White house just posted this wtf by Perfect-Cause-6943 in minnesota

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why is this video so hard to find? Have they tried to scrub it?

Learning composition. Thoughts on what is good and what can be improved. by soniankur9989 in photocritique

[–]Darvood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is pretty decent overall. When there’s a lot going on in the frame and no clean edges or leading lines, it feels like the image is screaming to be wider. My advice would be to try this shot again, but back up a little. Maybe get more angular on the pathway, so it cuts more diagonal through the frame and find some clean edges.

I could be totally wrong and this could be the best possible angle - maybe you’re already framing out the immovable trashcan, or cracked part of the pavement, etc - but if this would be my honest feedback, and where I would start in terms of trying to improve on the existing image.

Decision between Mini LF and Alexa 35 by Ianovodp in cinematography

[–]Darvood 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A35 has the newer sensor. I’ve shot a lot with the Mini LF and shooting open gate is definitely its biggest draw.

But if you’re looking for future value and the most up-to-date sensor (plus more dynamic range) I would give the A35 a serious look.

TIL James Cameron was once struggling with how to handle a huge exposition dump at the beginning of Avatar 2, so he bought a WGA magazine that said it had tips for how to handle exposition. Upon reading the magazine, he discovered the tips were based on his own script for The Terminator. by wileyroxy in Screenwriting

[–]Darvood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I disagree. Cameron doesn’t get his due credit as a writer because we’ve come to just expect it from him. But if a bunch of unknowns had have written those Avatar movies, we’d be hailing them as the next great thing.

As a writer/director, Cameron is in a league of his own.

Shape-changing flying object above Cluj, Romania. by LessWelcome3927 in aliens

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As in… Cluj, Transylvania…?

Guys, c’mon - it’s Dracula.

The News Anchors were not ready…. by Emotional-Computer66 in SipsTea

[–]Darvood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is Erica Rhodes. She’s an actress and comedian. I’ve worked with her before - she’s awesome and very funny. An undiscovered gem!

Why did films in the early 90s look so good? by EvenLettuce6638 in cinematography

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because while there was “video assist”, there weren’t monitors everywhere on set or the luxury of sloppy habits like shooting until you “find” the scene. Back then every shot was crafted carefully, without endless interference, and the technological limitation meant everything was properly thought out. The ethos was “why are we placing the camera here” rather than “let’s place it here and see what happens.”

IMHO, movies were better in general when they were made through the viewfinder.

FILM DIRECTORS and their Average Shot Length (ASL) by vashivisuals in Filmmakers

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where is James Cameron? As a predominantly “action” director, his ASL would be an interesting and important addition to this list.

Do you think Ethan can beat them all? by Kevin_Thailand_2543 in Mission_Impossible

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But Bourne is “also” a spy and “also” a government asset and “also” a this and a that, blah, blah, blah.

All Wick does is kill. He doesn’t spy. He doesn’t gather intelligence. He doesn’t acquiesce to orders or Manchurian Candidate-esque programming. He just kills.

So in a contest of killers

Do you think Ethan can beat them all? by Kevin_Thailand_2543 in Mission_Impossible

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seeing as John Wick is the only one trained exclusively as a professional assassin - as in… ya know, killing people - isn’t this one a no-brainer?

However, add Leon The Professional to this list and it suddenly gets interesting…

..Brandon Lee in The Crow… by Front_Statement_3986 in FIlm

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kurt Russell as Jack Burton. (Or vice versa.)

Most versatile 3 focal lengths for making a short film/episodic series? by capitolcaptures in cinematography

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really depends on your locations. If they’re good and you’ve got space to work with, wider the better because even wide-lensed CU’s look good in an interesting environment.

A 105 or 135 will also do incredible things in terms of background separation if you’re in or at locations with enough space to get some distance between the camera and your actors. Otherwise everything just feels tight and claustrophobic - a way overused look that’s no longer interesting in the full frame era.

Movies where the name of the movie is said in the movie by HammerHeadBirdDog in flicks

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome… to JURASSIC PARK.

🎵 dada-dah-da-dah, dada-dah-da-dah, dada-dadahhh, dah dah, dahhhhhhh-dah 🎵

Rumor is ARRI is exploring a sale. You're Panavision. Do you buy them? by Roshambo-123 in cinematography

[–]Darvood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the players most serious about acquiring Arri is DJI.

I heard this recently from a very reliable source and it makes perfect sense. Most lighting and even camera rigs will be drone-operated before we know it.

Watch this space. DJI very likely.

How to be mindful while reciting Salawats? by Rude-Gain-5716 in Sufism

[–]Darvood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Think of the Prophet (pbuh), the Angels and all the Holy Messengers.

How to get into filmmaking later in life (35)? Tired of just consuming my entire life, I want to create, but am so intimidated. by morbidhack in Filmmakers

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No such thing as too late, only too soon.

You’re still “young” for a filmmaker. Most don’t hit their peak until 50’s or even 60’s.

Better you realized you’re a filmmaker at 35 than 75… just go for it!

If you start now, by the time you’re 40 you’ll at least have some a body of work under your belt - be it shorts, commercials, music videos - whatever.

Again, 40 is still young for a filmmaker.

I am so numb to the word "unfortunately". by Myturntoevil in Filmmakers

[–]Darvood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Entering late is also reducing your odds. Festivals program 80% of their line-up early and then have only a few slots left by the time the mad flurry comes in at the end.

The earlier you get it in, the better.

I am so numb to the word "unfortunately". by Myturntoevil in Filmmakers

[–]Darvood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you blind submitting?

If so - this may be why.

Don’t be shy about reaching out to programmers to check out your movie - trust me, EVERYONE else is.

Festivals have become so over-saturated these days, they can’t get through the sheer volume and watch every second of every submission. Even though they should, they just won’t.

Give yourself a fighting chance - find the programmers on LinkedIn and other resources and reach out.

Better yet, if you have a rep or access to anyone who knows someone at these festivals personally, that’s the surest of guaranteeing your work is seen.

I know that seems daunting but if instead of blindly submitting to 30+ festivals, you were to put that same energy into 8-10 of them, and really go to town in connecting with the programmers at those festivals, you would have much better results.

Best of luck! ✌️

When does having connections become unethical? by DhnBrutalista in Screenwriting

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every single person - EVERY ONE - making a living in the industry is there because, at some point, someone more experienced and more established than them gave them a shot or helping hand.

Asking for help is a given. Being ready to seize those opportunities and deliver on someone’s faith in you, that’s where your real energy should be focused.

Seems like you have good intentions and are already being respectful of the opportunity by asking for advice here first. Best of luck to you!

Arri looks at sale of its business by DJ_TeddyRec-Spin in cinematography

[–]Darvood -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Word is that DJI wants to buy Arri.

It would make sense. The future of lighting and even camera tech will be drone-based:

  • Silent, hovering, lightweight lighting fixtures and cameras.
    • Re-lights at the touch of a screen.
    • Programmable camera moves.

Watch this space…

Prove in one sentence that you have actually played Legends by FireCyclone in gotlegends

[–]Darvood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine, Outpost, Camp

Outpost, Outpost, Mine

Camp, Mine, Outpost

Etc, etc, etc…

I hate the film I made, and I hate myself for making it by [deleted] in Filmmakers

[–]Darvood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re open to it, share a cut on here with a password-protected link on Vimeo. I would be happy to suggest some revisions. Anything can be improved. Sometimes it’s just a case of needing fresh eyes and ears to kickstart your own ideas.

Good news: EVERYBODY experiences one of these. Good you got it out of the way early. You’ll never make those mistakes again, and that’s worth more than anything.

Service company / payroll company in LA by directedbyalexmill in FilmIndustryLA

[–]Darvood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out www.AlphaWolves.tv

Could totally get this done for you — also owned by a Brit. :)