In this series, Creative COW goes "Behind the Lens" with talented DPs, VFX artists/houses as we unveil the magic used to create those stunning, heart-stopping scenes in our favorite movies and television shows. We'll look at films such as 'Cowboys & Aliens,' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2'; television series including NBC's 'Community,' HBO's 'Game of Thrones,' and 'The Walking Dead'; and so much more.
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: DP Jo Willems & Limitless
Join Debra Kaufman as she speaks with Cinematographer Jo Willems to discuss his latest film, Limitless. The premise of the movie imagines a dual reality for character, Eddie Morra - one in which he is broken and luckless, the other, wealthy and charismatic. How does a cinematographer capture the feeling of two vastly different worlds? By shooting both film and digital! Read on for the story "Behind the Lens", as Jo Willems describes to Debra Kaufman just how he achieved the look he envisioned.
Feature, People / Interview, Project
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Paul Cameron, ASC
"Henry's Crime", described by DP Paul Cameron, ASC as a "fable of sorts...with a folkloric beauty" is the topic as Debra Kaufman interviews Paul Cameron. Facing challenges such as limited budget, a short shooting schedule, difficult lighting and -20 degrees Fahrenheit weather all add to the mystique of a film playing out in a "classics style" storybook effect and elegant cinematography. Join Paul and Debra for a look behind making this fascinating tale come to life.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Art of the Edit
VFX Soup: Luma Pictures Builds The Destroyer and Thor's VFX
Marvel Entertainment's epic adventure Thor has dominated the box office in the last few weeks, with a worldwide gross of $357.6 million. In this cinematic version of the super hero tale, the powerful but arrogant mighty Thor is exiled from the mystical realm of Asgard to live on earth, in punishment for his reckless actions that have reignited an ancient war. Forced to live among humans, Thor's powers are tested when The Destroyer, a monstrous suit of living armor, is sent to earth. In the process, Thor learns how to be a true hero.
This fantastical action-adventure was helmed by renowned British actor/director Kenneth Branagh and stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as Thor, the ancient Norse god; Tom Hiddleston as Loki, his chaotic brother; Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Thor's love interest and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, the father of Thor and Loki.
In this article in the Creative COW Library, Luma Pictures takes us inside the building of The Destroyer and the Bifrost arrival to earth, the mystical storm that delivers the gods to the other worlds. Let Creative COW's Debra Kaufman take you to the realms of mythology and VFX possibility.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Film History & Appreciation
Behind the Lens: Captain America: The First Avenger
Join Debra Kaufman as she goes behind the lens in the latest installment of her film vfx series, as Captain America: The First Avenger is brought from the realm of comic book imagination and 2D art, to the 3D world with stunning visual effects. Get the inside story of how thirteen VFX houses contributed to this new Marvel super-hero franchise as they share their stories with Debra Kaufman.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Art of the Edit
Behind the Lens: Cowboys & Aliens & Editors
Creative COW’s Debra Kaufman had a chance to speak with the editor of Cowboys & Aliens, Dan Lebental, who was also Favreau’s editor on Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Cowboys & Aliens stars Harrison Ford as the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde and Daniel Craig as a stranger with no memory of his past in an event film for summer 2011 that crosses the classic Western with the alien-invasion movie in a blazingly original way.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: David Moxness, cinematographer
Award-winning cinematographer David Moxness, CSC has made a name for himself most recently in his work on FRINGE, a mystery/thriller about an FBI agent who works to solve strange crimes with an institutionalized scientist who works on "the fringe" of accepted science. In addition to FRINGE, whose new season premieres on September 23, Moxness also recently shot the miniseries The Kennedys. Among the series' 10 Emmy nominations is one for Best Cinematography, Moxness' first Emmy nod; Moxness also took home a Gemini Award (the Canadian equivalent of an Emmy) for Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series. He previously won the American Society of Cinematographer's award in 2007 for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Episodic TV Series for an episode of Smallville, and has been nominated for numerous Canadian Society of Cinematography Awards and Leo Awards. Debra Kaufman spoke to Moxness about his most recent work.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Bobby Bukowski, Cinematographer
Bobby Bukowski offers an inside look at one of the first features shot with ARRI Alexa ProRes, and how the camera completely reshaped the cinematographer's approach to 360-lighting. Bobby also talks about the DP's role as one of the characters on a set where actors don't rehearse, and preparation is the key.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Indie Film & Documentary
Behind the Lens: Where Soldiers Come From
Shooting in cinema verite style, filmmaker Heather Courtney focuses on three friends from Northern Michigan - a view of small-town America - who join the National Guard and ultimately are deployed to Afghanistan. The 'Where Soldiers Come From' documentary is an intimate portrait of these changed lives and is part of the 24th season of POV (Point of View).
