Deadline for Short Films Contest Extended ( Films Shot With Canon VDSLR Cameras Only)

Can-Do Film Festival and Competition deadline extended to April 20th

There is a big contest for movies under 4 minutes “shot using ONLY the Canon EOS HD enabled DSLRs – eligible current models are: EOS 1D Mk IV, EOS 5D Mk II, EOS 7D, EOS Rebel T1i” and they have just decided to give everyone more time to complete the “assignment”
See the details at their web-site – prizes are Canon cameras and Zeiss lenses. Check it out!
… Continue Reading

Canon 7D Suzuki Spot by Seth Epstein – Pt 3

Seth Epstein from The Group Digital Agency answered my email questions with this great write up about his experience shooting a Suzuki ad spot using Canon 7D cameras. Part 1 was a breakdown of the production and actual shoot day, Part 2 was all about post issues. Up next is part 3 which is about how he pitched the job and set up the shot list.

I have seen a lot of information and behind the scenes footage for video DSLR shoots, but this is the first time I have seen someone sharing their complete process from inception through to delivery. A lot of the discussion in the forums and on blogs like PCN have been about how to use the technology. The next conversation needs to be – “how do we make money shooting motion with video DSLRs”? Monetizing this newly available technology is really the big question. How do you go from still photographer to filmmaker? Where does a creative visual person fit into the motion world as the barrier to entry lowers? Seth provides a good roadmap to achieving micro production. This shoot was for an online ad and had a budget that would have given most large agencies pause. As a matter of fact, I would bet this level of ad couldn’t have easily been achieved without the use of video DSLRs and a micro production approach.

Part 3 really gives us a look at the work that went into the concepts for this spot. Seth didn’t just get handed the job because of his past experiences or portfolio. He had to present his ideas in a framework that the client could understand and that the small crew could get behind. Being able to story board and present pitch treatments are the skills needed to move visual ideas into paid motion jobs. Take a look at what Seth went through to present his ideas before he began shooting.
… Continue Reading

Canon Digital Learning Center – Introducing EOS Movie Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro

I know, I know – this is an old announcement but I randomly discovered this page on the Canon USA web-site with a lot more information about what, exactly, the plug-in is going to do.

I’m only going to put the first couple of paragraphs of the post here – read the whole thing on the Canon web site – but there are a few key features that I’d like to point out:

• -Time Code is added to the clips
• Automatic transcoding from Canon’s H.264 to ProRes (various flavors)
• Up to 3X Faster transcoding than Compressor
• Ability to transcode only portions of a clip
• DMG archiving or memory cards
• Compatible with: 1D-Mk IV, 5D Mk II and 7D (Rebel support coming soon)

There is a full workflow example on the Canon page…
… Continue Reading

Canon 7D Suzuki Spot by Seth Epstein – Pt 2

In Part 1 of this series, we took a look at Seth Epstein’s Suzuki spot that he shot using Canon 7D’s. For part 2, we are looking at how he handled post for this shoot. Don’t miss part 3 where we will be showcasing Seth’s pitch boards as well as the story boards for this shoot.

I asked Seth how he handled post and his response was so detailed, I will let him tell it here.

“Once we wrapped, I chose to cut myself because I knew the client would make a lot of changes and tweaks. I did not have the budget to ride an editor for that level of micro changes. I figured I could handle it….  I immediately converted the footage to Apple Pro-Res high using MPEG StreamClip and also backed up the original footage in case of a drive crash. … Continue Reading

Break Bread by Jeremy Thomas

PCN friend Jeremy Thomas from Hdi RAWworks, has released a great short film called Break Bread. He showed this short at the ETE Expo Canon Seminar to great reactions. He also used it to illustrate shooting sound in a workshop he taught later in the day where he brought in actor Mike Wade and collaborator Robert Lehman. They literally shot this short for $3, no joke. That is what the lunchmeat and bread cost for props (and craft services).

7D Break Bread (short film shot on the Canon 7D) from RAWworks on Vimeo.

…rather than write about someone stuck in a house, or a bar or the desert I thought about a man living in his car, and what that would look and feel like.

… Continue Reading

Philip Bloom Workshop in Los Angeles

Our good friend Neil Smith over at Hdi RAWworks is presenting a workshop with Philip Bloom on March 6th. Philip lives on the other side of the pond so it is a rare opportunity to learn in person from this photographer filmmaker. He will be in town after finishing up some work for George Lucas at Skywalker Ranch.

From the Hdi RAWworks site:

World renowned filmmaker and Canon HD DSLR expert, Philip Bloom will be in Los Angeles on Saturday March 6th, 2010 to present the Canon HD DSLR Master Class.

Philip will be showing many examples of his filmmaking and will be sharing his experiences of shooting the pick-ups shots for ‘Red Tails’ a Lucas Films production.

Philip will be explaining and demonstrating all aspects of Canon EOS based filmmaking, workflow and output, including:

Main differences between EOS 1D Mk iv , 5D Mk ii and 7D for movie shooting
In camera settings to maximize image quality in post
Lens selection
Stabilization platforms and accessories
Exposure and shutter speed options
Focusing and framing tips
Audio
Codecs and transcoding options
Editing and Color correction
Output for Web, BluRay, HDCAM SR and film
Question and Answers

Follow this link for more info.