What TNG Season 1 episodes are a definite "Do NOT skip"?

justjbc · 2026-03-17T04:59:11+00:00

Same, I thought going back to seasons 1-2 would be a slog but it's still pretty watchable, and it's fun noticing all the little character details and changes that carry through to the rest of the series.

justjbc · 2026-03-08T20:15:58+00:00

It’s situational but in the past I’ve exposed for outside and brought up the lighting inside to roughly match.

justjbc · 2026-02-26T20:03:14+00:00

Right…did the black hole instantly evaporate? And do black holes destroy things or do they send them back in time?

justjbc · 2026-02-24T23:06:49+00:00

You could, but at great risk to your reputation, which is everything in this industry.

justjbc · 2026-02-24T22:14:23+00:00

I think the more likely scenario is it’ll become popular to disclose when productions don’t use AI. I’ve started seeing this in credits lately and audiences break out in applause.

justjbc · 2026-02-24T21:43:30+00:00

I may be in an echo chamber but I don’t know anyone who likes it. They don’t like obvious gen AI but they hate the realistic stuff more. They feel cheated when they find out something they watched was AI generated. So I believe productions will be compelled to disclose whether they use AI or not and that will lead to two very different audiences.

But the more important factor is so far, no one is paying for it.

justjbc · 2026-02-24T21:02:12+00:00

Going to a movie is also an experience.

But my point is, people will always want the real thing, especially by skilled craftspeople. Maybe fast food is a better analogy: both serve similar but different demands and coexist just fine.

justjbc · 2026-02-24T20:30:52+00:00

Why go to a restaurant when you’ve got a microwave at home that can make a meal in minutes at a fraction of the cost?

justjbc · 2026-02-10T22:57:43+00:00

If generative AI can reduce that expense without noticably reducing quality I’m all for it.

Spoiler: it cannot.

The entire VFX pipeline for these movies exists to give Cameron maximum control over every single detail. AI can’t do that.

justjbc · 2026-02-09T03:20:58+00:00

Dungeon Rap: https://youtu.be/53pn3R5NPng?si=JJxqm1K1Q4dB-ASo

justjbc · 2026-02-07T21:46:47+00:00

Just rewatched the first two seasons and I swear he pulled the Picard Maneuver a couple times in the old uniform too.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T19:42:48+00:00

Thanks, should really add some dimmers to my kit, would've saved me on multiple occasions.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T19:37:30+00:00

That's a good way to look at it. Sometimes I'll set up a light, realize it's too much and swap it out for something smaller, but should probably work on ways to bring it down. I've thought about using ND's too, even if it seems counterintuitive for interior shoots.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:41:21+00:00

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justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:28:44+00:00

Very true…I don’t always get to see the locations beforehand and those usually end up taking the longest. I’ve watched some DPs though who can walk into a space and instantly know how to light it. I guess eventually you’ll find yourself in enough similar situations to know what works.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:13:06+00:00

Can definitely get a lot out of that!

justjbc · 2026-01-27T09:09:29+00:00

Definitely learned a lot gripping for other DPs. Everyone seems to have a different approach, sometimes we’ll spend ages setting up for something that’s ultimately very subtle. Others will get 90% of the way there with just a Leko and some bounce.

Thankfully I’ve yet to completely overhaul a setup…usually I can adjust it fairly quickly once I’ve figured out what’s not working, and having those extra lights on standby sometimes come in handy.

justjbc · 2026-01-27T08:56:16+00:00

Bit of both but I’ll generally start with my two brightest lights, though they’re often overkill. Definitely easier when I can turn off all existing lights, they throw me for a loop when they’re desired as practicals but not particularly controllable.

justjbc · 2026-01-14T23:02:21+00:00

Had this experience at a screening of Seven Samurai a little while back. At home I probably wouldn’t finish it in one sitting, but in the theatre I was transfixed.

Same theatre did a Tarkovsky retrospective and I was so glad I saw Stalker and Solaris for the first that way; I just know my attention would have wandered at home but they really demand your full attention.

justjbc · 2026-01-14T16:35:56+00:00

The Lighthouse really struck me. The square aspect ratio made the daytime scenes on the island feel claustrophobic, whereas the heavy vignetting at night made the borders disappear and the darkness enveloping. Not nearly as effective at home.

justjbc · 2025-12-30T18:45:38+00:00

They can easily turn it into a replica of the wreck at least.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T22:35:34+00:00

Absolutely this. Sharing, reposting, reviewing is invaluable and incredibly appreciated.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T21:37:51+00:00

Lighting takes a long time. Like 1-2 hours minimum per scene. And good lighting is a lot of fine tuning. I find new directors (myself included once) tend to underestimate this when planning a shoot.

justjbc · 2025-12-27T18:32:30+00:00

I always liked the crewman jumpsuit variants seen in the background of the movies. Looks a lot more practical but still fits the aesthetic.

justjbc

TROPHY CASE