and personality into it. Not many people know this but if you buy something from Kessler Crane and there is welding involved Eric Kessler is doing it himself. I was shocked when I heard that. That is dedication. I admire him for that and think we should all approach our businesses with a similar mindset.

Thank you to our other premium sponsor Red Giant Software for there generosity and ongoing support for independent filmmakers worldwide. I don't know what I'd do without Magic Bullet,honestly. Every piece we make runs thru it in some shape form or fashion.

Thank you to all of our sponsors Jag35, Zacuto, Singular Software, Glidecam, NewBlueFX, Event-DV, F-Stop Academy,B&H Photo. Also a huge thank you Jordan Oplinger and Jimmy Shelton from Cinema Cake for covering the photography for us.

Most importantly though, thank all of you. In this day and age it's easy to get lazy or make the excuse "I'm just too busy!" I am guilty of it. By nature we spend a lot of our time behind computers,on the internet,working and watching movies. Then,we have to find time for our family,friends and personal obligations. So, for all of you,and some of you travelled very far, to find the time, motivation, and trust in us to come out on a Sunday in July in Philadelphia, we can't thank you enough. Keep pursuing education. We are only as strong as our weakest link. When you help someone else get better,you will inherently get better too. It was a whirlwind of a day but I'll always remember every second of it. Keep it up on twitter guys we've carved out our own little corner over there at #cflive and I can't tell you all how happy it makes me to see all of you staying in contact,sharing, and helping each other.

So on behalf of all of us, a million thanks. It was more then a workshop, it was an experience.

P.S. Stay tuned for some exciting things to come.

Our trip to Vimeo Headquarters with Philip Bloom

2010-07-18T19:01:00.000-04:00

We recently went to the Big Apple and while there had the pleasure of visiting the headquarters of Vimeo, the awesomest web video hosting service on the planet. While there we were treated to an amazingly informative and hilarious tour by Andrea Allen. Here's an inside look followed by some time-lapses we shot at DUMBO during Philip Bloom's Brooklyn DSLR meet-up.

Going Wide with The Canon 7D

2010-07-18T13:39:00.000-04:00

We just got the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8. It is an amazing lens especially if you own the Canon 7D. Here is the first thing I shot with it. No one was around and it was late so I decided to test it out on Bruiser,our Old English bulldog. I set it down on the floor and moved away so he wouldn't realize I was shooting. It's a little long but wait until the very end. I was waiting for him to do something and then I finally gave up and said nevermind. He clearly is the World's Smartest Bulldog.

Canon Filmmakers Live Twitter Wall

2010-07-09T11:42:00.001-04:00

Just remember to include hashtag #cflive so your tweets show up!

Canon Filmmakers Live: Meet Dave Williams

2010-07-08T08:29:00.000-04:00

Here is one part of a larger project Dave Williams was commissioned to do for LensRentals.com .
It is a sneak peek into the caliber of education our lucky attendees will be receiving this Sunday at Canon Filmmakers Live. Can't wait to meet you all. There are 3 spots left so if your on the fence,hurry up before it's too late!

View on ExposureRoom

The Mad Men of Canon Filmmakers Live

2010-07-07T01:19:00.002-04:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Opening Sequence - "Norway Day at World EXPO 2010" by Håvar Karlsen

2010-07-06T09:59:00.002-04:00

I found this on Vimeo this morning and enjoyed it so much that I figured I'd share :)

Shot on the Canon 5d and 1dmkIVat 25 fps and 50 fps

Check out their blog for some more info on the shoot.

Canon Filmmakers Live Almost Sold Out !!!

2010-07-05T18:47:00.000-04:00

There's only five spots left don't miss this opportunity!
Sign up now before it's too late

Name That Jag Contest

2010-06-26T12:31:00.004-04:00

Help the guys at Jag35.com name there new affordable DSLR rig and you could win a free one! Pretty sweet deal. I have already submitted a few name ideas here: Jag 35 Contest
You can enter as many ideas as you want so, have at it!

Aerial Unit for Canon 5D

2010-06-23T00:47:00.001-04:00

Why We Are Thoroughly Embarrassed to Be Shooting Video with DSLRs

2010-06-18T18:33:00.005-04:00

For those of you that haven't heard RED's Jim Jannard has lashed out at DSLR shooters, saying they should be 'embarrassed' to be shooting 1080p on line-skipping sensors. This is our letter to him :)

Dear Mr. Jannard,
We are independent filmmakers from Philadelphia. We are writing you this from the side of a pool as we bask in the glorious sun in beautiful California. We are so embarrassed that we got hired to come out and shoot a job because we use the Canon line of DSLRs. This all expense paid vacation to a gorgeous city on the completely opposite side of the country is shameful. We regret embracing the DSLR technology. Since we didn't just keep waiting for the Scarlet to come out, we have had the unfortunate luck to also be asked to go to Florence, Italy, Canada, Hawaii, Key West, and Haiti. We also filmed a documentary in New York for a company out of the UK. We got that job because we purchased the Canon 7D which shamefully gave great Depth of Field and shot at 25p. We will hang our head low as we have the embarrassing task of heading off to various parts of the world and get work we never would have gotten with traditional video cameras.

It's a real shame that Canon offered an affordable tool that is helping independent filmmakers like us across the globe. However, we are sure you are familiar with Canon, right? You remember Canon. The company that made the cameras that you shot all of Oakley's ads and commercials for the first 20 years of Oakley's history.* Yeah those guys. How dare they?

Anyway, we were humiliated when the opening sequence of SNL, a promo for Jerry Seinfeld's The Marriage Ref, a Nissan Commercial, a Puff Daddy/Rick Ross/Busta Rhymes music video and then, to make matters worse, the season finale of House were all shot on the same cameras we were using. How unprofessional it made us look to our clients.

Sir, while we can certainly understand the limitations of the cameras and your mounting frustration with the Scarlet still not being released it doesn't bode well for you as a businessman or a human to lash out so negatively. What sort of a response had you hoped for? Did you think it would make you a hero to RED users worldwide? Did you think all of us Canon users would have an epiphany and realize, "WOW, all of this work we have been getting is making us really self-conscious!" Did you envision us lining up to throw our 5D's, 7D's, and (gasp) T2i's into a big pile while we danced around them ceremoniously chanting Scarlet? Whatever you hoped to achieve we must unfortunately tell you, that you sir, have failed. We always see ourselves as forward thinkers quick to embrace technology. You have left a bad taste in our mouths and we regret to tell you that we will now probably never ever buy or use a Red camera. I couldn't possible live with myself knowing that I was supporting someone as arrogant and negative as yourself. I'm sure you don't care because you are a billionaire. Bottom line: The camera is just a tool. When you decided to post that comment, unfortunately, you proved that you are too.

Embarrassingly yours,
Jon + Cristina

P.S. If you'd like to attend a Festival of Shame I would suggest going to www.canonfilmmakerslive.com and signing up. I'll tell you what Jim, we will even let you have the student discount because, clearly you have a lot to learn.

* Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jannard "Jannard shot all of Oakley's ads and commercials for the first 20 years of Oakley history. He used high-end Canon equipment, including a 1DS camera and one of few EF 1200 mm lenses in existence. "

Update:
In all fairness to Jim Jannard he made a clarification to what he said I can respect this a lot more then what was initially posted by him but I won't change what I wrote because it was a truthful response to something that happened and I will never bite my tongue. Would have been a lot better if it was said this way from the get go.:
Heh heh... I'm surprised that so many people are reading posts from Reduser! :-) Wow.

Clarification #1. I think that Canon should be embarrassed about pretending that line-skipping is good enough when they have the capability to do much more. I'm sure they will in the near future. Until then, they are delivering much less than they are capable of... which is one of the reasons I started this company. No one in this industry seems to move unless they are forced to.

Clarification #2. No shooting professional has to justify what equipment they use... only their results.

If people want to correctly point out our flaws as a company, they will only be joining my previous admissions. We have no idea what we are doing. We are always late.

On the other hand, I would bet that no company in any industry cares more about their customers than RED does. We have taught the industry about free upgrades, trade ins and customer service at 3am. We have set a new standard for direct communication with our customers, a standard that other companies are trying to figure out how to emulate.

I don't have any problem with someone pointing out that I have no idea what I am doing... I have said that all along. But it is curious that the industry is falling in line to "be like RED". All I can say is ... "don't do it. You are following the wrong guy." :-)

If these other websites are going to post my comments, I certainly hope they will post this one without edit.

BTW... we have taken a lesson from Apple. We will no longer discuss what we are doing until we are done.

Jim

Who Hasn't This Happened To?

2010-06-14T11:15:00.002-04:00

Reel World: The most amazing tattoo shop commercial ever?

2010-06-14T10:21:00.002-04:00

Wow ~ I'm not exactly sure what this is for but I am digging it.

Shot on the Red + 7d by Erik Ferguson:

Oslo city - Bride tatoo from Erik Ferguson on Vimeo.

It's Official: Canon Filmmakers Live!

2010-06-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

I'd like to thank Cristina for all of her hard work in putting this event together. We would like to proudly announce the launch of an exciting event: Canon Filmmakers Live on Sunday July 11th in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live.

Philly Comedian Doogie Horner on America's Got Talent

2010-06-09T09:48:00.001-04:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with Canon's or Filmmaking but when I used to do stand-up I met Doggie Horner and always thought he was hilarious. He's a really nice guy and he didn't desrve this. The crowd didn't even give him a chance. It was awesome to see him battle his way back and destroy the crowd.

