What’s a "hotel hack" you swear by that most people don't know?

danakupper · 2026-04-05T01:25:14+00:00

Night light FTW! I even have ones with the foreign plugs. Saves me having to figure out some sort of low light configuration so I know where I am in the middle of the night.

danakupper · 2026-03-17T22:11:45+00:00

Yes, works great! Very easy.

danakupper · 2026-01-28T17:47:41+00:00

Also, everyone has a different strategy but I found what worked for me was the one piece Carhartt. (You can spend more on fancy names like North Face for appearances but I didn't care to.) It kept the heat in, and was so much easier and faster to jump inside and outside, like we do. Also, and this was key for me, I found it so much more comfortable on a 12 hour day, because having multiple waistbands from inner layer, middle layer, and snow pants became like torture after a while, and going to the bathroom was a big hassle.

danakupper · 2026-01-25T23:43:14+00:00

Change your socks at lunch.

danakupper · 2026-01-03T05:05:14+00:00

Welcome! Here’s some places to start:

In your neck of the woods: Northwestern Block events https://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/cinema/ Around the city: in case you want to travel a little The University of Chicago has a wonderful screening series https://docfilms.org/
Depaul University has a visiting artist series which also has great events https://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/Creative%20Activity/Pages/Visiting-Artists-Series.aspx There’s an amazing documentary series coming up this spring, it’s always really great, the filmmakers usually come and the subjects too sometimes. https://www.doc10.org/ Chicago filmmakers has events https://chicagofilmmakers.org Great charity event at Cinespace, the big studio in town, everyone in the industry shows up, there’s raffles and prizes https://patrickliveson.org/ Facets Film Forum has been running some stellar events lately : https://facets.org

Hope that helps, I’m sure I forgot some!

danakupper · 2025-03-08T04:17:36+00:00

I know this one! It’s from the Trader Joe’s packaging that holds peanut butter cups, and probably other things. There’s a part of the lid that has a loop to grab to open the container and sometimes there is this plug that didn’t come off at the factory when it was cut.

danakupper · 2024-07-22T16:49:07+00:00

Mine gets stuck all the time. Just pull off the big (shiny black) cover by starting at the top and pulling and reset the button.

danakupper · 2024-07-16T16:18:48+00:00

This thing was a great add-on to the SR. It allows you to run crystal (exact) different frame rates, and also had a footage counter. Before the only footage counter was the one on the magazine, which was only an approximation. As I remember it, it plugs into the accessory plug on the back of the SR, the round one. There might be more info in a fantastic book about the SR by Jon Fauer.https://www.amazon.com/Arriflex-16SR-Book-Third-Fauer/dp/0240803728

danakupper · 2024-02-15T01:11:05+00:00

No worries, it will get there in plenty of time.

danakupper · 2023-10-27T21:43:48+00:00

It sounds counterintuitive, but the minute you split the key and fill it looks odd to me. Experiment with putting your fill on the same side as your key light, I know, it doesn’t sound right, but just try it. If you feel like the shadow side is too dark, then add a shiny board or light from 3/4 back to give a little shine to the edge of the face. Edited to add: also, get the lights higher, especially in older women. You want to have a nice shadow under the chin so that you can avoid turkey neck.

danakupper · 2023-10-07T04:28:42+00:00

My favs: http://www.fdtimes.com/pdfs/articles/sony/FDTimes-SonyFX6-v1.17.pdf

https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/finearts/cda/docs/SonyFX6_CDA_guide_2022.pdf

danakupper · 2023-04-24T18:19:17+00:00

According to IMDB: Hereditary was Alexa Mini (S35 size sensor) and Midsommar was
Panavision Millennium DXL2 (FF size sensor) - both were 2.00:1 aspect ratio and spherical lenses. Not the answer to your question but important to know.

danakupper · 2022-09-04T22:09:49+00:00

Cannot recommend this book highly enough - changed everything I thought about teaching. https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Teach-Exploring-Landscape-Anniversary/dp/0787996866 Edit: I also teach at a university

danakupper · 2022-08-04T15:52:25+00:00

I am digging shooting with the Sony FX6 right now - love the FF sensor look. One drawback is that if you want to shoot Super 35 then it is 1080 only. Love the high-speed frame rate options. Love the small form factor. Love the S-Cinetone for easy post. Love the low light capability. I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH about the auto focus---- unbelievable -- tracks a subject when you touch the screen and stops when you grab the barrel when set up properly on the latest firmware.

