[Paul Thomson]

Hi Daniel,

What a fascinating opportunity for everyone to think about our visual work in a different manner.

It is quite late here in the UK so I am at risk of rambling…

There are a few points that come to mind:

– can rules of composition be simplified and explained in such a way to allow direction? e.g could your student be coached so as to direct what they think should occupy the screen at a given moment?

– one way of simplifying script is to create ‘beat sheets’ which express key moments, movements, actions. Could similar visual beats be used to express emotions that the student wants to elicit?

– radio plays (and to some extent audiobooks) excel at inspiring imagery in my mind. Perhaps an audiobook could be used as a class exercise in story telling which all could enjoy. I have an amazing audiobook of Neuromancer in which I can see William Gibson’s sky:

“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”

PM me if you’d like to brainstorm some more ideas!

All the best,

Paul

Steadicam, lights & camera
https://www.interactive-fiction.net

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Mat,

You could save yourself some cash and try using a sheet of minus green gel.

I’ve used it in interviews when we’ve had fluorescent light spill to good effect.

Cheers,

Paul

Steadicam, lights & camera
https://www.interactive-fiction.net

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Nigel,

I know you mentioned small form factor but as another option, I’ve seen some red ones changing hands at affordable prices on reduser.net. I saw someone selling a (well used) red one MX body for $2000 the other day. You probably have many of the accessories you woud need for a shooting kit. I wish I had made an offer for it 🙂

Cheers,

Paul

Steadicam, lights & camera
https://www.interactive-fiction.net

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Nigel,

Have you seen the recent announcement about the Black Magic 4k camera?

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicproductioncamera4k

If you can wait until July, it looks like a great solution. I was on a set with their current camera and I thought the output and form was just excellent. It held its own against an Alexa A-cam.

Cheers,

Paul

Steadicam, lights & camera
https://www.interactive-fiction.net

[Paul Thomson]

HI Guys,

Wow – I’m blown away by your helpful responses. I really was thinking too small. We have a ballet practice studio one day net week and the opportunity to black out the room along with a stage lighting rig across the ceiling to play with.

Emre, I like your thoughts on bouncing a stronger light with some diff. I have a test day in the studio next week and might drag along a 1k I have to test it on a smaller scale. I’ll try a couple of scrims too – I’m getting very excited just thinking about it. I am shooting with a very experienced owner/operator on an Epic so I’ll have some expert support and we should have plenty of dynamic range.

Rick, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one confused about the shadow! I can’t wait to show our team the Crush Inc video.

Todd, I shouldn’t write posts late at night after a studio visit – too much excitement and not enough thought. I should have just said “stop down a bit” as I was just thinking about keeping it nice and sharp.

Thanks again for all of the inspiration – I’ll let you know how our lighting test goes!

Cheers,

Paul

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Mark,

The idea of avoiding the windows hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’m going to do some tests over the weekend if I get a chance.

Thanks – that gives me another option to consider.

What a great forum 🙂

Regards,

Paul

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Jason,

Thanks, that’s a very useful article.

Cheers,

Paul

[Paul Thomson]

Hi Angelo,

Thanks for the feedback. That is extremely useful stuff. I especially will be taking note of your final comment about in-car talking scenes. You are so right – they do suck!

Thanks again,

Paul