Control Your DSLR or Camera with iPhone or iPad

2010-06-04T11:53:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Jordan Hayman for the scoop.

Canon: Freeze Tag

2010-05-30T14:47:00.000-04:00

Reel World: Brad Kremer shoots Hayaku with the 5d

2010-05-29T01:28:00.002-04:00

For anyone who knows us and our work, knows we LOVE timelapses. Something about the challenge and showing time pass appeals to me.

This video was shared to us via Vimeo and I figured I'd share it in case you haven't seen it.

Shot all on the 5d by Brad Kremer...

iPad controls Final Cut Pro audio automation with Air Display app

2010-05-27T15:17:00.000-04:00

Reel World: A Raining Day by Daniel Peters

2010-05-27T14:26:00.001-04:00

One thing I personally really enjoy about shooting with DSLR's is taking everyday activities and adding a little "epic" to them. That's why I am featuring this next film. It takes place on a day when it's tough to get much shooting done. It's raining outside and was probably not the greatest day to feel inspired to shoot as the weather could have easily squashed Daniel's creative aspirations. Instead, he picked up his camera and documented his dogs and developed a nice little storyline of how they were depressed and sleepy and dreaming of when the weather was nice outside.
Enjoy.

A Raining Day from Daniel Peters on Vimeo.

Follow Daniel on Twitter!

Joe Simon is a Beast

2010-05-26T23:05:00.000-04:00

Like the line from Forrest Gump.. "And that's all I have to say about that."

Reel World: Director Kyle Day Shoots Feature Film Entirely on 7D

2010-05-26T21:49:00.001-04:00

Quick Note: This trailer hasn't been color corrected yet.

Director Kyle Day just directed an action/revenge feature that was shot entirely on the 7D.

"We did it for an insanely low amount of money so given our shooting schedule, our DP, Andrew Barrera,utilized the 7D in a very "run-and-gun" mentality with little to no lighting most of the time. The story is a classic female revenge plot that we wanted to be a homage to many of the 80s movies that myself and the writer grew up on." - Kyle Day

Insanely low budget films that are super high quality mean one thing: Creativity is no longer constrained in filmmaking by the need for a huge amount of up front capital. In my book, that means people are now afforded the opportunity to take a lot more risk creatively without suffering the devastating financial repercussions. Anything that allows more creativity in filmmaking: I'm all for it.
For more information on this film go to www.CherryBombFilm.com

Reel World: Ryan Hunts- Woven Spring Premiere

2010-05-23T20:12:00.001-04:00

Woven Spring is a visual sketch of the colorful enchantment of springtime. This film was shot in the Texas hill country and on Padre Island using the Canon 7D and L series prime lenses.
We are honored to premiere this film here. For more info visit www.ryanhunts.com

Stabilizing Your DSLR

2010-05-23T12:07:00.002-04:00

I apologizing for not posting in a while... It's been quite busy and, believe it or not, this is the calm before the storm :)

So I visited the site and noticed the new poll Jon posted, what do you stabilize your DSLR with? I'm glad to see the tripod rules but a little surprised by how few people are using sliders + glidecams/stedicams. Personally, tripod and monopod come first but I love using the glidecam and slider to enhance the story through motion.

What is it about these tools that keep so many from using them, is it cost, setup difficulties, or lack of understanding how to use it?

You may be wondering why so many questions... As our free time slowly starts to diminish, we'd like to post a few video tutorials/gear reviews on our favorite gear but what would you like to see first?

Glidecam vs. Sliders?

Here's a short promo we shot for a local beer distributor where we utilized a tripod, glidecam, and slider:

Thanks for your feedback!

Google TV

2010-05-22T09:26:00.002-04:00

Reel World: Nissan Commercial Shot on 5D MKII

2010-05-22T08:49:00.000-04:00

So this is pretty awesome. This Nissan commercial was shot with the Canon 5D MKII R/C cars and a helicopter. Make sure you check out the Making of Video.
Watch it here
Thanks to @GaryNevittJr for finding this one.

Reel Tweet: God I Love This Ad. So Simple...

2010-05-19T01:15:00.000-04:00

The tweet said: "God I love this ad. So simple."
I found it to be a statement that spoke volumes watch the ad, then read below.

Simple in appearance yet definitely not simple to pull off. What do you think about the effort required to appear as if it required no effort?

We Got That B-Roll

2010-05-06T16:15:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Ron Dawson for alerting me to this one. This is hilarious :)

Reel World: John Mayer Has a Canon 5D and a Vimeo Account

2010-05-06T10:25:00.000-04:00

So apparently John Mayer has a Canon 5d MKII and a Vimeo account. Thoughts?

"A Life In The Day" from John Mayer on Vimeo.

NKOTB: Joseph Stunzi at NAB

2010-05-05T19:13:00.002-04:00

NAB: Joseph Stunzi from jehu Garcia on Vimeo.

Thomas Roberts talks to Joseph Stunzi about why everyone should attend NAB. He talks about some of his current projects like writing for CanonFilmmakers.com and his non-profit organization IENSE which focuses on teaching students all about filmmaking. As you can see Joe has a lot of projects going on.

For more NAB interview visit: http://jag35.com

NYC DSLR Meet-up with Philip Bloom

2010-04-26T10:44:00.000-04:00

There is going to be a ton of really cool DSLR filmmakers at this event including DSLR warrior Philip Bloom. The Canonfilmmakers.com crew will be well represented with Cristina and I making the trek to NYC for this one. Go here to RSVP and find details.
Here's what happened last time we were with Philip Bloom.

Canon 7D and T2i AGC Bypass Trick

2010-04-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

Audio out of these cameras is not good. You really have to record audio separately to get a good sound. However, the main problem with the audio recording on these cameras is the AGC. So take a look at this tutorial for a cheap DIY workaround.

Be Nice and Build a Snowman

2010-04-21T17:13:00.000-04:00

Do you know John Hyland? If you don't and you are on Twitter, follow him now, his handle is @johnhyland . He is the brains behind this little short film about building a snowman. It is a little over a minute long and covers the full range of emotions. There is laughter,there are tears, there is hope and utter disappointment. The fact that he was able to capture so much in such a short piece is astounding. He is very talented and this is hilarious to me. Anyway watch it for yourselves then let me know what you think.Oh yeah and listen carefully to the audio throughout in the background.

Reel World: New York+Tilt Shift

2010-04-21T11:18:00.000-04:00

I really enjoy the effect of tilt-shift. I think I really enjoy it for some of the reasons I enjoy
timelapses so much. It takes an everyday activity and makes it look different. Surreal. I like to try to see things from a different perspective and that's why I really loved this short.

Reel World: First 7D Footage with Motion Capture

2010-04-17T22:44:00.001-04:00

No it wasn't Avatar.
However, I had the pleasure of meeting the super talented Eduard Schneider
while in Chicago for The Zacuto Shootout. He sent me,what I believe to be, the first motion-capture footage shot with the 7D.

Reel World: Canon 5D Used to Shoot 2010 WRC in Jordan

2010-04-17T22:35:00.000-04:00

This is a very cool short film by Amr Toukhy from Visual Laundry. Keep an eye out, in partcular, for an awesome and super crisp slow-mo shot mid-way thru.

Go here For some Behind the Scene Photos
Also checkout visuallaundry.com

Reel World: Awesome Music Video Shot on Canon DSLR's

2010-04-16T18:06:00.000-04:00

Jesse Dana was the Director of Photography on this awesome music video shot on Canon DSLR's.

http://www.jessedana.com/

5d Resurrected

2010-04-16T10:26:00.002-04:00

Last week I had a huge shoot and had my 5d and Jon's 7d with me. We were filming inside and I tried to go into live mode on my 5d and it wouldn't budge. Nothing. No click, No image, nothing. I tried to turn it off and on a few times but it wouldn't budge. I tried to change the battery and nothing. By this point I HAD TO start shooting so I just grabbed another camera. Probably no less than a minute later, my colleague was able to turn it on and go into video mode and record.

What gives? I've actually read on a few other sites that people have had similar issues but should we find it ironic that all of a sudden, after the much needed firmware was released, that there are rare occurrences of the 5d just freezing up?

Lesson learned. Bought the new Canon T2i as a backup.

Alright... the title was a little dramatic but I'm a little worried and curious if anyone else has experienced this.

Adobe CS5 to Support Native Editing Of DSLR Footage

2010-04-12T14:21:00.000-04:00

Adobe CS5 Native Editing of DSLR Footage
The Question is how does FCP respond? I really don't want to have to go back to Adobe just because of this. FCP in my opinion is far superior in many other apects. Thoughts?

Our First Same Day Edit: All Canon DSLR's

2010-04-11T19:23:00.002-04:00

This was our first Same Day Edit. It was shot entirely on Canon 5D's and Canon 7D's.
We had hoped to include more audio but we had to show this while the band was on break
and after color grading it, we just ran out of time. It was very cool to finally get some
live feedback on an edit. The crowds reactions made all the time spent in pre-production
well worth it.

For more info check out Society Hill Studios blog.

Follow Friday: NAB Edition

2010-04-10T21:42:00.000-04:00

Sorry I know it isn't Friday anymore but T.R's picks for people to follow on Twitter are relevant no matter what day of the week it is. Enjoy!

