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Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Three Principles For Successful Stock Footage Content (Part 05)
If you are like me and your wheels are always turning, then you are probably thinking over this last year and how you can make the coming year more successful. So, on this Christmas day, I thought I'd offer you three principles to guide the content you shoot for your stock footage collection. If you follow these principles, you'll shortcut the mistakes that many of us made when we first started shooting stock footage, which should translate into a more profitable year for you (this is Part 05 of an Eight-Part series).
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Three Secret Lighting Tips For Next Your Action Film
Shooting an action film is a daunting task under the best of circumstances, let alone when you have a small lighting crew of three, and a tight schedule. In this post, I'm going to share with you how we pulled off a two day shoot in one day, and give you the three lighting secrets you need to know to make your next action film look amazing.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Two Crucial Tips To Drive Your Stock Footage Sales (Stock Video Part 04)
Alright, it is time to dive back in to my eight-part guide to getting your start in stock video. If you missed the first 3 parts, I highly recommend that you go back and give them a read. In Part 01 I cover common misconceptions. Part 02 tackles whether or not you should be exclusive. And Part 03 addresses who you should be selling to.
Here, in Part 04 of the guide, I'll share with you the two most crucial tips you should follow if you want to drive sales of your stock footage.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How To Light A Film With Only 300w Of Light
The short film I shot recently, Two Wolves, exemplifies the principle of embracing your practical constraints and finding creative solutions within them. In this post, I'm going to take you behind the scenes of the film and show you the lighting setups (and diagrams) I used for the two primary scenes of the film. And the great thing about it is that we only used 300w for the entire film!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
The Curse Of The Perfectionist: Why My Work Is Never Good Enough
Still From The Short: Two Wolves |
Ever since childhood, when I began drawing and painting, I've been seeking to take the images in my head and make them a reality. At the end of every attempt, I would look at what I had created... and all that stood out to me were the flaws- what I could have done better. It was never good enough for my standards. This same drive (or curse... ) for perfection continues to follow me to this day. No matter what the size, scale, or budget level of the project, when I look at what I've created, all I can see is where I need to improve.
This is not to say that I'm not happy with my work. I am. But I know I still have a lot of room to grow in my craft. It is because of that push for growth that I am always critically evaluating my own work. So I thought it would be a good exercise to share with you what I see as my mistakes in a recent short film that I shot.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
The Secret To Delivering Great Images Within Tight Deadlines
Test Frame: Experimenting With Gels |
Earlier this week I received news from my writer & director friend AJ Brooks that the short I DP'd for him won first place in last months DVXuser fest. To add a little perspective, this film was shot over two nights with a volunteer crew of five (AJ & myself count as 2 of that 5), and then edited and delivered it four days later. The news of this win reminds me yet again that the secret to great images with tight deadlines is not in using fancy gear and large crews, but it is in spending the time in preproduction developing a solid plan and testing it out beforehand.
Here are the two steps I took to set us up for success.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Three Reasons Why It Is Bad Business To Be A Cinematographer
Photo By: Levi Moroshan |
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Who Are The Best Stock Sites To Sell To? (Stock Video Part 03)
Still From Ryan's Library |
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
To Be Exclusive Or Not To Be? (Stock Video Part 02)
With the myths of stock footage clearly dispelled, it is time to answer the age old question of exclusivity. In the stock footage world, this is a topic that is hotly debated with strong proponents on both sides of the issue. As someone who has experienced both sides of stock footage, I want to share with you my experience so that you can make a more informed decision with your career.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
How To Get Your Start In Stock Video: Part 1
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I had partnered with Zacuto to bring you a series on how to get your start in stock video. Well, the eight-part series is now going live! So, if you are looking for a way to add extra revenue to your bottom line, and to have content that generates money while you sleep, then this series is for you. :)
You'll be able to find every post here on my blog, as well as on the Zacuto site. In part one, I'll be covering common misconceptions.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
How To Use Custom Sekonic Profiles
As you may already be aware, I have put together a lot of training on how to use a light meter and have compiled an extensive list of camera profiles to use with the Sekonic 758 & 478. And it appears that I incorrectly assumed that it was clear on how to use the profiles once they were loaded into the meter. (at least from the emails I have received recently). So if you have been sitting there wondering, "Okay, now what do I do?", this blog post will explain how to use the custom Sekonic profiles I have created.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The Dysfunctional Life Of A Cinematographer
I've often said to friends of mine who are not in the film industry that being a cinematographer is one of the most glamorous blue collar jobs out there. And while those looking from the outside in may see my career path as full of adventure and the opportunity to work with interesting people all over the world, that is only a small percentage of what this career path holds.
