Nerd mom won’t let you rain on her parade
photo: http://www.ammophotography.com/
Three days ago, I had a massive case of pre-production ennui. The forecast for our shoot day was rain, I missed my appointment to pick up the Redrock Micro EyeSpy that I was getting on loan to test out, I didn’t have the right cable (HDMI to mini HDMI) to hook up the Ikan VX9 HD external monitor, and we hadn’t been able to get all three of us together for a full dance rehearsal. Things were looking ominous for our shoot. But somehow in the midst of stagnation, the stars aligned, and everything turned out just as it should have. The rain turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Our Lady Gaga on the Ikan Monitor
We decided that given the weather, we wouldn’t be able to shoot any of our exterior shots (most of the video). Our actress playing Lady Gaga is in a band that will be traveling the next few weeks. We decided early Friday that maybe it was a sign, that we needed to work on the dance portion of our project, and you know, let it get a little mo betta’. We decided we would shoot all of our interior shots, which just so happen to be our close-ups on the main girl. We weren’t sure we’d be able to get our super-duper hair and make-up lady back for the second day of shooting. But since most all of the exterior shots are pretty wide, we figured we could fudge through our own hair and make-up that day if necessary. This delay would also give me a chance to work with the eyeSpy and the IKan monitor, without the pressure 8 set-ups what would probably turn into a 14 hour day for me.
So easy, even a MOM can use it!
The first thing I want to say is, I don’t know how you would shoot anything on the Canon 5D Mk II without some kind of stabilizing support system. No matter how much of a ninja you think you are, the footage is going to be bumpy and nauseating without one. The Redrock Micro EyeSpy is AWESOME. Sorry for shouting, but seriously. The setup I had was the eyeSpy Deluxe package. They added a microBalance Plus which allowed the weights to hang vertically. It’s a new product they are just about to release. I had a nice fluid head tripod on hand in case, but I didn’t need it. With the Redrock, I was able to get just that tiny bit of voyeuristic sway. I’m no hulking brute, and considering I was standing all day with the eyeSpy on my shoulder, whilst wrangling toddlers, I wasn’t sore at all.
Redrock Micro eyeSpy deluxe
Everything on the eyeSpy is adjustable to the user. The front grips twist and lock into place. The camera is mounted onto quick release rails, that leave the battery compartment accessible, which is great, because we had to swap out batteries after a few hours, and I didn’t have to remove the camera to do it. I think my favorite feature was the follow focus. I was able to easily adjust focus as our actress playing lady gaga danced around. If I’d had a camera assistant, they very easily could have marked the beginning and end focus points and done it for me, oh you know, just like a big girl camera set-up! Swoon.
Rumor has it, that they shot the new Tonight Show opening with the eyeSpy. (Boo Jay Leno, Yay Redrock!) I also noticed they were shooting the Funny or Die President’s Reunion video with it. You can see it in the behind the scenes dealie on the site.
Redrock Micro eyeSpy follow focus makes me weak in the knees
I liked shooting with the eyepiece, so we ended up using the Ikan VX9 HD monitor for playback, and for checking the lighting. Since our iMac hasn’t arrived from apple yet, it was the last time I got to see how great our footage looked until probably next week. I dumped the files onto an external hard drive, and am going to be waiting by the door all week for the UPS man. The VX9 is fantastic, and without it, reviewing takes with everyone would have been impossible and time consuming. Like: “look at this”, tilt camera, “ok, now YOU look at this” tilt camera, and on and on and on, like we were showing off our vacation photos we hadn’t bothered to print. But I think when we shoot the external shots in which I will also be dancing…in a tube top…and heels…I’m going hook up the external monitor with a long cable and have the camera operator use the live view mode. Because I’m the Mussolini of nerd mom directors, cogs be damned! I want to see my close up! Up close! While doing my close up. SO meta.
Checking out our last take with the whole crew (+ hubbies and spawn)
Oh, and how could I forget?! The Canon 5D Mk II is the greatest thing to happen to this little lady since, I don’t know, disposable diapers and free foot rubs. I was a little nervous that taking the leap from shooting stills with the 20D to shooting video with the 5D was going to be daunting. But it couldn’t have been simpler. The 5D made me look like I was good. Really really good. Can’t wait to show you all the finished product. But for that you’ll have to wait. Next week: tales of me learning Final Cut Pro, while this little production is on hiatus.
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