Balloon Test shoot

This test evolved out of the convergence of wanting to test a few things; ideas, location and gear. I think it turned out really well. Eventually I'll grow up and make a film with a story. Haha.



So as you'll notice if you read earlier posts, I got a CPM Film Tools camera rig so I can attach all manner of dodats, dohickys and thingamajigs to the camera to make it more awesome. I know it doesn't need to be more awesome, but it just makes it easier to use. More on specific gear later (I'm holding off writing about it because there is so much already on the internet - very little of it is concise though).

We attached a Bartech follow focus to the rig. Now because I don't have any spacers to raise the DSLR off the baseplate yet, we simply attached the follow focus motor+gear assembly to the top rail so it hung down. The Bartech is cool because you can set in and out points for the focus, so you don't need to worry about lenses without a hard stop (like most Canon EF lenses which'll spin forever). It can be quickly calibrated to move incredibly slowly for very fine focus pulls, if you ever need that sort of accuracy. I didn't for this, but it's nice to know it's possible. Hanging it off the top rail worked perfectly.

We used big, heavy rubber-filled steel rods, because my pair of top carbon fibre rods were too short (more on order). This absolutely killed my arms. Not recommended. Get aluminium or carbon fibre.

The other thing I was testing personally, was the hand-holdability of the rig. In short, it kicks ass. Amazingly stable, and when using the lighter carbon fibre rods, I can shoot for hours. If the rig gets too built up though, you really can't manage it for long unless you get much longer rods and set up a shoulder mount (which I plan to do in the future). I just dislike shoulder mounts for walking, as it seems to transmit a lot more force to the camera through your shoulder. Though it is amazingly stable for if you're standing still. I guess it's all about a personal preference, until you can afford a steadicam.

The only lens used was the Canon 50mm 1.4. I don't lust after the Cosina (ahem, sorry, "Zeiss") ZE or ZF lenses. There are lust-worthy lenses out there... but those are not them. Though they do look ever-so-slightly easier to pull focus with. I honestly don't have a problem with the Canon lenses, prefer the superior optics of some of the lenses, DEFINITELY prefer the speed of the lenses: none of the Cosina ZE or ZF rebranded lenses open up wide enough for really sweet shallow depth of field.

Shooting with Sebastien Foucan

It was really amazing to get a phone call from a certain producer running FreerunningTV.com, a new website dedicated to high quality videos of freerunning.



Two days later I was shooting with the man himself, Sebastien Foucan (who freerunning fans already know, and everyone else has probably seen doing insanely amazing stuff in the chase sequence of Casino Royal with Daniel Craig hot on his tail).

We discussed a lot about Freerunning having a more centred, philosophical, thinking side to it. Of course, there are amazing tricks and amazing kinetics, but I wanted to make a video unlike other freerunning videos I've seen so far. I think it worked. You can see the trailer below, and the full video on FreeRunningTV.com

I shot it all semi-handheld... essentially I bolted the camera to a tripod and used the tripod itself as a handheld stabiliser. Not ideal, and a Steadicam Pilot would be nice, but it worked very well.

New CPM Filmtools Rig

I'm really excited. Just took delivery of a new camera rig from CPM filmtools. Carbon fibre rods and really strong injection moulded struts etc. The build-quality is just incredible for the price-point – everything just feels really solid, yet lightweight.

Unfortunately I don't have time to unpack it and build it up now, I've got an edit looming over my head.

Here's a quick photo of it still in it's wrapping.