This last week was an amazing experience for me and I have to share a few things that I learned. Greg Freeman and long time friend and even more recently a partner in production asked me at the last minute if I would be available for a shoot. Of course any chance I get to actually work with Greg I am all over it, but with three kids and a lot of responsibilities with them I had to check with the wife and her schedule. As it happens I was able to spend two days with Greg on this production, so let me explain what happened. The owner of the Academy of Arts is an avid car collector. He commissioned a documentary be made about the cars and where they came from. His comment, and I quote “I want to be transported back in time”.
On the first day I had only the 5D Mark II with me as I functioned both as a Second Camera and Production Assistant. The goal was simple, assist the team in any way I could, but when it came time to roll camera I was tasked with getting other shots that the A Camera was not getting. As Greg (DP for this shoot) was using a Varicam 2/3″ camera with 2 different Zoom Lenses, I took the opportunity to see what he was getting (mainly wider shots) and I went in close. There are just so many shots you can do with one cameraman.
On the second day I brought my F3 with Zeiss lens kit to truly test the S-Log capabilities in the extreme light and shaded conditions. I will say that my philosophy is that you should always do what you can in camera so that there is less to do in post (Because I think like an editor too), but with S-Log I am limited by a couple of factors. 1. I can not adjust my color balance or dial it in like I can without out it, it is either 3200k or 5600K. While in playback there was a real difference between the Varicam and the F3 in the color temp, but what I saw from the rough edits (I will be able to post soon) the color correction to match them was not a problem at all.
Our crew consisted of DP, 2nd Camera, 4-ton Grip Truck with 3 people. The Director Chris and multiple other producers. The person I have to recognize on this was the Craft Services guy, he rocked!! As call time was 7am both days (which meant we woke up at 5am) and he had made breakfast burritos and hand delivered them to all the crew, “Love you man”! For what is was worth I have never work with a grip/ gaphing crew that could set up a scene as fast as they could. Allen, Joe… I will calling you guys every time I can!
These Images are screen captures from a Sony F3 with a MTS Lens adaptor to Nikon Mount with a Zeiss ZF.2 85mm f1.4 Lens
These Images screen captures from the 5D Mark II on a 70-200mm IS f2.8 Lens
