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Rocking like Daniel Peters! The Vimeo Interview.

Daniel Peters, is a fellow freelance filmmaker based in the U.K. He might look like a rockstar, and in part you’d be right.  Daniel creates music videos like a rock legend and has over 20 music videos under his belt. Also, he has shot and edited documentaries and wedding videos.  We are going to explore his methods of pre-production, production, his influences, and his inspirations as a filmmaker.
How did Daniel catch our eyes at AWSY? He shot directed and edited an experimental video called Bertie & Princess. The video beautifully showcases the work of a stable and the majestic nature of horse riding. He caught our eyes again with his latest work with the band Hello Lazarus- X marks. There’s no way to describe this music video. Therefore, we are posting it here! We hope that you’ll enjoy it as we did.

Mr. Peters, has accepted to be interviewed by the AWSY team on Vimeo. #AREWESHOOTINGYET Vimeo INTERVIEW:

We interviewed Daniel Peters through Vimeo. 

Hello, Daniel!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk to you and accepting the interview.

Q: How did you find your next project? A: I’ve got to the point where clients contact me regarding music videos/weddings etc.
Anything different that I want to endeavor in, I contact companies discussing ideas, projects.

Q: Tell us how is your average day of pre-production? A: My usual Pre-production depends on the project. First thing is usually typical-location hunting, but for many bands this is tricky as most bands can’t afford location fees which makes my job a lot harder…as i think location is key when it comes to any project. Then if anything in the treatment requires any effects, I usually test that out first with stand ins, etc., to make sure it works smoothly…so that way i don’t shoot myself in the foot on delivery time.

Q: How do you meet such talented bands and what is your work ethic with them or any other client? A: Sometimes through my brothers recording studio (Anemic Studios) or from bands spreading the word on my work. My work ethic is usually the same with everyone…until I hear the song, i can vision the location, story, feel etc. Then I discuss my vision and the band usually likes it, few changes might happen here and there, due to time, location, actors or just simple story changes. But if i don’t feel for the song, I won’t do the project. It will just hurt me more than if I shot it for the money…if my heart isn’t in it I won’t do it. Been there and done that and…well it simply didn’t come out good.

Q: How do you fight with writer’s block? Because my writer’s block is kicking my ass for months now. A: Writer’s block is a bitch. I’m a big tv/drama fan so most of my inspiration comes from that and great photography…rather than other music video pieces.

Q: How do you manage to make your digital footage look and feel organic? Especially with your latest work with Hello Lazarus. A: I’m glad you said that. There are so many people shooting now that everything looks the same so, I always try my best to make my work … well look like my work. To be honest, anyone can shoot music videos, but I want to have a certain style with mine. For the Hello Lazarus one, they actually didn’t like the idea at first, so I had to do a lot of convincing which makes that project even more satisfying for how it came out. Im a big fan of film, the look of shows like, true blood, american horror story… so I try my best to copy that look with whatever I’m shooting on, which is usually cheap digital cameras haha. Funny enough, nearly that whole video was shot with a cheap Sony Nex5n.

Q: As a musician yourself do you feel like you have an advantage in the editing room?A: Def not….but my way of editing i do just as they way i shoot. If I’m not feeling the song, I won’t edit it…so I usually edit the video straight away as I am completely in that vibe/zone of that style. I hope a lot of my edits look different too and editing is def another form of art. A great cinematographer can shoot something amazing and beautiful but an editor…can fuck that up in seconds, Ha!

Q: Which is your favorite gear so far? A: Def the Red Scarlet but i wouldn’t be able to appreciate it if I didn’t start off shooting the way I did. I started with a Panasonic HVX 200 with a shoot35 adapter, then moved over to the Canon 5DMKII and here I am now with the scarlet…

Q: Tell us about your production workflow?A: My production workflow with bands tend to be a little similar I usually start off shooting the wides, as this warms up the band and they tend to not feel too awkward as I’m not right in their face yet with the camera.

Q: What would be your dream-gear? A: I think my only dream gear would be the phantom camera… other than that, i’d much rather have great actors and access to amazing locations.

Q: Do you have a new project in mind or in pre-production do you want to share with us? A: I’ve been writing and trying to start shooting my web series that would air an 1hr episode every 2 weeks, but getting the budget for actors/locations has been really tricky. Thats all I can share on that, Ha!

Q: Was there ever a project that turned into a nightmare? What did you do to keep from happening again?
Ha definitely… a band changed their mind on the location and said were nearly here now and we’ll just shoot it at your studio. I said no, they showed up anyways…discussed a few things, pretty had to set up and shoot a music video in 2-3 hours… no names mentioned, sorry, Ha!

Want to learn more about Daniel then visit danielpeters.org for more music videos and follow him on Twitter @danielpetersdop.

2012 NAB convention gave us new gears and the new Canon EOS-1D C the HDSLR that shoots 4k. The bad news is we do not have that kind of budget to make a reasonable purchase for the C-series. However, there’s a new camera in town that cost less than the canon 5D markiii.  Blackmagic-Design,  the creators of Davinci Resolve gave us a great surprise! A new independent filmmaker budget friendly digital cinema camera. 

