Share If I’m going to make a lesson out of this funny video, it is this: Always establish clear expectations for the editing process.
Author Archives: Jeffrey Buras
3D Is A Gimmick
December 22, 2009 – 1:50 pm
Last night I went to see James Cameron’s Avatar, the new film that is supposed to change the way that we make movies. It’s combination of CGI and 3D is going to be the standard way we see movies in the future. The CGI in Avatar was quite stunning. After seeing this film, I am convinced that CGI can be the right tool to use for dramatic effect in filmmaking. 3D, on the other hand, is still a gimmick and will always be a gimmick.
Demystifying Digital Camera Specs
November 24, 2009 – 5:01 pm
Did you ever want to know how your choice of camera relates to image clarity? For instance, how does Arri’s more expensive 2K camera compete with RED’s 4K camera? Well, if you really really really want to know, Panavision and Canon got together to try to explain it.
“Field Of View” Improves Productions Through Philosophy
November 23, 2009 – 5:34 pm
Share I’ve seen a ton of “how-to” videos on the web showing how to use a specific piece of equipment or how to do a specific technique. These are all fine, and might teach me a thing or two, but very few address knowledge over equipment. One of the most lasting inspirations I’ve seen is [...]
RED’s Actual Announcement
November 1, 2009 – 3:28 pm
Share Since my last post, RED told us how they are releasing their new Epic camera. The gist is that a full release will not be ready until “early 2010″ but current RED One owners can beta test the camera first. There’s a lot of options on how to upgrade and who gets dibs. There’s [...]
RED is going to announce… something
October 30, 2009 – 8:00 pm
Share RED Digital Cinema has said for a while now that they are going to make an announcement on October 30th. That announcement has not appeared just yet, but they have dropped a few hints: A new sensor has been in development (called the Mysterium-X) New products will not go through a beta testing phase [...]
The Canon 1D Mark IV Can See In The Dark
October 21, 2009 – 4:42 pm
Share If you thought the Canon 5D MKII was great for video, and now the new Canon 7d… Well, it’s only getting better. Next in line is the Canon 1D MKIV, and *oh-boy* I’m excited. With a 1.3x crop factor, it shoots 1080p video at both 30fps and 24fps. How could it get better? Well, [...]
“Cell” Begins Production
October 5, 2009 – 3:46 pm
Share Lovable Varmint Productions, which includes several AFM members, has begun production on the new web series “Cell.” The series is about a guy who finds himself locked up after a night of drinking, but he isn’t being held by the police. Production is taking place in an empty dollar store in Smithville. Lovable Varmint [...]
Free Screening of “Jumping Off Bridges”
October 5, 2009 – 1:42 pm
Share Austin filmmaker Kat Candler is having a free screening of her feature film Jumping Off Bridges tomorrow night, October 6th. Following the screening there will be a Q&A session with Candler and actress Katie Lemon. The event begins at 6:30pm at the Windsor Park Branch Public Library.
Reagan Peterson Interviewed by ShortFilmTexas.com
October 4, 2009 – 3:51 pm
Share AFM member Reagan Peterson was recently interviewed by ShortFilmTexas.com about his web series Call Center. The series is about day-to-day life working in the world’s worst job. In the interview, writer/director Peterson talks about the process of making a web series, production, casting, and the lessons he’s learned as a young director. Reagan Peterson [...]
Make a film for free (in Dallas)
October 1, 2009 – 1:20 pm
Share Want to make a film but don’t have any money or resources? WomenInFilm.Dallas is having a raffle to win a production package that pretty much takes care of everything for you. You can use a Panavision camera, use several available locations, and even get insurance! The raffle costs $25 per entry. With a prize [...]
Are D-SLRs right for video?
October 1, 2009 – 12:51 pm
Share I’ve seen a few shoots around town using D-SLR cameras for video. UK cinematographer Philip Bloom has a rather thorough examination of Canon’s video-capable D-SLR cameras. The bottom line? D-SLRs aren’t going to replace video cameras just yet, but are useful for some shoots. If you’re aiming for a shallow depth of field, sometimes [...]
America’s Best Format?
September 30, 2009 – 1:58 pm
Share Ken Burn’s new documentary series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea is drawing attention from shooters because it was shot on Super 16mm film and not HD. There seems to be a debate about whether this was a good decision, especially since there are a million possible vicissitudes somewhere between the original footage and [...]
AFS’s Essential Cinema
September 30, 2009 – 1:14 pm
Share Austin Film Meet focuses on making films, but we enjoy watching films too. You can see some great stuff at Austin Film Society’s Essential Cinema series. Screenings are on Tuesday nights at Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar for cheap ($6) or free for AFS members. At each screening you’ll receive some rather thorough literature [...]
Explosion of New Film Folks
September 24, 2009 – 11:15 pm
Share Wow! More than 50 film folks showed up at Dave & Buster’s on Monday 9/21 with most of them being people who are new to AFM. Unfortunately, that means a lot of “regulars” missed out on meeting some amazing people. Good thing we meet every week. Apparently, posting a notice about our event on [...]