Who's Going to NAB?

2010-04-05T10:47:00.001-04:00

NAB is right around the corner. While you're in Vegas you absolutely MUST participate in a great event for a wonderful cause. ALL-In film is a charity poker meet-up for filmmakers,film lovers and anyone that is into having a good time. The event takes place on Monday April 12th at 8pm, in the beautiful Hard Rock Casino poker lounge. The Buy-in is 60 dollars, which will get you into the game and make you eligible to win all of our prizes. To attend, send an email with your name to signup@ALLINfilm.org
Do you totally suck at poker? Not a problem. You still get to hang out with awesome people and they are going to randomly award a Steadicam Merlin and a High-Definition field monitor!! Plus you get to hang out with Philip Bloom, Rodney Charters ASC, Vincent LaForet, Shane Hurlbut ASC, and Kevin Shahinian. The playing field has been leveled. Sure Philip Bloom was at Skywalker Ranch but what's he going to do when you have the nut flush and push all-in and he's got a 2-7 off-suit.(He'll probably call. I hear he doesn't know anything about poker.) Sure Vincent LaForet shot Reverie but, he's going to wish he was back in that helicopter when your holding pocket Kings and he draws dead on the river. So make sure you go to ALL-IN Film.
Even if Shane Hurlbut "terminates" you, Rodney Charters "goes Jack Bauer on you", or Kevin Shahinian knocks you out of the tournament, while, simultaneously filming a concept film about it, it will be a blast. Don't be scared. It's ALL-IN good fun.

Q: What Do SHS, Converse, and Stillmotion Have in Common?

2010-04-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

A: They are all awesome and I will be talking about them in this post.

I must apologize. It probably seems like I have been slacking with my posts lately. I promise I am not. I have been very busy with an awesome venture and so now I would like to proudly announce the launch of a new company that Amy Reese, Cristina Valdivieso and I have been putting together for a little while now. Our site is finally live! The company is called Society Hill Studios we will be producing hand-crafted,high definition wedding films. We are all very excited and we plan on having a helluva first year. We have some very cool projects coming up so, stay tuned!!

So that's one part but what about stillmotion and Converse? Watch the video below and then I'll explain.

evo 3.0 // two . a converse commercial from the sm evo experience on Vimeo.

One thing I really have always loved about stillmotion is their dedication to education and pushing the envelope. This was a little of both. During evo 3.o they challenged the attendees to really push themselves. The contest: come up with a 30 second commercial for one of three pairs of shoes. The shoe of choice here, Converse. I think it says a lot that these guys were so inspired/educated at this event and were able to pull this off in 2 hours and 30 minutes. That's for everything: conception, pre-production (including storyboarding),and shooting. Then they only had overnight to edit it.
Hats off!! Brilliant work guys! Go here for more information on the stillmotion evo experience

I'm On A Boat...

2010-03-28T12:32:00.004-04:00

When I first started my career in the wedding industry I was, and still am, quite surprised how male dominated it is. I'm still not sure why that is but I'm thrilled to see a new, very unique event that is trying to change that. Reagan Zugelter from Studio + Z Films and Jen Moon from Northernlight Filmworks teamed up to create Posh ~ A Retreat for the Female Filmmaker. I was so excited to hear about this and even more excited that they had time for a little Q + A :)

Q. Tell me a little bit about POSH.

A. POSH is a retreat and educational experience for women event filmmakers and photographers interested in event film. Our mission for POSH is education + inspiration + relaxation so POSH 2010 is taking place on a Bahamas cruise, November 8-12, 2010.

Q. Where did you come up with the idea and what are your goals for this event?

A. We came up with the idea after seeing a conversation one Friday afternoon between several female event filmmakers about having a cocktail while editing. It turned into talking about how we should all meet up. Then Jennifer and I thought why don’t we do this but add in an educational element to it and make it just for women. Our goal is to connect, educate and inspire women as visual artists and business owners.

Q. Why do you think it's important to have an all female event?

A. A lot of women in this industry aren’t as well known. Our vision out of all this is to launch some new women leaders in the industry and see more of them on the EventDV 25, receiving International Awards and heading up their own workshops. This will also hopefully spearhead more women to get into event film.

Q. Nowadays there's a ton of learning seminars/events out there. What makes Posh different?

A. Along with our featured presenters, we are having small discussions between attendees so they have a chance to share and also learn in a more intimate way. We are going to ask the attendees prior to the cruise, what they want to talk about so we can mold the discussions to those topics. Our workshop is going to be more of a grass roots style.

For more information visit www.posheventonline.com

Northerlight Filmworks

Studio+Z Films

New Kid on the Block: Joseph Stunzi

2010-03-27T12:40:00.000-04:00

We are proud to introduce a new member to the Canon Filmmakers Team:

Joseph Stunzi from IENCE.org

He is an awesome guy and has done a lot of cool things with IENCE. Think Bill Nye meets MTV. He has spearheaded many filmmaking projects and we are ecstatic to have him on board. He is going to be writing a series aptly named: New Kid on the Block. I will let him tell you all about it but, I just wanted to formally introduce him. He will be a very integral part of our team and we have a lot of exciting things on the horizon. Stay tuned...

Reel Talk: Thomas Roberts Interview with Rodney Charters

2010-03-26T10:35:00.000-04:00

Here is an excellent interview that Thomas Roberts @TRStudios did with "24" DP Rodney Charters.

The Great Camera Shootout 2010

2010-03-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

So, it was very cool for Cristina and I to be a part of the Zacuto Great Camera Shootout of 2010. They really pushed the envelope with this one and did a great job seeing how all of the DSLR's would stand up against the gold standard of film. Check it out here...
The Great Camera Shootout 2010
Also sorry I haven't been blogging as much but I have been extremely busy with a really cool project that I hope to be sharing more of very soon.

What happens in Vegas...

2010-03-17T21:24:00.003-04:00

As some of you know, we just spent a week in Vegas... Why? Because I had a great opportunity to shoot with some of the top filmmakers in the wedding industry. Julie Hill from Elysium Productions came up with a very cool, unique concept for a same day edit and on top of that, brought together an all female crew. Event DV's top 25, Julie Hill and Kristen*, along with Kara Jensen and myself shot at the brand new Mandarin with one very cool couple.

Personally, this was my first all 5d wedding with a same day edit and what an experience. Check out the piece and let me know you thoughts :)

Aria & Elie's Rock and Roll SDE from the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

~Oh... side note: This is a new series featuring female filmmakers... If you are or know of women in the film industry producing great work please contact me: cristinamvaldivieso@gmail.com

Canon 5D MKII Firmware is Here...

2010-03-17T12:14:00.000-04:00

Everyone has been waiting forever and it's finally here the firmware that adds 24p for the 5DMKII !!
Also adds some audio control and a histogram.
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

Re:Inspired

2010-03-16T20:56:00.002-04:00

I remember the first time I met Philip Bloom... I had no idea who he was and had no idea I would soon purchase a 5d. Before I heard him speak and show his work at Re:Frame Austin, I saw him constantly running around with a camera. At that time I was relatively new to the industry and what stood out the most to me is that he was one of the only ones who always had a camera in his hand. Yes, of course, his work inspired me but his passion for what he does inspired me even more.

I had always used the Canon XHA1 and found it was too bulky to carry around for fun but that all changed with the 5d... I took it everywhere and still do. I love seeing beautiful pieces that are done out of the blue. Filming something that is not planned and just for fun, because you love what you do, is what it's all about.

Now, let me get to my point... We just came back from Vegas and while I was there I tweeted about how dirty the window was and how I wanted to do a timelapse. Rob Parker wrote me back and sent me a link to a very nice piece and guess what I love most about it? He did it spur of the moment. Thanks for sharing this with me Rob :)

Racing Rain from Rob Parker on Vimeo.

Have you been re:inspired by your new DSLR? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

How To Fund an Indie Project

2010-03-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

I have all these great ideas that I want to do but it always seems like I am saying, "Man, I wish I had ten grand I would (insert pet project here)" So as an independent filmmaker or an aspiring one, I think the first and toughest obstacle we face is: Who is going to pay for this?
Art is great. Art without the financial backing is most likely going to remain an idea that never gets done. To me that sucks. I wonder how many of you out there have brilliant films/projects that will never see the light of day because you can't make it happen financially. I have the same problem lots of ideas but no viable way to make them come to fruition. Well folks, I may have the answer for some of you. I haven't tried it out myself yet and I only ask one thing of you in return. If you use this, please share your project with us. By that I mean either shoot me an email and tell me a little about it when it's done or even just shoot me a link to the finished product. I'd love to see what some of you ultra-talented filmmakers can do with a little backing.
Anyway so here it is check it out and let me know what you think. Again I haven't tried it yet myself but it looks amazing and it appears that others have had a great deal of success raising capital. Go here for a collaborative way to fund ideas and fuel innovation

DIY: Protecting Your Camera From Mother Nature

2010-03-06T18:55:00.000-05:00

"When it comes to protecting your camera from the elements we already know that a condom will go a great way. However, sometimes a more subtle approach is needed. Especially if all you are seeking is to protect your camera from a bit of rain..."
Read more here..

Follow Friday

2010-03-06T12:27:00.001-05:00

Sorry I was a little late on this one.

People I follow on Twitter from T R on Vimeo.

