Waiting 2B Scene

Category: Videography

  • Blog: My Versatile Pocket Camera

    You know what it’s like right: you are out on a location, and something unexpected happens. Not the bad kind of unexpected – but the good kind. The kind of thing that you wish you had your camera for, all prepped and ready to roll. A versatile pocket camera would be sweet right now, right?

    The fact of the matter is that unless you are on a professional shoot, that simply might not be the case. But imagine if you could load a camera with fully functioning professional settings, in less than 20 seconds. I would at least consider killing for that kind of functionality. The good news is that I never need to.

    I rock around town with a humble Samsung Galaxy S6 in my pocket all the time. In a real bind, this at least gives me the 2-second capacity to take a rough record of what is going down. But then two years ago I discovered an app that many iPhoneographers would be very well acquainted with: FILMiC Pro.

    I love this app. You pretty much have the full manual controls that you would expect from your DSLR or mirrorless cameras – but it is in your phone! Want to take control of the aperture and white balance? That’s not going to be a problem. Feel like exploring the range of focus? Are you kidding? Get in there and set up a fully-fledged rack-pull! Not only that: you can then save all of your settings into a series of presets: imagine being able to run from inside under fluorescent lights, to outside in the bright sun – and handle the transition in next to no time on the same device.

    Seriously … squeezing what professionals do into a workable phone app, FILMiC Pro gives you arguably one of the best video accessories out there. Not convinced? Well, director Sean Baker took an iPhone, used the FILMiC Pro app (with some other cinematic sweetness, it must be said), and shot a short film. In fact, it went on to be theatrically released at Sundance. How sweet is that?!

    Photographer Chase Jarvis famously said that, “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” More than anything else, that is why I have loved having my S6. Constantly in my pocket, I can grab it, double-tap on the home button, and load the in-built camera in just seconds. Should there be a few extra seconds to play with though – then I launch into the FILMiC Pro app, take full control of my settings, and am prepared to make the magic happen.

    This is in no-way a paid advertisement for the guys… I just really love what it brings to the mobile cinematography marketplace. So, if you are interested in taking your phoneography to a new cinematic level – then do yourself a HUGE favour, and get the app today. At worst, it will be the first step in revolutionising your phones camera video quality. At best – it will mean having professional flexibility always on hand, sitting in your pocket. And you will be ready for that unexpected.

  • Video Essay: How to Suck at Soundtracks… Otherwise Known as The Marvel Symphonic Universe

    Okay this one just has to be shared and re-shared amongst movie goers, videography aficionados, and anyone who has a passing interest in good soundtrack scores in any form of moving picture.

    For better or for worse, music shapes what we see on screen… cinema, TV, or otherwise. It is an integral element with which a viewer can be seduced into rapturous emotion of various sorts. I do not remember watching the film The Exorcist as a child (thank goodness my Dad had some sense in that regard). Nevertheless, to this day I cannot hear the opening 8 notes of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells without having The Exorcist spring immediately to mind.

    Likewise, you will find it is true of many of our favourite films and TV series (Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, The X-Files, and Saiyūki – otherwise known as Monkey in English – are some great examples).

    Now here’s a question to be asked: can you confidently hum a tune from any of the ubiquitous Marvel Cinematic Universe releases that have been released over the better part of the past 15 years? Nah, I didn’t think so. Well, it has not gone unnoticed by the team at Every Frame a Painting either – and their video essay on the topic is must see viewing. I hope you enjoy it.

  • Blog: 3 Things to Expect from Us This Year

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    It’s great to back from our January hiatus. The proverbial batteries have been recharged, we’re ready to tackle the 2016 blogosphere – and we’re trying out a new format for our W2BS posts that clearly spells out what you can expect from us throughout the year to come.

    1. Monday’s we will share a How It’s Made Monday post to inspire you with some of the secrets of videocraft.
    2. Wednesday’s will be all about the Whatsit Wednesday posts: a series that will resource you to do video better – offering hints and tips on how to improve your videocraft. And,
    3. Friday’s will further delve into cinematography and videography with Flick Friday posts aimed at motivating you and supercharging your creativity.

    There will also be an array of ad hoc posts that cover all the other fun bits and pieces that the internet tends to offer – as well as the general blog post or two – so the future looks bright for Waiting 2B Scene in 2016.

    It’s wonderful to have you on board!