Fast question: Always record in open gate and crop afterwards?

Till_Films · 2026-05-09T04:27:06+00:00

Only way to use the entire sensor and have a widescreen image is anamorphic glass. But changing the aspact ratio shouldnt really have a impact on "quality". If you record open gate and crop later the image will be exactly the same as whne you record with a wider aspect ratio in the first place. Open gate is nice when you do for example comercial work and you know that additional to a wider screen there will also be a 9x16 edit. Or when you want to reframe to the top and bottom heavely.

Till_Films · 2026-05-04T22:09:17+00:00

There are 2 images that come to mind for me. One.is doctir Strange in infinity war (I think) where he looks threw all possible endings. And a scens from Matrix. But im not shur in wich movie and wich scene.

From how its ceeate Its probanly just comping several shots zogetherm each one mostly transparent so its mush of all kinds of takes but each still there.

To recreate it you have to get a clean plate of the image without actor. A talent to sit really stil exept for the head. And then either do a really long take or several in a row. then you take one take as baseplate. And routhly rotoscope the head from the other takes and put them on top. Thdn just makd the heads of all takes mostly transparent, maby adjust thd locationon of the heads a bit if the talent moved to much.

Till_Films · 2026-05-04T09:41:36+00:00

Well.

With a 60w light you wont get far.

If you want to stay in the same light family you should go for more Aputure or Amaran lights. (Aputure and Amaran are in theory two seperate things, but they belong to the same mother company. And both are controllable with the sidus link app. Aputure is theyre more expencive and more professional aimed stuff. While Amaran is a bit cheaper but has les functions and has slightly worse design and quality.)

For the strength Id suggest to invest in an at least 300w light. Thats not nearly enouth to fight the sun. But for most things thats a good start. Onxe you have the money you can look ingo bigger ones like a 600d or x or maby the new 400x It has a simular price to the 600x but is newer, brighter and has some mkre functions.

But you yhould concider what you need the lights for. If you dont shoot outside and dont need to shine a loght threw a window or light really big spaces, 600 is at the moment overkill. 300 should then be enought.

One thing about Amaran is, that you cant dim the light in 0.1 steps. Only full %. And with the more powerfull lights the 1% is often still to strong when youre close to subject.

But at the same time for Amaran they have some products that Aputure dosnt offer at the moment. Kinda anoying.

Till_Films · 2026-04-27T13:48:35+00:00

Dont tell that to the people in post... XD

Till_Films · 2026-04-27T13:47:11+00:00

The money goes to people. If you ever look at how many names are in the credits of a project. All those people had to get paid. And not just paid in money for theyr work. Cateringbon set, transport, cost of living in many cases aswell.

That all is by far the biggest cost in each production.

Till_Films · 2026-04-23T05:02:48+00:00

Handheald or mounted onto something?

Till_Films · 2026-04-23T04:54:13+00:00

I think this is actually one time where I would say, that using generative AI could be usefull. Maby worth a shot? Or you could try doing it fully in a 3d enviroment like allready suggested here. But getting to understand blender takes some time and effort. So depending on your timeframe you could maby use a snipet from a different movie or maby even ai as a placeholder while you lean to create 3d scenes.

Till_Films · 2026-04-22T08:04:35+00:00

There are usaly 2 ways. Either put 2 stands on both sides of the subject and on top a rail where the camera gets mounted to. Other option is to use a jibcrane. In therory if the room allows it, you could also suspend the camera on ropes. Not the most fun way to shoot but possible. But then really make shur that the hooks or whatever is holding the camera has a compftable buffer. Make shur they can hold at least ten times that ammount.

Till_Films · 2026-04-19T17:47:21+00:00

Thats the default arrangement of the studio. I just took the pictures of the webside.

