Z_Cunningham

Hi Everyone,
One of the shorts I wrote/directed recently finished its festival run and we released it online today. I figure I’d post here for you guys to check out. We shot it on a C200 (using raw) and regular Zeiss glass.
 
 
 

What cameras I want to have in my arsenal is always on my mind. I've become to much of a gear head. However I realize the camera is far from the most important part of a production. That said its still fun to think about and certain cameras can certainly aid in production. So here is my plan for 2020

Keep my XT3. 
It will really be my camera for when I need decent auto focus. Nothing else can really compete here besides maybe a C300 MKII which doesn't have 4k 60p or a Sony FX9, which is way out of my budget atm.

Buy an URSA mini Pro 4.6k old model.
These are going for stupid cheap nowadays (often under $2500). Nothing really competes with this camera for shooting in daylight at least at this price. I was seriously considering an Alexa Classic, but looking at dynamic range comparisons between the two the URSA really does well. Of course the Alexa does still blow it away but the URSA will cover almost any dynamic range situation you can throw at it. Plus they are half the price of an Alexa classic, more than half the weight, way less power hungry, way higher resolutions, pretty much ready to go out of the box without kitting it out. So yeah it really seems like a no brainer. Sure the Alexa might get me a few more jobs, but an URSA would be so much more versatile. I can easily throw it on a Ronin M, throw my Nikon AI lenses on it and still get an image that can match an Alexa, apart from dynamic range, which is rarely an issue when you have 12.5 stops to work with.

Buy an S1
The S1 seems to have an unmatched image quality for the price. The high ISO performance, full frame sensor, codec, and dynamic range are all incredible. Again I feel like its a no brainer camera. The codec and sensor aren't as great but the high ISO performance would beat out cameras that are 10 times the price. That is pretty insane. Plus the dynamic range is probably right there with something like the FX9 or C500. The value for $2000 is just amazing.

Anyways its going to be a good year regardless of my kit, I am investing a lot in lighting gear as well.
 

Hi Everyone,
One of the shorts I wrote/directed recently finished its festival run and we released it online today. I figure I’d post here for you guys to check out. We shot it on a C200 (using raw) and regular Zeiss glass.
 
 
 

I was making some memes last night and decided to make one for Resolve
?
 

I wish they'd just embrace their cinema snobbishness and be wonky about the craft/industry, but whatever.  It's a friggin' awards show.  Even when I go to "Oscar Parties" I tune it out and just chat with friends.  It's total shit show from top to bottom regardless.  As Andrew says, it's there to drive revenue.  Anyone that hasn't caught on to that reality yet and thinks it's some sort of artistic endeavor, god bless your sweet soul you beautiful butterfly.
Yes, it's virtue signaling.  And, yes, it's been that way forever.  Anyone even remotely know about most of the "best" Academy films from the 40's or 50's?  Nah, 'kuz they're mostly preachy Hollywood treatments of social themes.  Decent movies, some, but mostly just industry fodder.
So, same complaint, new generation.
In the meantime, people like my colleagues out here in the SoCal desert are doing our part by trying to make our film festival a destination for cinematographers.  Point is, there's always legitimate platforms for the nerdier side of filmmaking.  If you're really into it, just go look for it.
Expecting a Hollywood glamour show to be something it's not is odd.  It's like complaining about watching a baseball game...or, I guess, cricket.  You should really know what you're getting into and accept it or reject it for what it is.

I am no social justice warrior. I do cringe when I hear stuff things like Felicity Jones starring role in Rogue One is significant even though Carrie Fisher was doing the same thing in 1978. I do also love the Blade movies and recognize a black superhero was happening back in 1998.

However I think its historically or at least culturally significant as its one of the top grossing movies of all time right now while also having an almost entirely black cast. I think its encouraging during these socially and politically challenging times, not that we haven't had these same cultural problems throughout all American history. The success of the movie wasn't a shock to me, America loves Black men at least in movies, though it wasn't always that way. But its cool to see or recognize we are progressing.

My first short movie 'Winter Efteling 2018-2019'. Filmed with anamorphic lens Bolex Moller 16/32/1.5x. HLG and Eterna in post 
 
 

Don't know if this was posted yet, but checking it out now. 

Don't know if this was posted yet, but checking it out now. 

Pocket 4K and UMP on Gen 4 match colour-wise very well IMHO.

Appreciate the kind words. A lot credit goes to our DP and colorist. They both did excellent jobs. Our colorist actually reached out to the colorist from Moonlight for some colorspace info which was really helpful in locking down the final look.

Thanks. I like how the skin tones look. 

Oh I like the output a lot. But it would have helped with the noise some also. But it takes a long time to learn a new camera, and even then if you change to some other completely different shooting agenda then it is new territory all over. No easy way to do anything shooting, unless it is the same O same O thing every time.

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace

Hi Guys,
Here are some screens from a short I recently wrote/directed. Originally planned to use the Varicam LT but availability was scarce at the time of our shooting days. All in all using the C200 was pretty cool to use. Our colorist said that there was some slight noise issues in the shadows but the color cleaned up well. I can post ungraded raw tiffs in here if anyone wants to see any.
peace