Cinerama!

It's beautiful! It's beautiful!

A camera so powerful, its format dictates
exactly how action is to be staged.

Strong men wrestle the camera into position.
Famous Directors weep in frustration!

Even its sound recording wins an Oscar!

"Wide Christmas" (in VistaVision)

"Wide Christmas," by Sam Longoria
(with apologies to Irving Berlin)

I'm dreaming of a "Wide Christmas,"
In every Christmas song I sing.
Where each 8-perf image,
Will never dimage,
The mellow fellow,
Known as Bing.

I'm dreaming of a "Wide Christmas,"
With 1.5 to 1 screen shape.
From the "Seasons Greetings," to
Romantic meetings,
A high-rez 8-perf movie
Makes you gape.

I'm dreaming of
"Motion-Picture High-fidelity,"
Just like the films I used to screen.
From effects in "Star Wars,"
To "The Searchers" far wars,
I love each detail I have seen.

I'm dreaming of a VistaVision Christmas,
A Mitchell camera on its side.
With spherical lenses,
and Mercedes-Benzes,
as payoff, for this Christmas ride.

I'm dreaming of a Paramount
"Wide Christmas,"
With every 8-perf frame I shoot.
May your camera pull film on its side,
And may all your Christmases be wide.

Your Tv Is Obsolete - Part 2

Not only does your tv become obsolete this year,
you have a slim chance for a coupon for a box, so they
can sell your tv airspace, for cell phones and wi-fi.

Check it out, I'm not making this up.

Pringle-matography

For my film, "Mysteries Of The Lawn,"
I'm doing macrophotography, grafting lens
extension tubes and/or bellows onto my
trusty 35mm movie camera.

To show how delightfully low-tech film things can be,
a fellow camera hotrodder has hacked together
a macro lens extension from a Pringles can.

His is very like my "Samovar Balowire" macro
extension, made years ago from rolled cardboard,
with baling wire and duct tape holding it (and
the 100mm Super Baltar lens) together.

Although it violates the first rule of engineering,
"Never build anything you can buy off the shelf,"
the Pringle Macro is clever. I'm sure it always works,
even when - ahem - the chips are down.

Note: I get nothing promoting his cleverness,
and I don't make a dime from my likeness on
the Pringles can.

Homebrew Camera Stabilizers

You'd think filmmakers want Steadicam-quality
footage, at a homebuilt price, or something.

Steady That Cam!

Here's a cool clip, of an operator
running the small Steadicam rig,
with a video camera.

Farewell John

In 1980, I stopped work on my 35mm indy feature, to
gather at the Seattle Center fountain with thousands of
others, singing John Lennon songs, and crying. With rain,
the humans and the fountain, I have no idea how many
gallons of water we released that cold December day.
John, you were great. Here's the best tribute.

Farewell Richard

In 1979 I ran his "Live in Concert" movie at my
theatre, the Enumclaw Cinema, and horrified my home town.
I worked at the effects house he used for his life-story
movie, "JoJo Dancer," and the stories I can't tell you!
Richard Pryor, you were great.

Emperor Has No Clothes - Film At 11

You probably have heard of Moore's Law. Moore's Law is
different from Sturgeon's Law, which asserts "90% of
everything is crud," and Cole's Law, which is
thinly-sliced pieces of cabbage.

Moore's Law (since 1965) says computing power will double,
every eighteen months or so. I've seen Moore's Law at work
in computer chips, in processors and memory. It's generally
accepted for digital devices to just keep doubling in power.

It's generally been accepted that "digital devices" includes
image sensors. Well, it doesn't. Image sensors are
analog. Moore's Law doesn't apply to them.

In fact, without some new technological breakthrough,
image sensors are as good as they're gonna get.

HVX-200 Short Beta = Bugs?

Panasonic's new affordable HD camera, with the pedigree of the
higher-priced Panasonics, and the sturdy little DVX-100 and
DVX-100A, will be out soon. Is it too soon?

Yes, this is the first camera under $100,000 to shoot HD 1080/24p,
but wasn't it hustled along to production in record time? Who
wants to be the "second beta," or volunteer for "user engineering?"
There may very well be a HVX-200A some months from now.
Join the discussion.

Upside Of The Zoom

Sure, it doesn't look like a dolly shot,
because the perspective's all wrong.

It's no substitute for a box of prime lenses,
or is it?

Movie Scouting

Scouting is good for you.
Earn the badge, and you'll be
a cinematographer in no time.

Superman's Back!

They're all done shooting "Superman Returns,"
check out Bryan Singer's video blog, with clips
from production. Very enjoyable, quite revealing.

My favorite parts are:

Bryan pinch-hitting for a day or so, for a clearly
exhausted Peter Jackson, shooting his "Kong."

Elliot the Editor pointing out that it actually
would have been faster to shoot on film. Digital
takes a day longer for each batch. Whoops!

Elliot has the stones to mention this even though
it's not the "politically correct" bulletin for a
big digital production.

(On a movie set, speaking your mind is not safe.
If you voice bad news, it's somehow your fault.)

The stunt guy pointing out that the enormous gimbaled
set is all run by one wire. "If that wire goes..." and
they cut away from him. Yes, if that one wire goes.
The amazing thing is that more accidents don't happen
in the movie business.

Multiple takes of young Clark pitching a baseball,
with a gas cannon actually firing the ball past him.
Take after take, until they get the one Bryan wants.
Bryan wants to show it to the writers, but...no video.

Bryan's disbelieving expression, as he says
"I have no video." Priceless.

Pyongyang New Hollywood?

Totalitarian dictator Kim Jong-il, a longtime North Korean film buff,
has ordered his nation's tiny film industry to make good films,
to compete with Hollywood.

Well, that's how you do it. You just order people to be creative,
herd them in to fenced compounds, and club them into submission.
It's actually like Hollywood, come to think of it.

And Kim is just another screamer studio head.

The difference is, North Korea is a nuclear power,
and Hollywood isn't.

We say megabucks, they say megatons.
We want a piece of the gross, they want a piece of Japan.
When our movies bomb, nobody actually dies.

Kim Chee, sweetheart, you're a natural for a remake of
The Great Dictator, but I hear there's a height requirement.

Ciao, babe! Have a wonderful life!

Degrade Your Image

Yet another article about kludging together parts
to make your digital video look somewhat reminiscent
of 35mm film cinematography.

The cannibalized device is a perfectly good 35mm
SLR camera, hacked together with a mini-DV camera,
to give an upside-down, backwards, grainy, dithered
image. No offense.

After you flop that image, (and if you squint),
it looks something like a film camera.

Ooh, look! You have shallow depth of field!
Amazing. You can pull focus! Revolutionary.

Now, all you've got to do is somehow make the
image not burn out to white when it's a few stops
overexposed. Film handles those things, digital
doesn't.

Obviously, if you factor in the cost of the camera
you've Frankensteined together, there is no real savings
in money or time. Especially as the image is poor quality.

