Capturing Light - A Director of Photography's Podcast

In this episode, We talk about: So you’ve gotten on set, now what? Building a community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/capturinglightpodcastcommunity/ The Featured Director of Photography: Les Gaddis www.gaddisvisuals.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4781966/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 facebook.com/lesgaddisdp twitter.com/GaddisVisuals instragram.com/lesgaddis Let’s set the scene: Jubilee is a short film done for the 168 Film Project. It was shot and edited over the course of one week. In this particular scene, Joshua is on a better course through life. As he finds redemption from his past, he looks forward to growing his relationship with Jubilee. Check out the video below: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

In this episode, We talk about: The job of a production designer. The industry chain of command. Where a Production Designer falls. Communication between the Production Designer, Director, and DP. The Featured Emmy Award Winning Production Designer: Amy R. Williams www.amyrwilliams.com www.imdb.com/name/nm2403714 https://www.instagram.com/amyrwilliams/ https://twitter.com/spotonamy A Netflix comedy about the personal and professional life of Dev, a 30-year-old actor in New York. Check out the video below: (EXPLICIT) Check out the pics below: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

In this episode, We talk about: Finding a mentor, things to think about. Being critiqued as an artist – Criticism vs Validation. The importance of Social Media as an artist. The Featured Director: Nicole Fairbrother http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4048839/ https://twitter.com/nicfairbro Let’s set the scene: Monster is about a woman on death row. It’s a thriller and found footage film. The main character has been accused of murdering her husband. Check out the pics below: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

In this episode, We talk about: How Alex filmed two music videos with the same band and created two totally different looks. Making connections, networking, and getting experience on set. Talking about the Filmmakers Drinking Bourbon Podcast. The Featured Cinematographer: Alexander Elkins http://www.alexanderelkins.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AlexanderElkinsCinematography?ref=hl https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=79491833&trk=tab_pro https://vimeo.com/alexelkins Let’s set the scene: Pretty Little Thing was a performance music video with a little bit of an artistic story incorporated in it. Shot monochrome on Alexa and treated for black and white. Shot with white backgrounds on the performances and a gray background on the story driven shots. Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Let’s set the scene: The Nerve Endings music video was very dark and gritty. Shot in a abandoned house. This music video had a combination of performance shots, story driven shots, and slow motion 120FPS. Check out the video below: Check out the Filmmakers Drinking Bourbon Podcast… Bonus – Alex’s Narrative Demo Reel: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

In this episode, We talk about: How Sasha went from being an extra on set, and working in craft services to working in the camera department. Talking more about the traditional training route of cinematographers vs. independent, shooting your own projects to become a cinematographer. Narrowing down what you want to focus on as a cinematographer. The Featured Cinematographer: Sasha Moric http://www.sashamoric.com/ Sasha Moric’s imdb https://www.instagram.com/sashamoric/ https://twitter.com/sashamoricdop Let’s set the scene: The Invisible Mouth is a concept film that’s a 25 minute short. The film is set in an alternate future and based upon an illusionist who is expected of being a serial killer. Shot on the Red Epic in black and white. Sasha shot 30% of this film. It was a very minimal crew. Shot on Epic and Red One. The film was shot in a warehouse that was used for all the sets. Check out the video below: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

(SPOILERS) What we cover in this episode and interview: With the lack of new ideas and stories in film, avoiding something that you’ve seen before. One thing I have learned through my experience as a DP. The Featured Cinematographer: Stephen Campbell http://www.stephenfcampbell.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132864/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2 Let’s set the scene: Zombies surround a revolving door and Noah is trapped inside. Glenn tries to save Noah but can’t as the zombies over take the revolving door. watch the full episode at www.amc.com BEHIND THE SCENES – The Walking Dead The model they created that Stephen mentions on The Talking Dead: Tool mentioned by Stephen that allows him to get really low to the ground: Lambda Fluid Head http://www.cartoni.com/products/fluid-heads/fluid-heads-sfx/h520-lambda/ Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

What we cover in this episode and interview: Different paths to getting on set. Apprentice vs. shooting your own projects. Collaboration… working with other cinematographers Scheduling on a large project. The Featured Cinematographer: Gregory Middleton http://www.middletondp.com imdb.com/ https://vimeo.com/user2584583 Let’s set the scene: This scene covers Arya’s journey through the hall of faces inside the house of black and white. Greg talks about how he had the opportunity to establish the look of this particular location with his director and the designer. Using soft top light, to make the set Check out the video below: BEHIND THE SCENES – Games of Thrones Season Five Recommended Reading from Greg Middleton: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

