On January 4th, 2010, The Black and Blue was borne into its current iteration with a simple site redesign, effectively transforming the site from a portfolio into a blog for camera assistants. Since then, there has been remarkable feedback from readers and supporters and I cannot thank each one of you enough!
Filmmaking Tips and Advice
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RED Favors HDRx, Puts EasyHDR On Hold for Epic Cameras
RED Digital Cinema CEO Jim Jannard has announced on Reduser.net the company’s intentions to focus mainly on its HDRx technology for the new line of Epic cameras. HDRx is a feature of the new cameras that results in an increase from 13.5 stops to a possible 18 stops of dynamic range and allows a great amount of flexibility in post-production.
30 New Years Resolutions for the Independent Filmmaker in 2011
With a new year brings new beginnings and those dreaded new years resolutions. Despite the majority of people’s inability keep them, many still enjoy to make them because it inspires hope for something better in their future.
RED Epic vs. ARRI Alexa vs. Canon 7D
As we leave 2010 behind, there’s no doubt that the digital cinematography race is getting tighter with options across the board. Three major players – RED, ARRI, and Canon – are chasing the trophy. But how do they stack up against each other?
The Best of 2010: Top Posts of the Year
2010 has been a whirlwind year in the film industry. 2010 brought the proliferation of 3D (and digital cinema) taken to new heights. It saw major filmmakers like Roger Deakins and Peter Jackson put up flags in the digital camp. And at the end of one decade and the start of another, The Black and Blue experienced unprecedented growth.
On Set: The Little Red Record Button
It’s such a simple thing, really, that bright red button that sticks out wanting to be noticed. Its color contrasting against the utilitarian body of the camera, screaming “press me!” The deep glow of the crimson is unforgettable and the power which sits behind it is immeasurable.
Terry O’Quinn Speaks About the LOST Camera Crew (Video)
Part of the enjoyment of watching LOST, for myself, was the cinematography and production value that went into the show. I recently found a video online of Terry O’Quinn, who plays John Locke in the show, talking about the crew behind the camera and how their technical abilities helped enable the art of LOST.
Quick Tip: Slating in Frame Every Time
One of the major responsibilities of a 2nd assistant camera (2nd AC or clapper/loader) is to maintain and operate the slate. There is a subtle art to the slate that has been perfected by many across the world and a large part of the craft is making sure the slate is in frame for the editors to see.
Film Set Lingo: Walkie Talkies and Radios – Part 3
There is one aspect of film sets that everyone must deal with at some point though and that is radio communication. Specifically, walkie talkies. It may seem like a no brainer – talk like you would talk normally – but there is actually a general set of guidelines as well as specific phrases that are integral to clear and professional radio communication on set.
Toolkit: Portable Hard Drives to Download Footage On Set and On-the-Go
I’ve mentioned many times before that a clear workflow and responsible data management is essential when shooting a film on digital. Part of that is making sure that footage is backed up and stored safely which means having hard drives that are dependable and fast. In this post, I’ll run through three portable hard drive options that are great for on-set downloading.