Shot-Based Production & David Mamet’s “On Directing Film”
During my final semester of film school at Savannah College of Art & Design, I was assigned a slim volume called “On Directing Film” by David Mamet. That single text did more to teach about the...
View ArticleWireless Mic Comparison: Samson vs. Sennheiser vs. Sony
When I first started working in video production, in the mid-to-late 1990s, wireless or “radio” microphones were a luxury. Transmitters were bulky, receivers were even bigger (and often had to be...
View ArticleAudioengine N22 Amp & P4 Speakers Review
You may have heard comments like, “50% of video is audio,” or “Sound quality is what separates an okay film from a great film.” If you’ve worked in video production for any length of time, you’ve...
View ArticleBolt “Cyclone” Battery Pack Review
I’ll be honest: I never got into the whole “Strobist” photographic lighting approach of using speedlights as off-camera lamps. In theory, I liked the idea of using ultra-compact, inexpensive,...
View Article“House of Cards” Is Rock Solid
“House of Cards,” the political drama produced by video-rental company Netflix, is smart and compelling entertainment of the highest order. The 51-minute episodes are longer than the network standard...
View ArticleVello RigVision 9 HD Monitor Review
A field monitor used to be considered something of a luxury. The advent of large-sensor camcorders with focus that’s hard to judge in onboard LCD screens has made it a bit more of a necessity. Even...
View ArticleMagnus Tripods Review
A decade or so ago, it was very difficult to find an affordable, professional-quality tripod for video use. Companies like Gitzo and Vinten made – and still make – excellent products, but they cost...
View ArticleLED Lighting Is Finally Affordable
There’s a great scene in The Devil Wears Prada, in which Meryl Streep’s character explains how concepts in the fashion industry begin with the avant-garde, move to upscale designers, filter from there...
View ArticleCanon 5D2 – RAW vs. H264 In Real-World Production
When I was in middle school, I saved my pennies until I had enough money to buy a Gameboy. I played Tetris until I could close my eyes and see falling blocks. All the game graphics were gray/green...
View ArticleTwo Indy Films Worth Seeing
I don’t often get the chance to watch indy films, but when I do, I usually enjoy it more than I expected to. That was certainly the case yesterday, when – thanks to Netflix streaming – I was able to…
View ArticleImpact 5′x7′ Collapsible Background Review
One of the hallmarks of upscale portraiture is simplicity. Look at a dozen magazine covers, and at least 10 of them will feature a photograph of a single person on a plain, solid-colored background....
View ArticleWatson Batteries: The Best Rechargeables You’ve Never Heard Of
One of the greatest boons to the production industry often goes unnoticed and unappreciated: the humble rechargeable battery. In speedlights, wireless microphones, DSLR battery grips, and innumerable...
View Article“Continuum”– The Best Show You’re Not Watching
Thanks to Netflix streaming, I recently discovered the Canadian TV show “Continuum.” Michelle Nichols (previously of “Alias” and the “GI Joe” movies) plays a dedicated police officer from the year 2077...
View Article“The Great Gatsby” Doesn’t Disappoint
In anticipation of watching Baz Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby” on DVD, I re-read the original novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. What follows are my impressions of the film. If you haven’t seen it, this will...
View ArticleNo Regrets About Switching From Final Cut To Premiere Pro
I recently received this question: I hear Premiere is great, but what is the learning curve on that program? Besides accepting more formats, is there any other perk Premiere has over FCP? Before I...
View ArticleHeadphones Review: Senal SMH-1000
Headphones are a critical tool for video production. If you’ve ever forgotten to bring headphones to an interview or dialogue shoot, you know what I mean. Yes, you can look at the db meter to make sure...
View ArticleBlackmagic Production Camera 4K – A Brutally Honest Review
A couple of weeks ago, a colleague and I were joking to each other that we would receive the Blackmagic Production Cameras we had ordered “any month now.” Imagine my pleasure and surprise when I...
View ArticleBlackmagic 4K Production Camera – Second Impressions
Here’s a regional commercial for a local bank that I just directed & shot with the Blackmagic 4K Production Camera. The client was looking for the slightly desaturated, shallow depth of field look...
View ArticleGetting Decent Audio Out Of The Blackmagic 4K Production Camera
Last week, Blackmagic announced that their v1.9 firmware update for the 4K Production Camera would include audio meters. This was met with great rejoicing by camera purchasers who have been struggling...
View ArticleIs Tamron’s 17-50mm f/2.8 The Perfect Blackmagic Lens?
Ever since the original Canon 5D MkII opened up the world of accessible large-sensor video, it’s been hard to stomach the reduction in field of view that a cropped sensor demands. I absolutely love the...
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