cinematog / rapher

8:45PM - Forward

As of late, I write weekly posts at FWD:labs on film, web and design.



Top five posts (unique visitor count), to whet your appetite:

1. Now Playing: peer-assisted, streaming mesh networks for video / March 19, 2007

   
   At the OMMA conference today in Hollywood, the editor of Mediapost, Joe Mandese, told me the next big thing is “peer-assisted, streaming mesh networks.” Quite a mouthful of buzz; such a term seemly first appeared online in research (PDF) published by Microsoft in October 2005, but resurfaced in January with Shelly Palmer’s Media 3.0 blog.
   


2. 

   Anatomy of a Saul Bass title design / April 8, 2007

   
   With Otto Preminger’s 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder, film critic Leo Goldsmith — a contributor to Reverse Shot and The Village Voice — describes part of the stark opening sequence: “Echoing the deliberate manner in which the film dissects the circumstances of a murder case, the credits also provide some witty juxtapositions of titles and images: James Stewart naturally gets the head; Lee Remmick a leg; Duke an arm; and Preminger’s credit comes once a disembodied hand seems to cover the lens.” Goldsmith elaborates on an inspiring tribute site for Saul Bass at NotComing.com, featuring stills and overviews of his title design collaborations.
   
   



3. Business Cards for Artists Who Love Quality / May 30, 2007

   
   

   Cool business card designs (creativebits.org)
   “Combine different papers. Use office scrap. Write fun copy. Free one way ticket to the moon.”

   Inkjet Printed Film Process (jemof.com)
   “Video frames printed onto transparency film.”

   
   


4. 

   Take The 2 Hours / August 18, 2007

   
   It’s only playing at four movie theaters right now, so you might need to take your bus, subway or bicycle a little further than usual. Leonardo DiCaprio’s art-house film The 11th Hour, which premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival in May, is causing quite the storm.
   



5. 5 Steps to Getting Your Film on Social Video Networks / March 21, 2007

   
   In our first public resource, we introduce 5 steps to consider, within context to some base assumptions, and then chart them against 8 top contenders.
   

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10:23PM - Catching Up

Part of my free time is now back to the cinematography trades like ICG and American Cinematographer. I thought I had a subscription to one, but I'm doing the newsstand route for now.

What a surprise to see the DP from Nip/Tuck written up in here. I met him briefly as I shadowed the gaffer one day on that show like 3-4 years ago. Impressive to read his start doing Gorman films and some features, then better television, and now better features.

Job wise, I wish I had a sure-thing "in" to cut loose. Passion wise, I wish I had more time and energy to experiment more.

All in all, I wish I had something uplifting right now to look forward to.

9:07PM - Undervalued Hammer

Five years and lots of happy distractions, finally I've found fun between the openings and closings at the Hammer Museum, like tonight's "Mourning Becomes Eclectic" reading with writers Bruce Wagner ("Memorial") and James Ellroy ("The Black Dalia," "L.A. Confidential"), and actress Dana Dalaney!

People watching, like the event usher -- was she an Art major at UCLA? Small talk, like the strangers in front of me talking about e-mail porn -- what kind of ice breaker is that? Unique behavior, like the girl in line, lying on the floor with a book -- where did you learn that? And just alternative entertainment, here, a reading in a sexy cement gallery space -- can I set up something like this someday? All in all, surprise in quality literature and aloud interpretation from these confident, styled artists and guests.

I'll be back, and see who comes again, and I'll get the answers to my questions.

7:21PM - What I'm Watching

Olbermann on Bush re: Clinton / Fox interview "free pass"

Man Push Cart "95% fresh"

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, c/o KCRW Matt's Movies "Mean Streets meets Raising Victor Vargas"

lonelygirl15 * not watching, but part of the interview team for the UCLA Law student involved with it

Despite injustice, discrimination, violence, and disappointment, things are looking up a bit.

10:34PM - Back to the Same Old

From Merced to San Francisco to Davis, I'm back to the same old.

Same job, same salary, same hours? Let's see if I can make a difference in the next two weeks.

Same studio, same city, same routines? Well, I'm thinking about my options, but it'll start with taking care of a whole lot of new free time.

Same passion, same goal, same strategy? Thanks to the conference in San Francisco and to the 35mm film I shot a month ago, I've got some new ideas for stripping the stress, finding the collaborations, and getting out there.

