Digital FilmMaker - Issue 37 2016 VK Com Stopthepress

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make your first The new wave of
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Darth Maul Apprentice

The slick Star Wars homage that has
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Moving mountains Gothic challenge

Lexus transforms the scenery in Filmmaker
its latest and best commercial yet Sean J Vincent Gary Rogers on shooting his feature
tackles another adaptation of Wuthering Heights
Sony’s F5 in action crop of your
questions on Automatic Duck
We head behind the scenes of
new indie feature Two Down kit and much The US software firm that can
more... help boost your productivity
The Happiness of Larry 37
The award-winning short that cost less
to make than a large round of drinks 9 772052 096003
Panavision 8K DXL Lightstorm 120t Fiilex AL250 Eken H8R Canon DM-E1 TG-Tracker 4K
plus: director interviews / location shoots / production advice

news & latest kit / student perspective / filmmaking tips & tricks
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Untitled-1 1 26/06/2016 20:35

Welcome to
issue 37
It’s been another hectic few weeks putting this latest issue of
Digital FilmMaker together and, as always, we’ve got another
bumper crop of projects for you to pick through. In actual fact,
our email inbox has been so full with prospective enquiries for
being featured that we’ve currently got a bit of a backlog. So, if
you’ve been in touch and not yet seen yourself in these pages
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Digital FilmMaker 5
005_Welcome.indd 1 26/06/2016 23:14

Contents
issue 37
10
Gothic challenge
8. Digital FilmMaker news 24. Tunnel vision 46. Gimme shelter
The lowdown on the latest developments Producer and director Damon Rickard talks Tom Barnett and Matthew Sharratt are the two
from the world of digital video filmmaking about his beefy new film called The Package filmmakers behind a new short called Shelter
10. Gothic challenge 30. Made in Germany 54. Ask the filmmaker
Gary Rogers is the DP on a new feature film T7 Productions have struck YouTube gold with Professional filmmaker Sean J Vincent tackles
adaptation of the novel Wuthering Heights their Star Wars inspired Darth Maul Apprentice another round of your kit and career questions
18. Moving mountains 34. Tough call 60. Special brew

We take a look at what it takes to produce a James Grealish owns and runs the small Matthew Butler co-runs Fizz and Ginger Films
very slick commercial for car maker Lexus production company JG Films based in Bristol and has recently been working on Two Down
22. Wheel of fortune 40. High voltage 66. Prime mover

Director Bradley Kaplan used his prowess as a We have a chat with the three people behind Velton Lishke is as keen as mustard to tell you
documentary shooter to make Stealing Cars new science fantasy project Electric Faces all about his new film The Happiness of Larry
18 24 30
Moving mountains Tunnel vision Made in Germany
6 Digital FilmMaker
006-07_Contents.indd 1 26/06/2016 22:38

Subscribe and
save today!
Get Digital FilmMaker at
www.dfmmag.com
Turn to page
110
40
High voltage
34 46
Tough call Gemme shelter
72. Road warriors 92. Interview with a pro 107. Next month
Irfan Shah talks about his feature length Magix CEO Klaus Schmidt explains why they Make sure you make a note of the date when
documentary called The Ambulance Man have acquired Sony’s video editing software the next action-packed issue hits the stores
78. The underdog 96. Interview with a pro 108. Back issues
Imran Kelly is an amateur filmmaker working Wes Plate from Automatic Duck takes us on a Complete your collection of Digital FilmMaker
on a new series of interviews with sportsmen quick tour of the American software company magazine with this overview of what’s available
84. The student perspective 98. Magix competition 110. Digital subscriptions
This issue we talk to senior Canadian artist- Readers! Here’s the chance to win yourself a Get Digital FilmMaker the easy way. Take out
turned-filmmaker Margaret Lindsay Holton copy of Movie Edit Pro worth a cool £89.99! a digital subscription and save money too
91. Hardware advice 99. New kit 111. Hot 40 indie films
We take a look at all of the latest kit plus We pick through a whole host of the latest We pick out 40 or so of the current most
people who keep the industry ticking over hardware from cameras through to gimbals talked about and anticipated new indie films
60 66 72
Special brew Prime mover Road warriors
Digital FilmMaker 7
006-07_Contents.indd 2 26/06/2016 22:38

Digital FilmMaker july 2016
News
A quickfire round-up of the latest film and video kit happenings
cage fighter
ProMediaGear’s new VRC1 locks
pocket rocket
Olympus has released the LS-P1
onto your camera in two places and LS-P2 mics. The compact
creating a super strong and stable design lets you capture audio
rig. The unit starts with the PBX3 in the broadcast Linear PCM
Universal Bracket Plate and can 96kHZ/24bit format. The LS-P2
be used with many cutom plates even incorporates a Tresmic,
too. The second piece of the rig, 3-microphone system for
aligned and supported by heavy expanded frequency response with
sounding out duty guide rods, attaches to the better bass capture (20hz to 20,000
Canon has released the DM-E1, Bracket Plate, giving a cheese plate hz) and supports connection to
a compact shotgun-type mic and top with 1/4-20 threaded and non- magic touch external speakers via Bluetooth.
one of the smallest and lightest threaded adapters. The top adapter Reallusion has launched the It also includes a Normalization
microphones of its kind, which can be locked into your camera iClone 3D Video Compositing function enabling the levels of
makes it perfect for shooting on the hotshoe for additional stability. The Studio pack. The bundle features recorded files to be boosted to the
move. Thanks to the 35mm audio rig adjusts easily and slides up or real-time animation for virtual optimal distortion-free maximum
jack connection, it can be used with down to accommodate various newsrooms, dynamic 3D video volume without any additional
a range of compatible Canon EOS body styles and sizes. It costs montage, 3D layering effects software. www.olympus.co.uk
cameras and has a specification $199.95. www.promediagear.com and transparent videos inside
that features 90o and 120o stereo Reallusion’s iClone 6. The hassle free x1d
pick-up modes, a 50Hz to 16kHz company has collaborated with Hasselblad has unveiled the X1D,
frequency range, 66 dB S/N ratio, leading visual effects provider the world’s first compact mirrorless
-42dB sensitivity and comes armed Digital Juice to offer popular video digital medium format camera.
with a CR2032 Lithium battery. assets in one complete package. Weighing less than half that of a
www.canon.co.uk iClone 3D Video Compositing conventional digital medium format
Studio is available at $399.00 camera, the mirrorless 50MP model
Straptastic and includes: iClone 6 Pro, is ergonomic and compact, offering
Sun-Sniper has unveiled its new popVideo Converter 3, Super VFX a handling experience unlike any
range of Rotaball camera straps. 200, Virtual Studio Vol.1, Motion other. A completely new family of
Each of the seven models now pro audio Montage Vol.1, Virtual Studio dedicated autofocus lenses has
has a Rotaball Connector and IK Multimedia has launched Vol.2, Motion Montage Vol.2 been developed to support optical
a Blokker. The stainless steel iKlip A/V, the first smartphone plus a free bonus in the shape of quality and portability, offering a
mono-multi ball bearing allows broadcast mount for capturing Character Creator. Find out more wide range of shutter speeds and
the camera to pivot freely and pro-quality audio for mobile at www.reallusion.com full flash synchronisation up to
without obstruction. The rubber video. The accessory features 1/2000th second. Weighing just
washer with its snakeskin structure an integrated XLR mic preamp lease it 725g and including HD video, Wi-Fi
provides the safest connection to and wireless receiver support. It Kit distributor Top-Teks has put and built-in GPS, the X1D features
the strap. More security is ensured also boasts a large ergonomic together Top-Teks Leasing. In the a robust exterior and is dust and
by the Blokker, which prevents the handheld grip and an expandable same way that you would lease weather proof but costs £5,990.
camera from being unscrewed by smartphone holding bracket that a car, you can choose from the www.hasselblad.com
anyone not authorized to do so. shares the same technology as very latest kit, ensuring you are
www.sun-sniper.com IK’s iKlip Xpand Mini and the iKlip always ready to shoot. They give
Grip for ultra-steady shooting. The you the choice of five different
handy accessory can securely camera packages, options to add
hold any iPhone, iPod touch or accessories, full technical support,
Android device with a screen size fixed payments including a break
from 3.5-inches to 6-inches and clause and the added benefit of
costs a reasonable €179.99. having experts on hand - all in one
www.ikmultimedia.com package. www.topteks.com
8 Digital FilmMaker
008_News.indd 1 26/06/2016 22:41