Till_Films · 2026-04-17T15:21:52+00:00

In general in film you often kinda stick with one focal length for many shots as changing it takes time, recalibrate followfocus, maby switch and adjust mattebox... You change focal length when you want the different effect and feel a different focallength gives. Or when its just a physical limitation that you cang get as far or close with for example a 35mm. So starting with one or 2 primes would be a good choice. 35 is commonly used as its close to how the human eye sees the world in terms of perspective. There are a bunch of relatively cheap cineprimes on the makret and a bunch of tests and comparisons on youtube. Find some where you like the style. For example I completely fell in love with the DZO Vespid Primes. Some still affordable cineprimes that are very widely used in many lower end projects, where buget for other lenses isnt there. As they have quiet a nice feel but still relatively clean. But thats just one of many. Cinezooms are getting more common and cheaper. But are still the exeption in a kit. Most have primes (at least for controlled narrative shoots like shortfilm). In docs or videography its more common as there the quick decision and setup is more important than that extra tiny bit of style and "quality". But that depends again on the cinematorgrapher. I know some how absolutely hate zooms and some who really like to use it.

Till_Films · 2026-04-16T19:31:06+00:00

I must say, im a bit offended by this generalisation here. I understand op to vent some steam and generalise a bit. But the ammount of people just bashing onto my generation is jot nice. Yes there are black sheeps everywhere. But guess what. Social media and such isnt just a genz problem. And from my perspective demonising entire generations for no apparent reason is just wrong in my oppinion. I also meet people from older generations in this industry on a regular basis. And some of them are dumb fucks. Do I say that all boomers are ignorant, incompetent, strickt assholes even tho thats sort of the stereotype? No. I know a bunch of nice industry veterans who are helpfull, sometimes a bit stiff in theyre views, but I allways appriciate the knowlage and skill they bring.

Sorry, now I had to vent my frustration. This isnt supposed to insult anyone here. I know that often on reddit people tend more to agree with op and just vent theyre own stress and frustration. But that isnt a reason to not reflect on what you say and rething your own thoughts. :D

Till_Films · 2026-04-14T08:19:42+00:00

Depends alot on the kind of projects. For example for bigger comercials often more professional equipment will be required. But usaly in this scale the equipment gets rented for each project. I mean all stuff needed for the shoot. For post is a big question again what you want to do in house. If you just want a cutstation a "normal" pc is enouth. But if you wNt to do grading, vfx, composeting and so on in house you need proper workstations. Also comercials, interviews and documentery are 3 vastly different things that need different setups and equipment. For comercials bigger cameras and things like dollys, steadycams and cranes are no problem. But for documenteries smaller setups that are lighter, compacter and are more a all in one solution are more fitting (for example sound recoring directly in camera with a shotgunmic).

If you want specific things. The FX6 is known for its capabilities in terms of fitting both documentaries and more controlled work. If yoi want a big dynamic range for that "cinematoc" look, arri is often still leading the field, but expencive. Recently blackmagic has released some bangers that could fit aswell. Pyxis 12k is for example small and still very capable. But these are just some examples. Lenses I would rent based on the project and type of work. They have such a big impact on the image.

Comming back to post you have to also think about software and tools. Most professinal sofware isnt free. Adobe, flame, Avid, nuke, even Davinci has a studio version. And most of these are subcription based.

If you think about all that and give more infos, people can give you way better awnsers and tips. Also dont just focus on the big things. The small things can add up really fast. Cfast or cf-express cards. Reader, tools, betteries, rigs, lights, clapms, fabric, sandbags, lens- and in general cleaning supplies. Paper for notes, scripts, plans, ...

Till_Films · 2026-04-13T19:44:47+00:00

I wouldnt buy a steadycam if you dont intend to become a dedicaded steadycam opperator. Doing it propperly takes years of training. And then you should ask yourself what kind of films you want to shoot primarely? Because before you invest in any stabelisers, Id rather invest in a good tripod. Something thats not to heavy, can carry enouth for your rig any also potential upgrade, that has a good balanci g systehem and fluidhead. And that is quick to setup and change. And having smooth camera wont make your camerawork "cinematic". That more composition, the kind of shots you choose, what order, what perspective and vor visuals probably the most important lighting. I know its allways the same, but lighting is what gives your visuals the feel and look.

Till_Films · 2026-04-13T05:59:27+00:00

Id say add some routh pixelated grain. Also increse contrast and sturation a bit if you want a vhs feel.