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Steven Fierberg, A.S.C.
Steven Fierberg, A.S.C. is well known for the pilot for the new ABC hit Once Upon a Time, for Entourage, and the movies Love and Other Drugs and Secretary but this A.S.C. cinematographer was the artist behind the lens on many titles, including the pilot of How to Make it in America, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4, and Rage, the groundbreaking Sally Potter-directed cell phone movie. Look behind the lens with Creative COW.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Stereoscopic 3D
Behind the Lens: Flying Monsters 3D
Realizing that 3D would be a superb way to portray the prehistoric world of the Pterosaurs -- beautiful flying creatures with 35 foot wingspans -- Anthony Geffen and Sir David Attenborough's maiden voyage into stereoscopy was begun. Step back in time with Creative COW as we look into the making of Flying Monsters 3D.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Indie Film & Documentary
Behind the Lens: Marshall Curry & If a Tree Falls
Marshall Curry is most interested in a subject when reality cuts against his expectations. That's exactly what happened as this talented Emmy & Oscar-nominated director, producer, writer delved deeply into a story about the Earth Liberation Front in "If a Tree Falls," which is nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary on Sunday.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Martin Ruhe
Cinematographer Martin Ruhe was just honored with the ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Motion Picture/Miniseries Television for his work on "Page Eight," a contemporary spy film directed and written by David Hare for the BBC. Creative COW had the opportunity to speak with Martin for a look behind the lens of "Page Eight."
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: James Mathers Talks About 'Brake'
Cinematographer James Mathers discusses shooting Brake, an indie thriller starring Stephen Dorff that was directed by Gabe Torres from a script by Timothy Mannion. Nathan West and James Walker produced with their company Walking West Entertainment. The movie opens up theatrically in Los Angeles and New York on March 23.
Feature
James Mathers |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Air Racers 3D: Flying to an IMAX Near You
From the first air race in 1909 to the present day, spectators have been thrilled by the tremendous aerial acrobatics and speed performances that adept pilots and their beloved aircraft are able to achieve. "Air Racers 3D," produced by 3D Entertainment in association with L.A.-based Pretend Entertainment and Stereoscope, is an in-depth exploration of the fastest motor sport on Earth at the annual Reno National Championship Air Races & Air Show, and commemorates this century-old sport in IMAX 3D. The COW had the opportunity to get into the cockpit with the makers of Air Racers 3D.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Indie Film & Documentary
Behind the Lens: Sky Soldier: A Vietnam Story in 3D
When Major Joel Glenn went to Vietnam in the 1960s, he brought a 3D stereoscopic still camera and audiotape recorder with him to document his experiences for his family back home. Little did he know that 50 years later, his "home movies" would become the basis for Sky Soldier: A Vietnam Story in 3D that airs on Memorial Day on 3net, a tribute to his military service, and those of his fellow soldiers, as well as his extensive archive of 3D photos.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Art of the Edit
Luma Pictures Takes On The Avengers
Luma Pictures took on another Marvel superhero production - The Avengers. Luma completed nearly 200 shots, focusing on creating the interior of the Helicarrier by digitally extending and enhancing a practical set. The company also reprised its role in creating Thor's supernatural armor.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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MAYA
VFX Soup: Khaos Digital Helps Bones Tell Its Stories
A key element in the hit TV show Bones is the images on The Angelatron, an 8-foot screen that shows detailed images proving how the victim died. Khaos Digital's David Watkinson creates all those images for Bones, and specializes in creating content for screens that play back in real-time during production. Creative COW looks at how it's done.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Film History & Appreciation
Who Shot Rock & Roll - Arclight Productions
Arclight Productions just finished an original documentary short, inspired by and presented at the Annenberg Space for Photography's exhibit Who Shot Rock & Roll. The documentary -- Who Shot Rock & Roll: The Film -- was produced and directed by Steven Kochones and celebrates the collaborations between photographers and recording artists who created some of the most enduring images in rock history.
