Thursday, September 25, 2008

Mad Men: Nostalgia Carousel

"
...it takes us to a place where we ache to go again."

From Mad Men, Don Draper pitches Kodak on an ad campaign for their new circle shaped slide projector.

"It let's us travel the way a child travels. Around and around and back home again, to a place we know we are loved."

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Testing the Brevis35 MP.1 HD Imaging 35mm Adapter

With Canon 50mm f1.4

I spent some time yesterday with Cambridge filmmaker Adam Woodworth setting up the Cinevate Brevis35 Flip adapter to my HVX200 for some film work we'll be doing this Fall.

The adapter will allow us to use our range of Canon and Nikon prime lenses with my Panasonic HVX200 for beautiful depth-of-field and seriously cinematic HD images, with minimal loss of light to the sensor.

The Brevis35 HD Imaging 35mm adapter on my HVX 200

Cinevate claims approximately a half-stop loss depending on lens configuration. I can say that based on the limited test shooting we did with a chart, as well as some night shooting in Central Square with a Canon 50mm f1.4, the performance was impressive--certainly less than a full-stop of loss. There was some slight corner vignetting noticeable on the test chart but with a little re-tweaking, I think it can be mostly eliminated.

Getting the lens elements aligned was the most difficult part, but with patience, it all came together as the manual promised. More testing is needed in other lighting scenarios, but the first impression is very exciting!

On tripod and rails

This has the "Flip" option, so the image is changed to right side-up for viewing convenience--and as a bonus, reportedly improves image quality by correcting for chromatic aberration.

Still life with geek

The carbon rails system is strong and super-light. I was getting comfortable enough to where I believe that handheld shots could be a real possibility for certain circumstances.

I'm looking forward to putting this rig through it's paces on a real set soon!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Bottle Shocking: Another of our Short Film Alums Makes Good in LA

Hal B. Klein, one of the actors from Squeeze Your Thumbs, our New York City 48Hr Film Fest entry from a few years ago, has had some success since moving to the West Coast (along with Thumbs co-star Victoria Englemayer).


Hal at the Sundance premier for Bottle Shock.

Hal landed a supporting role in the new film Bottle Shock, about the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris" where American (California) wines shook the wine world to its twisted, viney roots, by defeating the Old World offerings in a blind tasting. The film stars the always watchable Alan Rickman.

The reviews are very good for this indie, with Slate calling it "eminently quaffable."

Hal has also landed a role in the upcoming, Jack and the Beanstalk, alongside the likes of Chevy Chase (Chevy Chase is alive?), Christopher Lloyd and Wallace "Inconceivable!" Shawn.

Hal is also attempting to see the San Jose Sharks in every arena in the NHL and he hosts a cooking show.

Hal is nothing if not eclectic.