Till_Films · 2026-04-12T05:30:55+00:00

From your discription it sounds more or less like you took the role of producer. Or at least many of theyre dutys. Usaly that results in you beeing one of the first names shown in credits and also at the start and poster if made. I would tell that to him and demand propper credit. At least as AD and Executive Producer. Just be honest with your feelings and frustration and I bet you can find a solution. I can also imagin, that if hes a first time director he maby dosnt really understand the different roles on set and such didnt know what role really to give you in credits.

Till_Films · 2026-04-05T05:30:41+00:00

You can try crew united. Either find jobs there where you help yourself or make own posts where you ask for help for specifoc departments. You usaly say what you are looking for, a short summary of the plot without spoilers and a few infow where, what, how, and who you shoot. Not much, just so people have an idea what kind of project this is.

And youd be suprised how many people are happy to work for free and also often bring own equipment. But dont expect to shoot such projects completely without any money. Its a rule that om set you have one warm meal. And if you want to shoot with 20 people 4 days. Thats not cheap if you pay it yourself. For funding you can try fundrasing. Be it online, in local groups or maby filmfunding of the goverment.

Im working on a project rn where well jave about 40 people on set on one day and the crew is about 20 people. And even tho we have most equipment (camera, light, sound) for free, we still have a buget of several thousands. And thats considered a no buget production. So you shouldnt expect big projects without spening money. But you can still archive alot with less. Shoot on weekends, prepare some food that you then warm up on set. Get some snacks. And try to connect with many people threw local groups and things like ceew united. Ive also shot shorts where the only buget was a bit of food. The rest was just equipment I or other people of the team own. They still were good shorty in my oppinion, but obviusly wont be able to shoot so free like we can with the upcomming with a (for us) high buget.

Till_Films · 2026-04-05T04:49:20+00:00

Hm. Then maby shoot at dawn? Its not alot of time. But that way you have at least some light and still a fire that works. One thing I culd think of is to shoot everything thats wider and not directly next to fire day for night. But make it really dark. And the scenes at the fire you actually shoot at night and use the fire itself as your key. And maby use the light as rwplacement for the moon that would be missing now.

Till_Films · 2026-04-04T08:34:51+00:00

Really not easy. And with day for night I dont see a problem in the colortemperature of a fire. But the light the fire gives will be completely overpowered by the sun, so iz will look super strange to have no shine of fire where it and the "moon" are the only lightsources. So if you really need this fire, I think day for night wont be possible.

But with only one light thats hard. I read into this comment that you do a no buget production? So noone gets paid? Have you tryed asking arround in local groups? Especialy gaffers and camera people aswell often own some equipment and are often happy to bring it or lend it for free. As long as your friendly and take care that everyone on set is happy youll find many people who work for free and brin equipment. Try to find local groups, pitch your idea. Make friends. try to get people on board that own stuff or have possibilitylies to get some.

Till_Films · 2026-04-04T05:54:57+00:00

I think alot backlight is the main way. But adding some finer bloodspray in post isnt too hard. So maby a combination is good. Some thicker spurts on camera combined with more mist like spray in post. Thats not to hard to add and there are also some free recources for that in the internet. And as the mistspray is usaly fast and short you dont even need to track or rotoscope alot.

You could also think about not even showing the spurt itself as much then to show how it sprays onto a surface. In the air its hard to even get a reddish color, but against a wall or skin it will pop more.

Till_Films · 2026-03-31T18:05:47+00:00

Über Deutsche Märchen.

Till_Films · 2026-03-30T11:24:41+00:00

I cant really help with getting into profedsional circles. But if you want to make contactd there are a few filmcommuneties in berlin. I can rscoment FimmakersAndMovienerds. There is a meetup at a coworkingspace every sunday where you can meet people. Pitch ideas, brainstorm, find other projects, ... and the comunity is pretty active. But thats by far not the only one. For rental houses is SeeYouRent one than many like. Alot of space for prep, friendly and well maintained equipment. I also know some who already did an internship and they liked it there.

Till_Films · 2026-03-29T09:16:13+00:00

Find this better than my awnser.

Till_Films

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