Cheaper, faster, better? Just shoot film.

Formats By The Numbers

To know the movie format dimensions,
here's a quick reference.

The Anti-Panavision Story

Here's the rest of the story,
told by some guys who are mad
at Panavision.*

*...or couldn't you tell?

The Panavision Story

Most of what you always wanted to know
about Panavision.*

*...but were afraid to ask.

Big Sharp Good Film Formats

Even 65mm is goofing around,
if you want really sharp landscapes.
For that you need film. Big film.

Panasonic Digital Projector $200

Panasonic will pay you $200, just to buy
their digital projector. I'm not kidding.

Whither Kinetta?

Haven't heard anything about Jeff Kreines
and his brilliant Kinetta camera in a while.

Here are some pictures to drool over. Let me
know if you've heard anything, anybody.

Go Kinetta!

Don't Pay Rate Card!

Filmmaking - Don't Pay Rate Card! by Angela Taylor

March Of The Penguins: The Real Story

Post-Thanksgiving holiday. I go to the mall,
and can pick one movie.

This year, a good pick. "March of The Penguins."
Loved everything about it, and so did millions
of others.

I am overwhelmed. It is beautiful and lyrical.
The images will be with me forever.

Even my left-brain is overwhelmed. There is no
easy way to have shot it. At the minumum, the
crew must have lived in Anarctica for a year.

Today, I have to know how they shot this film.
I spend the day, reading and learning.

Here's what I found.

Ten Books That Shook The World

I'm so thankful, on this Thanksgiving Day (it's an
American thing), for the chance to just sit and read.

Especially enjoy somebody else's film book list,
to get a different viewpoint. Love it!

Russki Camera 35mm at 240fps

You want fast?
You want fast and sharp?
You want fast and sharp and good?
Gladiolus.

What Is A Pro? by Sam Longoria Producer-Director

Filmmaking - What Is A Pro?

 by: Sam Longoria

The word “Professional” is often bandied about by indy filmmakers, and I’ve heard and read many things I just wouldn’t expect a “Pro” to say, though the person writing or saying them claims to be one. Time for a definition of terms.

Question: What qualifies a person to be a Pro?

Answer: Paycheck.

That's the short answer, but anything longer is just embellishment. It's one thing to make movies. It's a whole different animal to get somebody to cut you a good check, for the work you've done.

Paycheck is more important than anything to a Professional, because you have to eat and pay bills, or you can't function, much less create pleasing Art.

Question: How does a person become a Pro?

Answer: By adopting a Pro attitude. The Pro attitude is “I work in the movie business. I do good work, and I must be paid for it.” This is regardless of the budget of his current Project, whether it is high or low.

Some don’t become a Pro until many paychecks, but you can have a Pro attitude right now, even if you’ve never been paid for doing your art. If you adopt the Pro attitude now, you multiply your effectiveness many times, and shorten the time until those paychecks come in.

A person with a Pro attitude has aligned his brain cells and unconscious mind, so every action and thought is geared toward one outcome - to be paid for his work, what his work is worth. This has many benefits, chiefly the quality of his work improves.

You can take years to get a Pro attitude, or you can do it right away. I recommend you read a book with a funny name by Stuart Lichtman, an expert on the human brain from MIT. 

Another great book on developing a Pro attitude is Napoleon Hill's classic "Think And Grow Rich," free in your library, or get it here online.

They are both good books. Stuart’s is like a series of games, so it’s almost effortless, and it will improve every aspect of your life. Napoleon's classic book takes a while, and you have to muscle it through by will power, but it’s great.

Once you've adjusted your attitude, your unconscious mind will steer your every action and memory, every skill you have, and those you need to learn, toward delivering what you need to do your job, and be paid your paycheck.

Once you do, your natural love of your Art has a chance of being fulfilled. Until you do, you're just floundering.

You may disagree with my brutal bottom-line assessment of what a Pro is. You may feel a Pro isn't defined by a paycheck. To you a Pro might be merely a person with a lot of experience in a certain area, or a person with a natural talent.

Well, “Professional” is defined,

"Pro*fes"sion*al, n. A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker."

-- Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

Unless he has a paycheck, his "lot of experience" just makes him a hobbyist. By definition, a hobbyist is not a Professional anything. There is nothing wrong with being a hobbyist, or an “amateur,” (which means you do something “for the love of it”), but generally, amateur quality is not up to a Pro standard.

It’s common to say, "You have so much talent, you're a real Pro," but even natural talent, practiced and refined, won’t be Pro until one’s work quality is good enough to motivate another to pay him for it.

While skill and/or talent certainly are important, the defining quality of a Professional is payment.

Think “paycheck.” May you earn many big ones.

About The Author Sam Longoria is a Hollywood producer, working in film since 1970, in a variety of jobs. His work graces several Oscar-nominated films, and even Oscar winners. Sam teaches Independent Producing and Consults at http://samlongoria.com © 2005 Sam Longoria, All Rights Reserved. You may forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish. Hollywood Seminars, Box 2449, Hollywood CA 90078 USA This article is available for reprint in your ezine, website or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to the article and this RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.

World Spins Faster

I'm reminded of Gandhi's comment, "There is more
to life than increasing its speed."

Not in Hollywood. A year ago, you had six months
to prove your movie. This year, because of the
ever-quicker tick, you only get four.

Next year, it's a matter of hours.

Move!

AFM: Start to Finnish

Renny Harlin tells the tale how the
American Film Market started his career
in a big way, although I suspect it was
really his big brass pair of dependents.

More AFM Than Ever Before

More exhibitors, buyers and attendance, according to the
American Film Market itself. An all-time high of more than
8000 attendees, up 13% from last year. 1,583 buyers, from
62 countries.

If you can't sell your movie here, perhaps it cannot be sold,
except possibly door-to-door, and cut-up as banjo picks.

More sellers here than ever before, too. 419 companies from
33 countries sent 3,822 attendees, 6% more than last year.

1,526 Industry attendees, up 34% from last year.

534 films in 35 languages, including 382 market premieres.
Last year had only 459 films.

I'm writing this atop the Arclight Cinemas, which is the
Hollywood Cinerama Dome, at the party for
the 2005 AFI FEST.

I wanted to attend the fest, but I'm tired,
and there is no fest for the weary.

What's it like here? Imagine a huge white Quonset tent,
filled with hundreds of film enthusiasts. The AFI
and South By Southwest and Audi are serving them
booze and chocolate chip cookies. There's bottled
water too, and cherry tomatoes on sticks.
Oh, it's wild.

Next tent over has a documentary about a well-known
bad word. People talk about the bad word, and it also
serves as the film's title, and I suppose, a review.

Various porn stars, who use and do that word, sneak into
this tent for the food, to their enormous disappointment.

Glad I'm not hungry, and there's a fast internet connection.

Your TV Has One Year To Live

Analog tv sets have only one year to live.
According to Federal Law, mandated by the FCC,
US broadcasters must stop broadcasting analog
television signals by 31 December 2006.

One year away!

If you still have an analog tv set,
you should read this.

From L.A. to LA

So we spent an evening at the La Merigo Hotel, next to
the Loews AFM bash Thursday, at a moving presentation
made by Louisiana dignitaries, learning what incentives
are available if we shoot in Louisiana. Then we had
great cajun food. Sign me up! I'm going!

You want to really help victims of Katrina?
Shoot your movie in LA!

It's That Time - If You Make Movies

It's time again, a week of movies, movies, movies,
at the American Film Market, in the Loews hotel in
Santa Monica. Screenings and bidding, oh it's wild!
Caveat Emptor, Caveat Vendor, and Cave Canem!

Media According To Tosh

Tosh says, "...video is looking more and more like film
every day, and soon you will only remember film as a
fond memory."

Pithy pronouncement for a fictional guy, the face of
Panasonic's new HVX200. Actually well-worth the read,
especially if you want to see what a corporate pr firm
thinks blogs (and the guys who write them) look like.

In Sergio Dreams

This Saturday, 29 October 2005, Don't miss it!
Be there or be a yaller-livered city-boy.
Boy, howdy! Sì, prego!

Hollywood's Gene Autry Museum, 2-4pm,
American Society of Cinematographers panel discusses
clips of Leoni's work, and show clips of their own movies,
influenced by the Leoni style. Audience QA to follow.

Oh, me dà una casa,
dove il bufalo erra,
ed il cervo e l'antilope giocano.

Dove è raramente sentito,
una parola scoraggiante,
ed i cieli non sono nuvolosi tutto il giorno.

Help Make A 1-Second 70mm Film

At last, something weird enough for me.
It fits all my criteria - Simple, Pure, Brilliant.

Join Kevin Bacon, Samuel Jackson (and Longoria)
and thousands of others, in bringing this great idea
into reality.

Arri D-20 In Detail - wow

If you want a digital camera with
Arri quality, ya gotta go Arri.

HD vs HDV

So you've got this great video image,
You're gonna stick it on a little tiny tape?

JVC over the Panasonic?

I prefer the Panasonic these days,
so why would you go with the JVC?

Dirty Harry Got A Movie Deal

Anybody who says "The Searchers" is the
best movie ever made, is all right with me.
Harry's got some hints on gettin' in, so listen up.

Okay, Here We Go

Now yer talkin'. Yessss, it's digital,
but it's a Super 35mm frame, with an
optical finder in the bright sunshine,
and...it's an Arri.

Oooh.
Sign me up.

What To Do Until The Money Arrives

Filmmaking - What To Do Until The
Money Arrives by Angela Taylor

The Small Ad

In answer, the Small Ad.
To which I say, big deal.

The Big Ad

Stanley Kubrick said the best filmmaking is often
beer ads. It was true then, even more so now.
Here's great staging, shooting cutting,
and...a great sense of humor.
Call the kids, wake the neighbors.
It's the Big Ad.

Film the Golden Rectangle

I'm reinventing myself as a filmmaker,
defining my boundaries, and my framelines.

Studying Fibonacci ratios and the Golden Rectangle.

Why film is art and video is surveillance.
35mm film and classical proportion.

3-perf's Ghost Frame

Ooh, kids, it's scary scary...

3-perf seems a nice format, a big 16:9 image on
less 35mm "real estate," but it is...secretly...
A monster!

In the first place, even though it looks great on the
screen, it's deformed.

3-perf has alternating long and short feet!
Its ghost perf adds up, and creates one extra frame
every third foot. What?

Sounds like the kid writing his folks from camp,
that he's grown another foot.

As it runs, 3-perf's feet go "short-short-long."
Like the Mummy chasing the girl around the tomb.
Klump...klump...scrape...

Here's a site that describes the problem.
And another where they discuss the problem.
Even a drawing of the problem.

None of which solve the problem, The undulating
number of 3-perf frames in 35mm feet.

Kodak could help, by printing the keycode on the
negative every 60 perfs instead of every 64.
Both 3- and 4-perf divide evenly into 60.
(Every 20 and 15 frames, respectively.)
That would help a lot, but Kodak's busy.

We could throw feet:frames out altogether,
and go by absolute frame count.
Yeah, that'll happen.

Sometimes, it runs twice as fast.
MaxiVision!

Return Of The Blair Witch

If you win this auction on eBay, you'll get
a 30 minute telephone call with Blair Witch
writer and director Ed Sanchez, to help out
victims of the recent hurricanes.

You can chat with Ed about making the most
profitable movie ever, having his movie on
the covers of both Time and
Newsweek, and how you, too can
Get a Camera FREE for 30 days.

Wanta Shoot IMAX?

When IMAX comes up, there are lots of questions.
I don't know why that would be, a 65mm negative
lying on its side, shooting the best 15-perf image
the world has ever seen, then printed on 70mm,
projected on a 7-story screen, has gotta be commonplace.
Questions? I don't get it. Anyway, here are all the answers.

Sergio's Third

Our top filmmakers seem to be making Sergio Leoni movies.
Quentin Tarentino, Robert Rodriguez, Clint Eastwood, and
others, too. Sergio had a festival this Summer here,
and that's good. What is it about Leoni's movies?
Here's a good review of a great one.

What Is A Producer?

Filmmaking - Five Good Producer Skills by Angela Taylor

Getting Paid

Here's two articles about getting paid in the movie biz

Movie from Scraps?

According to this film expert from the BBC,
you can make a whole movie on "scraps of film."

Hmm. I sure don't use "scraps." I use reloads and
recans and 35mm rolls that have been snip-tested.
They're cheap, but they're good.

I can make a whole feature movie that way too, because
I know where to get 35mm for nine cents a foot.
(Retail is fifty cents a foot.)

That's one of the most interesting bits of information to
be found on the "Independent Filmmaking CD Vol I" which
will set you back a buck, and you can find it here.

Optical Printers? I remember those...

So this guy asks, "How do I duplicate my Super 8mm footage?"

I think he's kidding, and I think he means to video,
but he says no, to other S8mm film strands, for an artistic
installation, and he writes and calls, and I
tell him what I'm telling you.

You read Martin Baumgartner's article,
and you build yourself an optical printer.

Hello?

The Projectionist's Song

See it before it's gone...or it all goes Digital.
What it takes to show your 35mm movie in
front of a bunch of strangers, eating Goobers.
A peek in the Projectionist's booth.

Video is easy. Film is hard.

I've read longer film vs. video articles,
but not better.

Alpha First

Thirty-five years ago, this was my lab and a
cool place to hang out if you were a Seattle
filmmaker. Laslo and Vilmos got started here,
so did other top guys all over the film biz.
Still great. Alpha Cine.

Seattle Modern Digital

Seattle. Digital Intermediate. I want
Techniscope or Super 35. They can do it.
Modern Digital tour.

DIY Video Gear

Good for film or video, here are some
great gadgets you can make cheap.

Genesis Times Eight

Seems like only yesterday Panavision
debuted its Genesis digital camera, but
now they've got eight of 'em, making the
Man of Steel fly, down in Oz. Hi to Bryan
Singer, who is Directing, and to his evil
Luthor, the astonishing Kevin Spacey.

Why Airport Security Is No Longer Necessary

As a Traveling Filmmaker, I find this
story spectacularly encouraging.
(I'll bet it was really gaffer tape.)

Where Did They Film That?

Three words - Locations,
Locations, Locations.

Discuss Panasonic HVX-200

What they are saying.

More DIY Telecine

Many emails ask where to find a commercial
8 or 16mm telecine machine. Here's a new one.
The original is still my favorite.

Budget Your Movie for Under a Buck

Need a quick budget for your movie?
Excel movie budget spreadsheet.

Aspect Ratios for 35mm/S35

Hey kids! Be the first on your block to
have the right lines on your 35mm viewfinder.
Because everybody writes me, here's an
authoritative downloadable resource.

Cool Groundglass Tool

Our Arri friends in Munich will make
us a 35mm camera groundglass to our
very specifications. Ahh.
Camera Hotrodders take note.

Aspect Ratios for 16mm/S16

Filmmakers, working in 16mm, want to have
accurate framing marks on their 16mm viewfinder.
And so, as a public service, I'm providing an
authoritative downloadable resource.

Filmed In Panavision?

Well, of course it's filmed in Panavision,
but what does that mean?

Rent Stanley Kubrick's Lenses!

Stanley Kubrick's f0.7 Zeiss NASA lenses
will soon be available for rental.

Look! Up on the Screen! It's Super 35!

Will your widescreen movie start with a squeezer lens,
or a spherical Super 35mm frame, squeezed in the printer?
Super 35 and Anamorphic Production

DIY Film Scanner?

Here's a Florida Phd, who's a movie
hotrodder at heart. One of the more
enjoyable pages I've read recently.
Build your own film scanner
with off-the-shelf components.

Cine School in Sunny Spain

Plenty of light, and ghosts of
Cervantes and Salvadore Dali
watch over your shoulder.
Learn filmmaking in Spain.

Filmmaking Societies Near You

Here are groups of US film enthusiasts,
conveniently located near you.

MGM Camera 65 and Ultra Panavision

You are probably saying, "What then, is the
MGM Camera 65 and Ultra Panavision Story?"
Glad you asked.

Who Looks This Good At 90?

2005 is Technicolor's 90th birthday.
Here's everything you need to know
about Technicolor. And then some.

Clothes Make The Character

"Is that a matter for wardrobe, or hairdressing?"

-- Alfred Hitchcock, filming "Lifeboat,"
when told Tallulah wasn't wearing any knickers.

Film In California! (Again)

There was a program called "Film California First."
It offered incentives to shoot features and commercials
here in the Golden State. It was shut down after three years.
There've been other incentive programs, shut down too.
Let's try it again. Everybody back to one...

Eva Longoria Injured - Get Well Soon!

My distant relative (well, she's over in Pasadena),
Eva Longoria, star of ABC's "Desperate Housewives,"
was slightly injured Wednesday, when a piece of
construction equipment fell on her head while filming
a "DH" scene. Eva was treated at a hospital near the set
and released. She is at home resting, and is expected
to return to work on schedule.
You can write her and wish her a speedy recovery.
Get well, Eva!

Great Late-Breaking HD News

Here's the latest and greatest about
the greatest, latest Panasonic High-Def
AG-HVX200 camera. High Definition, built
like the DVX-100, only better Leica lens,
48khz sound, same codec as $65k Varicam,
solid-state recording on cards, so no tape.
all for under $10k. Or buy the camera for
$6k and only rent the cards, until their
prices drop. (They will.) All right!
It's here in October, read about it now.

Getting Looped

ADR means "Automatic Dialogue Replacement,"
and that just means saying the same thing
over and over. And over. Here's a guy
who managed to have Fun With ADR.

Your Gate Should Be Wet

Scratches? Dirt? A wet-gate on the
telecine machine will get rid of them.
The film is immersed in a liquid with
the same refractive index as film base.
The scratches disappear. It's magic!
Check out the wetgate demo.

Well This Is Fun

"What is the difference between
35mm, 70mm, and CinemaScope?"
The answer is in the bag.

State of Stop-Motion

I remember the first time I saw
a digital still camera with an
output port. Something clicked,
and it was either the camera or me.
"I could shoot a stop-motion feature
with this," I thought, "If only I
can stay awake long enough."
Here's how it's done.

Long Live DVD

Like you knew already, and maybe as if
you care, VHS is officially dead.

What the Faq?

If you have questions, chances are good others
have asked the same thing. Filmmaking questions?
Check out the Filmmaking FAQ.

Just As I Suspected

George is not a computer guy.

Flex Pecs as you Pix Flix

From "A Boy's Book Of Fun With Pipe."
here's a remarkably inexpensive,
although perhaps overly-massive,
faux Steadicam.

Dessert? Eclair!

What takes 16mm or 35mm film,
has quick-change magazines,
and is only slightly louder
than an outboard motor?
Hint - it's French.

Disposable Video Camera

It had to happen.
CVS, a drugstore, sells
a disposable video camera.

Rocket Video

It takes a determined hamster
to rocket a video camera high
into the air. There's gotta
be a use for footage like this.

Film vs. Video - Some new insights

Do you walk to school or bring your lunch?
Some arguments are like that.

Independent Filmmaking CD only $.99

Best bargain on eBay.
"Independent Filmmaking Vol I" CD only $.99

Rules To Make Your Film Boring

As if filmmaking isn't hard enough,
here are the official Lame-o Dogme 95 rules,
(and a list of Lame-o Dogme 95 films.)

Cheaper = Better?

Yet another article telling us movies are cheaper than ever.
No mention of, when you're done with it, you can't sell it,
because film distributors don't want digital.
That will change, but not yet.
"Expensive" 35mm film (which you can sell) is a bargain.

Short Films, Huge Audience

What if you could showcase your
short film before a huge audience?
Find out.

Over the Hump

Since June, nearly 60% of US homes
have high-speed internet. Can direct
distribution of your movie be next?

Cinerama Home Theatre

Wide? At home?

Stanley's Story

A refreshing look at perhaps the only film auteur.
I could read Stanley's story and never get tired of it.
Here it is again.

San Jose State - One of the First

One of the first film schools anywhere.

35mm - Aaton to Zoetrope

History of the 35mm film projector.

Look, It's Super 8 Man!

Talk about a diehard hero!
A wealth of information.

Digital Projection That Much Closer

Studios reach agreement on Digital Standards

Shooting With the VariCam

So you go to Asia.
Which HD camera do you pack?

Are you still using "film" to make movies?

Good for you!
You need this list of labs.

Latest News About the DVX

The latest on the Panasonic DVX cameras.

Top Five Film Schools

She's given "Which film school is best?"
a lot of thought. USC, UCLA, nowhere in sight.
Top five film schools. Disagree? Let me know.