The new Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is the first
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Untitled-1 1 26/06/2016 20:35

Gothic
challenge
Gary Rogers is the DP on a new indie feature
film adaptation of the classic novel Wuthering
Heights novel, which is currently being shot in
and around the Hertfordshire area
10 Digital FilmMaker
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 1 26/06/2016 01:27

Gothic challenge
Doing it
So, one wonders, with no
money in the bank per se, is this
project going to make it to the
finishing post? Of course it is…
“I was asked on board as DOP
for the project by Elisaveta,”
explains Gary. “The writer/
director had seen my showreel
and some of the film projects I
had worked on previously and
called me in for a meeting about
the project. I was impressed
with her vision for the project
and the sheer ambition and
scale of it. My background
is very wide and varied from
Official funding for this working on dozens of short
particular project has, so says films, indie features, music
DP Gary Rogers, only just videos and commercial shoots
started, which means that through my own company
he and the crew are in the Pixel Perfection Media. For
formative stages of filming. me, it is a dream project and a
Nevertheless, this stylish refreshing change from the sea
reworking of the Wuthering of horror films being made at
Heights story is likely to attract the moment! Not that I don’t like
a decent level of interest. Gary horror, I love it, but it’s great to
reckons it’s got an amazing be working on a period drama
cast and, naturally, an incredibly of such a great piece of text.
dedicated and talented crew, The project was initially brought
to life by Elisaveta, who also
“A dream project did the screenplay. It occurred

to her that, although there
and a refreshing have been many versions of
change from the Wuthering Heights throughout
sea of horror films the years (7 since 1939, 8

including the lost 1919 silent
being made” film), there had never been a
version that covered the whole
all of whom are helping to make story in its entirety. Therefore,
this period drama ‘the best the stories most non-book
version to date’. And, of course, readers were left with were
there have been many variations
on the theme over the years,
although Gary points out: “Most
adaptations have only told part
of the story and our director
Elisaveta Abrahall plans on
making this the most complete
version to date.” Unfortunately,
the budget is currently rock
bottom, but production value is
incredibly high with some great
locations already in the bag.
Filming is being done on the
RED One MX at 4.5k widescreen
and, adds the DP, “Though the
old RED One is now getting on a
bit, they still deliver!”
Digital FilmMaker 11
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 2 26/06/2016 01:28

snippets of a truly great work, get the huge sense of foreboding
which she wanted to bring to the and waste that the story
screen as a whole.” encapsulates. It’s very relevant
to modern viewers because it
Fatal attraction takes on subjects such as death,
Gary was ensnared by the desertion and crippling mental
project, mainly because of its illness and domestic violence.
wide variety of meaty subject It’s a film for the ages and shows
areas… “Love, lust, betrayal, really that human nature changes
wasted lives, jolly things like not at all. It took Elisaveta
that,” he chuckles. “Because about 18 months in total as she
it’s based on the book, which researched the book inside out.
is grittier and darker than any She contacted folklorists for
of the adaptations that have help in understanding seemingly
gone before. We’re seeing lots blithe references in the book,
of violence, both physical and which turned out to take the story
emotional and we’re trying to also in very interesting directions. Being from such a small insular could be done in the context of
community as Emily Bronte was, a short. “The feature itself will
she had an acute understanding be on the long side as there is
of local folklore that we have a lot to cover,” he says. “Since
lost. And, because such a lot of we are dealing with nearly 35
painstaking research has gone years’ worth of people’s lives
into the screenplay, some of her and we don’t want to make a
more oblique references have narrative simplistic film where
been explained and we’ve got we move from one major event
elements of the story that no-one to the next without explanation.
really has ever filmed before.” We want time to explore the
character’s motivations and to
Big ideas truly understand why they do the
Gary and the team also felt that things they do. That way there
this was a project that needed is just a sea of grey with unlikely
room to breathe, and was heroes and unlikely villains, which
certainly not something that is what we want. We want you
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 3 26/06/2016 01:31

Gothic challenge
genuinely conflicted about who top-end camera gear but, let’s

you like and who you don’t.” be honest, if it’s good enough
Making the task easier, for Peter Jackson then it’s good
however, was a crew that held enough for me! On top of that,
an affinity for the subject matter. it’s sporting the RED Bomb EVF,
“Crew were recruited from all rather than the old RED One super
over the place, and for the most heavy EVF. I love the saving in
part are all Bronte fans,” adds weight and size. As a general
the DP. “Rather like the cast. monitor on top of the camera I
The director is quite adamant use the Atomos Ninja 2, purely as
that a lot of book adaptations a reference monitor for someone
of works fail because they are
adapted and made by people
who have no love for the original
“It’s a film for the
story. So it hasn’t just been a ages and shows
case of recruiting people who are really that human
technically competent in some
departments, they also have to be
Midlands films recently. Lighting
has been handled by several
experience days to youngsters
where we can as this does help
nature changes
or become very familiar with the experienced individuals such as with budget and, after all, I was a not at all”
original work.” Kevin McDonagh. Kevin is my teacher in a past life!”
right-hand man and we recently With their experience, the crew to pull focus and not to record
Many parts started a joint venture Called The have also had access to some on. I was feeding this out to a
“Dominic Mason, our composer, is Shooting Crew where we provide great kit, which continues to help DataVision 7-inch Field Monitor,
scoring for us and his soundtrack full production services, kit and them through the feature-length but this recently got destroyed on
is amazing,” furthers Gary by crew. Kevin has major professional schedule. “The central piece of a shoot in Wales! Soundwise, we
way of an example. “And Alex experience with music videos, kit is the RED One MX,” reckons are capturing with a Rode NTG3
de Luca, who is helming the new commercial shoots and film Gary. “The RED was a camera I mic and blimp. Depending on
Viking TV series Storm Warrior work. Sound is handled by a few dreamt about owning for years what crew is available this is either
is our 1st AD. Suki Sandhar who different people depending on and eventually purchased a few fed into a Sound Devices MixPre
is 1st AC has worked on several availability. We try to provide work years ago. Yes, I drool over new 2 channel mixer and into a Fostex
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 4 26/06/2016 01:32

