The Kung Fu Hustle I saw is not the film I saw promoted in it's trailers.  This is a hard core, Hong Kong action pic which brings it's funny side above the surface.  The trailer simple promote the slapstick aspects of the film.  This is not Airplane.  This is not Caddy Shack.  This is closer to Jackie Chan, John Woo, Chow Yon-Fat.  I enjoyed it, but then again I liked Airplane and Caddy Shack too.

The Newport Beach Film Festival is in progress right now.  I have a group of students with screenings in the festival.  The film is entitled "90".  Jason Wise is the director and writer.  Jake McCurdy did a brilliant job as cinematographer and editor.  The film screens:

Wednesday April 27 9PM
Edwards island 3

Tickets are $10.00

To buy tickets call 866-NBFF-TIX
The film plays in the Getting Your Shorts in a Twist program.

It's a fine film.

I've noticed that there's plenty of traffic on the site but almost no comments.  Much of the value of the blog is lost without active participation on the part of readers.  If you have questions ask them.  If you have questions about the info published here ask about it.  If there's something that you'd like to know more about, ASK.  If you just have observations that you think others should know about post a comment.  I may be able to augment your comment with a post of an article to follow up. 

The other thing that would be helpful would be to post reviews of recent films you've seen.

I've been enamored of fiber optics HMI's for years for lighting in tight spaces.  I got a terrific demo from a company called Lite Panels.  This is one of the first uses of a technology that we're going to see more of in the future, solid state lighting.  These little units are just beautiful.  You have a lighting source which is extremely efficient from a power standpoint.  It remains cool in use and creates a lovely quality of light.  It's also dimmable from 0% to 100% with little change in color temperature.

Microdolly Hollywood makes a line of clever little camera support gear.   more »

I want to call your attention to Film And Digital Times.  This is a new newsletter published by Jon Fauer.  I spoke with Jon at NAB.  The inaugural issue is due out for May/June 2005.  The first issue is full of great info.  It's beautifully written and design so it's as visually pleasurable as you would expect from Jon if you've seen any of his previous offerings.  There is a PDF sample available of the first issue.  Their phone number is 877-445-8301.  Ask about their educational discount.  Tell them Bill Dill, ASC referred you.

Since my palm started acting up, I felt PCAM-less so I found this online depth of field chart.
 
I have not tested it's accuracy yet.

Another interesting device was the "Skater Mini" which seems to work very well for smooth small camera moves:  

J.L.Fisher have it for rental.

There is another bit of news i got from the Arri tech at their booth.


Apparently they are striking a deal with Grass Valley for the "Venom" flash mags to be used under a different name for the D-20. I think the images shown at the Arri booth were recorded using HDCAM SR so it can only get better.

The following info came to me from a fine cinematographer Guy Livneh.


In the Lowel booth there was a silly looking tabletop light named "Ego". In itself it was not impressive (could be an interesting prop) however the bulbs were interesting.


They were 27W daylight balanced fluorescent screw-in bulbs which could possibly be used in other instruments such as china balls etc. The color temp was better than BCA's et al. I hope to find a more inexpensive source for these bulbs.  

I bumped into an English company called Hamlet Video International.    more »

There were a few things I saw at NAB that caught my eye and I'll try, in the next few days, to comment on them.   more »

Today I tried to focus more narrowly than on previous days. I decided to concentrate on cameras, projection and post production systems.    more »

Panasonic spoke a lot about the future possibilities of their systems. This was interesting. It was as if they were more enthusiastic about where they’re going than where they are. I was not overly impressed with the AD-HVX200 camera.    more »

Today I did my first introductory session at the convention...   more »