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie... Ever

2010-03-06T11:27:00.000-05:00

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com

Reel World: Ryan Hunts and Woven Nuevo Leon

2010-03-05T20:39:00.002-05:00

Woven Nuevo Leon- Shot with the 7D from Ryan Hunts on Vimeo.

A remarkable filmmaker from Austin, Texas, Ryan Hunts, decided to do a visual sketch of Northern Mexico's ancient wonders. This piece was wonderfully paced and beautifully graded. I first heard of him when Chad Nickle of Wild Orchid Studios sung his praises. I love getting the inside scoop on amazing filmmakers before the general public. I have been privy to see some of his other work and I have to tell you all, this is definitely a rising star to watch this year. I am sure his contributions to independent filmmaking will be astounding. Stay tuned... you heard it here first.
check him out out here RYAN HUNTS

Reel Inspiration: Take 7 with Rob Imbs

2010-03-04T21:02:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile since the last installation of Reel Inspiration. So, I definitely wanted this one to be someone that has a REAL passion for filmmaking. Enter Rob Imbs, a filmmaker from Buffalo, New York that has produced for television, edited commercial work, and written, directed, and edited several features. My first run-in with Rob was on Twitter and I have been an avid reader of his blog Lovely Junkie since then. He is a real sharp, geniune guy and he loves what he does. That's the kind of people I like to surround myself with and when he says he likes a movie I know that I'm going to get something out of it. So with out further ado...

"I think it’s essential for creative people to surround themselves with positive and encouraging influences. I love the technology surrounding the process of filmmaking, the friends that I make along the way and the feeling of accomplishment when a project comes together.

It’s nearly impossible for me to pick my three FAVORITE films, but let’s give it a shot.

The Big Kahuna:

The DSLR craze has helped us all to become obsessed, and rightfully so, with depth of field, bit rate, color depth, and frame rates. The way that a film looks is important because it shapes the way we perceive the story. That said, probably once a year I throw the Big Kahuna into my DVD player, and it’s not because of how it looks. This film is by no means a technical achievement or in any way revolutionary, but it does showcase what is often forgotten in most films, dialogue.

The film is about 3 lubricant salesmen who are out of town on business. The director, John Swanbeck, chose to shoot the entire film in one location, which to me is ballsy! Imagine how limiting that must have been, he couldn’t hold the audiences attention by cutting away to another location. I think the Big Kahuna personifies what makes a good film, a good story, great writing, and wonderful acting. The Big Kahuna inspires me to want to become a better writer every time I watch it.

Kill Bill 1:

Tarantino is obvious known for the way he showcases violence in his films. But what I never hear him praised for is his cinematography. Violence aside, my favorite things about Kill Bill 1 were the cinematography and art direction. The whole film feels very conceived, that is to say, I feel like every shot in the movie was meticulously boarded and setup. A wonderful example of this is the tracking shot that begins the “House of Blue Leaves” scene. I’ve probably watched this shot over 50 times. It lifts and twists, catching little pieces of light and color in a inspiring and masterful way. So the shot isn't just a technical achievement, it also progresses the story by establishing the location and characters. I feel like I could teach a class using this shot as its inspiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke6KUtcG9jY&feature=related

It’s also worth noting that I’m a huge fan of anime, so when Quentin chose to animate entire scenes of the film, it scored points with me :)

The Insider:

Take a moment to think of your favorite film, does it include Megan Fox bent over a motorcycle, or does it speak to who you are as a person? To me, drama’s are the most rewarding films to watch because they have the most potential to change a person’s mind or affect someone in an emotional way. I saw the Insider years ago and I can say quite certainly that it helped to shape me into the person that I am today. The film is about doing what is right even when everyone abandons you. So without being too preachy, I'll just say that I liked this message and the film." Rob Imbs

Check out Rob Imbs blog Lovely Junkie
Also follow him on Twitter: @lj_director

Reel World: Brian DeFrees + Canon 7D

2010-03-02T08:34:00.000-05:00

The thing that I really love about this piece is that it takes something I absolutely loathe,taking a car to get serviced, and makes it fun. This was also the first thing he shot on the Canon 7D, so stay tuned. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more.

Service from Brian DeFrees on Vimeo.

Who is Brian DeFrees?

I am a cinematographer who shoots and edits commercial and corporate videos for an Advertising Agency in Upstate NY.

Did you have any problems you had to over come when shooting this?

This was the first thing I shot on the Canon 7D.It was hard to choose the correct exposure when shooting the scenes with the flying sparks. I felt I coudn't get a setting where the sparks were orange enough without darkening the rest of the image.

What was your favorite thing or things about the Canon 7D?

The Sharpness of the image straight of the camera is amazing. Coming from an HVX200 with a Cinema lens adapter to the 7D is an amazing transition as a filmmaker. Easier rig to use and focus, especially in tight situations like the ones in this video. And image quality is superb!

How about the glidetrack? Which version do you have? How do you like it?

I have the Glidetrack SD range 1 Meter version. It's a great piece of equipment. The Glidetrack is a compact, bring-anywhere piece of equipment that makes it easy to add a cinematic look to your films.

Do you have any plans for shooting with the Canon 7D in the future?

I plan on shooting all of my future films with the 7D: Music Videos, Wedding Videos, Commercials and more short films are in the works.

For more info on Brian DeFrees

Canon 5D MK II Firmware announced for Mid-March

2010-03-02T08:04:00.000-05:00

London, 2nd March 2010 – Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24* and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing filmmakers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920×1080 and 640×480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps.

A new histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority (Tv) and aperture-priority (Av) have been added, and exposure modes will also be available in movie mode. Improved audio functionality will allow users to set sound record levels manually using a sound-level meter displayed on the LCD screen. The audio sampling frequency has also been increased from 44.1KHz to 48KHz, providing the optimum audio signal typically required for professional or broadcast material.

With its full frame CMOS sensor and compatibility with Canon’s wide range of premium lenses, the EOS 5D Mark II is already recognised for its outstanding HD video performance. Launched in September 2008, the camera immediately created a wide range of new possibilities for photographers and videographers, and the addition of new frame rates and manual audio levels extends those possibilities even further – allowing movie makers to shoot stunning movies to suit practically any creative purpose.

Extreme sports photographer Richard Walch was one of the first to be given the chance to use the newly updated EOS 5D Mark II to shoot the snowboarding movie “I Love My Friends”. Commenting on the EOS 5D Mark II’s video performance, Richard said: “The addition of the new frame rates opens up a whole new range of possibilities. If you’re a cinematographer, independent film maker or just enthusiastic about making your own movies, get out there and give it a try”.

To 7D or Not to 7D That is The Question...

2010-02-26T22:13:00.001-05:00

Honestly I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch this video, but I had the good fortune of meeting JJ Kim, at InFocus in Austin, and he's a stand up guy. He did this because he's cool. Read below for my take on the 7D vs. T2i so far. I have only had the camera for a day and I am slightly biased, as I paid good hard earned money for my 7D, and it hasn't failed me but has never failed to impress me.

7D vs. T2i Comparison Video from Orange Wedding Films on Vimeo.
If you own a 7D should you dump it and grab a T2i and a lens.
In good conscience I could not advise that.
If you don't have enough for 7d + lens and cards,and batteries. Yes. You can always keep your lenses just don't buy crop lenses, get full frame lenses.
If you want a B-Roll camera and already own the 7D and can't afford another one. Yes. However you will have to buy all new batteries and cards,and a card reader that reads SDHC cards so calculate the difference between T2i and 7D. Then add new cards and batteries/reader to price of T2i. If you already have a decent supply of cards/batteries stocked up for 7D and it will cover both cameras on most shoots. Get another 7D that camera is still a massive steal at $1600.
If your on the fence and can afford it or are close to affording it, get the Canon 7D or 5D. Depending on the body of work that you will do.
Advantages of T2i much crisper LCD. Cheaper.
Disadvantage
Loss of a LOT of ISO's that I use. A LOT. You have to jump from 100 to 200 to 400 to 800 to 1600. You completely skip ISO 1250, which I use a lot in fairly dark rooms.
If you have a 7D, and have to,then, get another one for B-Roll. If your strapped for cash,and want to shoot DSLR,well then jump in my friends, the water is warm.

Disclaimer: This camera just arrived. If anything bad happens a month from now contact Canon. I receive nothing from them. I'm not a fanboy. I'm a blue collar guy, trying to help if I can. If you have specific questions, let me know, I'll do my best to get back to you as fast as possible. Stay tuned! Footage is on it's way. Loads more reviewing to come before I make any definitive conclusions. This is just a real-time spewing of my impressions thus far. I just hope I can help people make educated decisions regarding camera purchases. I have learned a lot from people like David Perry, stillmotion, Philip Bloom and many others over the last year plus about giving out information and help just to do it. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback thus far. For that I thank you all. Oh yeah. Keep on rocking in the free world. We are lucky to be alive in the greatest Renaissance independent filmmaking has seen in a long, long,time. Never forget that.

