Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Friend's Pics

Upgraded! New mounts & new batteries! More badass mountain biking, scuba, freediving, adventure race videos to come!--FBS grad Swany Swan

Friend's Pics

Last day on set this year is drawing to an end. Excited for some time off.--FBS grad Wes A.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Friend's Pics

Would like to give a shout out and a sincere Thank You to an All Star, talented, passionate, hard-working Crew & Cast that worked from sundown to sun-up to make the short film idea 'DEAD SILENCE' into reality! WOHOOO MAKING MOVIES!!---Director Clark H.
Photos courtesy of Rob T.



Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Film Crew Slang

Tentpole- A film designed to be a top grossing blockbuster (usually in the summer) to make up for a studio's financial flops. The Tentpole is usually part of a franchise series of films. Holy Tentpole Batman!

Pick of the Week

"They Live" (1988)- Famed horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape From New York, The Thing) provides a different twist on alien invasion. Professional wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper puts in an exceptionally great performance as a drifter who slowly discovers the alien plot to subjugate the human race. The manner in which the aliens overtly take over is disturbing and humorous. We all have experienced the feeling that we are being manipulated and deceived to further the plans of others. This film proves it.

Best Scene: The five and a half minute long fist fight between Jon (Piper) and Frank (Keith David) over a pair of sunglasses. It is one of the most realistic of all time.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Friend's Pics

steel wool, 4k sony slow mo, a lighter and youtube searching---Cinematographer/FS Instructor James Neihouse

Walkie Talkie Radio Etiquette on a Film Set

Tips for Proper Radio Use:
*Be professional
*Always use your name when identifying yourself. Common practice is to say "Go for ____(your name)" when someone calls for you.
* Keep your voice low when taking on the radio. Most crew will have ear pieces but keep your voice down. Especially when around actors. Just because they are not in front of camera does not mean they are not working.
*Know that anyone could be hearing your conversation.
* If you need to have an extended conversation (or private) take it to another channel. Do this  by telling the other person "Go to Channel___". For really private talks it's best to ask them to meet you in person.
*Production Assistants (P.A.s): If someone higher up than you has their radio battery go dead, give them yours and get yourself a new one. Same if their radio breaks. Be prepared by carrying a couple of extra radio batteries with you. You are being Johnny On the Spot by being so prepared!
* Always say "copy" meaning that you heard and understand. Without a response, people wonder if you heard them or not.

Common Radio Codes:
10-1: Going to the bathroom doing #1
10-2: Going to the bathroom doing #2 (It's not to be gross, just saying that it will take a little longer than #1)
10-4: I have heard and understand
10-20 or 20: Location of someone or something as in "What's your 20?"
"Copy": I Have heard and understand
"Do You Copy?": Did you hear me? Do you understand?
"Radio Check": Say this if you are not sure that your radio is transmitting or working. The proper response is "Good Check". If you hear someone ask for a radio check....respond!
"Stand by": Means that I am busy at the moment and will respond ASAP.
"Flying In": Always respond when asked to bring something or someone to the set. It lets them know that you are on it. Also lets us know that multiple people are not attempting to do the same task and wasting precious manpower and time.

Fancy Film Words

Mis En Scene (miz-en-scen)- Translated as "Placing on stage". It is the arrangement of all of the visual elements of a theatrical production within the scene or stage. There are generally 4 elements:
1. Physical setting and decor
2. Staging of the action
3. The way in which the elements are framed
4. The way in which the elements are photographed

Fancy Film Words

Mis En Scene (miz-en-scen)- Translated as "Placing on stage". It is the arrangement of all of the visual elements of a theatrical production within the scene or stage. There are generally 4 elements:
1. Physical setting and decor
2. Staging of the action
3. The way in which the elements are framed
4. The way in which the elements are photographed

Monday, November 18, 2013

Friend's Pics

Making ghosts for my short film #thehauntedhouse--Wes Alley

Friend's Pics



Fun times at Cape Canveral. Maven Launch of the Atlas V401 to Mars------Sound Recordist and FS Instructor Alex Ginzo

Friend's Pics

Shooting with the guys who make commercials for Quicksilver, Patagonia, Hurley. etc.. Needless to say, I'm Stoked to be their shooter, it's a good fit.-----Cinematographer Leo Jaramillo

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Friend's Pics

The gods are favoring me tonight. The winds are real calm in Ave Maria, FL---FS grad Dan Abbott

Friday, November 15, 2013

Dialogue Greatness

The Big Steal (1949)

Jane Greer to Robert Mitchum: What I like about you is you’re rock bottom. I wouldn’t expect you to understand this, but it’s a great comfort for a girl to know she could not possibly sink any lower.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Film Crew Slang

"John Ford"- A technique where an actor walks toward the camera (downstage) in the course of a long take eventually walking into his own close-up. Director John Ford was know for utilizing this technique for dramatic effect and to eliminate the need for additional shots. John Ford is THE preeminent director of the classic cowboy film. You should immediately rent "The Searchers" (starring John Wayne) to see a truly great director in action.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Dialogue Greatnes

“Alright you Primitive Screwheads, listen up! You see this? This… is my boomstick! The twelve-gauge double-barreled Remington. S-Mart’s top of the line. You can find this in the sporting goods department. That’s right, this sweet baby was made in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Retails for about a hundred and nine, ninety five. It’s got a walnut stock, cobalt blue steel, and a hair trigger. That’s right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart. You got that?”
-----Ash (Bruce Campbell) in Army of Darkness (1992)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Friday, November 8, 2013

Film Crew Slang

"Birch"- A 4x8 ft piece of birch plywood. It is used as a "dance floor" for a camera dolly when you need a hard flat surface to roll over. Commonly used outdoors in grass, sand etc., it creates a stable and smooth surface. Birch is used because it is extremely hard and can take the weight of the dolly, camera and at least 1 camera person riding the dolly.

"Dance floor"- A floor manufactured by the grip department that helps a dolly, crane or other mobile camera platform glide smoothly across a surface.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Friend's Pics

My Daughter and I at the Enders Game premier---SPFX Specialist Ken Gorrell