What is so special about this camera? Let me give you a small rundown of it’s specs:

  • Micro 4/3 sensor
  • RAW 2.5k
  • Internal slate
  • CinemaDNG and Pro-Res format.

Here is a video with the full demonstration of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera.

Want to learn more about this camera? Follow this link with the Q&A with Director of Sales Simon Westland. 

2012 Vimeo Festival+Awards Votes are Now Open »

It’s that time of the year!  Where the best online videos compete for your vote! Help the Vimeo staff and this year judges by signing in and watch each categories and then vote.

The Vimeo Festival will take place on June 7-9 in New York City. Judges have selected finalists for 13 video categories—the public is now invited to vote for their favorites, through April 30. Winners will be announced at the award show at the NYU Skirball Center on June 7. The Vimeo Festival will follow, at various venues in New York City, June 8-9.

There’s only one vote for each categories. Just sit back and enjoy the best videos on the internet. 

Check out this great DIY video mini camera jib crane that can cost you around $25! Here is a small quote from oliviatech.com:

With basic angle aluminum and square tubing, we created this simple DIY Mini Camera Jib / Crane. It’s for great for taking out small cameras, and since the Jib itself is very light, small tripods can be used for support. We used a GH2 camera, but it can also be used with small Sony NEX5n or NEX-7  cameras.

Read more about it @ http://oliviatech.com/how-to-make-a-diy-camera-jib .


 

Imagine a digital camera that can record 2k with a 16mm sensor. Also, it can shoot it’s video with no pesky artifacts and no annoying compressions that most of our DSLRs do give. We are talking about the new D16 Bolex. 

Here is a quote from Digital Bolex’s goal:

Once upon a time, motion picture cameras that created high-quality images were affordable for all filmmakers on any budget. Consumer 8mm and 16mm cameras like the original Bolex shot footage that could be projected on any movie theater screen.

In today’s digital market, ‘affordable’ and ‘consumer’ have become synonymous with ‘low-quality’ — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Introducing the Digital Bolex D16, the first digital cinema camera to shoot RAW at a price anyone can afford.

How affordable would this camera be? $3330 (2500 if you pre-order it through their kickstarter campaign) we can watch One Small Step trailer which movie was shot entirely with the D16 camera.  

Want to read the camera’s spec then download it here. 

Dreamy…  now we are going to be backing this project. We want to see more from their developer team and their camera. 

This is the first look on Novacut’s real time non-linear editing collaboration feature. It looks promising. Let’s see what the future will hold for Novacut.

The idea is that when you first create a slice, it doesn’t have to go anywhere yet, it can just hang out in the doodle area. Or if you want to remove a slice from the sequence, just drag it back into the doodle area… that way you can remove a slice from the sequence without loosing that slice. I really wished we could have gotten this all finished for the release because I’m so excited for people to try it. Next month!

This can bring us closer to the final product! Let’s download Novacut and help it’s developers to give as many feedback as an editor. Your opinion will shape up this non-linear software. Join their group at Vimeo Novacut Artist Diaries and be part of the development of this software.

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.

Read more

5D Mark ii with Magic Lantern new latest update that includes Video HDR!! Dig it!

The Canon 5D mark ii is back with a vengeance! Thanks to the new Magic Lantern that not only offers manual audio monitor function, zebras, among other great professional video options. Now the new firmware offers, HDR (High Dynamic Range) video capturing more AMAZING footage thanks to this new feature.

Want to learn more about this firmware? Click here! 

Vimeo Film Festival 2012 submission is open!!

Plus and Pro account holders can get a sweet discount for his or her video submission. 

This time around we’re honoring videos (and their amazing creators) in 13 categories, including four brand spankin’ new ones. And because we believe creativity should be rewarded, we’re giving away $5,000 grants to category winners and one $25,000 grand prize, all to help recipients make new work.

Which categories are:

