The View from the Other Side of the Camera

Production Stories 9 Comments

The View from the Other Side of the Camera

I’m used to sharing a view of the scene with the camera.

I’m comfortable crouching low and aligning my eyesight with the barrel of a lens or watching a monitor to see the world as the camera does.

I used to think that from behind the camera I had a real sense of the presence of the set. I could look to video village to see the crowds or glance to my left or right where flags and lights stood. From next to the camera, a 360 degree turnaround could give me a glimpse of the entire set.

But I was wrong. If you want a true sense of the presence of a film set, you have to step in front of the camera where all the lights point on you, where the camera is pointed at you, and where everyone’s attention falls on you.

For some that experience is exhilarating. For others, daunting. For me, it was a chance to have fun.

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Anatomy of a Film Crew in Pictures

Behind the Lens 18 Comments

Anatomy of a Film Crew X-Ray PhotographerCreative Commons License photo credit: Karen Roe

What I’d give to travel in the past to the exact moment I stepped on a film set for the first time. As I walked through the set, there was a genuine feeling of fascination and the keen bite of anticipation and fear.

I remember how my mind surged with curiosity and filled with questions like a balloon.

Over the course of the shoot, I was given answers and my fears were quelled, but the memory of those first few days are still crisp as fresh lettuce. In particular, among the millions of other questions racing through my head, there was one that stuck out.

I couldn’t help but wonder: ”What do all these people…do?”Click to continue reading

Toolkit DIY: The Bottle Buddy

Toolkit 3 Comments

Ah yes, water bottles, the great fuel of the film crew — well, and coffee. But water bottles are perhaps the most precious commodity at craft services. They go fast, get drank quick and are often hoarded by forward thinking department interns and production assistants. Nothing says, “I’m here for you” like extending an unopened water bottle to a fellow crew member. The only problem is, when moving around large sets or on location, these water bottles can often get left behind. In comes the bottle buddy to save the day…

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‘Below the Beltway’ Movie Trailer (Video) *UPDATE: 2nd Trailer*

Industry News 1 Comment

Below the Beltway, a film I worked on last summer, has recently released a trailer. The film stars Tate Donovan, Kip Pardue, Sarah Clarke, Annie Wersching and Xander Berkley and was directed by Dave Fraunces with cinematography by Adam Silver. Video after the jump… UPDATE: a 2nd – and in my opinion, better – trailer has been embedded

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‘Below the Beltway’ to Air on The Movie Channel, Showtime

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The DC-based production Below the Beltway is scheduled to air on The Movie Channel and Showtime early in December 2010. Independently financed and produced locally in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, the film has managed to garner attention through audience awards and a recent trailer release.

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Behind the Scenes Video of ‘Below the Beltway’ Movie

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The last I heard of ‘Below the Beltway,” an independent film shot on RED in DC last summer, it had premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival and walked away with the audience award. I was on the shoot as camera utility and data loader with a great cast and crew. On Vimeo, videographer Nelson Cuellar put together a short behind the scenes clip of the shoot that shows some footage, behind the scenes moments and interviews. The film stars Tate Donovan, Kip Pardue, Spencer Garrett, and Sarah Clarke and is a comedy that follows the journey of a lobbyist who fell from the top of his game and is struggling to get back his respect in a town that is dominated by power.

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‘Below the Beltway’ Movie Wins Audience Award at Newport Beach Film Festival (Updated with Q&A Video)

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UPDATE: Cast and Crew Question and Answer session video embedded after the jump

This time of year is busy for me since I’m gearing up to finish this semester, but alas I return with some great news: Below the Beltway, a film I worked on last summer as camera utility, was accepted into the Newport Beach Film Festival where it premiered and ended up winning the audience award! The film had a great cast and crew who deserve all the praise that comes with the award so congratulations to all who put their hard work into it (including yours truly)! Here’s an article that talks about it from the OC Register. Video of the Q&A session at the festival embedded after the jump.

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‘Below the Beltway’ to Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival

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A film that shot in DC over the summer that I worked on within the camera department (that’s us above with the lead, Tate Donovan) is set to have it’s premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival this Friday. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here. The film was a great experience with a wonderful crew and a talented cast including Tate Donovan, Kip Pardue, Annie Wersching and Sarah Clarke, among others. I haven’t seen it yet, nor do I live near Newport Beach so I can’t attend, but anybody in the area with an interest in quirky, political indepedent comedies should check it out. The script was excellent. Synopsis after the jump

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‘Below the Beltway’ Featured on ‘Ace of Cakes’

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Below the Beltway, a DC-based independent film I worked on over this summer, is supposed to be featured in tonight’s 10:00 p.m. episode of Ace of Cakes. Duff from Charm City Cakes, the Baltimore based bakery the show is based on, had a small cameo part in the film as a clown. I remember this day on set when we got to eat lunch with him and hear his stories. The Ace of Cakes crew was also their filming the process and that footage should crop up in tonight’s episode. Set your DVR’s!