Feature, People / Interview
Steven Kochones |
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Cinematography
In Conversation with USC's Norman Hollyn
Creative COW's Debra Kaufman spends some time with Norman Hollyn, Full Professor at USC's School of Cinematic Arts as he prepares to embark on a two-year term as President of the University Film and Video Association and talks about the intersection of editing and film school.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Indie Film & Documentary
Behind the Lens: Navajo Teens Struggle Up Heartbreak Hill
Two young track stars at a rural New Mexico high school are torn between the lure of brighter futures and the ties that bind them to home. Home for these teens, however, is a small town on a Navajo reservation, and in leaving, they must separate from family, tradition, and the land that has been theirs for generations. Erica Scharf's Up Heartbreak Hill is a moving look at a new generation of Americans struggling to be both Native and modern. We take you Behind the Lens.
Feature
Erica Scharf |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Paul Cameron ASC on Total Recall
Paul Cameron, ASC, just finished work on the remake of Total Recall, directed by Len Wiseman and starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel with Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, and John Cho. Cameron was last featured in Creative COW for his work on Henry's Crime. His previous credits include director Michael Mann's Collateral and Tony Scott's Man on Fire.
Feature
Paul Cameron, ASC |
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Cinematography
Kallisti Media Produces 3D War of Wars
From Kallisti Media comes "War of Wars," a 3D documentary that combines historic stereographic stills taken during the war with modern day interviews with soldiers who recount their wartime experiences. Using stereographic stills to create motion imagery requires a toolbox of tricks, and Kallisti Media Editor Christian Glawe describes for Creative COW readers the post-production process - which relied heavily on Adobe software - to produce this compelling piece.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Filming a Docu in 2012 London with the Sony PMW-100
Trevor Ward has just returned from London where he was brought on to film a documentary during the games of 2012. The tour involved seventeen interviews, all over London, sometimes in a Cinéma Vérité style. Read the review based on his real-world experience with the new (and very lightweight) Sony PMW-100 camera.
Editorial, Feature
Trevor Ward |
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Blackmagic Design
MTV Trials 3D for Video Music Awards
MTV took a step towards 3D broadcasts at its annual Video Music Awards, feeding a 3D signal into the Regal Theatre adjacent to the event's downtown Los Angeles venue. That 3D signal was a real-time 2D-to-3D conversion thanks to Blackmagic Design's new Teranex 3D processor, which was shown at NAB 2012. Priced at $3,995, the Teranex 3D processor provides a 3D exemplified by depth of field and no artifacts. For MTV, the 3D broadcast is yet another step in experimenting with the right technology for the right event.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Taking 3D Shooting To The Limit -- with 3 Cameras!
HD pioneering cinematographer B. Sean Fairburn, SOC is now working on ways to make 3D cinematography possible for all kinds of difficult and dangerous activities, as well as first-person POVs. He speaks to Creative COW about his work to build rigs that are extremely mobile as well as offering different interocular distances for adapting 3D content to a variety of screen sizes.
Feature, People / Interview
Sean Fairburn, SOC |
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DaVinci Resolve
Grading Frankenweenie at Company 3
Colorist Rob Pizzey just finished the DI for Tim Burton's latest film, Frankenweenie, a 3D stop-motion animated tale of a boy and his deceased dog, brought back to life with the power of science. Creative COW spoke with Company 3 colorist Rob Pizzey in London about the tricks of grading a B&W movie that's also stop-motion and in 3D.
Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: David Boyd A.S.C. Talks about 'The Walking Dead'
David Boyd, ASC has lensed 10 episodes of AMC's highly popular 'The Walking Dead,' and also directed the sixth episode of the second season, "Secrets." Creative COW's Debra Kaufman spoke with David about shooting style, lighting and lens choices, and staying out of the way. To celebrate the new season of The Walking Dead, Creative COW Magazine is pleased to reintroduce you to David Boyd, the show's original DP, with unique insights to share on its shooting.
