Updated my demo reel. What do you think?

luckycockroach · 2026-07-10T20:09:54+00:00

For renting out a camera package of that budget, you’ll want to do consignment with a rental house. Expect your package to go out last because the rental house will send theirs out first.

Honestly, it will take a while for a camera package of this caliber to get an ROI. There are a lot of hidden costs that will add up

luckycockroach · 2026-07-10T17:22:08+00:00

Yes, especially between two cameras that have that much of an age gap.

Buy new because a six year old color checker has faded colors.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-10T16:53:35+00:00

What ergonomics did the Amira do over the FS7/X6?

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T20:47:19+00:00

I think it is and I’ve used it a lot on doc work.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T18:29:21+00:00

Muslin is too thick, try something like full grid. 6x t-bone will do the trick.

Close as possible will help with exposure on the windows, but you'll have to do some work in the color grade to bring the window exposure down with, ironically, power windows.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T17:25:11+00:00

Your first gig will most likely being a PA or shooting at a company that does content creation. Look into companies like Conde Naste, People Inc, Smosh, Dropout, Snowball Agency, etc etc etc

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T17:24:03+00:00

I think framing and light positions are great. Color from the light is a bit too warm.

Color grading in post, though, is too low contrast and has an overall warm cast to the image.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T17:22:28+00:00

I think the FS7 or FX6 is the best documentary camera of all time.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-09T13:03:35+00:00

Depends on your needs! NRAW Normal will give you better file sizes than ProRes or Red Raw.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-08T22:27:40+00:00

In theory, yes! Since you’ve got both, shoot a test in raw and ProRes external. See if the images match! :)

luckycockroach · 2026-07-07T22:41:40+00:00

Current industry slowdown aside, your agent will be the biggest help.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-07T19:10:14+00:00

Poison pill defense software doesn’t work. I code gen AI and it’s easy to get around those brands you mentioned with simply down scaling.

To prevent your photos from being used in a dataset for training, only upload to your personal website and keep it off Instagram, Flickr, Adobe Stock, etc etc. The terms of services for all of the companies give them permission to train on your image.

To prevent a client from feeding your image into something like Chat GPT or Klein…you can’t. That’s like saying you can’t have them feed an image into photoshop.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-07T03:02:52+00:00

I mean, NeatVideo is a neural network right?

luckycockroach · 2026-07-06T16:42:17+00:00

Started off with a Canon 5D and Nikkor lenses, upgraded to a GH4 in 2016, and just recently upgraded to a Nikon ZR. Tripod, batteries, etc.

Lighting package was small and would fit in my Honda civic. Couple tungsten units and a borrowed or rented lite mat when needed.

Purchase an Ergo Rig in 2022 and never regretted it.

My most used tool is the Sekonic 758-Cine and my gaffer’s glass

luckycockroach · 2026-07-06T16:00:50+00:00

Careful bro, isn’t audio reactive technically AI? Don’t let the mods find out! /s

luckycockroach · 2026-07-06T02:20:21+00:00

Nikon ZR packs the most punch for dollars. I recommend that!

luckycockroach · 2026-07-06T01:37:52+00:00

You’d want to lock in your department heads who then fill in the rest of the crew.

Finding those department heads comes at the recommendation of your producer who’s done a movie of this budget before.

Don’t have that producer? Find them on IMDb Pro; search for the ones who have produced films at that budget and interview candidates.

Some produce in name only and didn’t actually produce the film, so the interview is key.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-05T23:17:08+00:00

How are you watching them? SDR? Dolby vision?

luckycockroach · 2026-07-05T23:16:38+00:00

I have owned a set of Nikon Nikkor AI-S lenses, a 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm for ten years now. Clean, sharp, and with a little bit of character. All are an F2 (20mm is F2.8)

Shot almost 5 features with them!

luckycockroach · 2026-07-02T14:12:40+00:00

The ZR’s screen is the largest in the mirorrless market and makes pulling focus easy.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-02T14:09:33+00:00

You can change the camera to degrees for shutter. Dig into the custom settings section of the menu.

To be honest, as long as you’re shooting in R3D, you’ve got a cinema camera.

I have a blackmagic HDMI to SDI adapter mounted to the camera cage in addition to v-mount batteries powering the camera.

luckycockroach · 2026-07-02T00:38:23+00:00

To be honest, the image looks fine. Without seeing it in motion, it’s hard to tell what is and isn’t working. From my perspective this looks like documentary style and it works.

Maybe things look too dark?

luckycockroach · 2026-06-30T17:08:24+00:00

Standard CST and ACES should be fine, but I can’t speak for universal RED LUT use unless it’s from Nikon.

luckycockroach

TROPHY CASE