While I absolutely love what I do, and you couldn't pay me to switch fields...admittedly there is a lot of dysfunction, and many sacrifices have to be made in the life of a cinematographer. So, if you are considering this career path, or if you are just interested in peaking behind the curtain, here is the less glamorous and sometimes dysfunctional side of my profession.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
How To Build A Wireless HD Transmitter For Under $275
This past week I was the cinematographer for an intense action short that was shot using two Epics. Even though we were on two Epics, we were still on a shoe-string budget, and we had to get creative to deliver cinema quality visuals. Due to the tight schedule and limited crew, we needed to go wireless for our director's monitor. Top of the line wireless systems are great to work with when the funds allow, but for this production, it wasn't an option. Fortunately, my long-time 1st AC Jerry Turner came to the rescue with an affordable solution he had created based off of research he'd done on the internet.
And, while I've had varying success with home-brew wireless HDMI in the past (so I was skeptical), I was delightfully surprised with how this unit performed in the middle of an industrial district in a major city. And all for under $275. Here is what you need to make this happen for yourself.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Consultation, Stock Footage & More...
This post will be short and sweet. I wanted to let you all know about a new service & training series I'm offering, as well as update you on The Cinematographer Series. So here is the 411...
Consultation Service:
If you would like one-on-one feedback on one of your projects, or you want guidance on how to approach an upcoming shoot, or you are looking for consultation on anything cinematography related- lighting or camera- I'm here to help.
All you need is a skype account, and we can talk face-to-face. For $75, you will get my undivided attention and creative input (this includes the time it takes to review any work you send me to review).
(You might also like: How To Succeed As A Freelancer)
The Ultimate Guide To Getting Your Start In Stock Footage:
When people find out that I also shoot stock footage, I am often asked how I got my start and how they can get up and running. I have recently partnered with Zacuto to bring you a free guide that you can follow if this is a revenue stream you want to pursue. It will be released in a series of 8-10 blog posts that I will be reposting here, so keep an eye out in the coming month or so.
The Cinematographer Series Update:
Producing this series has been a much bigger endeavor than I ever anticipated when I began. Shooting and editing content around my commercial work has been much tougher than I ever thought. So I have hired an editor to help me bring this training series to market in the very near future. I just handed off the drive to my editor last week, and he'll be finishing it up in the next couple of months. It is coming- I apologize for the delay.
Until Next Time - Get Out There And Shoot!
Ryan E. Walters, Cinematographer
RELATED POSTS
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The Unintended Brilliance Of Catching Fire
Recently my wife and I got into a heated debate over something that raised questions about filmmaking and storytelling for me. As a warning, this post is a bit of a deviation from the norm. The primary focus of my blog has always been on the technical and aesthetic side of cinematography and filmmaking. However, I think it is also important to take a step back and reflect on some bigger issues that impact us as storytellers and artists. Namely, should we worry about explicitly communicating our messages so that everyone gets it, or is it okay to communicate with more ambiguity, allowing room for interpretation, even if some people miss the point, and others co-opt our message into something else?
The recent marketing campaign for Catching Fire, the next series in the Hunger Games Trilogy, raises just those questions for me...
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
How To Save Time In Post By Shooting Charts
As I prep for the grade of "The Kid," a short film I shot for Jeff Winograd on the 5D MKIII in RAW, I'm reminded about the importance of shooting charts during production. While I wouldn't say that you have to shoot charts during production, I will say that if you take that extra minute on set to shoot a chart, you will save considerable time in post, and make the grading process easier on yourself.
If you want to spend less time grading, and have more confidence as you grade, here is what I recommend doing...
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Importance Of Choosing Who You Work With
Still Frame From "The Kid" (Look Created Completely In Camera) |
Last week I had the opportunity to shoot a short film with Jeff Winograd- a director that I highly enjoy working with. Over the years, Jeff and I have worked the gamut of projects, ranging from big brands like Adidas, down to small local companies you've never heard of. And, as we joined forces last week to shoot his short, The Kid, on the 5D MKIII using the Magic Lantern RAW Hack, the experience reminded me about the importance of choosing who you work with.