FR-2 LT recorder, or straight into tones. As for lenses then it’s a mix Way to go
the RED. The camera does have of old Contax Zeiss T* glass in Although things have been
astonishingly good audio capture 28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.4, 135mm moving along nicely, as Gary
to be honest! Meanwhile, lights F2.8 and some Samyang optics explained at the beginning,
depend on what room we have at 35mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5 and the finances are tight for this
available. They can vary from a 14mm F2.8. I am actually that project, but he remains optimistic
selection of Arri gear from 650’s impressed with the new Samyang overall… “I think we have been
up to 2k if we need to blast some DVSLR lens that I am currently in remarkably lucky so far by
sunlight into a room. To be honest, the process of swapping the Zeiss escaping any major incidents,”
we are using LED panels more and to all Samyang. Depending on he says of their progress to date.
more now due to the convenience how the fundraising goes we really “It is early days though, and we
and budget restrictions. There are want to employ some Steadycam have much larger scenes to shoot
some great quality panels about work and crane shots! Nothing yet involving a large amount of
now with better than 95% CRI is easy when you are working extras, children and animals.
accuracy, which work well. Our with RED One! It isn’t all top-end, I’m guessing this may be where
best panel being a Gekko Light however; I am running a dolly over things might not go to plan!
Tile, which makes a great beauty cheap water pipe! If it works, don’t The film also relies heavily
light as it gives incredible skin knock it!” on locations. The most recent
one was in some caves at the
Follies at Hawkstone Park. We
have been lucky to get amazing
locations, such as Kilpeck
Church, Acton Scott historic
working farm, which is doubling
as the farmyard and kitchens at
Wuthering Heights, while Clee
Hill is doubling as the Yorkshire
Moors. Also, we have use of The
Fleece at Bretforten, which is
acting as part of the Wuthering
Heights house. Many locations
are in the bag, with a few still
to nail down. The Wuthering
Heights house itself is always
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 5 26/06/2016 01:53

Gothic challenge
a tricky one to get right and, she wanted. It was initially

of course, we don’t want advertised on Spotlight and CCP
to disappoint the fans and and a few other industry acting
not meet their expectations! sites, but they also quite bravely
Working on location always went down the social media
presents challenges, especially route and threw the casting
with miniscule budgets! For process out to anyone initially via
example, the shoot on Clee self tape. They were predictably
Hill at the crack of dawn in inundated and had well over 150
applicants for both Heathcliff
“Crew were and Cathy, which they whittled
down and held a series of
recruited from all auditions for in Stratford
over the place, and Upon Avon, until they arrived
for the most part at the current cast. Sha’ori
Morris, who plays Cathy, she
are all Bronte fans” had actually worked with
before and, being a massive
February. Needless to say, it Brontephile, knew exactly how
was cold and wet. Clee is high, the character ought to play.
well, actually on this occasion it Meanwhile, Paul Eryk Atlas is a
was in the clouds! High winds, trained ballet dancer and actor
driving rain and mist. After all, who just totally owned the role
this is Wuthering Heights and of Heathcliff at his audition.”
so that all worked perfectly for
the feel of the story. We tried
to keep the camera dry under
the tailgate of the van, but it
was a struggle. To top the day
off the van got a puncture and
was too loaded down with gear
to change the wheel. We had
to call out the AA, which took 3
hours to arrive.”
Casting challenge
A film like this needs the right
kind of cast, so director Elisaveta
took on the task herself in a
very methodical fashion. “It was
very arduous,” says Gary. “She
undertook it herself with the 1st
AD and a designated casting
director. It took well over 8
months in total to get everyone
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 6 26/06/2016 01:53

Gothic challenge
Scraping by locations that require just a single

So far it has also been a case of or a couple of scenes. So Kilpeck
getting things done on a wing and Church is in our crosshairs next,
a prayer, with many favours being along with a lovely period house
granted by supporters… “An awful where one of the death scenes
lot of locations have been down takes place.”
to pure goodwill,” reckons Gary.
“And people like KC Carriages, Solid foundations
who are supplying the horses and “We’re very happy with the overall
carriages, funeral hearses and look of the footage,” adds Gary.
so on, run a horse rescue and “But that is I think because we
riding school near to Hereford were very, very clear about what
and they have been outstanding we wanted before we embarked
in their generosity, which gives it
a really huge production value we
might otherwise have struggled
“I learn something
to get. We have a crowdfunder new on every job. and quite a perfectionist, but I’m are by their very nature historic
and merchandise sales at present, I am all about the always critical about my work. works, it’s easy for adaptations to
and we are currently trying to
obtain more traditional funding
image and quite a This usually means I end up
wanting to do something different
get distant and stilted. We have
tried to make sure that all of the
too, but it’s an enormous task perfectionist” every time. More often than not characters are well rounded and
trying to make a film of this scale it will be lighting tweaks, like just investigated their relationships
with practically no budget. You upon it. This version is far wishing we’d added a little more and motivations deeply, so it’s
could wait for a suitable budget darker, grittier and more violent light here and there for a slightly more understandable why they
forever, so we decided to wade and sexually charged than any cleaner image and brought it do the things they do, so they are
in and shoot what we could of the other adaptations, so it back down in post. Lighting is humanised. As such, an already
easily. Thanks to really helpful requires quite a combination of an art, especially when shooting grim story is a whole lot darker
people the response has been wide immense landscapes and RED. I do love the images off than any of the other versions, with
immense, so we are now well into intimate insular shooting style to RED, but they do also like light! the huge social narrative Emily
the process. It is early days as adequately capture the flavour It’s something of a passion Bronte wrote into her work right at
the crowdfunding has only just of the book, and we feel that project, but we feel a relevant and the forefront. We are working our
started, but we have wrapped we’ve accomplished that. I feel marketable one. The Bronte’s have socks off not to lose any of that
a couple of locations and are I learn something new on every an enormous literary following daring social message and we
moving onto some of the unique job. I am all about the image worldwide, but because they hope it’s going to be epic!” n
010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 7 26/06/2016 01:54

2 01 6
2 5 -2 6 J U N E B E LFA ST
2 -3 J U LY D U B LI N
STE R
3 0 -3 1 J U LY M A N C H E
S G OW
2 4 -2 5 S E P TE M B E R G LA N
DO
2 8 -3 0 O C TO B E R LO N
-2 0 N O V E M B E R B IR M IN G H A M
19
Untitled-1 1 26/06/2016 20:36

