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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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...

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.

Final Cut Pro Is Dead (Or Why I'm Stuck With Premiere)

When iMove Pro, Final Cut X was launched, I saw the writing on the wall- my beloved editing and grading programs (FCP 7 & Color) were on the way out... to be replaced by this fancy, simple, new, wiz-bang, all-in-one program. Granted, I loved the idea and concepts they were touting with their "revolutionary" new product (technology should be simple). It would ideally empower me to create quickly and effortlessly, like paint on paper. However, at the time, it failed in its execution. At its release, FCX was really a 1.0 program, not a 10.0 program. I was too hamstrung by it to work effectively, so I had to jump ship to Premiere. And now, two years later, I find myself re-evaluating the landscape, coming to the same conclusion. For me, Final Cut Pro is dead, and I'm stuck with Premiere.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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. --->>>

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.

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.

The 2 Things You Need To Know To Break Into The Film Industry

(Filming A WWII Spec Piece)

After publishing my articles on How To Succeed As A Freelancer and How To Determine Your Day Rate I have received emails asking me how I broke into the film industry. As I have been reflecting on how I got my start, I realized it can be boiled down to two simple principles. By applying these principles to your career, you will be able to break into the film industry and grow your career.

Why Tax Incentives For Film Are Not The Answer

© Ryan E. Walters: Stock Footage

At a time when personal, local, state, and federal budgets are stretched thin and when people have been out of work for more than a year, it would seem like a great idea to attract new business to drive economic growth. After all, more work equals more income which means more revenue for everyone. Why not attract film productions to our states through tax incentives? Unfortunately, this is not proving to be the case. Instead it is developing into a race to the bottom where the only winners are the studios and producers.