While this is a business, and it is important to make a living, there are a number of intangible things that will directly affect your success and your sanity over the long haul. In what follows, I share what matters to me, and what values you should consider as you develop working relationships with others in the filmmaking profession.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
How To Shoot & Light For The Grade
C100 with FilmConvert |
When I first started implementing this technique, I ran into situations where I thought the image looked good on set, but back in the grade, the LUT didn't work as planned. I lost important information in my image, and I had to abandon using the LUT.
That began my quest for a solution on how to develop a methodology for how to shoot for the grade. Here is the process I went through, and how you can be better prepared to use LUTs or programs like Film Convert when lighting your sets.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Can your iPhone really be a light meter?
This past February I backed my first Kickstarter project ever- the Luxi. According to James Flynn, this little iPhone accessory would change my iPhone into a light meter. And, if you have spent any time on this blog, you know I'm a HUGE fan of light meters. So for $14, I figured why not give it a try- for that money, it would be worth a shot, even if it failed. Like a lot of kickstarters, this one missed its target delivery date- May 2013 came and went. But, fortunately, they did finally deliver my adapter last week. And, as it would happen, I had a scouting and testing day already on the calendar, so what better way to test it out, then in a real work situation...?
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Final Cut Pro Is Dead (Or Why I'm Stuck With Premiere)
When
Labels:
Adobe,
Apple,
Final Cut Pro,
Post Smithery,
Premiere,
TCC
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
An Untraditional Approach To Getting Your Start In The Film Industry
Since writing my blog posts on Film School and Breaking Into The Industry, I have received a number of emails asking for specific advice about getting one's start in the film industry. As I have responded to these emails it has helped me to formalize my thoughts into the following bits of advice. I believe that if you follow what I've outlined here, you will be setting yourself up for success in the film industry. It is not a traditional approach, but then again, this is not a traditional industry...
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
How To Prepare Youself For Working With An External Recorder
So how do knock off $10,000 from the price of a a $16,000 camera? By using an external recorder like the Atomos Ninja and buying a C100 instead. When recording externally to the ProRes codec you get a higher quality codec then what you can get out of the the more expensive C300 natively. And while I welcome the ability to save a chunk of cash and still get the same, if not better quality images from a more affordable camera, it's not all a bed of roses, as I experienced recently on a shoot. Continue reading to find out what happened, and how you can prepare yourself for working with an external recorder.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
How To Properly Add Life Back Into Your Digital Footage
(Before: Log/After: Grade w/Film Convert) |
If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you probably know that one of my biggest frustrations with digital imagery today is how pristine it is. Digital images are just too good, and too clean. When great digital cameras are coupled with great modern glass, the resulting image is one that is technically "perfect," but lacks the "life," "character," & "personality" that film brought with it in years past. I have developed a three step process to reintroduce life into my footage: 1. Proper lens selection, 2. Proper in camera filtration, & 3. Proper post processing. Recently I have added FilmConvert to the post processing step of my footage. But I've wondered... When is the proper time to apply FilmConvert? Since the online documentation is lacking, I set out to test a couple of workflows for myself. Here is what I've found.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Cinematography Apps You Should Be Using
Over the last several months as I have shared various behind the scenes photos on twitter and facebook I have routinely been asked "what app is that?" So I thought it was time to detail out what apps I regularly use as a cinematographer. I have broken them down into three categories: Must Haves, Nice To Have, and Don't Need, But Fun To Use.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
2+ Hours Of Exclusive Interviews
Over the last couple of months I have been honored to be the guest on several podcasts, as well as a videocast. I encourage you to not only listen as I stumble my way through the interview process (There is a reason I am behind the camera, not infront of it.), but to subscribe to them as I have. There is a wealth of knowledge and expertise from many people more talented and experienced then myself.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Why You Should Be Using ND Filters For Interior Work
Last week I talked about the importance of in camera filtration, and this week I am going to address why you should be using ND for interior work. Typically, ND filters are thought of as exposure tools that are only used for scenes that take place outside. While they may have started out as a tool that was primarily used for exteriors, that is no longer the case. As camera technology continues to advance, the ND filter is playing a bigger role when shooting indoors.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Power Of Camera Filtration