Moving
mountains
Filming car commercials is big
business and, in the case of the new
one to promote the Lexus LC 500,
the crew had to quite literally move
mountains to make it happen…
If you’re a filmmaker just starting

out then shooting commercials,
especially those of the car
variety, look like the ultimate
goal. Exotic locations, high-end kit
and, presumably, a sizeable budget
means that you get to do it right and
the finished product will be seen by
millions. You only have to ponder
over some of the adverts running
right now to see how these iconic
chunks of mini moviemaking history
leave their mark on our psyche.
In fact, think back over time and
018-21_Lexus Commercial.indd 1 26/06/2016 01:04

Moving mountains
many of your favourite commercials

might be of the four-wheeled kind.
However, the reality of shooting a
commercial for the motor industry
is probably very different to the
dreamy vision you have of it. For
starters, there will be budgets and
they’re not always as good as
you’d think. Secondly, there’s the Tough call created using images projected in
time; because everything is needed During the shoot for this real time against a mountainside.
yesterday so you can expect a commercial, an unprecedented The effects were produced using
great deal of pressure. On top of projection mapping backdrop four of the world’s brightest
that, there is the critical need to was created to showcase Lexus’s projectors, which were subsequently
meet the brief and that’s not always flagship coupe, which you can deployed on location in Spain’s
as easy as you’d think either. In the see in all its glory right here. The fabulously photogenic Sierra
case of the new commercial for the new short film uses these ground- Nevada mountains. Created by
incredible new Lexus LC 500, this breaking projection mapping motion designer Edgar Davey, with
involved moving mountains in order techniques to preview the new projection mapping specialists QED
to get the desired end result… Lexus LC 500 with the car being Productions, this latest work follows
depicted in motion against a in the same theme of creative
‘moving’ backdrop, which was innovation as witnessed in Lexus’s
origami-inspired cardboard car and
fully functioning ice wheels for its
NX crossover model. The new film
and a supporting ‘making of’ feature
are both now available to view on
Lexus’s official UK YouTube channel
if you want to get a production-
side glimpse at what was
involved in this epic project.

Epic launch Whigfield. Meanwhile, the brief
With the new LC 500 coupe to be looked like it was asking for a lot.
launched in the UK in 2017 it was As a result, Davey produced a set
crucial to get the film ready to of visuals that takes the viewer
go this year and the storyline for under the skin of the LC 500,
the action makes for the perfect evoking elements of its 467bhp
showcase for its talents: ‘A new V8 engine and its world-first
Lexus LC 500 accelerates on a 10-speed transmission. He had
twisting mountain road and as it to be sure each could be faithfully
passes, its thrilling engine note rendered when projected against
shatters the rockface to reveal a the jagged mountainside – the
battery of pounding pistons and film’s natural backdrop and the
spinning gears. In another scene, canvas for Davey’s artistry – all
a face in the mountain side turns of which required precise
to watch the car speed by.’ It’s positioning of each
an amazing spectacle to herald
the arrival of Lexus’s flagship
coupe, the result of a pretty
revolutionary filmmaking project
that has shunned ‘traditional’
CGI trickery in favour of real-
world projection mapping artistry
on a previously unseen scale.
It’s also a film that its makers
reckon pushes the boundaries
of cinematographic techniques.
The aim is to give viewers an
immersive visual and aural
introduction to the LC, before
they actually experience the
car in the metal. Ultimately, it is
hoped, it’ll help sell more cars.
Location challenge
Shooting in a remote area of
Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountain
range was challenging, but there
are worse places to spend your
days. As mentioned, the film
brought together the talents
of leading motion designer
Edgar Davey and a team from
projection mapping specialists
QED Productions, led by Paul

Moving mountains
don’t think this would have been

possible a year or two ago, it just
wouldn’t have been a practical
proposition. I would have been
easy to try and fake something
like this, but to do it for real is
such an incredible challenge”
Multiple projectors had to
be linked to create a seamless
backdrop of images moving
over the mountainside, timed
to synchronise perfectly with
the LC 500 as it powered along
the twisting road. As well as the
evocative projections, the film
also focuses on some of the
design and engineering features
camera and projector. “It’s not that define the new coupe, such
usual to get a brief like this,” he as its arresting bodywork design,
said, “it was so ‘out-there’ that carbon fibre roof and retracting
we were breaking new ground.” rear spoiler. Inside the car,
craftsmanship detailing such as
A big deal the stitching of the suede-effect
The filming required a team Alcantara trim and the sculpted
of 20 working on location. surface of the magnesium gear
Equipped with four of the shift paddles, is contrasted with
brightest projectors in the the hi-tech appearance of the
world, they had just three nights 3D instrumentation that greets
in which to translate Davey’s the driver when they fire up
visuals into finished footage. the engine-start button. Every
Whigfield explained the scale nuance, every little detail had to
of the challenge they faced: “I be picked out and highlighted in
a painstaking process that didn’t
stop until it was right.
“Nothing of this scale had been
done before,” said Davey, “and
it was a challenging event just to
think about. But in the results, it
happened like magic.”
Well, as you’ll see from the
resulting film and also the
behind the scenes images,
what the guys achieved was a
truly stunning body of work. Of
course, very few of us will ever
get the opportunity to make a
commercial, let alone a high-end
one such as this. Nevertheless,
it’s an inspirational piece and
one that celebrates the car in a
truly awesome location. The new
LC 500 made its UK debut at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed
recently and will go on public
sale early next year. Has it got
you fired up to have a go at the
world of commercials? n

wheel
of fortune
Director Bradley Kaplan used his
prowess as a documentary shooter to
give Stealing Cars its edgy feel...
With a career that has included some of the major music labels.
ten years or so of making In that respect he has seen both
documentaries, Stealing Cars sides of the creative industry, from
is a film that has been perfect the slightly frustrating corporate
for director Bradley Kaplan. end that he has learned to court
He started out as producer on through necessity and, of course,
30 for 30, the TV documentary the independent filmmaking side of
series and helped create the things, which with his documentary
first ever offering in the shape background is something he clearly
of Muhammad and Larry, which has an affinity for.
followed the preparations for Ali’s
final attempt to win back the World Tough subject
Heavyweight title. However, Kaplan Which brings is to Stealing Cars:
has had a hugely creative career this gritty story follows rebellious
to date, including stints as a music teenager (Emory Cohen; A Place
producer and working in A&R for Beyond the Pines, Brooklyn) whose
022-23_Stealing Cars.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:03