Same friends, same paths, same interests? Not really, since no one I know seems to stick around west Los Angeles. Maybe instead of searching "interests" on social networks, I'll go through my own and figure out what to try next.

10:15PM - Over Lonelygirl15, Onward Me

Eric and Miranda know the last several weeks have included my first and currently only YouTube subscription: the video blogs by "lonelygirl15." Surprisingly well made, assumedly by this 15 year old and her friend, the last few days have unmasked the true nature of this highly-popular series. Today, while I was out having the time of my life with Miranda -- pancakes in Noe Valley, downtown by train, books at Cody's, trinkets at MOMA, postcard at Canvas, picnic in Golden Gate, excursion in the garden, paintings by Monet, coffee with Peet's, a bientôt at the station... wow, what an fortuitous and genuinely outstanding day! -- the New York Times ran a great article on the exposed actress and her filmmaking/legal entourage just wanted the movie deal. I was a little surprised, but it was my "reality" TV fix for a few weeks there. Just in time: YouTube seems to be going the way of MySpace to Fox, says the rumor mill. I'm happy to trade in. What's on next?

12:30PM - Finally... 35mm

• Beautiful location
• 800ft. Kodak Vision2 film
• Masterful producer
• Pro gaffer
• Aspiring actors
• Busy camera assistant
• ARRI camera, primes
• Full truck with grip
• Visual concept
• Quality food, drinks
• Showtime - Friday, 9am - as a first-time 35mm director/DP

2:30PM - 85% of Americans: Iraq had 'Something' ...

Brief

Press conference this morning spells it out, straight to Fox News and beyond:

Bush: Iraq Has 'Nothing' To Do With 9/11 - President Bush was in the midst of explaining how the attacks of 9/11 inspired his "freedom agenda" and the attacks on Iraq until a reporter, Ken Herman of Cox News, interrupted to ask what Iraq had to do with 9/11. "Nothing," Bush defiantly answered.

Zogby Poll - 02/06: "While 85% said the U.S. mission is mainly 'to retaliate for Saddam’s role in the 9-11 attacks,' 77% said they also believe the main or a major reason for the war was 'to stop Saddam from protecting al Qaeda in Iraq.'"

via Digg

Specific

The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East. They were ...

Q: What did Iraqi have to do with that?

Bush: What did Iraq have to do with what?

Q: The attacks upon the World Trade Center.

Bush: Nothing. Except for it's part of _— and nobody's ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a _— Iraq _— the lesson of September the 11th is: Take threats before they fully materialize, Ken.

Nobody's ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill, to achieve an objective. I have made that case.

And one way to defeat that _— you know, defeat resentment _— is with hope. And the best way to do hope is through a form of government.

Now I said, going into Iraq, We've got to take these threats seriously before they full materialize. I saw a threat.

I fully believe it was the right decision to remove Saddam Hussein, and I fully believe the world is better off without him. Now the question is: How do we succeed in Iraq?

And you don't succeed by leaving before the mission is complete, like some in this political process are suggesting. -- via Associated Press transcript / Newsvine

7:01PM - Babel

New from Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu!

In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out - detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple’s frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo.

What a surprise to see this first in theaters, last night at Little Miss Sunshine.

10:33PM - *sigh*

6:33PM - FWD

Cell phone cinematographers make feature debut ROME, Italy (AP) -- The theme may be familiar but the technique is new: A standard cell phone camera to shoot an entire feature-length documentary on love and sex.

"It's not happening here but it's happening now" campaign for Amnesty International in Switzerland, created by Walker Werbeagentur Zuerich. Shown at bus stops, portraying issues in Iraq, China, and Sudan.

To find the right font to fit your specific needs, start with TypeNavigator at FontShop. To find the loose change to afford such design, start with a bank loan.

Design Observer changes designs after hitting the 10,000,000 visit plateau. T-shirt available and rooftop bar/BBQ if you're in NYC. Way to celebrate writings about design and culture.

The latest KCRW Matt's Movies free screening is Road to Guantanamo, a first-hand account of three U.K. civilians held without charges for two years. The latest from Michael Winterbottom -- who I've had the pleasure of meeting twice, by shear luck, in San Francisco and in London -- opens for the fringeless on June 23rd.