Canon T2i Compared to Canon 7D: First Thoughts

2010-02-26T16:25:00.001-05:00

The body of the 7D is way better. More rugged build. When you hold the T2i (if you are used to the 7D it feels like a toy. This is a very stupid thing I guess but I prefer my 7D a lot in this way.
I still have to get used to the button configuration/controls which I found to be a bit harder to figure out where the 7D it just makes sense. A few interesting things I will explore further is that while in Movie Mode you can very easily switch between a variety of White Balance presets as well as a custom one you can set yourself. Another feature I do prefer in the T2i is the ability to switch the framerate you are shooting in without ever leaving Live View. There is a setting in the Menu as well for Automatic focus while in Movie Mode. I would never shoot in Auto and I am not sure if that actually works or I am a fool but found that interesting. I plan on shooting a bit tonight when we go out for dinner to see how it holds up in a real life situation. Here's another odd thing I noticed
The ISO for the T2i in Movie Mode
100
200
400
800
1600
3200
6400

There seems to be quite a few ISO settings missing that are available in the Canon 7D .
If you own a 7D I wouldn't feel bad about your purchase. I am certainly still very happy with mine. I absolutely love it and it definitely seems to have a much better build, as I would assume. Now for $800 I think it may be a great camera for someone who wants to get there feet wet in the DSLR video world. I plan on shooting more as I said and hope to have various videos up tomorrow. Two other things of note if you already own Canon DSLR's you will need new batteries and you will need new cards. The T2i takes SDHC not CF cards.

Canon T2i First Look

2010-02-26T14:39:00.002-05:00

T2i Unwrapping! from Cristina Valdivieso + Jon Connor on Vimeo.

More to come...

Canon T2i Has Arrived

2010-02-26T10:29:00.001-05:00

It's in a box sitting on my couch. My better half is on the phone. I can't open it until she gets off of the phone and I am dying right now. I feel giddy like a little school girl. It's snowing like mad outside and i literally just caught the UPS guy thanks to the supreme intelligence of our bulldog Bruiser. The guy went to the wrong door and Bruiser was kind enough to alert the entire neighborhood by barking like a maniac. Stay tuned as we work this camera out and see what exactly we have on our hands here. I am very excited to put this thing to the test. Too bad I can't really go outside because of snow but I am definitely not complaining.

Update: It's out of the box. If you are already sold on the Canon T2i
and you already own the Canon 7D or 5D MK II make sure to buy extra batteries because the T2i doesn't use the same batteries.

From T2i

Follow Friday with @TRStudios

2010-02-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

Follow Friday Video 2/26/10 from T R on Vimeo.

OGG Theora vs. H.264 in Battle of Web Compression

2010-02-26T09:47:00.000-05:00

Here's another cool article I stumbled upon comparing new codec OGG Theora vs. H.264

"Streaming video websites like YouTube face growing pressure from consumers to provide support for native standards-based Web video playback. The HTML5 video element provides the necessary functionality to build robust Web media players without having to depend on proprietary plugins, but the browser vendors have not been able to build a consensus around a video codec..."
To Read More Go Here

Reel World: "Terminal O" Music Video Shot on Canon 7D by Impakt Studios

2010-02-26T09:13:00.001-05:00

Here's a cool music video shot on the Canon 7D . It was directed by Chris and Blaq from Impakt Studios out of Chicago. Definitely keep your eye on these guys they have some amazing projects in store for 2010.

Omen "Terminal O" Music Video Directed Impakt Studio's Chris & Blaq from IMPAKT STUDIO/Chris & Blaq on Vimeo.

Canon 5D MKII Firmware Update

2010-02-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

This is all 100 percent true! It will include:
Full HD monitoring with active LiveView, peaking & the ability to jam the frequency of all nearby iPhones.
A coffee maker
The ability to shoot in X-Ray mode. In 3D!!!
A built in tripod
A neural connection
If we missed anything you know of comment below...

Thanks to (on Twitter )@HumanGobo @Matt_Jasper @BenJEckstein @VisualEdgeChris @DeFrees!

Jerry Seinfeld Uses Canon 5D MK II to Shoot "Marriage Ref" Promo

2010-02-25T19:07:00.001-05:00

You will notice the Canon 5D MKII in the second or third shot. Thanks to Anthony Quintano for the heads up on this one. Further proof that DSLR's are making a huge impact in mainstream television, music videos, and movies.

Canon 1D MKIV, Canon 5D MKII, Canon 7D vs. T2i and T1i

2010-02-24T10:45:00.003-05:00

1D MK IV 5DMKII 7D T2i T1i

Sensor size

27.9 × 18.6mm

Approximately 36.0 × 24.0mm

22.3 × 14.9mm

APS-H size

35mm full

APS-C size

Shooting angle effect [about]

× 1.3 times lens focal length equivalent

× 1.0 times lens focal length equivalent

× 1.6 times lens focal length equivalent

Record Size /

Frame rate

1920 × 1080 29.97/25/23.976fps

1920 × 1080 30.00fps ※ 1

1920 × 1080 29.97/25/23.976fps

1920 × 1080 20.00fps

1280 × 720 59.94/50.00fps

1280 × 720 30.00fps

640 × 480 59.94/50.00fps

640 × 480 30.00fps

640 × 480 59.94/50.00fps

640 × 480 30.00fps

Size

1920 × 1080

About 330MB / minute

1920 × 1080

About 330MB / minute

1920 × 1080

About 330MB / minute

1920 × 1080

About 330MB / minute

1920 × 1080

About 330MB / minute

1280 × 720

About 330MB / minute

1280 × 720

About 330MB / minute

1280 × 720

About 330MB / minute

1280 × 720

About 222MB / minute

640 × 480

About 165MB / minute

640 × 480

About 165MB / minute

640 × 480

About 165MB / minute

640 × 480

About 165MB / minute

640 × 480

About 165MB / minute

Manual exposure

○

○ (farm Ver1.1.0 more)

○

Emergency ISO sensitivity

100-12800

100-6400

100-1600 ※ 2

Extended ISO sensitivity ※ 3

H1: 25600, H2: 51200, H3: 102400

H1: 12800

H1: 12800 ※ 4

Shutter speed

30/25/24p

1 / 30 to 1 / 4000 sec

30p

1 / 30 to 1 / 4000 sec

30/25/24p

1 / 30 to 1 / 4000 sec

30/25/24p

1 / 30 to 1 / 4000 sec

30/20p

1 / 30 to 1 / 4000 sec

60/50p

1 / 60 to 1 / 4000 sec

60/50p

1 / 60 to 1 / 4000 sec

60/50p

1 / 60 to 1 / 4000 sec

※ 5 shooting time

Room temperature (23 ℃)

Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes

Room temperature (23 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

Room temperature (23 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes

Room temperature (23 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes

Room temperature (23 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

Temperature (0 ℃)

Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes

Temperature (0 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes

Temperature (0 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

Temperature (0 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes

Temperature (0 ℃)

Approximately 1 hour

External microphone input

○ (48KHz)

○ (44.1KHz)

○ (48KHz)

HDMI output signal ※ 6
1. View Live View	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p
2. Playback	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p	1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, 576/50p
3. When recording		480/60p, 576/50p			480/60p, 576/50p


Recording Format	Video compression scheme is "MPEG-4 AVC/H.264", speech compression, "Linear (uncompressed) PCM" is done, "MOV" file format recorded on the card
Gamma value	2.2 based
Bitrate	Variable bit rate. Full HD / HD quality about 5.5MByte/sec (44Mbps), About SD quality 2.75MByte/sec (22Mbps)
Range Video	Full range (0 to 255)
Video color sampling	YCbCr (YPbPr) 4:2:0
Recording time (4GB card)	About 12 minutes full HD, HD about 12 minutes ※ 7, SD about 24 minutes

※ 1

In the EOS 5D Mark II full HD video, 25p/24p up for 2010 will be supported in the first half of the farm.

※ 2

Control

※ 3

Video shooting

※ 4

M only non-automatic exposure mode shooting

※ 5

When using a fully charged battery pack

※ 6

By connecting the monitor changes the output signal

※ 7

EOS Kiss X3 is about 18 minutes

Producer and Editor Search for Perfect Sound Effect

2010-02-24T08:51:00.000-05:00

Life as an editor can be sooo much fun. Aha,haha, ahem. Enjoy.

Whoosh! - watch more funny videos

What Do a Red Bicycle,a Bucket of Paint, and a Bride Have in Common?

2010-02-23T18:18:00.004-05:00

First off I'd like to thank Brian Marks, a cinematographer from Red Bicycle Media ,
for sending me a nice email and sharing their work with me. I was so impressed by it I had to talk to owner James Pizzaro and get the behind the scenes scoop on this fresh Trash the Dress they did.

Rachael's Trash the Dress from red Bicycle Media on Vimeo.

Tell me a little bit about Red Bicycle Media. Who are you guys and what do you do?

We are a Cleveland based studio specializing in wedding films. There has been an evolution in the wedding videography industry where we have tried desperately to shed the tacky, cheesy way of capturing a wedding. The advent of digital SLRs has aided in this process of creating a more film-like "experience". We have noticed recently that there also is a danger of falling into the same trap and having our work look similar to others. Shallow depth of field, better low light ability, and camera stabilizers do not necessarily equate to a cinema. We have had to work harder in improving our story telling and making sure we use these tools in a motivated and innovative way.

For people that don't understand "Trash the Dress" what is it?

In simple terms, "Trash the Dress" is a way of prolonging the wedding experience. It has been controversial in that some people think that we are desecrating a symbol of one's wedding. We feel that it is the marriage , not necessarily the wedding, that is the bond between the couple. (Sorry, not to get too philosophical). Some brides realize that they will never be able to wear their wedding gown again and "Trash the Dress" is a way of immortalizing the dress and capturing that on film. It is meant to be fun and a form of artistic expression.