Wheel of fortune
life spins out of control when reckoned was pretty crazy. as possible, but in many ways it opening doors for me, but it’s also
he gets caught up with police Nevertheless, he, his crew and the was great to have to tackle issues a case of just chasing after what
for stealing cars and lands in a sterling cast managed to pull it off. as they happened during the you want to do. That was the case
ruthless young offender’s prison. “We didn’t really get much of a shoot. And, with my documentary for me when I started out making
As he fights against the corrupt chance for rehearsals,” he laughs, background it was something documentaries, especially when I
institution of the juvenile prison looking back the breakneck speed that seemed like second nature, just upped and went to Sudan to
system, he inspires his fellow shooting schedule. “But then, especially as I’ve spent so much make one. We just kind of willed
inmates to make a stand and that’s when you come to reply of time working and instructing non- it to happen.” Which just goes to
take back their lives. Produced your great crew and the skill and actors in order to get the best from show that if you’re determined
by Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers professionalism of your actors. them.” enough it will happen, one way or
Club) and supported by a top tier The cast were perfect at taking another. n
cast including William H Macy what we had and running with it.” Working smart
(Room), Felicity Huffman (Cake, Kaplan also says that the majority While the project has succeeded
Desperate Housewives), John of the film was shot handheld too,
Win a DVD/Blu-ray
in opening new doors, Kaplan
Leguizamo (John Wick) and Mike which makes the end result all the also likes to keep the humble
player & movie bundle
Epps (The Hangover), Stealing more edgy as a result. philosophy of the late Ali firmly in with Stealing Cars
Cars is an emotionally charged his mindset as he progresses from
tale of courage and redemption. Great opportunity project to project. “Having time for To celebrate the release of
“And it all came about in a Similarly, working with an people is critical,” he says. “That’s powerful new drama Stealing Cars,
roundabout way,” says Kaplan. “I actor like William H Macy was the thing that struck me about Ali, from Executive Producer Mark
was over in LA in a meeting and as something of a thrill and, perhaps, he always had time for his fans.” Wahlberg, we have a Lionsgate
it turned out they’d decided they a little bit intimidating, but in a And, in a world that allows pretty bundle of strong movies to get you
wanted me to direct, even though good way. “The first shot we did much anyone to shoot a film, he in the mood, featuring Stealing
I was initially producing alongside with Bill was when he’s sitting in is also optimistic about the future Cars, Vendetta, The Gift, Sicario,
Rachel. With my background in the car and we’re shooting him although, baffled as we all are, Only God Forgives and The Iceman.
documentaries the subject matter through the windscreen,” says the remains slightly flummoxed about
Head on over and give us a
seemed like a perfect project to director. “It suddenly hit me how to make a living from it.
like at www.facebook.com/
make my directorial debut.” just how amazing it was to “It’s great that there’s all this
DigitalFilmMakerMagazine and
be directing someone like technology and anyone can
we’ll pick one of you at random to
Edge of darkness that.” do it, but getting people to see
get the prize.
As we all know, making Meanwhile, the movie your film is the other major
independent films is always was shot on Arri and obstacle these days. There’s The winner will be picked on
challenging and Stealing Cars was Kaplan made good use of just so much stuff out August 18th, 2016.
no different. While the film might a lot of Cooke lenses, there. So as well as
have had a million-dollar budget which helped get the needing a budget
– which is still small change dark and brooding for the film, I’d
compared to many projects – it feel for the “Dark say just as much
was right up against it in terms of and brooding nature needs to go into
production requirements. of the story,” says the marketing
However, the more you talk to Kaplan. “We didn’t and promotion.
him the more you get the feeling have a large crew I was lucky with
that Kaplan thrives on living and getting things the people on
on his wits, which is probably right was very this movie in
why he got on so well making much a case that they’d go the
documentaries. And, in similar of living on our extra mile to help
flying by the seat of your pants- wits a lot. Of out. That means a
style, Stealing Cars was shot in course, we did lot. Nevertheless,
just seventeen days, which his plan things out in Stealing Cars has
fellow filmmaking colleagues advance as much also been good at
022-23_Stealing Cars.indd 2 26/06/2016 19:05

Tunnel
Damon Rickard talks about
his film called The Package, a
beefy new project focusing on
vision
desperation and portrayal that
he has not only written but
produced and directed too
024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 1 26/06/2016 18:38

Tunnel vision
“The Package is essentially

my baby,” says filmmaker
Damon Rickard. “I have written,
produced and directed it. I
wanted to give myself a stern test
as to how much I’d learnt making
The Tour film previously and so
decided to take it from cradle
to grave by myself. Producing a
film, even a short, is not easy and
many years before,” furthers the ‘bad guy’, but let the story unfold beginning or be more intelligent
“Short filmmaking filmmaker. “I saw a fight taking
place and it got fairly serious.
and see if your initial thoughts
change. I also wanted to drop
with the writing. The recap is just
lazy in my opinion.”
doesn’t exactly There was a certain winner and you in the middle of it and try
shower you with a certain loser and it always left and have the dialogue as though Fighting talk
cash... so I have me wondering if the aggression
from the winner could have
the characters weren’t trying
to fill you in on something. You
All this talk of fights and winners
and losers brings us back to why
a day job” actually been justified. Without know, like when you join a police Damon got the thing underway
all the facts was I judging him to interrogation and the first line of in the first place. “It was through
a good producer should never be be in the wrong simply because dialogue is: “So let me get this the old adage of just wanting to
taken for granted. But, again, I he was the aggressor? So I straight…” and they recap the do it myself,” he laughs. “Well to
learned so much from doing this, wanted to tell a story which, conversation they just had before a degree. Co-directing The Tour
having to sort out all the little, and when you join it, you have your the audience joined them. Either with Alex Mathieson was my first
sometimes big, problems. Having perceptions as to who is the start the scene at the on set experience behind the
to keep an eye on all the pieces
of the jigsaw to make sure I’d put
it all together correctly. I re-used
a lot of the people from The Tour
project and the new crew I had
on board were fantastic. I wanted
to make something that scaled
back from The Tour in terms of
location and cast. But not in the
overall terms of the production.
I still wanted it to look like a
high-end short and, thanks to
the amazing cinematography of
Richard Bell, it did.”
Visual thing
“I came up with a concept that
contained the action to one
place and two actors and was
inspired by an incident I saw

films together when I can. It
does eat away at your spare
time when you get immersed in a
project, but it always feels worth
it at the end. The dream is to
be able to do this as a full-time
job, but in the current climate
it is getting harder and harder
to do that. Literally anyone can
make a film these days, so it’s
how do you get yourself noticed
in the crowd. There’s very little
monetary reward in self-financing
and finding distribution for
feature films these days. Every
so often someone strikes oil, but
more often than not filmmakers
don’t see much after selling their
films to distribution companies.
“We had an Alexa,

which was used for
the handheld and
tripod stuff and
a RED Dragon”
filmmaker. He’s currently on his

own project and it looks like it’s
going to be a corker.
All consuming But, making films has never

“Short filmmaking doesn’t exactly been about money for me. I’d be
shower you with cash though,” happy just to make a wage to live
adds Damon on his current on doing it.”
circumstances. “So I have a day Whilst it’s true that filmmaking
job to pay the bills and put the can be frustrating, especially
when it comes to monetising
your hobby, the real buzz still
lies in the ‘making’ bit. Damon
sounds especially passionate
camera and I couldn’t have asked quite a large scale project for a about his own self-penned
for a better learning experience first short film. I say beside me, project. “The theme is a mix
and the right person to show Alex was leading the way, but I’m of desperation and betrayal,”
me the ropes. It was a learn-as- a fast learner and felt a lot more he says. “I wanted to explore
I-go thing. Alex worked for E4 comfortable and confident on what lengths someone would
at the time as a promo director the second day of the shoot. And go to when they’re desperate.
and had run sizeable crews, so thus, my filmmaking career was The storyline sees us join two
I was very fortunate that I had born. There aren’t enough words mysterious colleagues in an
someone beside me that knew for how much I owe Alex and to abandoned tunnel and one is
what they were doing as it was say how highly I rate him as a tied to a chair and blindfolded.

