Gadget Hacks Food Hacks Null Byte The Secret Yumiverse Invisiverse MacGyverisms Mad Science Mind Hacks Lock Picking Driverless WonderHowTo

Cinematography Features

iOS 17 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos, News

News: Zeiss Compact Prime Lens + Zacuto DSLR Baseplate

Zeiss recently debuted their Compact Prime Lens set at NAB.  The best part: no mount modifications or adapters necessary!  Zacuto has done one better with their new DSLR Baseplate system.  Previous rigs had unwanted play when using the follow focus.  "Zacuto’s new DSLR Baseplate System, debuting at the NAB show in Vegas, mounts to the camera and lens using the standard 1/4 20” screw and ¼ 20 lens support, which gives you two mounting points for rock solid support to the camera & attached prim...

News: Unconventional Edit in Mann's "Public Enemies" (DP: Dante Spinotti)

I watched Michael Mann's "Public Enemies" (DP: Dante Spinotti) last night for the first time and was struck by a very unconventional, yet effective (I think), cut. In the opening sequence (video below), Dillinger is driven up to the entrance of a prison and escorted out of the car. The scene is established in a long lens medium wide shot (probably 200mm from 150' away...Note: standard 35mm dimensions, not 2/3"). After a few steps/seconds, it cuts to a wide angle lens closeup (24-2mm from with...

David Fincher: The Musical

An original musical composition created by cutting together existing sounds from within David Fincher's films. There is NO outside audio, sound effects, or music. David Fincher is an Academy Award nominated director.

News: Not Your Parents' Documentaries: "California is a Place"

Sony's Bravia Balls Ad, David Michod's "Crossbow", James Nachtwey's war photography. Every once in a while, you get smacked in the face by art so powerful and sublime, it leaves you inspired, envious, or both. The mini documentary series, "California is a place", is no different. Led by filmmaker Drea Cooper and photographer Zackary Canepari, these 5-7 minute masterpieces tell the stories of unique individuals and groups throughout the Golden State. What really separates the quality of these ...

Dichromatic Disaster: Teal and Orange Everywhere

I'm really glad someone finally wrote this article. Todd Miro @ Into The Abyss details the teal and orange look that's pervading mainstream and independent films. In essence, because orange is the color that is the closest to skin tone, DI colorists are forcing its complementary color - teal - into the image. It's a simple trick that, when used subtly, can create color contrast and really pop an image. Unfortunately, more often than not, actors look like Snooki's cousin and trees and shadows ...

News: HDR Video - FINALLY!

Soviet Montage put together this great demonstration of HDR (high dynamic range) video. Using 2 Canon 5D Mark II's, they used a beam splitter to create video images that previously have only been possible in still photography.

How To: Get Muscles for the Movie Thor

This is a video interview how the movie star C. Hemsworth was able to gain a dramatic muscle gain for the movie Thor. just in case you did not see the movie, the actor speaks about his character in the movie and how muscular he needed to be so he can play his role in the movie.