What do you think TTD sessions bring to the wedding filmmaking industry that wasn't there before?

For us it helped push our creativity and brings an element of fun into our filmmaking process. It also gives us another opportunity to work with the couple after their big day. Cinematography is no longer limited to just the day of the wedding, again, a way of prolonging the wedding experience.

What camera equipment did you use for this film and what motivated these camera choices?

Canon 7D , Canon 5D MKII , and an EX1 for Steadicam and over-crank.

What was the biggest challenge you faced on this shoot?

Keeping the paint and the rain out of the equipment was a challenge. Rachael was a great sport and fully cooperated with what we had her do...we must have made her jump through puddles for a half-hour trying to get the perfect shot. We were soaked but luckily did not damage any of the cameras or ancillary equipment. I had actually rigged an umbrella to the steadicam vest to keep me dry during many of the outdoor shots. As an additional note, one of the condemned buildings we shot in was the site of many an unsolved crime. Not a place you want to be after dark.

For more info on this company check these out:
www.redbicyclemedia.com
Vimeo Best of Site

Trolls Galore

2010-02-22T19:47:00.011-05:00

I apologize in advance. This will be another slightly personal post but it has to be said...

Personal opinions are one thing but what I don't understand is very negative feedback about what is being done overall. Sure, I don't like that song, or sure, your cuts are off, or even hey, work doesn't appeal to me at all... subjectively critiquing one's work is a good thing but let me just say this:

If you have the balls to post your work online for the world to see, I salute you.

If you are giving away information to help the community, I salute you.

Honestly, I haven't had too much flat out negativity come my way but when it does I try to think about what underlying issue is going on that would cause a person to insult me. Remember, there is a difference... I swear, I'm not one of those overly sensitive girls.

So you may be asking yourself... What is a troll?

Urban Dictionary defines it as "One who purposely and deliberately (that purpose usually being self-amusement) starts an argument in a manner which attacks others on a forum without in any way listening to the arguments proposed by his or her peers. He will spark of such an argument via the use of ad hominem attacks (i.e. 'you're nothing but a fanboy' is a popular phrase) with no substance or relevence to back them up as well as straw man arguments, which he uses to simply avoid addressing the essence of the issue."

In case you're still confused I've included a photograph:

Don't let his grin fool you. As soon as he gets a chance to google you, he will find you and tell you you're a waste of space.

Here's a helpful diagram so you too can understand how the troll mind works... It may be small but it has 4 very important parts:

If you have found this post and you yourself are a troll please visit Troll Love... You too can find happiness.

Humphrey Bogart to Cloverfield: Perfection vs. Realism and The Case Against Both

2010-02-22T10:12:00.000-05:00

One big change that has taken place over the years in films is the sense of realism. Back in the day, everyone in a movie was perfect. Now when you watch an older movie, sometimes it's hard to take it seriously because, everyone is too polished. The opposite of this has unfortunately been a trend lately. Think of that godawful movie Cloverfield, with it's ridiculous "hand-held shaky footage looks like crap so, it must be real" approach. Don't even get me started. Anyway, I found this blooper real from Warner Brothers circa 1936. Kind of cool to see that contrary to the final polished product we see the actors are still human, and humans no matter how famous,legendary,or talented all have a common trait. We make mistakes. The good news is it's not the end of the world. The bad news is movies like Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity will still be made. Now to get that terrible thought out of your head watch great actors from 1936 screwing up. Enjoy.

Reel World: The man, the myth, the legend. David Robin

2010-02-21T13:20:00.001-05:00

I first met David Robin at WEVA and got to spend a bit more time with him at Re:Frame San Francisco. Not only is he one of the nicest guys I've met but he has tons of advice that he's willing to give. This man is truly an inspiration to all of us.

20 years of experience and he has a list of accolades that can make anyones jaw drop.

david robin | films has won 27 Creative Excellence Awards from WEVA int. More than any other Event Filmmaker in the world.

Named one of the "Top 25 Hottest & Most Influential Event Videographers in the World" by Event DV Magazine for the fourth year in a row.

Inducted into the WEVA Hall Of Fame in 2005.

Recipient of the Bob LeBar Vision Award.

Published in WEV Magazine, Event DV Magazine and Videography Magazine.

Featured on TNT's "Wedding Day". A Mark Burnett Production.

David Robin has successfully done what not many can. Not only does he have a studio that produces award winning wedding films but he is creating inspirational commercial work. Oh, and did I mention he's been doing this for 20 years and has been able to maintain a fresh approach?

wedding demo | 2009 from David Robin on Vimeo.

mycollegei from David Robin on Vimeo.

David and I caught up for a little Q &A about his career in filming weddings and commercial work:

How did you get started in your filmmaking career? Did you start with weddings, documentaries, etc?

Started shooting weddings in 1984. Was in retail, and sold a portable VHS vcr and camera to a client, who then suggested I shoot his wedding with it. After the wedding, exhausted and reeling, I decided that next time round I was going to charge to shoot one!

What challenges, if any, did you face when you decided to cross over into a new genre?

Corporate work came easily. My main source of business came from my event clients who were already comfortable with me, and had some kind of corporate project. The challenge was to become good at it. That took years!

What is it about your background in your initial field that helps you bring something special to the table with your newer field and vice verse?

Both mediums were so different, and required very different skill sets. Events were run and gun guerilla warfare, and corporate videos were planned, well thought out productions.

However that seems to have changed today, as we now shoot events with dslrs and 35mm lenses. Now we really have to plan out our shots, and put in far more thought to create a wedding film. Much like our corporate work.

So the lines have blurred.

Have you ever experienced any adverse reactions as a result of the negative connotations with "wedding videos?"

I have always strived to elevate the event filmmaking industry. I have spent many years educating clients, and my peers, and at the same time creating work that hopefully garners some respect. In the beginning I was treated with very little respect shooting events, but years later I have been awarded some credibility.

Hopefully i am perceived as a filmmaker now, and not a wedding videographer!

david robin | films can be found at:

www.davidrobinfilms.com

blog.davidrobinfilms.com

www.facebook.com/davidrobinfilms

twitter.com/davidrobin

www.vimeo.com/user639009

Haiti Earthquake Aftermath: Shot Entirely on Canon 5D MK II

2010-02-21T13:06:00.002-05:00

Haiti Earthquake Aftermath Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.

Mutual Respect

2010-02-21T11:34:00.003-05:00

Filmmaking is our passion and our career. As a duo, we enjoy an array of styles. Through our work, regardless of what kind of project, our ultimate goal is to produce a piece that creates an emotional reaction with the viewer while maintaining intrigue through compelling visuals and sounds. We strive for this with all our work whether it is a wedding or a commercial piece. As filmmakers who are constantly trying to improve our craft, Jon and I are perpetually striving to educate ourselves and through the knowledge we gain, educate others. Regardless of our field, in order to succeed we need to have considerable technical and creative abilities. Through further understanding of each others genres, I believe we can continue to aim for an environment of mutual respect. I sincerely believe that within each genre there are those who just have it. They have that natural gift to produce compelling work. Whether it's commercial work, wedding films, or documentaries, they have the ability to tell a story beautifully.

When I first started shooting I viewed it strictly as a hobby. At the time, I was a photographer that was attracted to the concept of a "moving picture." After a few projects I decided to do the unthinkable... Shoot a wedding. To be completely honest, I had never seen a wedding video before. It wasn't until I started to feel the pressure of all the expectations that I began to understand how challenging this new field was. Over time, my perception and approach has continued to change.

I remember when I first started speaking openly about how much I enjoyed filming weddings. People warned me, "Do not tell commercial guys you shoot weddings." I still find this very interesting. Over the last few years things have changed. Now a days, it's not as often that I encounter someone within the film industry with a negative perception of wedding films. There has been a lot of progress and there are those that educate our peers. However, as I mentioned before, I believe that through further education we can continue to strive for mutual respect.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this :)

Manila's Hidden Hero - a Canon 7D short film by Don Sausa

2010-02-20T23:42:00.000-05:00

A Good Friend of Mine is Walking Across America

2010-02-20T22:56:00.001-05:00

This is a short clip from his All American Trek. His name is Dan Knabb.
Check him out at DanKnabb.com because he's really cool.

Flying Starlings by Carl Pendle

2010-02-20T18:01:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love it when I open my email and someone has reached out to share their work. Not sure if this is common in the UK but I personally have never seen birds move like this. It definitely has a mesmerizing quality to it.

Flying Starlings from Carl Pendle on Vimeo.

Weddings Ain't the Bull$%#^ You're Used To...

2010-02-20T04:09:00.001-05:00

Shooting a wedding isn't some bull%$#@ you go into lightly. Not if you're J-Mag or any of the new breed of cinematographers that take the craft seriously. Check this out you will know what I mean.

Irene and Antonio from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

Timelapses: Why Are They So Cool?

2010-02-19T21:36:00.001-05:00

I think if you boil it down to the basics, it's the fact that time, in and of itself, is something that none of us fully understand. It's a difficult concept to deal with, as it pertains to our life-span. Therefore, when we see time alterted, our brains are naturally confused,shocked, and ultimately astounded. It's a break from reality. Here are some cool people that are doing very amazing work with timelapses.