Tunnel vision
It seems he has taken something as I’m not vain enough to think stalking he gave up resisting and No messing
of significant importance from I know best with everything. we slowly became friends. He was “With the kit I decided to go big
the other and, well, the other Therefore, input into the script known for playing more comical- or go home,” says Damon. “We
man wants to get it back. It was invaluable and certainly type roles, so I wanted him as it had an Alexa, which was used
could literally be a matter of life made it stronger by questioning would be giving him a role that for the handheld and tripod stuff
and death, so he has to revert things the characters did and said the audience wouldn’t expect. and a RED Dragon on a DJI Ronin
to increasingly more extreme and if I couldn’t explain it then it They both absolutely nailed it. for the steadicam shots. We also
methods to find out what he either got dropped or changed. We spent a fair few hours doing had quite a sizeable lighting set
needs to know. But, what is so Having it questioned was a great read throughs so that it was tight up with a number of HMIs and
important about this package? way for me to really step back on the filming days and, due to Tungsten’s. I had the DOP from
The influence in the film is a mix and think why is that in there? time constraints and make-up The Tour, Richard Bell, who
of Tarantino, Tony Scott and John The cast did such a superb job requirements at different points in really is absolutely fantastic. I
Carpenter.” too. Tom, who I worked with on the film, we shot in order.” literally cannot praise him highly
The Tour and was so impressed enough and he brought Ionut
Getting it right with that I wrote his role with (pronounced Eunice) Apetroae
“The writing took me about him in mind. We found Tom for along as Gaffer, He’s quiet on
2 months to sort,” adds the The Tour through an audition set but he is a workhorse and
filmmaker. “It involved numerous process, which he knocked out of everything just happens around
re-writes and putting it down the park. I also wrote Dan’s part you to perfection. I had Paul
and picking it up again. I also did with him in mind. I met Dan at While doing the practical FX. He
some revisions with the cast once FrightFest where he was showing was fresh from the FX on the
I had them in place. I wanted it to the film Stalled, which he wrote feature film Banjo and short film
be a very collaborative experience and starred in. After some serious She. He’s an excellent talent and

I can see him being snapped up The editing and VFX was done the score, my crew is getting
by the studios before too long. by Guy Pearson who did the VFX snapped up all over the place.
My first AD was Katie Bonham on The Tour. I feel sorry for him And deservedly so. To a man they
who is a great short filmmaker in sometimes as some of his digital were all fantastic.”
her own right too. This was her work is so good, people don’t
first time as 1st AD and she was
a star and went on to a string of
even notice it, so he doesn’t get
the credit he deserves. Michael
“The biggest parts
other sets following this film. And Chubb was on sound duties and of the budget were
after about 8 other films she then he went off and did various other travel expenses
went off and made her next one.
She doesn’t stop, and is another
shorts on the back of this one. In
fact, when you take my cousin
and putting a large
one that I would praise all day. in America, Eric Elick, who did crew up overnight” strapped to a chair for hours and
had to have someone fetching
Prime location a coat for him between takes,
The city of Portsmouth was the even though the sun was shining
backdrop for the film, which outside. One thing about using
turned out to be a perfect an unused building is the lack
choice according to Damon. “It of electricity and running water.
was an unused Victorian Fort So this meant we needed a
in Portsmouth,” he says of the generator and, although we had
precise location. “It was a joy to the quietest one we could get,
shoot in there and created such you could still hear it on the
a wonderful aesthetic to the boom mic recording. But credit
film. Bizarrely, it was so well- to Mike Chubb for managing to
built that even though we shot use the boom recording with
on one of the warmest days of the wireless mics we put on the
the year up to that point, inside actors and we got a wonderful
it was freezing. Poor Dan was overall dialogue track. The

Tunnel vision
lack of running water meant

there were no facilities to use.
Which meant getting a portable
toilet to the set and picked up
again. The biggest parts of the
budget were travel expenses
and putting a large crew up
overnight in Portsmouth, but the
kit was a fantastic deal, which
I got through Katie. So I had in
mind that I wanted to make the
film the best possible and if that
meant extra credit cards then so
“I am going to
shoot three shorts
in three days, all
very different from
each other”
was only so much credit I had,” the deadline so that it was right,
be it. I managed to get about 30 he laughs. “But I think I’d plan instead of being rushed. Things
to 40% of the budget through in an extra day. I had to lose a are looking good for it right now.
Indiegogo and currently have a few shots and shoot the ending I am thinking about an online
stack of packages next to me slightly differently to how I’d release and what avenues to take
waiting to go out to contributors planned it as we simply didn’t to do that. I’m not sure I want
as I speak! The rest was done have the time. None of the shots to just do a YouTube release,
on those credit cards and with that got jettisoned impacted the but we’ll see. Meanwhile, I’ve
some money I’d saved from my story, it was more coverage and also produced a project called
previous job.” some flair shots. Trying to show ended up with a version that was Rats, which is in post-production
off a bit. I’d also be harsher on not as good as it should have at the moment and should be
Corner cutting the edit and make sure it was been. Not getting accepted into hitting the autumn festival circuit.
Damon reckons he’ll make a few as lean as possible. I also gave that festival was a blessing in That stars Hellraiser’s Nicholas
tweaks to the production plan myself deadlines for festival disguise. I took stock and went Vince and The Human Centipede
next time around too… “There entries, which were too tight and back to the film and did it without 2’s Lawrence Harvey. I’m also
planning to do a scaled back
shoot in a few weeks to test
myself to see if I can produce
a high-quality film with minimal
crew and a tiny budget. I always
want to be giving myself new
tests and do different things.
This is the first time I have
spoken publicly about what I am
planning, so this is exclusive to
you guys. I am going to shoot
three shorts in three days, all very
different from each other. One is
a horror comedy, one is a take
on the current fad of using Skype
and the last is a somewhat more
violent and upsetting short than
anything I’ve attempted so far.
I’m very excited about it! It could
be an experiment that could go
horribly wrong. Or, if we pull it off,
then it could be that step to say if
I can do three quality shorts with
a small crew and kit then I can
certainly do a feature.” n

made in
germany
T7 Productions have been enjoying huge
success with their Star Wars inspired
Darth Maul Apprentice film, which
enjoyed over six million YouTube views
in its opening week alone
030-33_Darth Maul Apprentice.indd 1 26/06/2016 02:16