Coming off my first paid, professional DP gig -- working with the likes of a skillful gaffer and key grip as well as a expedient director and producer -- I learned two more lessons. 1) What I bring to the set, the tricks I've learned, impress the fuck out of the people who know what's right, hiring you for the next big thing at all you're worth. 2) Speak up, almost on the verge of arrogance. "Look at this!" Take control of the moving image. "Any decision is better than no decision."

1:25PM - I am India

This video made Google Picks, at video.google.com.

"I am India" -- made by Cannes-honored BharatBala Productions -- is 3 minutes and 36 seconds of concept, focus, and spirit that speaks well for itself in what otherwise is considered, here, an industrial.

This film is a journey through emerging India," the fastest growing free market democracy in the world". It celebrates the relentless ... all » spirit of the people of India, who through their karma give it a place amongst the leading economic nations of the world. Conceived and produced by Bharatbala Productions (BBP) for India Band Equity Foundation (IBEF)

Way to go!

7:07PM - Why Shoot?

Two words: good story.

The Namesake

Thanks, Mira Nair. I like where you're goin'.

Now, back to filmmaking.

12:24PM - Convenient

I'm one of 104,092 people pledged to see an incredible film that says it like it is. They're at 10% of reaching their goal for tonight through this opening weekend. Will you see it?

8:47PM - A Day Without Work

I can't call a paid camera job work, but I can't fool myself to thinking it's just play. Come crack of dawn, it's going to be a good collaboration with some solid professionals. This'll be the third or so time operating a B-camera, and I'm looking forward.

6:22PM - The Start to Something Good

1. Myopia makes it to Boston Int'l Film Festival and the Australian Int'l Film Festival

2. "Untitled San Francisco Film" rekindles the teaming of director and DP from the good ol' days, with web and design work to push forward the film as it raises funds.

3. Limelight to become an example one-page wonder - how good design can make a single web page work for small business.

4. To come...

6:57PM - Truth

An Inconvenient Truth

Thank God for something to counter faux-doc 9/11 Hollywood.

9:08PM - Cost of Shooting 35mm? $200/min.

CAMERA

35mm CAMERA BODY (@ Birns & Sawyer)
ARRI 435 package ... $770/day basic or $1550/day loaded
Aaton 35III package ... $400/day basic or $750/day loaded
Arriflex 35 BL 4S ... $350/day basic or $500/day loaded
TOTAL CAMERA BODY = $500 (safe estimate, covers conservative 3 options)

35mm LENSES - PRIME SETS (@ Birns & Sawyer)
Zeiss Standard Speed T2.1 ... $250/day
Super Speed T1.3 ... $300/day
Ultra Prime T1.9 ... $500/day
(Single lenses ... $70-150/day)
TOTAL CAMERA LENSES = $300 (ditto, safe estimate)

TOTAL CAMERA = $800

FILM

35mm STOCK
400ft. Can ... ~4 minutes
# of Cans ... 2
$ 400ft. Can ... $120 (discounted - normally double, I believe)
$ Total Stock ... $120 X 2
TOTAL STOCK = $240 (already purchased)

LAB
$ Developing 400ft. ... $0.40 ft.
$ 2 Cans ... $160 X 2
TOTAL LAB = $320

CINE
$ 1hr. Telecine = $225
TOTAL CINE = $225

TOTAL FILM = $785

GRAND TOTAL = $1585 for 8 minutes

10:41PM - What's Your EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?

When looking for business partners, see how well they take the quiz.

I'll give you an incentive, a clue, which is going to be a new focus for my own line of work.

You’ve just met with a key potential account. It could be a large sale and also bolster your company’s credibility in the industry. However, the account is afraid to do business with a “startup.” The best way to win them over is to:

a. Ask your world-famous venture capitalist investor to call the customer.
b. Arrange for the CEO of your company to meet with the buyer.
c. Offer to do a pilot implementation at a deep discount.
d. Tell the customer that you will contact them once your company is “proven” in the marketplace.
e. Have your mom provide a character reference for you.

The answer is C.

On that note, Thank You for Smoking is good.

12:23AM - Oscars

Very special day for me and Miranda, except a couple moments in the Oscars tonight: 1. Best Picture should have been Brokeback. Anything but Crash: so manipulative, so fake, so predictable. 2. Best Cinematography should have gone to all of them. I didn't know the one who won was any good, but he shot Chicago and, despite "leaving" Collateral, just got a BAFTA award of Geisha anyway, which could have been a clue.