Scotty Beams Up

What a guy. What a life.
Read how smoking saved his life on D-Day,
how the intrepid "Star Trek" scotsman
fathered nine kids (three when he was 80),
and how Paramount gave him a raise, a year late.
Rest in Peace, James Doohan.

Showless In Seattle?

Nobody takes filmmaking seriously in the Emerald City.
(I grew up there, and we called it Slugtown.
Not because of all the fights, but because of
the indigenous mollusks.)
Lack of support? Ja, sure.

Theatre Propaganda or Propaganda Theatre?

Loews Cineplex is under attack! A lawsuit seeks to limit the amount of propaganda time before the movie in the neighborhood hellplex.

Loews's hack flacks counterattack, with a press release.
Claim we want to see ads, it's part of the theatre experience. Riiiight.
Like those jerks talking through the movie, and the jerks with lighted cellphones.

What's next, as "part of the theatre experience?" Paintball?

What's Your Favorite Movie?

I like this guy's writing and I like his list.
Ten Best Movies Since 1970.

Filmmaking In A Thimble

How do I become a filmmaker?
You make a film.

That's it, in a sentence.
If you need a whole page.

Try the BNC

In search and praise of Excellence,
I must admit to a predilection
for Buick Cars, Colt pistols,
and...Mitchell Cameras,
expecially the cushy BNC. Ahhh...

Movie Camera crash course

Spend a half-hour, and you can
be up to speed. 24fps, of course.
Yes, progressive. Most film movie cameras are progressive.

History of the Movie Camera

Here's how it went down,
if the truth be told.

Film Cores Film Course

The cores are at
the center of it all.

It Takes More Than 10 Minutes...

From the patron saint of today's indies,
Peter John Ross casts a stop more light
on Robert's Crewless Rebellion, while
not denigrating Robert at all.

Why I Laugh When They Compare Cameras

Which HDV camera is best?
Which JVC camera should I buy?
Why the question is funny to me.

What happens...?

What happens when the set knows
more than the Director?

The Martini Shot

Sunset in Seattle, on those rare days when it's sunny,
means it's the last shot of the day...
The Martini Shot

Build Your Own Filmmaking Studio

Once you've got a house, you've got most of what you need.
Don't believe me? Build Your Own Filmmaking Studio

Puppetmaster Passes

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Paul Winchell, a ventriloquist,
inventor and children's TV show host best known for creating the
lispy voice of Winnie the Pooh's animated friend Tigger, has died.
He was 82.

Winchell died Friday morning in his sleep at his Moorpark home,
Burt Du Brow, a television producer and close family friend,
told the Los Angeles Times.

Over six decades, Winchell was a master ventriloquist --
bringing dummies Jerry Mahoney and
Knucklehead Smiff to life on television -- and an inventor who
held 30 patents, including one for an
early artificial heart he built in 1963. Unfortunately, the
heart wouldn't work unless Winchell had his
hand in the patient's back.

(Thanks a lot to my pal Randy in NZ.)

Shorten Your Hollywood Shuffle

Producing your own Independent Feature movie
can take years off your Hollywood Shuffle.

Learn all the tools, tricks, and strategems
to become an Independent Producer, and leapfrog
over your filmmaking competition!

Stop trying to make deals, and start making movies!
Everything you need to know, to make your own
Independent Feature, in only two days.

Hollywood Seminars "Independent Producing,"
20-21 August 2005, for info call 323-960-5550

Hollywood's Summer of Sergio

Looks like Gene Autry and the Alex Theatre
are finally giving Sergio Leoni the retrospective
he deserves, and as a guy with a Techniscope jones,
I'm excited. This is the Summer of Sergio.

Big, Bigger, IMAX!

Love those big cars,
big guns, big movies...
IMAX!

What happens...?

...when the set knows more than
the Filmmaker?

Digital? Maxivision's Better!

A brilliant film system for shooting
31% more image at 48fps, twice the frame
rate, only using 50% more film. Huh?
Don't worry. This is bigger than math.

Money For Your Movie - Hurry!

Well, we're back on the air, after a massive computer snarl.
I'm holding the 28% discount on my ultimate filmmaking
money-raising guide until it ships, which will be soon.

Completely updated the links, so it's even more relevant and useful.
Whole bunch of new info, for those who want to apply for grants
(free money you never have to repay) as well as my simple system
to find and qualify investors for your film and video projects.
Chock-full of these and other loan sources. You'll love it.

With all this information at your fingertips, if you can't raise all the money
you need, you're not trying. (Maybe you don't really want to be a filmmaker...)
Fully backed by my awesome 1 year money-back guarantee.

The 28% discount is for those who order in the next few days before
it ships. I'm focused on the book right now, and I appreciate your patience.
"Secrets Of Raising Money For Your Movie"

Should Film Be Harder To Break Into?

Here's your question for the day:
Should film be harder to break into?

Film Footage Chart

How many feet? How many frames? Minutes? Seconds?
16mm? 35mm? Thank goodness for
Greg Pak's Film Footage Chart

Great Star Wars Article

Warning: Not for the jaded or cynical. Romantics only.

Digital Cinema 4k Origin Camera

Here's a taste of the new 4k DALSA Origin Camera.
Mmmm.

One Page Lighting Course

My friend Mike Conway's indy movie lighting course
is short, to the point, succinct, pithy, abrupt, and concise.
In a word, brief.

Old New Mexico News

Although it happened a while back, this program,
from Panavision and the New Mexico Tourism Department,
is worth a read. What a heart-stopper. These guys are serious!
New Mexico just looks better and better as a place to shoot movies.

RIP Eddie Albert

Oh, no. Eddie Albert died today,
at the age of 99.

"Green Acres" is still my favorite
sitcom of all time, as it's so far beyond tv.
It's surreal and insane!

If you watch it carefully, you'll eventually notice
most of the dialogue is shot before painted backdrops.
That show cost virtually nothing but a backdrop rental
and some actors every week. And some film. Love it.

I'm so sorry to hear of Eddie Albert's passing. He was a real
war hero, a good singer, and is in one of my most favorite movies.

Elaine May's "The Heartbreak Kid," starring her daughter Jeanne Berlin,
Charles Grodin, and Cybill Shepherd. Script by Neil Simon.
Eddie played Cybill's Dad, and was he tough! And funny.

Grodin, a shallow opportunistic newlywed, who's just abandoned
his bride because she has the worst sunburn ever filmed,
asks Eddie something like,
"Sir, would you be all right with me keeping company
with your daughter?"

Eddie, tough as nails, responds:
"Not if I were dragged forty miles by my tongue."

Rest in peace, Eddie.

Kodak Cinematography Workshop in Seattle!

Break out your light meter and your contrast glass, the
Kodak Cinematography Workshop is coming to Seattle!

Money For Your Movie - Hurry!

Only a few days left to get my ultimate filmmaking
money-raising guide, at a 28% discount on its price.
It ships 1 June 2005.