Feature, People / Interview
David Boyd, ASC |
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Cinematography
Michael Goi, ASC: Shooting TV with the Sony F65
Sony's F65 camera was brand new when seasoned cinematographer Michael Goi, A.S.C. decided to use it to shoot the pilot of the NBC comedy hit The New Normal. A past president of the American Society of Cinematographers, Michael's other recent projects include Glee and the first two seasons of American Horror Story. Goi speaks to Creative COW about using the F65 as well as his preferred workflow for TV.
Editorial, People / Interview
Michael Goi, ASC |
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Stereoscopic 3D
The Making of Flight of the Butterflies in 3D on IMAX
SK Films just released Flight of the Butterflies in 3D, an IMAX/giant screen film that details the true story of the scientist who spent 40 years researching the incredible epic migration of the monarch butterfly. Using, among other technologies, a specialized 3D snorkel camera designed by Peter Parks for close-up photography, the feature film features spectacular real footage of the brilliant monarch butterfly sanctuaries.
Editorial, Feature
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Firefly: DP David Boyd ASC Recalls Shooting The Cult Classic
Well before David Boyd A.S.C. shot a single frame of The Walking Dead, Deadwood, or Friday Night Lights, he was the cinematographer for every episode of the short-lived, much-loved series Firefly, from writer-director Joss Whedon. On the 10th anniversary of Firefly, David talks to Creative COW about shooting Firefly, the show's remarkable life since its premature cancellation, and its passionate fans.
Feature, People / Interview
David Boyd, ASC |
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Cinematography
Hitchcock: Behind the Lens with Jeff Cronenweth, ASC
Psycho still retains its shock value, and the new movie Hitchcock, directed by Sacha Gervasi (Anvil!) and starring Anthony Hopkins as the iconic filmmaker and Helen Mirren as his wife Alma Reville, makes it quite plain how this horror-suspense film became an icon. Set during the filming of Psycho, Hitchcock features the artistry of cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, ASC, who references the mid-century era with a Technicolor-inflected look and captures an intimate view of Hitchcock’s personal life.
Feature, People / Interview
Jeff Cronenweth, ASC |
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Cinematography
Line of Sight: John Bramblitt's Story
Personal despair is turned into an inspiring vision of beauty and life as John Bramblitt learns to express his talent for painting - without sight. Join Stephen Menick as he relates meeting this remarkable young man and the tools Stephen used to tell John's story.
Feature, People / Interview
Stephen Menick |
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Cinematography
The Camera Is An Eye - Not A Vacuum Or A Gun
This article is intended to be a friendly guidepost for all shooters who wish to improve their craft. At the highest level, you, the shooter, are involved in one of the greatest art forms the world has ever known. At the lowest level, you, the shooter, are still involved in one of the greatest art forms the world has ever known. Find out how to channel your "Inner-Welles" and create the majestic poetry we all crave from your art.
Editorial, Feature
David Allison |
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RED Camera
House of Cards
Netflix is distributing all 13 episodes of its first season House of Cards at once, on streaming platforms. That's not all that makes this new political drama series unique. With David Fincher as an executive producer and director of the first two episodes, you'd expect a digitally-savvy pipeline and you'd be correct. In this story, Fincher's post production supervisor Peter Mavromates and assistant editor Tyler Nelson talk about how FotoKem's newly evolved nextLAB system played a role in streamlining the post pipeline.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Michael Slovis, ASC & Breaking Bad
Michael Slovis, ASC is behind the lens at the enormously popular and critically acclaimed AMC show Breaking Bad where he's shot four seasons and earned three Emmy nominations. Although his early work was in independent film in New York, Slovis has had a long, successful run in episodic TV including work on Fringe, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 30 Rock and many others. In one of the most compelling entries yet in our Behind The Lens series, edited by Debra Kaufman, Michael talks about the pleasures of shooting film, his stock choices (which he feels have never been better), why he sticks with prime lenses, and some of the dramatic approaches to visual storytelling that Breaking Bad creator and Executive Director Vince Gilligan has developed for the show.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Michael Slovis, ASC |
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Cinematography
KICKSTART THEFT: Filmed on Sony F65
Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and director Frederic Goodich, ASC got together to push the new Sony F65 to its limits. The result is Kickstart Theft, a short film based on De Sica's classic The Bicycle Thieves, which was shot in downtown Los Angeles in a range of challenging lighting and shooting conditions.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Claudio Miranda, ASC Makes New Rules for Shooting Life of Pi
When director Ang Lee brought on cinematographer Claudio Miranda, ASC to shoot Life of Pi, the two were faced with a multi-pronged challenge. For Lee, the movie was to be his first shot digitally as well as his first 3D stereoscopic film, and he relied on Miranda, who had experience in both. But Miranda had other challenges, including shooting the movie's extensive water scenes as well as a key character -- the tiger -- who wasn't there. In this article, Miranda explains how he made it all work, to create what is arguably the year's most gorgeous movie.
