Monday, October 22, 2012

Video Camera Shopping

[Notes on my research into starting a home video business... or, more artistically speaking, on becoming a filmmaker.]

Sigh.

I went to my first Cinematography class this weekend, and the teacher confirmed that my video camcorder is "obsolete". 
(It's a Canon HV20 tape-based camcorder, new in 2007.)
I might work with it anyway, but it has developed a hiss. 

So I am researching cameras.
I can immediately see how much better the new DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras are:
their digital sensors are as large as those in film movie cameras, so the images are A#1 fantastic.

Downside: they are still-photo cameras with video capability, 
and so they only film continuously for 15-some minutes, then the camera takes a break (to cool off?). 

Not great for long interviews, which is what I intend to do. 
But video camcorders (that shoot for hours on end) don't offer the fantastic image quality.

"That's so frustrating!" I said.

"YOU think it's frustrating!" the teacher replied. 
He's a professional video-maker, and he had to buy all new equipment to keep up.

And all the cameras--plus all their gadgets (audio, lenses, lights)--are expensive.
I think I will RENT pro equipment before I buy anything... I just joined IFP (Independent Filmmakers Project, Center for Media Arts), and they rent pro video cameras (that cost thousands of dollars) for around $125 for a whole weekend.

I'll just have to be creative to work around the limitations--this is a secret of life anyway, eh?--adaptability.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Grant Driven

After 3 months working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, I pulled my wrist tendon so badly, I had to quit.
I also inherited some money from my favorite uncle, who died this spring. (R.i.p., Uncle Tony.)

Putting the events together, I decided to start a business:
STORYfish Media: Catching Real Life Stories on Film

The process is anxiety producing, and the culture of business is off putting.  Today I decided to relabel what I'm doing:
I have received a grant to explore film making.

Yes. Whew. That's better.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Retro Art Star Trek Posters, by Juan Ortiz

CBS hired artist Juan Ortiz to create 80 Star Trek TOS posters, in a retro style. They are releasing them monthly at Star Trek.com (links to first batch of posters, released August, 2012).

From October's batch:



Not my favorite episode, but I love Ortiz's Dr. Suessish treatment of "The Trouble with Tribbles"!

See all of them (for sale) at Quantum Mechanix.

UPDATE: In September 2013, the posters will be available as a book, Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz (links to Amazon).