Do you know the difference between flying a Steadicam in high mode or low mode? What about Don Juan and missionary? In this post, we put the dirty bedroom jokes aside and look at basic Steadicam positions and the terms used to describe them from a beginner’s perspective.
Filmmaking Tips and Advice
Page 9
Five Lessons from the Other Side of the Freelance Fence
When I set out to redesign The Black and Blue, I knew I’d be hiring freelance designers, developers, and a few others to help. What I didn’t realize was the difficulty of doing so and how much time and money I’d waste jumping over obstacles and making mistakes.
The New Year’s Resolution that Could Get You More Work
Once the champagne’s gone flat and your hangover’s passed, it’s time for a fresh start in the new year. For many that means New Year’s Resolutions. While I’m not big on resolutions and promises to myself, there’s one thing I must improve on for more work and a better filmmaking career.
The Best of The Black and Blue from 2013
It’s been an incredible year for The Black and Blue and next year looks even more promising. But before we pop champagne to celebrate 2014, let’s take a moment to look back at the most helpful, most entertaining, and most visited posts published on The Black and Blue in 2013.
Who Needs Sleep? Watch Haskell Wexler’s Call for a 12-Hour Workday
As a cinematographer, Haskell Wexler has brought to life some Hollywood classics and brought home two Oscar statues. But Wexler has also had to put up with the same strenuous working conditions that film crews are often beholden to. Specifically, long working hours that cause sleep deprivation. So he did what any filmmaker might do – he made a movie about it.
New Update for the Digital Cinema Pocket Guides Released
The Digital Cinema Pocket Guides give you easy reference for your camera in the chaos of the shoot. And now there’s a massive update available today for half the pocket guides that brings them up-to-date with new camera firmware. Plus, a new, better way to download them.
How to Net a Cinema Lens (Video Tutorial)
Netting a lens is a great and simple way to add style to a scene using cloth material mounted on the rear element of a lens. While netting lenses won’t happen on every job, it’s a technique camera assistants are expected to be familiar with – and can learn how to do in this video.
88 Cinematographers Share the Best Professional Advice They’ve Ever Received
88 cinematographers and ASC members reveal thoughts, advice, tips, and tricks they’ve received that helped them throughout their professional careers. Their responses range from the simple to the complex, the obvious to the specific, and the easy to the hard – but all of them stand to help you make the most of life in the film industry.
How to Be a Resourceful Camera Assistant, in Under 300 Words
Without resourcefulness, I wouldn’t be able to solve camera problems effectively. I wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure of pulling focus handheld on wide open SuperSpeeds. I wouldn’t be able to ruthlessly cut inefficiencies on set. It’s worked wonders for me and it can help you, too.
Focal Points: 5 Irresistible Weekend Reads for Filmmakers
With Focal Points, you get a roundup of the best of the best writing from within the filmmaking community. This week brings five articles that make great weekend reads – whether you’re waiting on set for a scene to be shot or you’re waiting at home for your phone to ring.