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Showing 10 posts tagged filmmaking tools
This is the Blackmagic Cinema Camera’s graded screen grab. Pretty interesting grading and option that you can obtain with this new heartthrob device.
We do want to see actual footage of this new camera.
Fountain.io an Universal Screenwriting Tool/Markup
Fountain is brought us by these great minds and developers like; John August, NimaYousefi and Stu Maschwitz. What is fountain? Fountain is a syntax that can be written on any computer Linux, PC, and MAC. Also, this syntax will allow you to write your screenplay anywhere on any web based apps that can edit text files!
With fountain you can write and collaborate in real time with your writing team through Google Docs and export it as a text file and import it to Final Draft, Screenwriter, Celtx, and Scrivener.
I will be writing a new post this week on how to create your own rig. Without breaking your wallet. Coming up this Thursday.
This should be a very exciting post.
And the Opteka X-Grip goes to…
This is the moment you’ve all waited for. The fundraiser was not as successful; however, it has been a great run. I would like to give thanks to everyone who was involved and participated in this give-away contest. If any of you did not win. Don’t worry, there’s going to be more giveaway contest in the upcoming months. Looking for sweet gears and companies that are willing to donate their gears. So I could give them to my sweet old and new followers.
No more blah, blah, blah. Let’s get down to business. The winner is http://lizbeardsley.tumblr.com/ you are the winner of the Opteka X-Grip!
Send me a message with your address. Congratulations!!
Cowboy Studio Shoulder-Pad
Do you all remember that video with Caleb Pike with his $21 shoulder pad? Well guess who got himself his own Cowboy Studio Shoulder Pad? That’s right! I bought it last week and it is amazing what you could capture with this video stabilizer. This stabilizer is very easy to get your HDSLR set-up or any other digital video cameras on this support pad ready to shoot. These are my reason on why this is a must get support pad.
- Sturdy Support.
- Strong Plastic.
- Easy to put on.
Here it is…
First, thing you will notice about this support pad. Is that is made out of plastic. Which is not a bad thing. However, you should not add a lot of weight to this system. Especially, the extended support to have your camera right at your eyes level. This is pretty easy to get yourself geared up.
There are some interesting things I found out about this gear. The fact, that the Caleb’s video presents the Cowboy Shoulder Pad with a it’s own quick release plate. I received it with no quick release plate. Which it would have been a plus, if it had one. It would have been easier to set-up the camera on the stabilizer.
This is how the rig should be set-up. It goes on to your shoulder it has a pad on the lower section too. Which could rise or lower your camera depending on what do you determine comfortable.
Let’s go to the reasons on why this is a must get support system!
The Cowboy Studio gives you this shoulder pad that gives a very sturdy support for your video need. You could follow any subject and move around freely without worrying about shaky videos. Especially, shooting video with a DSLR which it sucks not having a counter balance on these cameras.
My next reason is that this shoulder pad is made with a strong plastic. This support could hold from 15 to 18 pounds. Anyone could add their own rig. Like a field monitor, follow focus, rods and much more. I am putting a small list on rod system/handle/follow focus to complete a whole rig on a small budget. Which will be featured on our next part of on a budget with a 4/3 gear. My favorite thing about this rig is that it brings it’s own strap. Which strap could be strapped around you. Keeping the Cowboy Studio Shoulder Pad on you at all time.
Lastly, the time it takes me to get myself all geared up. 30 seconds tops! Just open the lower pad and set-up the shoulder pad. Strap yourself with this support system and boom. Done. There’s no more to explain here. I will be putting a small piece for you all to demonstrate on how the Cowboy Studio Shoulder pad works.
Moreover,to wrap this review. Let me give you my last verdict on this product. The Cowboy Studio Shoulder Pad is a must get. For those of us who does not have the cash to get a shoulder support system from cinevate, zacuto, or redrock micro. This could be another alternative of obtaining smooth movements on video. Especially, shooting on a HDSLR which these cameras are extremely lite and they are not made for hand-held shoot.
If interested on getting this shoulder pad go through this link:
This Freebies Thursday we are presenting you CELTX. This would be the best Freebies Thursday of all time. I have written so many screenplays in this software that it made me forget of Final Draft. Great features like
Non-Linear Project Development
which is a major thing in this software. No more index cards all over the floor.
All In One
Scriptwriting, storyboard scenes, breakdown, and finally the shooting schedule.
Everything that an independent filmmaker will need on his film ventures. The best thing about this software is…FREE!
DSLR Slate Review
SLATE!!! Every film geek needs one. There are clapperboards that uses markers or going back old school with chalks. Now that we have IPods and IPads with thousands of apps added every day. There is an app that could help you sync video and sound in a video shoot. Sending those important information in post. That is why we have apps like DSLR Slate.
DSLR Slate is an app that helps you synchronize video and sound like an ordinary clapperboard. This app works as a traditional slate. Scene Number, Director’s name, Producer, Time code, and the bar sound. This app is designed for the HDSLR users that shoots videos. One could find more options like ISO, White Balance, Frame Rate, Shutter Speed, Lens, Memory Card or Roll. Pretty standard and neat.
DSLR Slate works great. The price on this app is very reasonable $4.99. It delivers what it promised. However, the only thing I wish it had it’s own note writing feature where you can write comments about the takes. Then later transfer those logs in to any Online editing software and use those notes as a guide putting the movie together.
Those who wants the Rundown on this Review:
Pros
- Pretty standard and neat.
- Great to use in indoor and outdoor locations.
- Simple to use. “Even a mentally challenged Wookie can use it?”
Cons
- It suffers strange delays.
- No notes feature for any type of logs to use in Post.
- Is it truly necessary to have the Macbeth charts?
- No auto increments in takes.
A must get? or must forget?
DSLR Slate is a Get. If you’re on a budget like me and you are not willing to pay $19.99 on Movie★Slate. Which a very complete app. That has all the great features that DSLR Slate lacks.
If you’re truly interested in this app, check it out at the iTunes store by clicking here.
3rd Party firmware transforms wimpy GH1 into Optimus Prime!!
I should give this a try on my GH1. I would love to see what I could get with this firmware upgrade. Especially it looks great in low light. It looks like its holding much better, as for codec wise. I can’t give up on my gh1 video formats it lacks in so many ways. I think this should be a great tool to bring my camera to it’s prime.
Here is an example on the outcome of this firmware.
EOSHD GH1 High Bitrate Test - Low Light from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.
Also, with the Panasonic’s upgrade firmware 1.32 does not gives justice to what this camera promises. However, this should be something I should definitely give a look at.
Next Step I should upgrade my firmware with Tester13’s firmware.
I can tell you this…this hack is epic. It fixes what was essentially a crippled camera due to it’s low bit rate. What it is capable of now is a totally new camera and quite mindblowing…new life has been breathed into the GH1 that is for sure. I wonder how it would have fared in the Zacuto shootout with this new bit rate? The thing is it won’t replace my Canons. Yes the codec is a MASSIVE improvement but it doesn’t have the low light of the Canons, not even the T2i and doesn’t come close to the 5Dmkii, but still as MASSIVE leap up.
(Via Philip Bloom)