Joe Simon:

Time-Lapse Reel 2009 from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

Tom Lowe @ Timescapes

Timescapes Timelapse: Learning to Fly from Tom Lowe @ Timescapes on Vimeo.

Philip Bloom

Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

MIlapse

Road Trip - Bruce Peninsula, Canada from MILapse on Vimeo.

NEW: Weekly Follow Friday Video with @TRStudios

2010-02-19T15:47:00.002-05:00

Tune in every week to see @TRStudios recommendations for #FollowFriday

Some Cool Film people I follow on Twitter

100 Posts and Running...

2010-02-19T15:45:00.002-05:00

Canon 7d vs Canon 5D MK II vs Canon T2i

2010-02-19T12:50:00.003-05:00

From Canon Filmmakers

From

We are going to do a comparison test between the Canon 5D MK II and the Canon 7D. In order to better help you out if there is anything specifically you have questions,concerns or want to see tested please leave a comment below and we will do our best to accomodate everyone we can.
Editors Note:
There has been a lot of interest in the Canon T2i and how this camera will perform versus the Canon 7D. Because of the amount of work this will probably take we are going to wait until we get the Canon T2i then show a comparison between all three cameras. Leave anything below you want to see in the comments and we will still do our best to accomodate.

Canon(550d) Rebel T2i Release Date and more...

2010-02-17T09:47:00.003-05:00

Canon EOS 550D - Rebel T2i from UrbanFox.TV on Vimeo.

Critics Promo: Justice

2010-02-16T09:57:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest Critics promo shot by Canon Filmmakers own Cristina Valdivieso and our good friend Scott Karlins.

Critics promo: Justice from Some Like It Shot on Vimeo.

Talking About DSLR's at GPVA Meeting Tomorrow Night

2010-02-15T11:43:00.001-05:00

Cristina and I are honored to have been asked to show some of our work that has been shot on DSLR's and talk about the pros and cons of using them at the GPVA meeting tomorrow night. GPVA is our local videographers association (Greater Philadelphia Videographers Association). So if you are in the area you should definitely come check it out. For more info go to http://www.gpva.com/ .
To RSVP email rsvp@gpva.com

"Last month we learned about the pros and cons of the DSLR revolution. This month we are planning the ultimate session for everything you need to know about implementing a DSLR.

Understand the differences in approach when shooting, and how to integrate it into your post workflow. During this meeting of professionals you'll have the opportunity to talk to real end-users and pick their brain!

Essential accessories, tools, tips, and techniques will be explained in-depth. Join us for our ever popular round table discussions focusing on the DSLR trend. And equally important see how it compares to our industry standard HD formats.
See you at our NEW LOCATION!

MEETING DETAILS
Tuesday February 16, 2010

BARREN HILL FIRE COMPANY
Mont. Co. Station 29
647 Germantown Pike
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610.825.2250
DIRECTIONS TO FIREHOUSE
(Across from Lafayette Hill Studios where last month's meeting was held.)

7:00 MEETING BEGINS*
*NOTE TIME CHANGE OF MEETING
PIZZA and Refreshments will be served
SPACE IS LIMITED.
RSVP IS A MUST!
GPVA MEMBERS - FREE
GUESTS - $20.00

IF YOU ARE NOT A CURRENT GPVA MEMBER YOU WILL NEED TO PAY $100.00 FOR 2010 MEMBERSHIP. OR $20.00 TO ATTEND FEBRUARY'S MEETING.
PLEASE SIGN-UP ON PAYPAL ASAP!"

stillmotion Makes Moves But Always With Etiquette

2010-02-14T00:46:00.003-05:00

What is With Etiquette and Who the **** are stillmotion...
First off, if you are asking that question, you must have been living in a cave for the last couple years.
think about a progressive thinking,bar raising,industry standard setting, educational studio that isn't afraid to share. think about a studio that gave the keys to everyone else and wasn't afraid to lose a step. think about everything they have done. then think about, if they took it a step further. well, they have. these guys never fail to impress me. need a track for a wedding highlight, and don't want it to get yanked from youtube. need a track for a commercial project. the same guys that gave a lot of you the blueprint for your company, have given you a soundtrack now, too. Here's what happened when I caught up with Patrick from stillmotion and asked him a few questions in Austin,TX.

If there is still anyone out there that doesn't know who Stillmotion is, in a few sentences, how would you describe who you guys are and what you do?

we are a photo + cinema company based in toronto, canada. in short, we create moving imagery. imagery that is meaningful, imaginative, and above all, honest.

So tell me a little bit about the idea behind With Etiquette?

much like the imagery we create, we wanted the music that accompanied it to be from the heart.
and thus, with etiquette was born.

What is it exactly?

it is a music licensing house that features music that was crafted by real artists. meaningful, imaginative, and honest tunes.

Where did the idea come from and also,there has long been a sort of "don't ask, don't tell" policy with wedding videos in particular, and copyrighted music, what is your view on this?

we believe that by fostering a relationship with independent artists, everyone involved wins. the photo + cinema industries have access to affordable original music, and the musicians have an avenue to share their music and fund the creation of new music.
in listening to the photo + cinema industry, it feels like there is a real willingness to use music the right way if it is accessible, affordable, and great music. running our own business takes a ton of time, as we all know, so any music selections need to be accessible in a way that itunes or other sites are. few have the time to contact a record label and discuss the specific use of each song you would like to be used, then try to negotiate a price that works within that production. probably the biggest hinderance for licensing music today was the cost, and the fear that calling a recording studio would end up costing a fair portion of the commission and therefore not make sustainable. lastly, the quality of the music is also very important. there are options for free/low cost music but from what we have heard, many in the industry are simply not inspired by these tracks and they don't feel it will elevate their imagery.

Where do you see With Etiquette a year from now? Will you be signing on more artists?

currently there are 6 with etiquette artists, and in a year, we'd love to see that number grow, while still maintaining the music's integrity.

Check out With Etiquette here

Can't enter the Beyond the Still Contest Because You're Not A U.S. Citizen

2010-02-13T17:04:00.000-05:00

I am a fan of anything that supports competition and inspiration. I know a lot of people not from the U.S. were bummed they couldn't enter the Beyond the Still Competition so here's the answer for you.
Make sure to check this competition out. It is totally different then the Beyond the Still Competition and it's international!! It also has some amazing prizes including a Canon 1D MKIV, Two Canon 5D MKII's,a Canon 7D and a ton of other cool stuff.
Can-Do International Film Festival and Competition

Simple Yet Powerful

2010-02-13T16:16:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my good friends at www.jag35.com for putting this on my radar.
Not saying this was easy to shoot but the idea is a simple one yet, it is quite powerful.

Goes to show you a good idea can trump extremely complicated camera movies any day. Obviously there was Visual FX involved but the majority of it was straightforward shots that could be achieved on a tripod.

The Things You Don't Know You Don't Know

2010-02-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

by Jon Connor (via Steve Schwartz )
If you are offended by colorful language please stop reading now. I think it illustrates a good point and would assume it's nothing you haven't heard yet, anyway.
Just read an amazing blog post by Steve Schwartz titled "No One Knows What the F*** They're Doing" It comes with a handy chart for all of us to refer back to in times of need.

Make sure you read his blog post as it contains a lot more useful info and insight. He talks about feeling like you don't know what you're doing sometimes and the fact is that no one does. However, as the chart illustrates we all have "shit we know", "shit we know we don't know" and the most dangerous of the three "shit we don't know we don't know". Our goal through education should be to narrow that gap. More importantly just realizing that there are a lot of things we don't know we don't know is a big step in and of itself. That moves a lot of stuff from that category to the "shit we know we dont know" category. This makes you less dangerous. Plus no one likes a "know it all". So next time you feel like you have gotten involved in a project that is over your head and you feel underqualified. Remember most of the other people involved are probably as clueless as you. Even if they are not, the fact that you now have this chart to refer back to should help. Don't be afraid of not knowing. Look it up. Ask questions. The most dangerous thing is to think you know it all. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. If you're reading this blog you are probably like me and always looking to learn, so the good news is your head is in the right place. Don't let the chart scare you. Embrace it. Seriously though read the original post here.

Mind Blowing Short Film + Making of

2010-02-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

There are no words in my vocabulary to do this justice. Just watch it now.

Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

Making Of Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

Is ISO the New Megapixel ?

2010-02-12T17:26:00.000-05:00

"In 1975, the first digital camera took 23 seconds to record a 100-line black-and-white photo onto cassette tape. Today, a Nikon D3s takes photos with 12 million pixels at 1/8000 of a second. And it can see in the dark.

The conventional wisdom is that the romp-stomp-stomp of progress in digital imaging has proceeded on the mostly one-way track of ballooning pixel counts. Which wasn't always a pointless enterprise. I mean, 1.3-megapixel images, like you could take in 1991, aren't very big. The Nikon D1, introduced in 1999, was the digital camera that "replaced film at forward-looking newspapers." It was $5,000 and shot 2.7 megapixel images using a CCD sensor, large enough for many print applications. But still, there was room to grow, and so it did. Now pretty much every (non-phone) camera shoots at least 10-megapixel pictures, with 14 megapixels common even in baseline point-and-shoots. Cheap DSLRs from Canon are now scratching 18MP as standard. Megapixels were an easy-to-swallow specification to pitch in marketing, and became the way normal people assessed camera quality..."- Gizmodo.com
To read the whole article click here

Sometimes You Can't Try to Play the Flute...