Completely updated the links, so it's even more relevant and useful.
Whole bunch of new info, for those who want to apply for grants
(free money you never have to repay) as well as my simple system
to find and qualify investors for your film and video projects.
Chock-full of these and other loan sources. You'll love it.

With all this information at your fingertips, if you can't raise all the money
you need, you're not trying. (Maybe you don't really want to be a filmmaker...)
Fully backed by my awesome 1 year money-back guarantee.

That 28% discount is for those who order in the
dwindling few days before 1 June. Sign up and save!
"Secrets Of Raising Money For Your Movie"

One Of The Greats - Howie Morris

I note with sadness that Howie Morris, of
"Your Show Of Shows" has passed away, at 85.
If you don't know who Howie Morris was,
well you just should, that's all.

IndieGathering in Cleveland!

Independent filmmakers from all over converge on Cleveland
Ohio USA 3-5 June 2005 to meet, schmooze, and make movies.
Learn more here.

Don't Take My Kodachrome Away!

You may be horrified to learn Kodak may discontinue making
Kodachrome. Sure, they'll make some fine-grain negative, but
that's not what we want. It's gotta be that deep saturation,
fine-grain dye-coupled reversal beauty you just don't find in life.
The look of Man and God. (Mannes and Godowsky, both named
Leopold, mixed up the first batch in a bathtub.) Let Kodak
know - seventy years is not enough! Kodachrome Petition.

Meet The Panasonic DVX100A Camera

If you're spending under $5k for a digital camera so you can make
a movie, this is the one to get. Here's your intro. Shake hands.

Leapfrog Over Your Competition!

Producing your own Independent Feature movie
can take years off your Hollywood Shuffle.

Learn all the tools, tricks, and strategems
to become an Independent Producer, and leapfrog
over your filmmaking competition!

Stop trying to make deals, and start making movies!
Everything you need to know, to make your own
Independent Feature, in only two days.

Hollywood Seminars "Independent Producing,"
25-26 June 2005, for info call 323-960-5550

You-know-what Opens Today!

Here's a radical claim, from the _NY Times_ review,
by AO Scott:

"This is by far the best film in the more recent trilogy, and
also the best of the four episodes Mr. Lucas has directed.
That's right: it's better than 'Star Wars.'

'Revenge of the Sith' ranks with 'The Empire Strikes Back'
(directed by Irvin Kershner in 1980) as the richest and most
challenging movie in the cycle. It comes closer than any of
the other episodes to realizing Mr. Lucas's frequently
reiterated dream of bringing the combination of vigorous
spectacle and mythic resonance he found in the films of Akira
Kurosawa into American commercial cinema."

Agree? Disagree?

Royalty-free country music

Need some really good royalty-free country music for
film or video use? Ballads, comic, old country, solos,
duets more. All new songs recorded in Nashville.
No charge, just credits. Free CD.

You'll help a WWII and Korea Vet fighter pilot who's
been a songwriter since age of 13, and has won awards
from Billboard magazine. If you need a release,
modify this one.

He's not online, you must write to him.
Les Warner Music, P.O. Box 34, Harvey, LA 70058
I'd include some stamps or a buck to cover postage,
just to be nice, and grease your karmic skids.

How To Get From Video To Film

Only the high points. All you need to know.
How to get your video movie into a 35mm projector.

MOVIE CAMERAS and PROJECTORS

Collecting or accumulating vintage movie cameras
and projectors is its own reward.
Here are manuals for those guys. Enjoy!

A-Minima For Your Cinema

Here's more on the smallest,
cheapest HD camera.

Film vs. Video By The Numbers

The smallest HD camera is still the Aaton A-Minima S16mm
film camera. Cheapest to shoot? Still the double-a.
The numbers tell the story.

Filmmaking and Cinematography Crash Course

Okay, it's film for you. Want to hit the high points
in only one page? Here ya go. You're welcome.
Kodak Filmmaking and Cinematography Basics

Introducing - Digital "Film" Cameras

What's it all about? Here's an introduction to digital
cameras, in a brief, concise, and yet short way.
Digital "Film" Cameras

Panavision Does It Right

If you squint, it looks like a menacing Tyrannosaurus Rex.
From its mammoth lens and film-mag-shaped recorder on
top, it's pure Panavision. Meet the Genesis. How big?
Big enough - it's got a Super 35mm sized image sensor.

Learn 35mm Filmmaking In France!

As they have for 19 years, Jacques Gurfinkiel and Arscipro's
Workshop once again provide a highly-recommended and just plain
dynamite hands-on 35mm Filmmaking workshop
in Paris, France. Could it be any better? Très bon!

If you can't get to Paris France, and you wouldn't mind learning
in Hollywood CA USA, surf over to Hollywood Seminars

3 Perf - And Why It Is Good

Does it ever bother you that there's at least 25% of valuable
35mm film "real estate" thrown away on even the most efficient
productions? So they invented 3-perf, just for you...

It's Better In French

Sometimes simple things are the best.
Thank you, beko. I really appreciate it.
Your hard work makes me smile.

Lucasfilm Without George?

Looks like George is really serious, he's moved all those old
"Star Wars" ILM workers off his ranch, and down to The Presidio.
Seems he's prepping Lucasfilm for life after "Star Wars,"
or even after George himself. What a guy.

The HD-eous Truth!

So, is HD really better-faster-cheaper?
I know you save a day, not waiting for dailies,
the cost of stock is ridiculously cheap, film
doesn't have as generous a run time, shooting HD is easy,
and you save money. But are these things true?

Independent Producing 25-26 June 2005

Hollywood Seminars - Learn Filmmaking in the
Film Capital of the World - Or wherever you are!
Box 2449, Hollywood CA 90078 323.960.5550

Next Event: "Independent Producing"
25-26 June 2005, Hollywood CA USA

FREE Report - Find Your First Hollywood Job!
http://hollywoodseminars.com

HD Greenscreen Movie - The 80/20 Rule

If you have €80k, and want to fill 20 minutes with pulse-pounding
big-screen action, the good news is you can do it. Bad news, who
do you invite to the wrap party? After all, the whole movie was
2 guys, a house full of computers, and a greenscreen.

Online Distributor Wants Your Shorts (And Features)

Want to sell your shorts, trailers, TV shows, features?
You can do it online. Write to Diane, tell her I sent you,
she'll hook you up. No setup fee

The Rules of Indy Filmmaking

So, one day when you can't shoot because planes are going
over, or your Actress couldn't come today, because she has
a real job, or you gave an Actor some money to get food for
the crew, and he just never came back. Empty your mind...
The Rules of Indy Filmmaking

Robert Rodriguez's 10-minute Film School!

El Mariachi was just a calling card. Here's what he
really wants to teach you. Watch yourself!
Robert Rodriguez's 10-minute Film School

Okay - This Just May Change Everything

Okay, now you're talking. A digital camera that might just
revolutionize everything for low-budget filmmaking.
24p HD in a lightweight, cheap, mass-produced camera.
Is it 35mm? No, but it might get you there...
Now you're talking - Panasonic AG-HVX200

My Favorite Movie of 2004Making The Incredibles

Lucky ducks in the UK got a master class with Brad Bird.
Visit Making The Incredibles Master Class

IndyCine Filmmaking Page - Supplies, Services, Encouragement for Filmmakers!

See what everybody else is doing,
at the original filmmaking portal.

The greatest Bolex technician in Oakland

I can definitely recommend the work of the legendary
Mr. Jaakko Kurhi of Meritex in Oakland CA USA.
He can repair or tune up your Bolex, convert it to
Super16mm, any mods you like, or build you an honest
to goodness digital/optical printer. I trust him completely.
510.581.9791 Tell him the Sam the Film Wizard sent you.
Jaakko has been helping filmmakers do the impossible
for thirty-plus years. JK Camera / Meritex

Wind Up That Camera!

Want to shoot beautiful images, more quickly and simply than
on video, yet with image quality that blows HD and SD away?
The Bell & Howell Eyemo is still the coolest!
Eyemo / Video shootout!

Have You Seen This Couple?

If you have any information about the hikers in this video,
notify the Tacoma County Police, at the listed number.
Please help - time is of the essence.

FREE Report - Find Your First Hollywood Job!

Hollywood Seminars - Learn Filmmaking in the
Film Capital of the World - Or wherever you are!
Box 2449, Hollywood CA 90078 323.960.5622

FREE Report - Find Your First Hollywood Job!
http://hollywoodseminars.com

What Do You Do With A Finished Movie?

Is your movie DONE? Ready to get out there? You could
sell DVDs online, enter it in a hobuncha festivals. Or...
Take it to Darlene, and SELL IT!

A Day In Film School

As a public service, for those who can't afford film school,
or afford the time to go to film school, when they could be
making movies...here's a hoot and a half...maybe two hoots.
Judging Distance.

Build Your Own Camera Dolly!

It's a moving picture, so you've gotta move
the camera, right? You don't have a lot of money,
but there's stuff around the house. Start building!
Here's a new wrinkle in grip equip.
The Incredible Ironing Board Dolly!

There Was A Man Dept.

Today, let us consider Ray Dennis Steckler. I mentioned
"The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped
Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!?" the other day, and
many have asked about him. His name was "Cash Flagg" in that one,
"Sven Christian," "Christopher Edwards," "Cindy Lou Steckler," in others.

He made lots of bad movies, some truly bad stuff, he was a whiz at it.
No, not as bad as "The Creeping Terror" but definitely a contender.

If you take the time to read his illustrious history, you will be
astounded at how many movies he made, how bad they were,
and how many names he had.

You may say he couldn't make movies, but you can't say he didn't.
He definitely had the "make a 35mm movie" thing down. It's only
a state of mind, and he had it. Learn from this.

How The Mighty Are Fallen Dept.

A moment of silence please, to remember the best studio
in town, and how it was most recently brought low.
The Lion Will Roar No More

Raiders Tribute Receives Tribute Of Its Own.

Appreciation grows for the guys who made the ultimate Fan Film.
I love the original so much, and I know just how much you want
to honor the art you love. My hat is off to these guys, who gave
up so much, to get their little movie to the lofty state we call "done."
And how did you spend YOUR childhood?

The Worst Movie Ever Made

Of all the questions I get, this one's the easiest.
What is the worst movie ever made?
Worse than
"Plan 9 From Outer Space?"
Yes, by leaps and bounds. This film makes
"Plan 9" look like "Citizen Kane."
Worse than
"The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped
Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!?"
(Shot by future greats Joseph Mascelli,
Laszlo Kovacs, and Vilmos Zsigmond!)
Yes, worse than that.
Worse than
"Zombies of the Stratosphere"
(1952 serial, with Leonard Nimoy as a Martian!)
Yes, much much worse, because
NOTHING IS AS BAD as "THE CREEPING TERROR!"
Review of "The Creeping Terror" 1
Review of "The Creeping Terror" 2
You can get the "Mystery Science 3000" version here,
sadly the only way it's on DVD, but just turn the DVD over,
to see "The Creeping Terror" full-strength!

Do You Need Money For Your Movie?

Simple system teaches how to find film
financing Movie Angels, or have them find you.
Pre-sales 28% off until 1 June 2005.

Thieves on eBay

This made my hair stand up on my head.
It almost happened to me, just a week or so ago.
Moral is, don't necessarily believe it if you
lose a bid, and get a "second chance offer."
Check it out first.

Fan Film Triumph

Here's one you need to read, when the going gets tough

Are Movie Theatres Going Away?

Just as I begin my 35mm Renaissance in earnest,
so as to make 35mm feature theatrical movies,
there's this article, by Ed Epstein of the LA Times.
The movie biz has moved to your house.

Filmmaking Help From Your Uncle Ivan Watson!

Filmmaking Help From Your Uncle Ivan Watson!

Back when I got started making movies,

there was this British filmmaking writer.

His name was Ivan Watson, and he wrote about filmmaking
in a friendly and incredibly informative way. He truly had a
gift for making the complicated seem easy!

I thought of him as "Uncle Ivan," and loved reading his
film magazine columns. I corresponded with him by mail,
and still have his books in my library.

Years later, I still use everything he taught me,
in my professional film career, every day.

I'm happy today to recommend
Uncle Ivan's great filmmaking books.

I hope that helps you make YOUR movie!






Uncle Ivan
Ivan Watson
Uncle Ivan Watson
Ivan Watson Film Books
Sound Sense For Movie Makers

Danger! We're Making A Western! (What?)

So my movie after this one is a western. People used to make
westerns because they were cheap. (The westerns, and the people.)
Now, to make them is dangerous and time-consuming, and you have to
buy a ton of stuff they just don't make any more. Here's a danger
you might not have considered. Hugh O'Brian knows.

Happy Birthday Roger Corman!

I had dinner with Roger Corman, on a boat in Seattle years
ago, and could not get over it, this elegant gentleman in a
cashmere sweater was the same man who Directed a movie
called "Bucket of Blood." Years later, I worked at his secret
Venice movie studio, and learned a lot about making movies,
perhaps the most important thing is, don't listen to anybody
who says you can't. It's his 79th birthday today, so I send
a heartfelt (and cheap) Happy Birthday Roger Corman!

Do You Really Need A Movie Star?

If you want your movie to come together, and get distribution
and publicity and fame, yes you need a movie star. How
do you get them to be in your movie? You ask them. How do
you find them? Babe, welcome to the Twenty-first Century!

How to Master Time and Space - In 35mm!

So, I was at a TRW swap meet, a meeting of geeks and dweebs,
hackers and hamsters, way out in Torrence, to the West of LA,
and I bought an AutoMax.

I'd bought a couple before, but didn't know what they were, or
how to use them. Usually, I've bought 'em at a surplus store,
and dumped 'em during a spring cleaning garage sale.
I didn't know any better.