The Featured Cinematographer: Matt Workman http://www.mattworkman.com http://www.cinematographydb.com http://www.cinematographydb.com/modern-cinematographer-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/mattworkmandp/ https://twitter.com/mattworkmandp Let’s set the scene: In this commercial for the Panasonic Tough pad, director Anthony Furlong created a deadly obstacle course to showcase the tablet’s “toughness.” The Tough Pad is extremely robust and it survived some huge hits to face, water, and huge falls. We shot this project with a Freefly Movi 10 with a Red Epic and Leica Summicron lenses. . Check out the video below: DP Previs: Behind The Scenes: (Bonus) First Music Video shot by Matt Workman: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support The Show By Becoming A Patron

In this episode, I talk about: What tools you should invest in. The Featured Cinematographer: Nico Aguilar http://www.nicoaguilar.com https://www.instagram.com/nicolasnicolby/ https://www.facebook.com/nicoaguilarphoto?ref_type=bookmark https://twitter.com/nicolasnicolby Let’s set the scene: When a drug deal goes awry, disengaged gang member Marcus is forced into a situation in which he must place his trust in a young rival gang member named Dean in order to survive the night. Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I talk about: How to get on a film set Websites mentioned in the show: http://gaddisvisuals.com/getonfilmset/ www.productionhub.com Monster.com http://www.backstage.com/casting/open-casting-calls/film-production-jobs/ https://www.stage32.com/ http://www.mandy.com/ The Featured Cinematographer: Daniel Cotroneo http://www.danielcotroneo.com https://vimeo.com/dc https://www.facebook.com/DCcinema https://www.instagram.com/danielcotroneo/ Let’s set the scene: In Dos Palos, a small town with big farm lands, in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California, there is the oldest family-owned and operated rice farm, called the “Koda Farms.” The founder of the Koda Farms is originally from Iwaki city, Fukushima, Japan, born in 1882. His name is Keisaburo Koda, who was widely known amongst Japanese Americans as the “Rice King” whose throne has been carried on by his grandchildren, Ross and Robin. This documentary is about perseverance, persistance, and passion of the Koda Farms through various hardships since the 1920’s and also a tribute to Keisaburo, the original seed of the Koda Farms. To find out more about the feature length documentary “Seed” you can go to: seedfilm.life Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Let’s set the scene: Set in the underground world of Asian organized crime, The Other Side, explores themes of justice, revenge and morality. The focus of the story lies in determining how truth evolves as a by-product of perception. An undercover detective must infiltrate an Asian gang’s compound and rescue his kidnapped fiancé. However, the reality is much different than he expected. To find out more about “The Other Side” you can go to the Facebook page: facebook.com/TheOtherSideShortMovie Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I talk about: Modifiers for lights Negative Fill My experience filming my first feature. (LEFT) Websites mentioned in the show: www.isanetwork.org The Featured Cinematographer: Les Gaddis www.gaddisvisuals.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4781966/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 facebook.com/lesgaddisdp twitter.com/GaddisVisuals instragram.com/lesgaddis Let’s set the scene: Check out the video below: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I talk about: Iphone apps for filmmakers: Artemis – a director’s viewfinder app Movie Slate – an intuitive slate app Shot Designer – an app to develop lighting plots and more. Helios – Sun Calculator that predicts where the sun will be. Some of the challenges I face as a filmmaker. The Featured Cinematographer: Les Gaddis www.gaddisvisuals.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4781966/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 facebook.com/lesgaddisdp twitter.com/GaddisVisuals instragram.com/lesgaddis Let’s set the scene: Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I talk about: Film Education – Film School vs. Online Training. www.gaddisvisuals.com/bestwebsitesforfilmmakers The Featured Cinematographer: Alex Bouno http://www.alex-buono.com https://twitter.com/alexbuono Let’s set the scene: The Wishing Boot music video was shot when Blake Shelton was the host of the show. Filming took place during the course of one day and was shot in multiple locations in New York, including a warehouse for performances. Things to note: Performance scenes in the where house was lit with an Octaplus as the key light. Backlights were Arri Ruby lights which were on a dimmer Location shots were lit with Kino Flos Check out the video: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I talk about: What’s your favorite focal length? Do you use storyboards or shot list? How do you cover a scene? The Featured Cinematographer: Eli Bam’s http://www.elybams.com Ely Bam’s Vimeo Page Ely Bam’s Facebook Page Let’s set the scene: Ely Bam’s goes into how he lights food and beverages. He not only goes over lighting, but talks about his camera choices and lens choices as well. Since lighting differs from shot to shot, he gives general information that can help you on your future product photography. Ely Bam’s Recommendations: “You don’t want shadows on the food. Shadows don’t make the food look good.” “I recommend at least 2k lights.” “Use soft lighting.” “Shot at higher frame rates with macro lenses.” “My camera of choice in the Phantom Flex camera for product photography” Check out the video below: Table Top Show Reel Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, I give quick tips about: Working with a great story. Working with what you have. Assembling the right Cast and Crew Shooting safety takes. The Featured Cinematographer: Matthew Scott http://mattscottvisuals.