As a cameraman I get asked a lot by clients how long should their video be. In general the shorter the better for videos as there are many factors to alter audience engagement and how long viewers will watch for.
It’s safe to assume that your viewers have short attention spans and plenty of distractions. The ideal length of a video depends on the content, the context, and the viewer.
When it comes to hiring a camera operator or DOP, clients and Producers are looking for talented and reliable crew. Typically Producers will not take a chance on a using a new crew member unless they come recommended. Even then they will only use new crew on a small shoot to see how you go. It can be a hard road and many don’t make it, but if you run your business of being a camera operator well you will make.
So how do you set yourself up for success and make sure you will be financially viablae and around for the next shoot?
What’s it like working as a cameraman? Well you need a lot of talents but maybe not the ones that come to your mind first. You need patience, problem solving abilities and people skills not to mention powers of negotiation and navigation, then you need a good eye too. Continue reading “Working as a cameraman”
To make a great photographs, video or film the first thing you need is somewhere to shoot. Choosing that location is harder than it sounds. There are many factors that you need to take into account to ensure the shoot in that location goes smoothly.
Location, location, location is not just for real estate, it also vital to making great images and videos. In a way where you film is almost as important as what you film. A great location will provide you with photographic / cinematic opportunities to sets the tone and tells a story of its own.
Continue reading “Choosing the right location to shoot your video”
Like any job, there is shorthand and slang thrown about on sets, but the difference in this profession is how prevalent it truly is. The idea behind Onset jargon is for speed and efficiency and is vital to communication. Film, TV and video all have a very rich lexicon of terms and it is important that you are familiar and understand the terms.
Continue reading “Film set lingo, Film Terminology or on set slang”
Deciding on new camera gear is always tough and you have to focus on which product is right for you.
I have owned and used on camera monitor-recorders for a long time. I originally bought a Atomos Samurai when I bought one of the first Red One cameras in Australia. The reason this was a great option to add to the Red camera was because it allowed me record a video stream with matching file names and timecode (to the RAW recording) the Red camera was doing. This allowed more options in post production as well as allowing for playback on set. This was in the very early days of the Red before the cameras could play back the footage. These two features alone were more than enough reason to buy the Atomos.
Continue reading “External recorder or monitor-recorder: why do I need one?”
Have you ever wondered how they shot that, specially in an action packed car chase scenes. Well here is the answers, Darrin Prescott, the stunt coordinator describes how they shot the opening scene from “John Wick 2.”
Continue reading “Great shooting and Visual effects breakdown of John Wick 2”
Given that a shooting schedule can quite literally make or break a production, the value of a good shooting schedule cannot be understated.
It doesn’t matter if you are working on a multi-million dollar shoot or a $500 short film with a couple of friends, planning, a shooting schedule will not only save you a lot more time than you put into it, but it’ll also make the experience a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.
Continue reading “Tips for making a great video shooting schedule”
It’s all happening again, Red has made a cryptic announcement of an announcement coming on July 6th.
Jim Jannard the founder of Red Digital Cinema posted on RedUser “July 6th. 9am PST. Right here. You need to be online. You need to tell everyone you know to be online. Have your credit card ready. This is a new product category. It does not impact your RED camera.”
Jim Jannard later posted its “Much bigger than a codec and much smaller than curing cancer.”
Continue reading “Red’s new camera”
Canon just announced the new 6D Mark II and EOS Rebel SL2 Each model boasts significant upgrades over its predecessors. They both will be shipping around Mid July.
Its great to have more camera options and as they are from Canon should make great images!
Continue reading “New Canon 6D Mark II and EOS Rebel SL2 cameras”
North Coast NSW & SE Queensland Videographer 