A guy had it on a table, a little black case with a handle, that
smelled like my violin. Inside, was a little 35mm movie camera
with a Bell & Howell Eyemo lens mount, and a shoe to take
Mitchell 35mm magazines. Never used.

He sold it to me cheap, as though it were a little old Argus 35mm
with a double-rangefinder. Cool, but old. Took it home, put it
into my closet. Years later, I took it out, and researched it,
to sell on eBay. To my shock, I found I'd bought a Stradivarius.

AUTOMAX G-1 Photo Instrumentation Data Recorder 35mm Movie
Camera, for 35mm Cine Photography and Time-Lapse Data Capture.
High-falutin' name for such a little brick of a camera.

Made in 1953, before they were publicly available. Survey,
Surveillance, Time-lapse or Animation. Basically, it takes one
frame every so often. It's designed to shoot literally MILLIONS
of frames, and can take rough use.

Lock it down, feed it 28VDC electricity. (Two 12V batteries
work, or boat or airplane battery. Any military, too.)

Best for Time-Lapse cinematography, although it can be driven at
cine speed. Registration is good.

New or mint, they sell for about $10,000.
Used and worn, around $3,000.

This one is a Model G-1, in storage since it was made.

I called the owner of the Automax Company. He told me the
camera mechanism simply doesn't wear out, and after
5 MILLION FRAMES, you only need to dust it out.

This camera still has 5,000,000 frames left to shoot!

The factory will make an adapter (just a little plate), for
Mitchell, Arriflex, or Nikon lenses. Any lens you like.

It shoots FULL-FRAME 35mm, (also called SUPER 35mm).
From that, extract any format you want.
(Academy, 1.85, 1.66, Scope, 2.35, 16x9, etc.)

Mitchell-style film magazines hold 200ft, 400 ft, 1000 ft.
1000' magazine holds 16,000 high-resolution frames.
At 40Mb/frame, that's 640 Gigabytes that will last a century!

Pretty exciting. I can lace this up, set it and forget it.
When I come back, I have clouds boiling on the horizon, or cars
streaking by. Time-lapse is dramatic, poignant, often poetic.
Yes, please. I want to Master Time and Space.

When I researched it, I was deeply into the HD thing.
This little camera was the first part of my 35mm Renaissance.
Cheap and available now, because the Perceived Value is down.
If you see one, buy it.

This one is not for sale. I'm using it.

Something Funny In Hollywood...

It's late, late at night, and I'm working hard.
Desi and Lucy are playing in the background.
The great 1954 comedy, "The Long, Long Trailer."
It's just so...good. Produced by Pandro S. Berman,
Directed by Vicente Minnelli (Liza's dad.)
Classic screen comedy, when MGM was the best
studio in town, making the best movies, period.
Lucy was great, so solid as a comedienne. Desi was
wonderful, quite underrated. A brilliant performer
and businessman, he swung their great deals, inventing
the 3-camera sitcom shoot and the re-run. I interviewed
Desi Jr. for a tv show, and have nothing but respect.
This one is really Desi and Lucy at the top of their game.
Read about it, and see what I mean.

April Fool Filmmaker Blog

I hope you love this, even as I.

Do Filmmakers Even Need To Raise Money?

Simple system teaches how to find
Movie Angels, or have them find you.
Pre-sales 28% off until 1 June 2005.

Learn Filmmaking in the Film Capital of the World!

Hollywood Seminars - Learn Filmmaking in the
Film Capital of the World - Or wherever you are!
Box 2449, Hollywood CA 90078 323.960.5550
http://hollywoodseminars.com

The Best Movie Camera For $3k

So, let's say you have three thousand dollars, burning a hole
in your pocket. It could happen. A relative leaves you some,
you have a refund coming, you sell some stock. You know you'd
just squander it on food and rent, but you're a filmmaker, dammit.
That money must go to make your movie. If you don't spend it,
and right away, you'll never move forward.

You post on filmmaking discussion boards, you call a friend,
and ask, "What's the best camera I can buy?" He asks,
"How much do you have?" You tell him, and rather than
laughing in your face, he asks an odd question.

"Where do you want your movie to show?" A little
soul-searching turns up a factoid: What you really
want is for your movie to play in a theatre.

On tv, sure. On cable and DVD, yep. Maybe a festival,
but it's gotta start in a theatre full of people, watching
your story, sitting in the dark.

Your friend's expression turns serious, because he knows that
you are. "$3k won't make a dent in an HD camera," he says.
"They're $100-200k or so, for a CineAlta, Varicam, or Viper.
Jeff Kreines's 'Kinetta,' which is my favorite, even
though it's not even shipping yet, is $60k."

"16mm is okay, but when it's done, you won't have anything
to show in a theatre. Whether you shoot regular or Super-16mm,
you still need to make a blowup, and that's just as expensive
as shooting 35mm to begin with."

"Video? It's called "digital" now, but it's really just video.
Even HD is really just video. Yes, I've seen the new Sony HDV
camera. To fit HD into such a little camera, they have to
compress the HD, to fit the DV."

"That compression means even a tiny dropout will lose you the
whole compressed data block, that's one-half second screen time.
Ever see a dropout? Sure you have. Take that chance? Not me."

"If you've got $3k, the Panasonic DVX-100A is a great choice.
Leica lens, wonderful award-winning design, easy to use, well-balanced.
Great audio section, for really good sound. You can get them new
for about $3k, or on eBay for less."

"DVX-100A footage blows up to 35mm really well. Make sure to shoot
with the '24p Advance' setting, it makes a better filmout. This is
the best digital video camera, in my opinion. It's a good tradeoff,
and the camera's response curves have been tweaked, so it really looks
like film. A great audio setup, to make a pristine digital recording
of your noisy location. Only problem is the cost of the blowup."
Then he gives you the look.

"If you're a real die-hard, and you decide to really go all the way
with this, you're going to want 35mm.
Real 35mm costs $80/minute to shoot, and it plays on any theatre
projector in the world. It's easier to load, easier to edit,
it's bigger, and you can see the images."

"Maybe you just have a part-time income. Can you shoot 35mm?
Yes you can. It may take a year or more, but the year will go
by anyway. Just buy a Bell & Howell Eyemo on eBay (around
$500-1000), and feed it 100ft daylight spools. The Eyemo is
great, spring-wound so you don't need batteries. All you need
is a light meter, and you're set."

"The next step up is a reflexed camera, for that you want a
Russian-made Konvas camera. That'll set you back about $2500
on eBay. $200 for shipping, $300 for film, and you're go.

You load the 200-ft quick-change magazines in your darkroom, for
twice the Eyemo's shooting length, about 2.2 minutes, just like
your Super 8mm camera when you were a kid. You can even get
scope lenses for it. Loud camera, but you'll be dubbing your
sound, anyway, to make sure you get a great post-sync track."

With that, your friend withdraws. You know he's right,
and he's answered your question.