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4083468/ https://www.facebook.com/mattscottvisuals https://vimeo.com/matthewtscott/videos Instagram: @mtsfilms Let’s set the scene: A roughed out version of the lighting plot created with the director: Check out the video below: Screen Shots: Let’s set the scene: This scene is from another film called “The Constants” shot in the same location. Notice how Matt was still able to achieve a completely different look with his knowledge of lighting and camera. Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, we get into detail about: How to calibrate monitors. (For color correcting you can use the Datacolor Spyder monitor calibration) What are some tools you use to help with getting exposure? How do you get “The Film Look”? The Featured Cinematographer: Sam Nuttmann http://www.SamVisuals.com http://www.MotionState.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3813041/ https://vimeo.com/samnuttmann Sam Nuttmann has been shooting narrative films, documentary films, commercials, and music videos since 2008 all over the world. Freefly Systems, hired Sam as a filmmaker / product ambassador immediately following NAB 2013 when the MoVi was first introduced. Let’s set the scene: CREW DIRECTOR / PRODUCER: Collin Joseph Neal CINEMATOGRAPHER / MōVI OPERATOR / EDITOR: Sam Nuttmann 1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA: Carrie Robinson BTS PHOTOGRAPHER: Erin Neal DIT: Jason Vo SOUND MIXER / BOOM OPERATOR: Rick Reynolds WRITER: Samara Lermon MUSICIAN / COMPOSER: Sylvie Davidson GEAR Freefly MōVI M15 + MōVI Controller Black Magic 4K Production Camera Teradek Bolt 2000 SmallHD DP7 Hocus Axis 1 Remote Lens Control Leica R Lenses GEAR This shoot was all about shooting in low light, using mostly practicals in a small, dark pub. We added 2 – Arri 650 lights to bring up the ambient light, but that was all we could really squeeze into the room, which had low ceilings and little space to spare for any sort of additional light rigging. Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, we get into detail about: Camera recommendations for aspiring filmmakers. (Leave a comment for cameras you think should make the list.) Having confidence with charging day rates. Great resources for filmmakers online. https://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/ http://filmmakeriq.com http://blog.planet5d.com https://www.cinema5d.com http://www.newsshooter.com The Featured Director of Photography: Shaun Herbertson http://www.shaunherbertsonvisuals.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3764171/ https://www.linkedin.com/pub/shaun-herbertson/38/aa6/36b https://instagram.com/shaunherb/ https://vimeo.com/user1345015 https://www.facebook.com/shaun.herbertson Shaun studied Film for 2 years at Footscray City College from 2006 achieving his Diploma in Screen. Since then he has fallen in love with being behind the camera. Having worked on shoots internationally and nationally creating content for broadcast, corporate films, music videos, narratives and everything in between. Shaun is a Full Australian Cinematography Society Member. Let’s set the scene This scene was shot for Tim Hulsman’s “Dead Man’s Garden” music video. The concept is that the band is in purgatory and has to play the same song for all eternity. Directed by: Will cook and Produced by UP creative. The Setup: Check out the video below: Screen Shots: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, we get into detail about: Dealing with comparing yourself to others. Avoiding “Burn Out” in the film industry. The importance of being well versed in your craft. The Featured Director of Photography: ALEX FUERST https://www.AlexFuerst.com https://instagram.com/alex_fuerst_dp/ https://twitter.com/alex_fuerst_dp Alex is a professional director of photography and cinematographer. He specializes in motion graphic design and has been in the industry for twelve years. His work has taken him to many continents, countries, and cities over the years. He truly loves cinema. Watching “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at age six sparked his passion for film making at an early age and set in motion a pursuit to become a cinematographer. He studied and practiced the art and techniques of film and video production relentlessly for over two decades. Let’s set the scene This scene was shot for The Brown Lab. It’s a Patron Commercial that Alex was hired to DP. In the podcast, Alex explains his process for testing and prep, as well as some of the challenges he faced lighting transparent objects. The Setup: Check out the video below: Behind The Scenes: Let’s set the scene In celebrating the 35th anniversary of serving the community, The Brown Lab wanted a narrative piece that portrayed a father teaching his son. The positive lessons and values that are taught are then passed on to the next generation. At the end of the piece, the son is grown up and teaches his son as his father did before him. The Setup: Check out the full video below: Other Links and Resources: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

