My first NHL game is in the books. I had a fun time over the last two days.--Michael Sluck, Freelance Camera Operator

  I got a sneak peek tour of the new Vu Studios location here in Las Vegas! With multiple studios of varying size and shape, full production and editing space, event space, private green rooms, conference space, and equipment rentals this is a BIG WIN for southern Nevada. Cutting edge technology in film production with so many uses for so many industries, just off the Las Vegas strip and a step away from our airport.--Jamie Schwartz

 

 

                     Voted for the 2022  Golden Raspberry Awards. There are some doozies this year!--J. Walsh

 

 

 A little jib op action for Full Sail Hall of Fame---James Neihouse, A.S.C.

Film Crew Slang

 Grid- On a soundstage (a studio space where filming takes place) there can be a Grid hoisted overhead to support lights, scenery, and other items. It is made up of pipes and lumber. Grids are mostly used for sitcoms and weekly TV shows. Those productions tend to have lights that have been pre-placed on the grid. You might notice that Sitcoms and TV shows often look different from Hollywood Feature Films. The reason is that films tend to use lights on stands placed individually for each shot.

Fire in the Hole! Fire in the Hole! Fire in the Hole!: Cover your ears and duck when you hear this being yelled on set. It is what Special Effects and Props crews scream just prior blowing something up or firing guns.

Hero- A special item, prop or accessory. As in “Gimme the Hero Bomb, we are shooting the close-up.” This is a request for the best-looking bomb. We are about to cut the blue wire….or is it the red wire? Television commercials have Hero as the star. The big juicy burger that is 6 inches tall, steaming hot is the “Hero” or “Hero Product”. The Hero “Product Shot “is usually the last shot of the day. 

Product Placement---Get the Facts Straight

 Product Placement is a way in which companies buy advertising space in a film for their client's products. It also is a way for a producer to fund some film production costs. Obvious examples include: Reese's Pieces in  Spielberg's "E.T. The Extraterrestrial"; Popeye's Chicken in Adam Sandler's "Little Nicky"; and the all time king of shameless product placement ...Michael Bay hawking General Motors  products and several others in "Transformers".

The Misconception: Students often think that if they place a product very prominently in their film that it may entice product placement payments. Wrong. It could actually get you in legal trouble. A deal has to be struck with the advertiser/company prior to featuring it in your film. They protect the image and associations of their products very carefully. What if parts of the film are offensive to the client or the client's perception of their demographic of customers? You have to solicit them and cut a deal contractually. Also, film festivals may have strict rules about copyright. 
Product placement is a marketing strategy used by companies to promote their products. Placements usually fall into two categories: 
1. Donated to reduce production costs
2. Placed in exchange for monetary compensation 

For more on Product Placement go to the link:

Product Placement Link

Movie Pic of the Week

 Bellflower (2011)- Two drinking, smoking college pals build muscle cars & modified weapons hoping that Armageddon happens. Their goal? To rule the roads just like in their all-time favorite film "Mad Max". That's enough for me...I'm in.