2010-02-12T09:09:00.000-05:00

A long time ago when I was a child my Dad had an expression he loved using,as most Dads do I am sure. He used to say,"Sometimes you can't try to play the flute you just have to blow into it." This was usually in reference to his job as a civil servant which I don't think he found particularly fulfilling or fun. I thought it was a stupid saying when he I was younger and I never understood it really. Yesterday it popped into my head when we were debating whether or not to make a last minute entry in the Beyond the Still Contest. Watch our entry here and I will explain more
below.

Beyond the Still Chapter 2: See No Evil from Cristina Valdivieso + Jon Connor on Vimeo.

So here's what happened. We had a brilliant idea for the next chapter. It was going to be a masterpiece. We fly to Austin for a conference, Chicago for work and had a backlog that needed knocking out, so we basically procrastinated as many of us are guilty of. We had the perfect actor the perfect story with a perfect twist at the end. I blame myself for the next part but I thought the contest deadline was Feb. 15th and when I double checked earlier this week realized I was wrong and it was actually Feb. 11th. So we scrambled. Called friends. Found a new guy to play the main role. Then we got walloped with 20+ inches of snow. We gave up. "We'll get them next time," I told myself. Well, yesterday rolls around and it's about 3:00 p.m. the deadline is looming. We didn't want to enter the contest with less then our absolute best. We also don't like giving up. So at 5:30 p.m. we decided to do it. About half way through shooting we thought,
"We're never going to make the deadline, the film is going to be too short, let's scrap it." That's when I thought about what my Dad told me all those years ago,"Sometimes you can't try to play the flute. You just have to blow into it." So with some quick thinking we came up with an ending we were okay with. Is this the greatest film I have ever seen? No. Did we blow away the competition? No. Will we win this round? I have no clue. That's for the judges to decide and there's 100+ other entries from extremely talented filmmakers. If we did I would be shocked to say the least. However, by adopting my Dad's,"Sometimes You Can't Try to Play The Flute" theory
we accomplished something. We wrote,shot,edited,color graded, exported and uploaded our entry with 10 minutes left before the deadline. So even, if it isn't the greatest film the world has ever seen, at least we showed up. I have a feeling a big difference between those who succeed in life and those that don't is largely based on just showing up and doing it. I am not saying we should go through life doing things half-assed. I am merely trying to say sometimes we shouldn't quit so easy.So next time you find yourself making excuses for why you can't do something just remember "Sometimes You Can't Try to Play the Flute. You Just Have To Blow Into It."

Transcoding Workshop and DSLR Sound Seminar in SoCal

2010-02-11T14:16:00.000-05:00

This looks like a very cool event.

"Createasphere/EXPLORE: Entertainment Technology Exposition
FEBRUARY 18, 2010 | Universal Hilton | Universal City, CA

Welcome to the DSLR Video Track of the February 18th Entertainment Technology Expo. The world of filmmaking and photography are merging and it is exciting to see video DSLR education added to this event.

In addition to the workshops, there will be a video DSLR breakfast meet-up and orientation with interesting guests and great door prizes. Coffee and donuts should help get the ball rolling along with a quick rundown of the days DSLR topics. The Expo includes a trade show floor with access to some of the top companies involved in video DSLR and digital cinema. If you pre-register, the show passes are free, as is the Canon Intensive (wait list only). The two-hour transcoding and audio workshops are only $69 when you purchase them together. Breakfast, Show Access, a Canon Intensive, and two great workshops for $69. If you are serious about DSLR video, this is a no brainer.

10:00 AM-11:00 AM - DSLR Breakfast MeetUp and Orientation - Limited space, during registration you will see an option to check that you want to attend.
11:00 AM-1:00 PM - Canon Intensive Workshop - Canon EOS HD Video: New ideas. New Technologies
1:30 PM-3:30 PM - Transcoding Workshop: From the Camera to the Web - Your Files and What to Do With Them -
4:00 PM-6:00 PM - Sound Workshop: An Audio Primer for DSLR and Small Crew Productions -"

For more info on this event click here.

USA Today Feature on DSLRs

2010-02-10T10:57:00.002-05:00

Did you buy a Canon 7D and are pissed about the T2i?

2010-02-09T19:51:00.001-05:00

Well let me ask you a question. Why? Have you seen this camera put thru the paces yet? Have you seen any real world footage across the full gamut of situations you will encounter in your field of work that you bought the Canon 7D for? Or are you outraged because that just seems like the thing to do. Sure at first glance it looks on paper very identical to the Canon 7D which I purchased as soon as it came out. I am not made of money. That took a lot of hard work and saving and I emptied my bank account when I bought that and you know what? I have absolutely no regrets.
It has been an amazing camera for me and has gotten me paying jobs doing both video and stills. At $1700 it was a steal. At $800 the Canon T2i definitely also looks like a great deal. It offers the same video frame rates as the 7D, the same megapixels. Am i furious? No. Not even close. Why? Because I haven't seen a thing this camera can do yet. It has one Digic IV processor. So that to me indicates it will not be as good in low-light and may have other problems the 7D doesn't. So what happens if the T2i comes out and I'm wrong? What if it matches the 7D stride for stride in video. Then surely I should be outraged. Right? Wrong. The day and age we live in is one where technological strides have turned to leaps and they happen overnight. If I waited and didn't buy the 7D when I did, how would I have shot everything I did between now and then. Plus, what would happen if I bought the T2i and then something else comes out for a little over $1000 and is way better. The point is this. If Canon is releasing a T2i for $800 and it has all of the frame rates of the 7D you should be happy. That means now you can get a second camera for cheap if you are in the market. Or if you haven't been able to afford a DSLR for filming they have now given you the opportunity to get your feet wet. I'm personally extremely excited!
Also what do you think the next camera is going to be like?
So if you're already mad. Take a deep breath. This camera hasn't been tested yet in the real world. Technology will always be forever evolving at a more and more rapid pace. So put it all in perspective and buckle up. DSLR's are going in a very good direction in 2010. But then again that's just my opinion.
Let me know what you think I'm always up for hearing different opinions and view points. As they say variety is the spice of life.
-Jon Connor
Twitter: @jonconnorfilms

Canon DSLR Plug-In for FCP

2010-02-09T09:41:00.001-05:00

This should alleviate a lot of headaches when editing Canon DSLR Footage
in FCP. Sorry PC people.This is HUGE!!

Press Release:
EOS MOVIE plug-in for Final Cut Pro

London, 8th February Month 2010 – Canon today announces the development of a plug-in that will enable quicker and easier editing of EOS MOVIE footage in Final Cut Pro. A free Beta release of the plug-in will be available to download for testing and evaluation in March 2010.

‘EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro’ is being developed to provide an even smoother workflow for EOS MOVIE users who edit using Apple’s Final Cut Pro software suite. The plug-in will enable the ‘log and transfer’ of video footage from Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D and EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR cameras – all of which offer full 1080p HD video recording.

The plug-in will convert EOS MOVIE footage to Apple’s high quality ProRes 422 codec at approximately twice the speed of Apple’s standard conversion. Additionally, users will also be able to add timecode, reel names and metadata to footage quickly and easily – further enhancing the experience of EOS MOVIE users when editing their footage.

First Look Canon Rebel T2i

2010-02-08T11:35:00.002-05:00

At first glance this thing seems like quite a freaking bargain on the video side. I noticed it seems to only have one Digic processor as opposed to the Canon 7D which has two. However at $800 you could hardly complain. I'm going to get my hands on one to test it so stay tuned for an in depth side by side comparison between this camera,the Canon 5D MKII, and the Canon 7D. Anyway here's a review by someone who got a pre production model.
Canon Rebel T2i Review

Spike Lee Shooting with Canon 5D MKII

2010-02-07T12:22:00.002-05:00

My good friend Anthony Quintano (twitter @quintanomedia) just sent out a link to this picture
of him with legendary director Spike Lee who is at the Superbowl shooting with a Canon 5d MKII.
Now that is pretty sweet!!
Obviously Spike decided to "Get on The Bus" and "Do the Right Thing". Sorry I couldn't help myself. So,what do you think about this?

Allow me to introduce myself...

2010-02-05T21:14:00.001-05:00

Photo courtesy of Amy Reese Pruett

My name is Cristina and I'm a filmmaker. It's been 2 days since I made my last film... Everyday I wake up and think about films. Ok, no, seriously... this is not a self help meeting. I apologize.
Recently Jon and I decided it was about time I start contributing to the blog. Hope you don't mind.
For my first post, I'd like to talk about one of the most challenging shoots we've ever been a part of. We shot a promotional video for Shakedown Events at the Barbary in Philly. This was the darkest club we've ever shot in !!
We used our 5d + 7d and had to bump the ISO to 6400 at certain points. After we left the shoot, I was adamant about getting a 1.2 lens asap. Now that we sat down to edit it, we got to thinking... What would have happened if we had been contacted to do this shoot two years ago? Would we have really showed up at this bar with our XHA1's and video lights? Maybe... but I think it would've killed the vibe. In a situation like this, I think it's important to go unnoticed... Don't you?
Enjoy.

Shakedown from Cristina Valdivieso + Jon Connor on Vimeo.

Shot on the 5d + 7d
50 f/1.4 & 24-70 f/2.8
Glidetrack
Zacuto Z Finder
Zacuto Tactical Shooter
Interior Timelapses done with Nikon D300