In this episode, we get into detail about: The positions that are involved in an average film crew. Keeping up with technology and staying current in the industry. Balancing marriage and an aspiring film career. Maintaining a positive atmosphere on set. About The Featured Director of Photography: Les Gaddis has had a passion for cinematography since the age of 12, when he started working as an event camera operator for his family’s videography business in New Orleans, Louisiana. Les has filmed 2 feature films, 15 short films, 13 music videos, 19 commercials and promotional videos, worked on 3 TV shows and covered over 500 events. Let’s Set the Scene: This scene was done for a camera test to see how the Blackmagic Production 4k camera handled lights that i’m accustomed to using. Adriana Rodriguez walks to the window. She is waiting on her boyfriend to come home. She realizes after time passes, he’s not coming home. Equipment List: Cameras: Blackmagic Production 4k Lenses: Helios 44-2 58mm, Jupiter 85mm 1.2, Rokinon 14mm T3.1 Lights: 1 – 1k Mole Richardson, 2-750w Pars, 3 Location lights. Dolly, Dimmer Water hose for rain The Why: I’m a huge fan of cooler tones in film. I felt giving this scene a cool feel just made sense in the context that Adriana is waiting at home, disappointed that her boyfriend isn’t coming. I wanted the rain at the window to roll off of her face. I still wanted to give her a very soft key light. The 1k with the shower curtain wrapped around her face beautifully. I wanted to create depth within the lighting so I shaped the lights in the background to give a more 3 dimensional feel. Check out the video below: Behind the Scenes: Let’s set the scene This scene is from the music video “Against The Ropes.” A little girl’s internal struggle to forgive her mom leads to her feeling as though she has to fight for her place in the world. The tone of the overall music video needed to feel cold/neutral. The little girl goes through a lot of trials in her life and we needed to visualize that in a compelling way. The How: Equipment List: Cameras: Canon 7d and Panasonic AF100 Lenses:Helios 44-2 58mm, Canon 17-40 f4. Lights: 4 – 650w Arri, 2-300w Arri, 2-750w Leiko, approximately 20 camera phone flashes. Steadycam The Why: There was not a single ounce of diffusion in this scene. All the lights we used had a very hard quality of light. The little girl was having a hard time through life so hard lighting naturally fit. The camera movement was very calculated as well. At the beginning, the shots have a little bit more structure. By the time you get to the climax of the song, the girl has grown up and seems like she is fighting for her life. This is when the camera goes crazy, Bourne Ultimatum style. As she begins to forgive her mom at the end, you’ll notice that the camera movement starts to calm down. Even with this being a music video, I think we’ve accomplished something great. Giving this video a very filmic feel even with all the cutting back and forth between performances. Check out the full video below: Other Links and Resources: Thank you for listening: Please let me know what you learned or thought of the show today. Subscribe to the podcast. You can ask me your questions at [email protected]. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron

Welcome to the “CAPTURING LIGHT” podcast. I’m pretty excited about starting this and look forward to seeing what it may grow into. For those of you who may not know me, I would encourage you to check out my website www.gaddisvisuals.com. The Mission Statement of the podcast: Capturing Light Podcast is a Director of Photographer’s Podcast that both inspires and educates filmmakers with cinematography tips, tools and techniques by other cinematographers from around the world. Why am I doing this podcast? Well I love light. Always have been fascinated with it. So one day I thought to myself, it would be great if there was just one place that I could go to and look at lighting plots, behind the scenes footage, and hear from DPs that are creating amazing work. Part of being a great DP is being able to communicate effectively with you director and crew. I can always improve in that area as well as my public speaking so why not jump into the podcast world. THE FORMAT: So what I would like to do is open up the show with answering emails. After the questions, I’ll try to end this section with a little tip or trick that I may have picked up or read about. Then I’ll give a random or fun little fact about the film industry. I’ll either go right into the lighting scenarios or if we have special guest, I’ll give a little introduction and go right into. A normal interview will be anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes depending on content and the length of the interviews and questions. Subscribe to the podcast so you’ll be updated with new content. Support the Podcast – Become a Patron