I. NARRATIVE
  • Short description: A live action narrative fiction told through the medium of video.
  • Maximum length: 20 minutes
  • Requirements: Your Submission must be an original live action short narrative video that exemplifies the art of fictional storytelling. Submissions may come from, but are not limited to, the following genres: comedy, action, drama, musical, horror, etc. Your submission should be a complete story that is presented in a clear, creative, and original way.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for creative excellence in videos that push the boundaries of narrative filmmaking and storytelling.
II. DOCUMENTARY
  • Short description: A short video that presents a factual report on a chosen subject or idea.
  • Maximum length: 20 minutes
  • Requirements: Your submission must be an original short documentary that exemplifies the art of non-fiction storytelling. Submissions may include a variety of storytelling methods: presenter led or narrated, fly on the wall, point of view, ambient, or personal stories, etc. Your submission should be a complete idea that is presented in a clear, innovative and original way.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for an engaging, creative video that provides insight into a real person, lifestyle, cause, belief, or situation through nonfiction filmmaking methods.
III. MUSIC VIDEO
  • Short description: A short video that accompanies a complete piece of music or song.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Your Submission must be a music video that has been purposely created as a visual representation of a chosen piece of music or song. Submissions must be an original interpretation created for a band or artist, either a narrative or abstract representation of the music or performance. We will accept unofficial, ‘spec’ music videos. All rights to the music used in the video must be cleared with the applicable owners/licensors.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for entries that visually represent the accompanying music in a complementary, fresh and highly creative way, in both concept and execution.
IV. MOTION GRAPHICS
  • Short description: The use of graphic design principles to create a video using animation or filmic techniques.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Your submission must be an original, non-narrative, short motion graphics video that communicates information via the sequencing of images and text, led by the principles of graphic design. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, any of the following styles of motion graphics: title sequence, infographic, computer processing, graphic bumpers, etc.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for videos that show a high level of technical, conceptual, and aesthetic innovation and display an exceptional level of creative vision.
V. ANIMATION
  • Short description: A story told by giving life to inanimate objects or character designs using computer technology or frame by frame animation.
  • Maximum length: 20 minutes
  • Requirements: Your submission must be an original animated short video that illustrates the art of animated storytelling. Submissions may include the following styles of animation: 3D, 2D, mixed media, or any form of stop motion.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for animation that deploys a high level of technical, conceptual, and aesthetic innovation in order to enchant the viewer with a strong, engaging story.
VI. REMIX
  • Short description: A video that is created using images, sequences or audio from existing works to make a new, original, independent piece.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Your Submission must be a video which recombines and modifies existing digital works to create a new transformative work. Submissions must be created using footage and sounds that you have all the necessary rights to use, are in the public domain, or are used under the protection of fair use.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for remix videos that show an exemplary transformation from the original material used and show an exceptional level of creative vision and execution.
VII. CAPTURED
  • Short description: A video that captures your own artistic expression or performance as the subject.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Your Submission must be an original short video with the sole purpose of capturing your own creative expression or performance. Submissions may include: an installation, live performance, social experiment, or any other creative expression.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for videos that solely capture a creative expression and are not necessarily creative pieces in and of themselves.
VIII. SERIES
  • Short description: A set of related or thematic videos, released periodically.
  • Maximum length per episode: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Each Submission must be a single video that includes three (3) sample episodes that best represent the series. Your Submission must come from an original series with more than five (5) episodes that is distributed solely through the Internet. Submissions can be from all forms of storytelling: fiction, non-fiction, musical, etc, and any format: live action, animation, etc. The submitted episodes must accurately represent the series as whole, and will be the basis upon which the series is judged.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for a video series that maintains a strong concept through multiple episodes shows an exceptional level of creative vision and execution.
IX. EXPERIMENTAL
  • Short description: A video that experiments with new ideas and/or techniques, often characterized by the absence of a linear narrative.
  • Maximum length: 20 minutes
  • Requirements: Submissions may include video art, abstract works, or any other non narrative-based work that breaks new ground in moving image.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for videos that explore new ideas or techniques to further filmmaking as an art form, free from the constraints of the traditional narrative form.
X. ACTION SPORTS
  • Short description: A video that uses filmmaking to creatively showcase action sports.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Your submission must be a complete original video that focuses on the theme of action sports. Submissions must be complete standalone videos that present the subject matter in a clear, creative, and original way. We define action sports as any of the following, but not limited to: skateboarding, blading, snow sports, kite boarding, surfing, drifting, body boarding, BASE jumping/wingsuit, sky diving, bmx, motorcross, parkour, etc. Entries may be narrative, documentary-based, animated, or based on an experimental technique. Submissions may not be excerpts from longer films. You must have the permission of the applicable sports organization and/or participants to enter the video in a contest.
  • Judging considerations: We are not looking for trick videos. We are looking for well-crafted videos that elevate the given sport through creative cinematography, editing and storytelling.
XI. FASHION
  • Short description: A video showcasing a fashion or beauty collection or trend with moving image.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: Submissions must communicate a particular trend or moment in fashion, beauty, or style, commissioned by a fashion or beauty brand or magazine. Submissions may not be advertisements that have been broadcast on TV. You must have the permission of the applicable designer and/or fashion show to enter the video in a contest.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for Submissions that elevate the featured themes using creative and original cinematic and/or storytelling techniques.
XII. LYRICAL
  • Short description: A video that showcases the natural world or personal experience using a distinct creative style.
  • Maximum length: 10 minutes
  • Requirements: A video that uses one or more of the following styles or techniques: slow motion, timelapse, tilt shift, videoblogs, personal moment videos, travel videos, etc, to capture images of your surroundings or personal life in an outstandingly creative, engaging way.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for a fresh perspective that offers new ways of looking at the world around us.
XIII. ADVERTISING
  • Short description: A short video commissioned by a brand or advertising agency to promote a company, product or service.
  • Maximum Length: 10 minutes
  • Minimum Length: 25 seconds
  • Requirements: Submissions must have the express intent of selling or promoting a product or service. There is no limitation to the style or format. You must have the permission of the advertiser (and advertising agency, where applicable) to enter the video in the contest.
  • Judging considerations: We are looking for Submissions that showcase outstanding creativity both in the thinking behind the campaign and in its execution.

I will see you all at the Vimeo Festival + Awards next year!

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