Feature, People / Interview
Claudio Miranda, ASC |
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Indie Film & Documentary
Mondays at Racine Documents Beauty Salon for Cancer Fighters
Filmmaker Cynthia Wade - who previously won an Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject for Freeheld - has recently finished Mondays at Racine, a moving piece about two sisters who open up their beauty salon every Monday to cater to breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Focusing on two characters, the film delves deeply into the emotional lives of the women and how the salon, Racine, serves as a place of nurturing and companionship.
Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
America Is The Movie: WWII Exclusion Zone & Internment Camps
A unilateral action by the US government during World War II resulted in the forcible internment of more than 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Two-thirds of those interned were citizens of the United States, and none had ever shown any signs of disloyalty.
In February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the internment with Executive Order 9066, which allowed local military commanders to designate "military areas" as "exclusion zones," from which "any or all persons may be excluded." This power was used to declare that all people of Japanese ancestry were excluded from the entire Pacific coast, including all of California and much of Oregon, Washington and Arizona, except for those in internment camps. Nearly 40 years later, President Carter investigated the "justice" of the internment, and the US slowly began to set reparations and formal apologies into action. We go behind the lens with Stephen for his inspiration in telling this story.
Feature, People / Interview
Stephen Menick |
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Cinematography
The Making of 1000 to 1: Lenses & Lighting For The RED Epic
Working with Angenieux on new lens solutions for the RED Epic, wrestling freakish gym fluorescent lighting, wrangling national park filming permits: these were just a few of the challenges facing cinematographer and co-producer (and Digital Cinema Society founder) James Mathers in the making of "1000 to 1," an inspirational indie drama to be released later this year. James tells a remarkable tale of the lengths one production went to make their film look much bigger than its budget, with practical advice for filmmakers on every scale.
Editorial, People / Interview
James Mathers |
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Cinematography
The Nouveau French Wave of Cinematography for Television
Claudia Kienzle writes on the use of Fujinon Cabrio lenses by DP Bill Sheehy ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"). The article discusses in depth about the new handheld digital cinema shooting style that pairs the lightweight Sony PMW-F3 Super35 HD camera with the new Fujinon PL 19-90 Cabrio (ZK4.7x19) PL mount zoom lens. Sheehy is currently shooting the BET show "Real Husbands of Hollywood" using that Sony camera and Fujinon lens.
Feature
Claudia Kienzle |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: Game of Thrones with Anette Haellmigk
Cinematographer Anette Haellmigk shot two episodes of Season 3's Game of Thrones, the HBO blockbuster that returns on March 31. A native of Germany, Haellmigk was the 2012 winner of Kodak's Vision Award from Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards. A pioneering woman cinematographer, Annette's resume includes Das Boot, Robocop, Starship Troopers, Total Recall, The West Wing and many more.
Haellmigk speaks to Creative COW about her path as a pioneering female cinematographer and her work on Game of Thrones.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Anette Haellmigk |
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Film History & Appreciation
Iron Man 3, Marvel & The Future of the Superhero
Victoria Alonso, Marvel Studios Executive Vice President of Visual Effects and Post Production, began her career in the early days of the digital visual effects industry. We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Victoria about the Iron Man movies, post production's evolution, remote dailies and coloring on set, 4K & HFR, and keeping the modern superhero movie fresh.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Debra Kaufman |
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Cinematography
Behind the Lens: The Kings of Summer with Ross Riege
Ross Riege just finished shooting his first feature film, The Kings of Summer. Currently working on a feature-length documentary with director Greg Kohs, Ross took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with Creative COW about his career path as a young cinematographer and his experiences shooting Kings of Summer.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview
Ross Riege |
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