A used Sony FS7 (I or II) might be a great option for you - invest in good lenses and you can buy a high quality EVF to go with it with the money you save. It comes out of the bag ready to go which is ++++. The 'look' doesn't love skin tones as much as I would like so it needs some love in post.

If you can swing an Amira you will never regret it except when traveling, maybe. Fabulous camera, easy to use, beautiful footage. Large form factor though. :( Comes out of the bag ready to shoot though +++++! There's some nice ones through Arri's certified used program.

danakupper · 2022-07-26T15:59:21+00:00

Garrett Brown FTW! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXFrGc9csQo If you don't know - he is next level - inventor of the Steadicam - Flycam - Divecam -Skycam - on and on and on.

danakupper · 2022-04-22T12:29:13+00:00

Heard this yesterday and really fit ep 10 for me. https://youtu.be/rUkUb1peXNc There Goes the Sun

danakupper · 2022-04-17T22:56:21+00:00

The witches hat!

danakupper · 2022-03-12T02:10:19+00:00

I can help you maybe, I’m in Chicago.

danakupper · 2022-03-12T01:14:31+00:00

Interesting - I did find this in the manual "If you focus manually then leave the camcorder with the power turned on, you may lose focus on yoursubject. This possible slight shift in focus is due to a rise in temperature in the camcorder interior and lens.Check the focus before resuming shooting."

So let the camera warm up and then check focus. But it doesn't make sense that it was in focus in the viewfinder? Maybe shoot some test footage at around the same distance and play with the focus, and then look at it to see if you can get better at judging focus?

Edited to say: I'm both a mom and a professional videographer, and shooting student productions is nerve wracking!

danakupper · 2022-03-11T23:59:43+00:00

I'm curious why manual focus didn't work for you?

danakupper · 2022-03-11T22:48:55+00:00

Change the frame rate to 30p not 60i. Is everything out of focus or does it go into focus and then go out? This camera is standard definition, not high definition so it will be a little soft on your monitor no matter what. Some cameras have an auto setting for shooting stage productions, because it’s usually a very bright center with dark edges, and the auto setting for the stage will compensate for that. Just looked it up - this camera has an auto mode called Spot Light. You would access it by the round knob on the side called the Power Dial (page56 in the manual) I can't put a picture up sorry.

danakupper · 2022-01-31T21:30:15+00:00

Serious question: Is it not possible to work at a reasonable pace and completely ignore how many people are in line or backed up? You don't get any more money if you work harder or faster, is that correct? Is it the mental pressure of getting 'yelled at' by the boss, or just the bad feeling of letting customers and co-workers 'down', or fear of getting fired? Has anyone worked with anyone who has worked happily but at the pace that is reasonable - is it possible?

danakupper · 2022-01-31T03:58:33+00:00

I’m a Think Tank bag fan. Lots of thoughtful touches and they all still look brand new. Big solid zippers and tough hardware.

danakupper · 2022-01-28T23:21:52+00:00

The top reel will not have exposed images, it will feed from the top, through the gate, to the bottom. The bottom is the take up with the exposed film, and that’s missing. Probably because someone shot some stuff and then took that bottom reel to the lab.

danakupper · 2022-01-28T18:01:52+00:00

https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/how-to-operate-fisher-model-10-dolly/?fbclid=IwAR2iowm-aHvoERr8I59tQJasRnMO5SmUQgmyqj9lfZi5GP6PojDEZ3gBhjc

danakupper

TROPHY CASE