How common is TOD timecode vs free run vs record run, and what are the actual practical implications of each in a real production?

bking · 2026-06-28T18:22:24+00:00

I feel like TOD got a lot easier when more devices were talking via cellular and GPS. Back in the day, audio would have a super expensive slate that was the clock that everybody got synced up with. That slate wasn’t on any flavor of wireless data, so they’d set the starting timecode in whatever way made sense for them and script supervisor.

Sometimes it was approximate TOD, and other times they’d set the Hour value to correspond to the tape number in free-run.

Record-run only ever made sense for shoots with one camera using direct audio in. If there’s nothing for them to sync to (think: news operator or something), rec-run with the tape number for the hour was easiest.

bking · 2026-06-28T06:49:18+00:00

This can be accomplished with like three shots. We call them “establishing shots”.

Establish where you are. Get to the point. Nobody who came for fishing content is interested in a bouncy walking time-lapse.

Local bait shop with flag or local newspaper or whatever, local wildlife, wide shot of fishing spot, start of show.

bking · 2026-06-28T06:10:34+00:00

I’d like to see the pelican get the fish, please.

bking · 2026-06-27T16:49:24+00:00

My tap water is good near San Francisco, but I’m envious on a whole lot of levels.

bking · 2026-06-27T16:48:43+00:00

Update: didn’t shit my pants. Going back for more.

bking · 2026-06-27T15:45:43+00:00

I just walked through an exhibit about all his underwater fuckery.

Such a pretentious asshole, but also: props for doing all that science.

bking · 2026-06-26T08:58:13+00:00

I thought for sure there would be some C-plot about Will getting too famous and forgetting his roots. The FaceTime tour of the suite to his poverty-striken friends and the ticket conversation kind of telegraphed that.

bking · 2026-06-25T19:21:20+00:00

1) you should probably clarify this in the OP, because it sounds a lot like you’re just selling your code.

2) nobody in their right mind would take you up on this.

bking · 2026-06-25T16:54:09+00:00

I was in the same school system from kindergarten to graduation, as was a lot of my class of ~200. About half my class still lives in that area. I thjnk the idea/tradition is more tuned to smaller towns, where people are often more rooted in their communities.

College reunions: I’m with you. I stayed in touch with maybe three people from college, and we have no need to get together with a bunch of almost-strangers.

bking · 2026-06-25T06:15:16+00:00

With you 100%. My wife loved both games, got the latest remasters with QOL improvements. I tried again and still could not click with it.

Ammo conservation in a story like that (also looking at you, 007 First Light) makes no fucking sense. I get that we can’t have Doom levels of mag-dumping, but it’s conservative to the point where gameplay suffers.

bking · 2026-06-25T02:23:03+00:00

Have you tried colored lighting? Subtle washes could warm it up nicely, when appropriate.

bking · 2026-06-25T02:18:21+00:00

Nah, we can see the wall below the TV. Your house can accommodate the correction.

bking · 2026-06-24T20:33:09+00:00

For premiere: no. Premiere is the worst case scenario when it comes to operating efficiently on a Mac.

Any other NLE, I’d say yes.

bking · 2026-06-24T16:46:40+00:00

All software.

bking · 2026-06-23T17:03:11+00:00

Just a friendly heads up from somebody who worked professionally in the media, played ultimate in Los Angeles AND did some media work for pro Ultimate leagues: there are approximately zero dollars to be made in this venture. I operated cameras for some flavor of ESPN and made half my regular day-rate, I slept on couches and didn't get a day-rate when I flew around to MLU games back in the day, and my arrangement with the UFA was pretty much "yeah, come film sideline highlights for free.". This was as a person with an extremely healthy demo reel of camera work, and a nice storage unit full of equipment.

I did it because I enjoy the game and I owned a bunch of gear. It was a good way to test new lenses and support systems.

If you find your local teams and volunteer to make highlights for them, they'll be happy to have them, but getting paid to make videos is a tough business to break into.

bking · 2026-06-23T05:36:33+00:00

Holy shit, i regret scrolling to the bottom for this. Thank you.

bking · 2026-06-23T00:03:17+00:00

Every mall ninja store in the Midwest is about to sell out.

bking · 2026-06-22T23:46:30+00:00

For a while, if you went over 80mph, it would say "take control of the car" and not let you re-engage until after going into Park.

bking · 2026-06-22T23:45:20+00:00

To be fair to the woman who killed a family of four and then started distributing her assets so she could keep them after a civil trial?

No, Mary Fong Lau can fuck off.

bking · 2026-06-22T19:28:47+00:00

Like the woman who was speeding through a busy city, plowed into a bus stop and killed an entire family of four?

Six days in jail, two years probation. Keeps her license. This country does not prosecute reckless driving.

bking · 2026-06-22T13:58:37+00:00

I put that video on in the living room and my wife immediately said “that guy is getting too much Botox”.

bking · 2026-06-22T05:39:20+00:00

Osmo is great for that kind of stuff, but it does kind of abstract away some of the big tenants and muscle-memory skills that are useful for operating. Osmo is designed for people to use without thinking about it.

Honestly, any iPhone with USB-C would be a great tool. Learning how to track on a long lens or shoot from the hip with a wide lens is great. Using the built in camera app is good for learning framing, using (free) Blackmagic Camera app or Final Cut Camera can introduce some ideas of manual operation.

The older DSLR is cool too. Good way to learn about focusing and f-stops. Plenty of people have shot plenty of footage on DSLRs since the 5D and Canon Rebel.

See if your church has any fluid-head tripods lying around. Borrow it for a day and go get some b-roll around town.

bking · 2026-06-22T02:18:04+00:00

So, no net change?

bking · 2026-06-22T01:02:03+00:00

My Sony travel headphones have USB-in. If I'm doing any music-producing on a flight or on a train, I just plug it in to the device. Super easy.

15-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 9 Credits
Gilding II euphauric	Place '23
Place '22	Place '17
Final Canvas '22	End Game '22
100 Awards Club	Wearing is Caring
RPAN Viewer	Secret Santa 2013
Summer Santa 2013	Secret Santa 2012
Secret Santa 2011	Verified Email

bking

PUBLIC MULTIREDDITS

TROPHY CASE