As a cinematographer, one of my responsibilities is to craft the image to reinforce the story I am helping to tell. While lighting, framing, and camera movement are often the first tools that come to mind, an often over looked tool at our disposal is camera filtration. Unfortunately, with the rise of the digital age, and the power of our grading software, filtration at the camera level is not as popular as it once was. While I can appreciate the fear that some directors and productions have of baking in a look, here is why I think in camera filtration can be a powerful tool, and why you should be considering it for your production.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The DSLR Killed The Specialist
When the video DSLR was introduced, it was heralded by many as a truly revolutionary piece of filmmaking technology. No longer were the filmmaking gates closed to those without large pocketbooks and budgets. They were now open to anyone with a spare $1,000 - $3,000, or an available balance on their credit card. While this affordable, and "cinematic" technology has opened the doors for new talent, it has brought with it some unintended consequences. Like it or not, the market is shifting, and has been shifting for several years now. The importance of the specialist is diminishing, and the age of the generalist is rising. If the TV killed the radio star, then the DSLR has killed the specialist...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Three Tips To Help You Create Your Style
If you want to stand out amongst the ever growing pool of cinematographers & DP's, it is important to begin to define your style, or your "look." Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to defining your style. It will take lots of time and lots of hard work. I've been doing this since 1998, and I think I'm only now beginning to own my style and know how I like to work. However, if you follow these three steps, you'll be well on your way to defining your own style. And, maybe with a bit of luck, you'll be able to define your own style faster than I have.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Three Crucial Tips For Buying A Lighting Kit
(Lighting Setup For Green Screen Work) |
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The Most Boring Blog Post Ever! (Or Getting Organized)
Many years ago, I began building this site using the tools I had access to, iWeb and iPhoto. As it grew, I migrated to RapidWeaver and Blogger. (This was long before I knew about the power of WordPress).
As a cinematographer, I have little experience and time to devote to the craft of web design & coding, which has resulted in a site filled with great content, but perhaps not ease of navigation. With the readership of my blog exploding over the last 6 months, I felt it was time to take one step towards making this site easier to navigate. At least until I can find a significant amount of time to do a complete website overhaul and move to WordPress ...
What you will find below is an organized listing of every blog post I have made. (Which I will continue to update). If you are new to my site, I highly recommend checking out what you may have missed. To make navigation even more accessible, this blog post will always be accessible via the side bar to the right. --->>>
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Three Reasons Why "Fixing It In Post" Will Ruin Your Career
How often have you been on set and heard the words, "We'll fix it in post"? Here I share why those words make me cringe internally. As you will surmise while reading this article, I am a huge proponent of creating compelling imagery in camera- not in post. Even if I am shooting with a RAW camera, I can create stronger visuals if I get the image to around 80-90% of where I want it, rather than relying on post color correction. Relying on post to "fix it," or waiting until post to create your imagery, is the quickest way to shorten your career. Here are three reasons why you should avoid this common pitfall.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The Great ND Test Of 2013 (Or is it really Neutral?)
The Control Frame for the ND Test |
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
How Personal Work Can Further Your Career
My bread and butter comes from the commercial world. And I love what I do! I get the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and learn about a myriad of industries. However, as lucky as I am to be doing what I love for my profession, there have been times in my career where I have felt uninspired, or under-challenged by the work that I am doing. To get through these dry spells, I turn to personal work. And each time I do personal work, I find it pushes me and opens up new opportunities for my career. Here is how you can use personal work to further what you do.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
1080p is better than 4k. (Or Why I Chose The Canon C100)
After many years of owning a wide range of camera systems, including a Red One and an Epic, I decided to sell it all and rent. So for the past three years I have been exclusively renting cameras on a per project basis, that is until recently when I made the plunge and bought the Canon C100. Little did I know how many eyebrows and questions it would raise when I posted a picture on Facebook. Here is why I chose a 1080p, 4:2:0 camera over a 4k RAW camera.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Three Myths About The Blackmagic Cameras
In case you happened to be living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, Blackmagic Design has announced two more cameras to their lineup. Not only were they able to do what Red wasn't by offering a 4k camera for $4k, but they also introduced a Super16 pocket camera. Once again, the show floor at NAB was abuzz about Blackmagic. At NAB 2013, and in the weeks following, I have heard three myths repeated in casual conversation, and on podcasts, that are simply not true. Here is what you need to know...
