Filmmaking is a uniquely collaborative medium that brings together many people towards one creative goal. The people are also one of the best reasons to stick around. A good friend on set has the potential to become a good friend forever. Do you stay in touch with those you work with?
Filmmaking Tips and Advice
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How to Clean a Camera Lens Without Damaging the Glass
One of the questions I get a lot from readers is how to clean a camera lens properly. While I can’t claim my method is “the way” to clean a lens, it has served me well in my career so I decided to share it with you in my first ever video post.
Save Money and Your Tools in 10 Minutes or Less
Losing gear is part of the life cycle of a toolkit. A tool can easily find its way out of your hands in the hustle of production, but you should be spending money on new tools instead of replacement ones. If you have 10 minutes of time, you can save money and save your tools by using this easy tactic.
Comment Corner: Week of March 14th
Sunday is exciting because I get to show off the smart and talented readers of The Black and Blue. You did not disappoint this week, providing some new techniques on methods I had already explored and also proving that filmmaking is made of a community that strives to share with each other.
On Set: A Lens and a T-shirt
There’s a certain pride as an AC to be able to return an entire camera package complete, unbroken, and with everything in tip-top shape. Accidents can and often do happen, but there should never be a piece of broken gear because of a stupid mistake like that.
Don’t Waste Time with Camera Movement
Cinema is built around motion and the art of movement, often by the camera. These types of shots are often impressive and will add value to any production, but they also take time to set up. Before you dive head on into the world’s greatest dolly move or an five-minute long Steadicam shot, consider the resources you’re expending to execute it.
Getting Drinks with Crew: Hit the Bar or Hit the Sack?
When you spend 12 hours (or more) working, a soft pillow and a warm bed are your best friends at the end of the day. That’s until you hear, “Hey, we’re going out for drinks, you should come!”
Marking the Camera on Dolly to Keep Shots in Focus
Placing the camera on a dolly means you’re going to have a good time pulling focus. Besides the fun, dolly shots can also be very challenging. Successfully pulling focus on shots like these will depend on the consistency of a good dolly grip, but also how well you placed focus marks.
Useful Cinematography iPhone Apps to Have on Set (Part 5)
With the launch of the iPad 2, Apple doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, but it’s their phone that has exploded within the filmmaking industry. From grips to gaffers, the iPhone has shown that it’s versatility makes it a tool worth keeping in your kit.
Why Your 2nd Job is More Important than Your First
Getting your first job is huge. It’s shoving your foot through the door and blazing onto the freelance scene. When you do that, you catch the attention of the room and you better have the goods to deliver. And while the first job is indeed important, it’s really your 2nd job that you should be more worried about.