A New Way Forward For Creatives

A New Way Forward For Creatives ...

Over the last 5-10 years, our industry (film) has undergone a massive change. The tools are cheaper than ever, their quality continues to rise, and it is easier than ever to deliver content directly to specific audiences. On the one hand this makes for an exciting time, as we creatives are no longer beholden to the "big studios" telling us what we can and cannot produce. We have the tools, and we can create!

On the other hand, as I have noted before, this has also resulted in the death of the specialist, and the further abuse of our fellow technicians in our industry. And while I still maintain that it is bad business to be a cinematographer, I am seeing market trends and a societal shifts that are opening up new doors for creatives to not only succeed, but to thrive in this new world.

There is an exciting way forward for those of us who are willing to jump out and take a risk. All it requires is that we abandon our "traditional" thinking and approach.

How To Get Better Delivery From Non-Actors For Under $200

Sorry, no assistant today- enjoy my ugly mug! ;-)

If you're like me, you've done a lot of interviews with non-actors who need to look straight into the camera, and you know how intimidating that can be for the "talent." As soon as the camera turns on, they clam up and turn into robots- their great personality quickly disappears. The solution to getting the performance you need, while still having them look straight into camera, is to have them look at someone's face instead.

By looking at another person's face that is responding to their answers you get a more natural response, and a more engaged interview. It is much more comforting for someone who has never been on camera to look at another face, instead of having to stare down that intimidating camera lens...

If you've done much research on gear that allows this to happen, then you've probably stumbled upon the Eye-Direct System. I've used this exact system on a number of shoots across the country. However, at $1,400, it is relegated to the classification of speciality gear that most will rent. But what if you could use tools you already have, and spend less than $200 to create something similar? Well, you are in luck, as I'll show you how I did just that.

Three Filmmaking Apps You've Never Heard Of

While I have previously shared my list of recommended apps for cinematography, this week I thought I would add three apps that I have stumbled upon recently, and now use in my own filmmaking endeavors. Here are three apps that can help your own production, and that you've probably never heard of.

Three Tips For Faster Project Delivery

As I continue my experiment and journey with FCP X I have been looking for ways to further speed up my own workflow and shorten the time it takes for me to deliver a project. As a part of that process, I have developed and refined a system that is now allowing me to turn projects out faster than when I began working with FCP X.

And even though in this example I'm sharing examples form FCP X, I believe that I can take these same concepts and apply them to my Premiere Projects. So without further ado, here is a complete look at the system I've developed, and three tips for faster project delivery.

How To Effectively Deliver Your Stock Footage

Delivering your stock footage is the last and most crucial step in your stock footage endeavors. Having the greatest content out there doesn't matter one bit if it isn't being found, or more importantly, being bought.

In this post, I share with you the two strategies that I use to get the most out of my stock footage content.

A Second Chance For Final Cut Pro X?

Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile already know that back in August I wrote that FCP X was dead. Those were not easy words for me to write, as I used the program since version 1. At the time, when I gave it another spin, I still found it to be a tightly closed system that didn't fit my needs, so I continued to use Premiere.

In the last several months, Apple has updated the app to version 10.1.1, so I decided to give it another chance. After three weeks of solid use, I still have some frustrations with it- but overall I'm liking what I am experiencing.  So here is the low down on FCP X.

A Human Life= $2,633.64 & We're To Blame

In 1997, Brent Hershman fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a telephone pole, killing himself after working a 19 hour day that was preceded by four 15 hour workdays as a second assistant camera on the film Pleasantville. Assuming he was getting the standard rate for that position ($38.73/hour*), that equates into $2,633.64 in overtime pay.

Alternatively, to put it a bit more bluntly, $2633.34 is the monetary value that the production felt that it was worth to push Brent to the point of breaking, in order to make their film. Is this what it has really come to? Do we Americans value the dollar so much that we knowingly abuse each other, and allow ourselves to be abused, in order to make an extra dollar?

After watching the documentary Who Needs Sleep, by Haskell Wexler, ASC, I'm convinced that there is a HUGE problem out there, and that problem is us.

How To Maximize Your Post Workflow For Stock Footage

Now that you actually have gone out and shot content to begin building your stock footage library, it is time to start processing it. But what is the best approach? In the end, this is a business- so it is important to keep things as efficient as possible. So here are 4 tips that you can use to maximize your post workflow ...

How To Shoot A Talking Head In Two Sizes At The Same Time

When I first began shooting corporate videos, it was standard practice to have the talent deliver to the interviewer off screen. And this is still the standard practice today. However, with the increasing volume of YouTube videos out there (where people are delivering straight to camera), it is becoming more and more the norm to deliver straight to camera.

All of this is great and easy to do if you are shooting with one camera. But what do you do if you have to shoot a talking head that delivers straight to camera and you need it in two shot sizes? Well, I recently spent the day experimenting with setups and came up with a solution that is easy and affordable to implement.

Five Crucial Steps For A Successful Stock Video Shoot (Part 6)

If you've followed steps 1 - 5 of this how to guide for stock footage, you will now be well on your way towards your first shoot. Before diving in and shooting content, however, I recommend starting with a clear plan. By following these five steps, you will not only set yourself up to shoot better content, but you will also be able to spend less time creating it. And the more efficient you are, the more profitable your stock footage will be.

Three Places To Find Actors For Your Stock Footage Shoot

Last week, after I posted the Three Principles to Successful Stock Footage Content, Brynn Sankey sent me a tweet asking if I had any tips on how to find and pay actors for stock footage shoots. And since I do not directly address it in the Zacuto articles, I thought I'd share with you the three places you can find actors for your stock shoots, regardless of the size of your budget.

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).

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Three Reasons Why It Is Bad Business To Be A Cinematographer

Photo By: Levi Moroshan

As someone who is committed to lifelong learning and continual self-reflection, this last year has brought with it an evaluation of where I'm at and where I am headed. I've come to the conclusion, after a lot of soul searching, that it is bad business to be a cinematographer. That is not to say that I do not love what I do. I feel very blessed to be paid to do what I love. I still can't believe that people give me money to do this! But that doesn't mean it makes for good business. Here are three reasons why it's bad business, and what I wish I knew 5-10 years ago.

Who Are The Best Stock Sites To Sell To? (Stock Video Part 03)

Still From Ryan's Library

With the myths of stock footage dispelled, and the important issue of exclusivity addressed, it is time to take a look at the major stock footage houses and decide who you should be selling too. Not all stock footage houses are created equal. Some treat their contributors better than others, and some generate more sales than others. And, unfortunately for us, they don't always line up. The recommendations that follow come from my years of firsthand experience...

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.