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Letus or OConnor: Which Matte Box Is Better?
If you are in the market for an affordably priced, lightweight matte box, chances are that you have taken a look at the Letus Matte Box and the OConnor Matte box. Both matte boxes are similarly priced and built, which can make the choice difficult. Fortunately for you, I've shot a feature film with the O-Box, and many commercials with the LTMB. Here are my recommendations based off of my real world, long-term use of each of these products.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Top 3 NON-Game Changers Of NAB 2013
If I had to describe NAB in one word, it would be HYPE. Nothing like a bunch of manufacturers gathering together to outdo each other, making big promises and not meeting projected deadlines. If I've learned anything from previous NAB's it's that a product doesn't exist until it is shipping and available for immediate purchase. I'm going to push past the hype and share my thoughts on three pieces of kit that caught my eye amidst the sounds of the hype machine called NAB 2013.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
One Battery To Rule Them All (Or How To Simplify Your Camera Rig)
Too many batteries... |
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The 2 Things You Need To Know To Break Into The Film Industry
(Filming A WWII Spec Piece) |
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Does The Blackmagic Camera Still Have a Future?
As NAB 2013 is only weeks away, you may be wondering what camera companies have up their sleeves. Will someone else come from out of nowhere and release an amazing camera at an affordable price, stealing Blackmagic's thunder? If you are like me, these are real questions that I continue to ask myself as I wait for my pre-ordered camera. If I already had my camera, it wouldn't be an issue as I would be out shooting with it. But as NAB 2013 gets closer I wonder about the camera's future... Should I keep my preorder for the MFT version of the camera?...
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
How To Get the Most Out Of A Custom Profile (A Sekonic Update)
Back in July of 2012 Sekonic released the update to their camera profiling software (DTS) which I immediately started to use. After spending some time creating and testing numerous profiles for my 758Cine I realized something was not working correctly: the spot and incident readings were not matching up. Since that time, Sekonic has been hard at work finding and fixing the problem. With version 3.06 of their DTS software, you can finally rest assured that your meter will be calibrated correctly. If you plan on using one of my custom profiles, here is how you can get the most out of it.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Some Like It RAW. Part 03: Overexposure
Welcome to Part 03 of Some Like It RAW, where I am comparing the Arri Alexa, Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and the Red Epic. My goal for these tests is to explore how each of these cameras handle real world shooting environments. Part 01 explored how these cameras handle IR pollution. In Part 02, I tested underexposure. And here in Part 03, I'm exploring the world of overexposure and diffusion filtration. Continue on to watch the 10 minute video, read my summary, and get the downloadable RAW frames from each camera.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Some Like It RAW. Part 02: Low Light
Welcome to Part 02 of Some Like It RAW, where I am comparing the Arri Alexa, Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and the Red Epic. My goal for these tests is to explore how each of these cameras handle real world shooting environments. Part 01 explored how these cameras handle IR pollution. In part 02, I test the limits of low light levels, or underexposure. Continue on to watch the 11 minute video, read my summary, and get the downloadable RAW frames from each camera.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Some Like It RAW. Part 01: IR Testing
I recently spent a day testing and comparing the Arri Alexa, Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and the Red Epic. My goal for these tests was to explore how each of these cameras handles real world shooting environments. It was not to determine winners and losers. If you are of the opinion that there is only one great camera out there, then this series of tests is not for you. If, on the other hand, you are openminded enough to get past the camera hype, and you want to know how these cameras respond, then I invite you to keep on reading. (I have also made the RAW files available for download).
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Why Tax Incentives For Film Are Not The Answer
© Ryan E. Walters: Stock Footage |
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Can You Really Use A Light Meter App?
The Studio Setup |
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
How To Succeed As A Freelancer
© 2009 Ryan E. Walters - Stock Footage |
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
How To Choose A Slider. Or Which One Is Right For Me?
It seems like these days everyone and their grandmother is making a slider. And with the deluge of options on the market, it can be tough trying to figure out which is the right one to buy for your setup. I'm going to take a look at three different systems, and address their issues in an effort to better help you navigate your purchase or rental decisions.
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