Made in Germany
T7 Productions Darth Maul battles with the Jedi. Blackmagic performance in natural lighting credible futuristic setting for our
Apprentice has not only Design digital film cameras, allowed the filmmakers to produce story, and do all of this in our
elevated fan film production including the Ursa and Production an organic aesthetic, very much native Germany.”
into a new league, but it also Camera 4K were used extensively in the style of the original Star The short film has garnered
demonstrates one of the key during the short film’s principle Wars films, and demonstrate the a great deal of attention from
aims of a filmmaking team: power of the Force through their across the globe, not only through
that credible sci-fi features can
be wholly shot and produced
“We don’t tend to cinematography, rather than be
too reliant on VFX.
its intricately choreographed
fight scenes, but also because
in Germany of all places. The use storyboards, but the film’s narrative centres on
success of the film has stemmed instead we map out A new dawn the dark side. “Understandably,
from the blend of the team’s
masterful cinematography,
the camera angles “It’s great to see so much feature
production going on in Germany,
there are a lot of Star Wars fan
features being made around the
combined with action specialist prior to a shoot” but the majority of shoots are world and so when we started
Vi-Dan Tran’s fight choreography predominantly period pieces, to think about how ours could
and Shawn Bu’s screenwriting, photography, which took place comedies or urban, realist stand alone, we decided to focus
which puts the focus firmly on primarily in outdoor locations dramas,” explains Shawn. “As on Darth Maul’s backstory and
the darker side of the franchise, close to the Luxembourg border. sci-fi fans, we really wanted to look at his early battles with the
depicting Darth Maul’s early The cameras’ dynamic range and follow our passion and create a Jedi, as they travel to his home

planet,” explains Shawn. “Of scriptwriting and Vi-Dan using
course, because we scoped this his martial arts and professional
out as a prequel, Darth Maul had stunt work to choreograph action
to be victorious over the Jedi, so sequences. “We don’t tend to
we instantly had a premise that use storyboards, but instead
was darker than anything that had we map out the camera angles
preceded it.” prior to a shoot as part of the
previsualization work for our fight
Team effort sequences,” continues Vi-Dan.
Shawn and Vi-Dan met as “The production of Darth Maul:
students and their shared Apprentice was entirely non-profit,
love of filmmaking led them to with friends and colleagues giving
found T7 Productions, working us their time when they could, so
on productions in between it was important for us to have a
completing their studies. Vi-Dan very clear shooting plan that the
explains that the two of them DoP and crew could work with.”
function as a very close creative Planning all of the camera
team, with Shawn leading on the angles well in advance also
contributed to the team’s Rig magic
decisions for the film’s camera The team worked with three
set up, with Blackmagic Design primary camera rigs: a shoulder
digital film cameras being used mount for close-up and intimate
extensively during the principle shots, a rolling gimbal to run
photography. “We’re both alongside the actors during the
huge fans of the flexibility that fight scenes and one Steadicam
Blackmagic’s cameras allow, and system. “As a general rule, we
so we opted to shoot with both used a 16-24mm lens for the
the Ursa and Production Camera action sequences and a 35-50
4K. Both cameras deliver a very for close ups,” explains Vi-
organic look, which we knew Dan. “As an action designer,
would complement both of our it’s really important for me to
outdoor locations, the forest and show the whole fight sequence
the beach, to add an element and all of the combinations
of realism into our story, very clearly, so with a wide angle
much in the style of the original lens you can get really close
Star Wars films.” and capture the intensity of

Made in Germany
Minimal effects reliant on VFX; this is much more

Despite the film’s sci-fi setting, apparent in Star Wars gaming than
the visual effects used within the in the film productions. We achieved
production were minimal. “The this through the blend of Vi-Dan’s
first scene, where Darth Maul is in amazing fight choreography,
his command centre, looking at a which the actors executed
virtual wall of monitors was shot in perfectly, complemented with the
right choice of camera package
“The cameras and shot composition throughout

each scene, and we were super
produced great happy with the end result.”
results with “The reaction to the film has
daylight as our been out of this world,” concludes

Vi-Dan. “We’ve had press interest
lighting source” from across the globe, and
some of our filmmaking legends
a green screen studio, and then our have referenced the film, which
additional VFX work came when is such an honour. We feel
adding in the light sabers during especially proud of making the
the fight scenes,” explains Shawn. film in Germany and, who knows,
He adds: “We really wanted to this could be start of a wave of
demonstrate the power of the science-fiction features becoming
Force through our cinematography a major part of the country’s
and staging, rather than being too production mix.” n
the fight.” The majority of the

film was shot on location in
woodland in Bollendorf, close to
the Luxembourg border, using
the natural light available as
much as possible. “The cameras
produced great results with
daylight as our lighting source,
and this again contributed to
a more organic aesthetic. You
really see this in the fight scene
set on an open sandy stretch,
where the cameras’ dynamic
range gave us a stunning, bright
backdrop to the fight, and yet
still retained plenty of detail in
the shot.”

tough call
James Grealish owns and runs JG Films,
a small production company based in
Bristol that has just finished work on Under
Construction 2 - A Journey Into the Dark
Side of Bodybuilding
Under Construction 2 - A UK underground as well as visiting

Journey Into the Dark Side Denmark where gyms are forced to
of Bodybuilding is a feature conduct doping tests on members
length follow up to a short by the government. This is no fluffy
documentary called Under throwaway project and its creator
Construction, which was James Grealish sounds like he
released as a digital download has invested a good deal of time
back in 2014. It follows UK and money in making the project
Bodybuilder Dave Crosland over happen.
a year of his life as he attempts
to increase the muscularity of Hard road
his body to a bodyweight of James says that the film was
400lbs via intense weight training, an extreme technical challenge
excessive protein consumption to make and there is a huge
and large and dangerous amounts amount that can be talked about
of anabolic steroids. During this regarding the various production/
journey, Dave also investigates post production/aerial solutions
the dark underworld of steroid that he and his team came up
production and distribution by with in order to realise their vision.
conducting anonymous meetings However, the film series is already
and interviews with lab owners, proving a global success with
black market chemists from the download sales across more than
034-39_James Grealish.indd 1 26/06/2016 18:45

