Seeing RED
Posted on April 29, 2009
I’ve had several discussions with my colleagues regarding the historical perspective I expressed about the RED. (see my post, The Big RED one:)
http://www.richardmassey.tv/2009/the-big-red-one/
I’m surprised that I have to clarify this most important fact: I do know the difference between an HD camera you can get at Walmart and the HD ENG models we use.
My point is that once such a new technology begins to trickle down to the first generation of users, the use of such new toys is conservative, to say the least. Therefore, observing how they’re used, judging the initial products produced with these cameras, you would not be able to tell the difference which camera was employed (the pro or the consumer.) That disappoints me (which is not the intent of the camera’s manufacturers.) It happened ten years ago with HD, it’s happening today with RED.
I have several colleagues who’ve used it. They’ve proudly posted their photos. Yet, every production still I’ve seen shows it deployed on a tripod, 36′ – 48″ off the ground. Occasionally a high-hat, sometimes handheld, a steadycam once. But, no foot chases or car rigs, no jibs or dolly. They deploy the matt box, monitor, drives, focus assist… an entire spaghetti tangle of crap, every single accessory drips of it in order to attempt to make it look menacing.
I haven’t seen it with macro, diopter, anything greater than a 100mm lens, or less than 25mm. Have I seen it with any primes at all?
Everyone uses that matte box, though. But, what filter are you using in that box? (You do know that it is painfully obvious when you attempt a gradated ND or color effect in post, instead of in-camera?)
Furthermore, looking at the set, there’s still the standard flat lighting, same shitty office location, same crappy indie effort.
My point is clear: where’s the spectacle? Where’s the stunt? Why go to such an expense to have the same mundane task? (Now in even higher definition!)
If you’re going to dump a wad of cash for a special element to add to a project, wouldn’t it be better spent on some talent, location, costumes, pyro, fx, stunts, crashes, extras, CGI, etc.
The RED: If you have one, I’ll be impressed when I see it strapped to a motorcycle or Cesna. I’ll be envious when I see it with a probe lens, a Revolution lens, or a bellows tilt-shift kit.
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Cannes Film Festival, Dream Come Treu
Posted on April 1, 2009
You know about our film, BackPage:
BackPage trailer from Hugh Massey on Vimeo.
If you haven’t seen our website yet, take a gander:
Anyway, as you know we’ve submitted ourselves to a dozen or so festivals. On a dare, I sent in a submission to the Cannes film festival (the one in France.)
The other day, I was excited to recieve this:
Hugh MASSEY III
IMPYRRHICISTIC FILMS
ETATS-UNIS
Paris, 30/03/2009
Réf. : Présentation du film « BCKPAGE » au Comité de Sélection du 62ème Festival de Cannes (13 – 24 mai, 2009).
Monsieur / Madame Hugh MASSEY III
Vous êtes très honoré d’être choisi par nous pour l’inclusion dans notre festival du film. Vous êtes un brillant réalisateur de films. Nous sommes tellement chanceux de vous avoir sur cette terre comme un artiste de la plus haute qualité. Nous vous informons que votre film a été très apprécié par le Comité de Sélection du Festival de Cannes pour sa Sélection Officielle (Compétition, Hors Compétition, Un Certain Regard.) Nous espérons que vous nous ferez l’honneur de nous présenter votre prochain film tâtonner et à nos filles car elles vous servir du vin.
Vous êtes très honoré d’être choisi par nous pour l’inclusion dans notre festival du film. Vous êtes un brillant réalisateur de films.
Nous sommes tellement chanceux de vous avoir sur cette terre comme un artiste de la plus haute qualité. Nous vous informons que votre film a été très apprécié par le Comité de Sélection du Festival de Cannes pour sa Sélection Officielle (Compétition, Hors Compétition, Un Certain Regard).
Ce chef-d’œuvre du cinéma, nous avons fait éjaculer dans nos pantalons.
Je vous remercie pour la sauvegarde de notre ânes dans la seconde guerre mondiale.
Notre seul regret est qu’il n’y a pas assez travail de fellationes dans le monde pour vous remercier assez pour ce type d’art.
Avec nos meilleures salutations,
Pourquoi êtes-vous toujours la lecture de ce?
Avril imbéciles, fromage tête.
Ref.: Presentation of the film «BCKPAGE» to the Selection Committee of the 62nd Festival de Cannes (May 13 – 24, 2009).
——————————————————————————————————————-
Dear Hugh MASSEY III
You are very honored to be selected by us for inclusion to our film festival. You are a brilliant maker of films. We are so fortunate to have you on this earth as an artist of the highest calibre. We inform you that your film was loved by the Selection Committee of the Festival de Cannes for its Official Selection (Competition, Out of Competition, Un Certain Regard).
We hope that you will do us the honour of presenting us your next film and grope our daughters as they serve you wine.
This cinema masterpiece we made her cum in our pants.
Our only regret is that there are not enough blowjobs in the world to thank you enough for such art.
Thank you for saving our asses in world war two.
Yours sincerely,
Why are you still reading this?
April fools, cheese head.
Yeah, you read this far. April Fool’s, jackass! Here’s what they sent me a few days ago:
Hugh MASSEY III
IMPYRRHICISTIC FILMS
ETATS-UNIS
Paris, 30/03/2009
Réf. : Présentation du film « BCKPAGE » au Comité de Sélection du 62ème Festival de Cannes (13 – 24 mai, 2009).
Monsieur / Madame Hugh MASSEY III
Nous avons le regret de vous informer que votre film n’a pas été retenu par le Comité de Sélection du Festival de Cannes pour sa Sélection Officielle (Compétition, Hors Compétition, Un Certain Regard).
Nous espérons que vous nous ferez l’honneur de nous présenter votre prochain film.
Avec nos meilleures salutations,
Ref.: Presentation of the film «BCKPAGE» to the Selection Committee of the 62nd Festival de Cannes (May 13 – 24, 2009).
————————————————————————————————
Dear Hugh MASSEY III
We regret to inform you that your film has not been selected by the Selection Committee of the Festival de Cannes for its Official Selection (Competition, Out of Competition, Un Certain Regard).
We hope that you will do us the honour of presenting us your next film.
Yours sincerely,
(Name Ommited by Me, Richard Massey)
Adjoint au Délégué général / Deputy General Delegate
Directeur Département Films / Film Department Director
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment