Shooting News With The iPad

A news station does a shootout between a Varicam and an iPad.  Okay, we all know the P2 looks better but it doesn't have a built in transmitter like an iPad.  I can see Anderson Cooper carrying one around in some Middle East country.

To see the future, click the link, link clickers...

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wkrg-tests-ipad-2-against-traditional-news-camera_b7913?c=rss

Sony NEX-FS100

The NEX-FX100 is Sony's answer to the Panasonic AF100.  The Sony FX100 has been described as a combination of EX-1 and DSLR with it's Super 35mm sensor, XLR inputs, headphone jack, etc.  The FX100 records the usual AVCHD to cheap SD cards and can also record uncompressed 4:2:2 from the full size HDMI connector.

Your first question is how much and when?  It priced like the Pansonic 100 and was slated to be available late summer/early fall, but we'll see if the earthquake changes that.  My first question is why they both have to call their cameras the 100.  I guarantee this will cause some confusion.

Watch the demo, it's really informative.  And watch the rock video at the end.  The DOF is great but I'm not crazy about how it handles highlights and the bokeh of that lens.  The overall picture looks filmish but the highlights scream video.

http://blog.planet5d.com/2011/03/hot-first-video-from-the-just-announced-sony-nex-fs100e-–-digital-super-35mm/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Planet5dBlog+%28Planet5D+Blog%29

Tape Stock Shortage

Is it time to start hoarding tape stock?  And camera parts?

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/could-electronic-equipment-shortages-caused-by-japan-disaster-hinder-tv-news-operations_b58321?c=rss

5D Magic Lantern 5.0 Firmware

Magic Lantern AJ5.0 Firmware for the 5D that gives you zebras, false color, headphone jack and a bunch of other stuff.

Tempting... but still a Beta version.

http://www.movingimagecork.net/2011/03/19/magic-lantern-v2-for-canon-5dmk2/

http://blog.planet5d.com/2011/03/fantastic-new-magic-lantern-canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-firmware-version-announced/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Planet5dBlog+%28Planet5D+Blog%29

SideKick HD

Something I've heard about from a couple of different sources is the SideKick HD from Fast Forward Video.  It's a portable digital video recorder with HDSDI and HDMI inputs/outputs that captures 4:2:2/10 bit video straight to Pro Res.  What's also cool is it has a built in 4" LCD monitor.

The bad news?  It cost $2500 bucks.  The even worse news?  It uses removable 2.5 SATA solid state drives that cost $867.95 a piece... and that's at B&H!

http://www.ffv.com/products/high-definition/sidekick-hd/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755016-REG/Fast_Forward_Video_301_TA090_1_sideKick_HD_Portable_Digital.html

Manos: Hands of Fate

For those of you who bemoan how things have changed, not shooting film anymore or that all web video is crap I give you Manos:  Hands of Fate.  Which translates into Hands: Hands of Fate.  Check out that lipsync, the whole film was looped.

Makes you feel better about your work now, doesn't it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBAMDPLo70o

And listen to the Torgo Dance, if you dare.  If only this was a ringtone.  It's stuck in my head now and will be stuck in yours all weekend...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW5GbHShsjY&feature=related

Zylight IS3

The Zylight IS3 caught my eye, specifically this knob on the back of the Zylight IS3.

Sure, you can adjust intensity and color temp but you can also control plus and minus green.  Nice!

http://www.zylight.com/servlet/Page?template=p_i_is3

lynda.com

I was having a discussion last night about "free" tutorials on youtube.com vs. linda.com.  And then this crossed my desktop this morning:

Beware Bad FCP Tutorials
http://www.studiodaily.com/blog/?p=5693

Does everyone know about lynda.com?   It's a website that has video tutorials on just about every program anyone in production and post-production uses.

It can be a lifesaver, especially in the wee hours of the night when you're on deadline and have a problem you just can't figure out how to solve.  Or you know you've done something before but it's been a year since you did it and can't remember how you did it.  And this always happens about midnight when it's too late to call west coast friends and too early to call people in the east.

I'm not getting paid or have some affiliate program or own stock in the company.  But at least go to the site and bookmark it for some late night.  And check with your friends to see if anybody already subscribes, not that I'm saying that you should use that friends account.  That would be wrong.  Like downloading songs for free and I know none of you would do that.

http://www.lynda.com/Member.aspx

Segway Dolly Shots

A DP in South Carolina is using a modified Segway to get some pretty cool shots in this Demo.

He swears he isn't using a Steadicam (which I've seen used with Segways before) but he's got to be using something, especially since you lean to move the Segway and the horizon stays level enough in the shots.  I'm guessing he's using one of these things while riding.

I'd love to see a shot of him working the Segway.

http://www.vimeo.com/21024469

Technicolor To Open New Film Lab In Glendale

I read this headline and thought film isn't dead, yet.

Then I read deeper into the article and it turns out the new lab will replace the much larger Technicolor lab at Universal Studios that is shutting down in June.  About 100 of the 360 workers laid off will be re-hired at the new lab.  Yikes.  No matter how they word it that still means 260 people will be out of a job.

The new lab will focus (pun intended?) on 70mm prints which are still in high demand thanks to IMAX.

Film isn't dead but it gets closer each day...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/02/technicolor.html

Lumix FX77 Beauty Retouch Mode

The new Panasonic Lumix FX77 has a "Beauty Retouch Mode" that lets you clear skin blemishes, whiten teeth, lift cheeks, emphasize eyes and add make-up right in the camera.

Use the touch screen to change what you think needs fixing.  Why wait for post?

How soon until this is in every camera?

http://www.petapixel.com/2011/03/02/panasonic-lumix-fx77-can-whiten-teeth-and-apply-makeup-to-faces/

Multiplying Actors in Post

A good "How'd-They-Do-That" article about Multiplying Actors in FCP and AE.

What's interesting is the green treadmill.

 And it's the color correction that really gives the shot it's cold Battle of the Bulge feel.  You don't have to shoot in the snow and the mud!

Watch the trailer but be sure to scroll down and read the article.


http://www.studiodaily.com/filmandvideo/currentissue/Multiplying-Soldiers-in-Final-Cut-and-After-Effects_12954.html.

Cineroid EVF

A review on the Cineroid EVF

I don't like the separate battery but it looks like a good product... with a terrible name.

http://vimeo.com/20020137

Chicken Powered Steadicam

Here's science at work:  The Chicken Powered Steadicam.

What's attracted my attention was the camera:  The 808.  If you think the GoPro is too expensive, this is the camera for you.  The cheapest I found it was $13 bucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adlgpovEv7g&feature=related
http://www.wordplop.com/2010/10/15/the-808-keychain-micro-camera/
http://www.meritline.com/car-keys-micro-camera-camera---p-45412.aspx?source=fghdac

Sony F3 Firmware Upgrade Cost

The Sony PMW-F3 costs a whopping $16,000 (you could buy 3 AF-100's for the same money) but is supposed to be worth the cost because of the S-log and dual link option.  What Sony doesn't mention is the firmware upgrade to get these functions was going to cost more.

Sony just tweeted the cost of the firmware upgrade.   To get the dual link RGB, S-log, 3G, and 9 pre-loaded LUTS to monitor the S-log is going to run you another $3500 bucks.

Here's a little more about the advantages of S-Log.

The biggest disadvantages are you do have to color correct everything in post and I've read that when you use S-Log mode you loose a stop.



http://twitter.com/CineAltaNews/status/42450178967474176

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/sony/story/log_rolling_with_the_sony_f3/

Epic Test Footage

Epic M8 Test Footage worth watching... and the camera doesn't look bad either.

http://www.freshdv.com/2011/02/epic-beauty-footage.html

Furio Dolly

The Furio is a motorized dolly with a telescopic lift and a remote head that can run on straight or curved track only 16" wide.  This is great for directors trying to hide cameras in other camera's shots.

But it doesn't come cheap.  It rents from anywhere between $1200-1700 a day, plus operator.  But now you can shoot award shows and you don't have to wear black...