Cinematography

Overcoming Equipment Limitations

Thu, 06/13/2019 - 14:09 -- Nick Dager

San Francisco-based cinematographer/colorist Stephen Berke was director of photography for the award-winning short film Snaggletooth, which had its New York premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Berke was also the DP for two additional short films, The Interview (currently showing on the festival circuit and Best in Show winner at the 2019 Albany Film Fest) and The Shepherds of Cat Island, a 10-minute single-take, premiering soon. His camera of choice is the Panasonic VariCam LT.

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Panasonic VariCam LT 4K cinema camera

Sony Announces HFR Upgrades for Venice

Mon, 06/03/2019 - 12:14 -- Nick Dager

Sony has announced that, following the Version 4.0 firmware release this June for its Venice digital cinema camera, which includes a high frame rate license to support 120fps at 4K 2.39:1, 110fps at 4K 17:9, 75fps at 4K 4:3 and 60fps at 6K 3:2, Venice’s Version 5.0 update will further enable cinematographers to shoot at speeds of up to 90fps at 6K 2.39:1 and 72fps at 6K 17:9/1.85:1. This addition enables Venice to capture three times slow motion at 24p, even in 6K. Cinematographers can utilize the same camera across multiple speeds, maintaining the full-frame shallow depth of field, as well as the high picture quality of oversampling in 6K.

Atomos Introduces Neon 4K HDR Field Monitor-Recorders

Mon, 06/03/2019 - 12:11 -- Nick Dager

Atomos Limited has introduced Neon, an all-new line-up of precision 4K HDR field monitor-recorders for on-set or in-studio production where reliable and trustworthy monitoring is essential. Neon comes in four screen sizes, 17-inch, 24-inch, 31-inch and 55-inch, ensuring that no matter the critical production usage, every crew member sees an accurate image representation so directors know with confidence that they have got the shot, that cinematographers ensure consistent exposure, focus pullers maintain the sharpness of an actor's eyes, and so editors and color graders can lock down the creative intent from shot to shot.

Panasonic V-Log Update Earns Netflix Post Alliance Approval

Fri, 05/03/2019 - 10:06 -- Nick Dager

The latest free firmware upgrade to Panasonic’s AK-UC4000 4K/HD HDR-capable camera system has added V-Log output, incorporating the full power of the colorimetry of the company’s line of VariCam and AU-EVA1 cinema cameras and making the camera useful for post-production workflows. With the inclusion of V-Log, the AK-UC4000 has earned approval of the Netflix Post Alliance for creating Netflix-approved content, joining the VariCam 35, VariCam LT, VariCam PURE and EVA1 on the sanctioned list.

Shooting The Enemy Within

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 11:49 -- Nick Dager

Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Frank Prinzi ASC chose Panasonic VariCam 4K cinema cameras to shoot The Enemy Within, a prime-time psychological thriller that recently premiered on NBC. The hour-long show follows the exploits of a former CIA operative serving a life sentence for treason who is freed by the FBI to help track down a dangerous and elusive criminal.

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Panasonic VariCam 4K cinema camera

Recreating the Original Star Wars Look

Tue, 03/26/2019 - 13:07 -- Nick Dager

Two visual effects-heavy commercial spots for Disney highlighting the latest Star Wars toys and merchandise benefited from play to the firing of children’s imagination: Choose Your Path focuses on The Last Jedi merchandise, featuring three children playing in an attic bedroom; a boy puts down a Kylo Ren toy, which then comes to life to fight Lego starships, while two of the children duck as a ship speeds past them on the red salt flats of Crait – which then seamlessly turn back into the bedroom with a classic Star Wars wipe. Galaxy Of Adventures features the original Star Wars trilogy and Solo: A Star Wars Story, with more children playing in an attic room, interacting with the toys and merchandise in a series of tableaux reminiscent of scenes from the films.

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Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses

Digital FilmTree Salutes NCIS: Los Angeles, Notes Many Tech Firsts

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 14:56 -- Nick Dager

Post house DigitalFilm Tree CEO Ramy Katrib congratulated CBS and producers Christopher Molnar and Erik Whitmyre on the 10th season of NCIS: Los Angeles. Katrib said that in nearly 250 episodes DFT has averaged 250-400 effects per show. He thanked producers on NCIS: Los Angeles for giving DFT their trust and allowing them to achieve several technology firsts

Maintaining a Vintage Aesthetic

Wed, 03/13/2019 - 11:52 -- Nick Dager

Cinematographer Xavier Dolléans chose a Sony Venice camera paired with Cooke Panchro/i Classic lenses to shoot Seasons 3 and 4 of Skam France, the French version of the acclaimed and innovative Norwegian youth series Skam, that follows a group of teenagers through their everyday lives of school, love and leisure time. Dolléans and director David Hourrègue wanted to reflect the darker storylines in the look of the show, while maintaining a vintage aesthetic.

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Sony Venice camera
Cooke Panchro/i Classic lenses

Mixing Realism with Comic Surrealism

Tue, 03/05/2019 - 11:50 -- Nick Dager

Based on the acclaimed Dark Horse action noir graphic novel, Polar: Came From the Cold by Victor Santos, the Netflix feature film Polar was directed by Jonas Åkerlund (Lords of Chaos) and shot by cinematographer Pär M. Ekberg with Panasonic VariCam Pure cinema cameras. Born and raised in Sweden, Ekberg got his start as a still photographer at a young age and eventually transitioned into cinematography. He has shot features, commercials and music videos for established artists such as Beyoncé, Pink, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and U2, and many others.

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Panasonic VariCam Pure cinema camera
Zeiss Ultra prime lenses
Zeiss Super Speed Lenses

Fraser Turns to Cooke Lenses for Vice

Fri, 02/15/2019 - 11:43 -- Nick Dager

Over the 50 years chronicled in director Adam McKay’s Vice, cinematographer Greig Fraser had the challenges of photographing actors playing characters twice their age — with intense prosthetics, makeup and hair — while also making a potentially dull series of office-based scenes into a visually interesting story for audiences. To accomplish this feat, Fraser relied on Kodak 200T and 500T film and Cooke Optics’ Anamorphic/i prime lenses.

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Cooke Optics Anamorphic/i prime lenses

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