Tough call
40 countries to date. “For this get on camera, such as a steroid

project I served as a shooting lab owner being interviewed
director, editor and colourist,” and a demonstration of the
says James proudly. “Under production process, but didn’t
Construction: The Film broke quite fully release just how dark
new ground by being the first the places were that this project
UK doc to give an uncensored would take us.”
agenda-free portrayal of a real
life heavy-user of steroids,
including injections, side
“We wanted to
effects and the social stigma fully explore every
experienced. With this follow- dark facet of
up film we wanted to fully
explore every dark facet of the
the pursuit of a
pursuit of a muscular physique, muscular physique”
particularly around self-image/
body dysmorphia and also the Building up wonder then that the project has main production beginning in
current climate that surrounds Not only is this a bold project, taken time to come to market October 2014,” says James.
steroid use and the black market it must have presented James and even more so because “We had resource to bring in
industry that drives it in the UK/ with a few challenges, especially James did so much of it himself. two other camera operators,
Europe. We set lofty goals for when he started to dig deeper “The film was conceived back but as production unfolded I
ourselves at the pre-production into the murkier areas of steroid at the end of 2014 with a month quickly realised that the job
stage as to what we wanted to use and production. Little of pre-production and then of documenting the unfolding
story around Dave and the
investigative sections with
anonymous interviews would be
far better served if I shot as a
one-man-band. I find there’s a
very fine line to ‘over-kitting’ and
‘over-crewing’ when shooting
docs and causing your subject
to put the ‘I’m on Camera’ guard
up is done far too easily. Many
of the ad-hoc interviews in the
film were shot with my Sony
FS7 sat on my lap turning over
whilst chatting with Dave and/
or his wife about nothing in
particular, then gently leading the
conversation onto the subject of
the film. We also had to be very
careful not to put-off the steroid
lab owner and the black market

chemist, as well as the Danish majority of footage in the film
steroid users who agreed to be we shot with the Sony PXW FS7
interviewed. Hence, it’s why the with two Sony UWP Radio Mics
Sony A7s was a perfect one- and a Sony ECM-XM1 shotgun
man-band B-cam for us as it can mic,” he says. “Which provided
be operated with a very small an excellent balance between
footprint and in challenging light being a run-and-gun camera,
conditions. The only aspects but with pro audio and video
features such as Super-Slow
“Sony A7s was a Motion, Phantom power and
S-Log gamma curves. We also
perfect one-man- shot a lot with the Sony A7s,
band B-cam... it can rigged in various configurations
be operated with a from cage mounted with the
XLR K1M audio attachment
very small footprint” and an Atomos recorder to
stripped right down as a ‘tourist
that employed additional crew in disguise’ camera worn on
was the aerial footage for which a strap round my neck as we
we worked with Yorkshire- were travelling around Denmark
based Sky Filming, and the on flights. We also used the
original soundtrack for which we A7s to capture timelapses in
worked with UK Electronic Music Raw format at several locations
Producer Kevin ‘Distract’ Derrick. around Yorkshire. Special
Both did an utterly fantastic job
meeting a very difficult brief (that
they had me to thank for!).”
Choice kit
James was also more than
happy to make optimum use
of Sony kit for the bulk of the
shooting process. “For the

Tough call
mention has to go to the A7s’ One Man Crew Director from We wanted a camera that was
low light performance, without “The film was Redrock Micro to mount the as non-intrusive as possible, and
the phenomenal ability to crank conceived back B-camera in a repeating parabolic easy to operate, so as to present
ISO off the camera whilst still
maintaining visual quality the
at the end of 2014 slider shot. Having a moving
master interview shot was very
as few barriers as possible to
Dave using it to express his
whole intro sequence to the film with a month of important to me as I wanted to inner thoughts and document
would not have been possible. pre-production” maintain the propulsive quality intimate moments. There is
Nor would some of the fantastic of the film when cutting to an IV also no watching of the footage
night-time shots of the Yorkshire Detailed work wherever possible. Therefore, back and deleting anything you
valleys that we included as James is clearly incredibly employing subtle camera don’t like with a simple GoPro,
GV’s/pacing shots. Mid-level focused about this project, and movement using the OMCD with which is an important point when
to prosumer camera tech is he has had to be, having achieved an A7s and 100mm lens for good trusting your subject to capture
advancing at such a rate that great results from his ‘skeleton background compression, I felt themselves. At first it was a
if we had tried to do this film crew’ strategy… “For the master continued the ‘timed’ nature of ‘shot in the dark’ experiment
as envisaged, say 4 years ago, interviews with Dave and his wife the story nicely. For the video to give Dave the GoPro as his
it simply would not have been we again employed the above diaries, Dave self-filmed so we vlog camera with no guarantee
possible.” camera setup whilst utilising the went with a GoProHero3+ Black. anything useable would come

of it. But, as it turned out, it rest of the film, which was winds of the year to hit Britain. location, then working again
became an absolute essential predominantly captured in The film was post-produced after a hard reset. As well as the
addition to the film as without S-Log. Hence, a high-quality using the Adobe Creative Cloud usual infuriating bugs/freezes that
it the ultimate hospitalisation yet budget conscious solution suite and colour grading was invariably come with creating a
of Dave due to kidney issues was needed that could capture done via a combination of LUTS complex timeline within Adobe
toward the end of the film would within the Lumetri Panel of Premiere. Sadly, digital low-
not have been captured. As we
were acquiring in HD we did
“We rolled with Premiere and with a custom look
we created using Magic Bullet
budget filmmaking is still an
evolving craft and, to me, it feels
not feel the need to expend the the punches as Looks. As with any reasonable as though we are all flying by the
extra budget on a 4K capable best we could and sized production, there were seat of our pants to some extent
GoPro4.”
could not have a myriad of unexpected
challenges along the way. I
from a hardware and software
point of view. Staying calm and
Up in the air done a better job” believe most of the job of a drinking peppermint tea is my
“Meanwhile, the aerials for the filmmaker on location is to be advice!”
film were captured with a DJI Log footage. The aerials the an effective problem solver,
Inspire1 operated by a two crew managed to capture and we encountered everything Value added
person crew from Yorkshire were incredible, especially from power cuts during master James reckons that he managed
based Sky Filming,” adds considering they were shot interviews killing our lights to our to cover the project with less
James. “We needed the aerial during a week which saw some Sony FS7 randomly breaking than £20,000, which included
footage to cut nicely with the of the worst storms and high- down for an hour one day on the camera kit. Considering it
was shot on location around
the Yorkshire, Nottingham,
Manchester areas as well as
London and farther afield in
Copenhagen and Aalborg in
Denmark that doesn’t sound
bad at all. “The film has just
been released worldwide as a

Tough call
download and stream via our in printed and digital media Happy landings production/release window.
own distribution site,” says the happening in the next couple of Given the slightly bleak The small production company
filmmaker. “You can find it at weeks. As ever, we will pursue content James is right to have I run, JG Films, primarily
www.underconstructionthefilm. broadcast as a potential avenue, reservations but, following the operates in the fitness sector,
com. We have initially had a be it in a reduced runtime format experience, he feels that by so our next feature project
phenomenal reception to the film and large he got the end result is already in production and
from both bodybuilding fans and
casual interest followers alike at
“The only aspects he was after. His production
company is also in a much
features six-time Mr Olympia
Dorian Yates, UK IFBB Pro
the films official Facebook page, that employed better place to tackle the next Bodybuilder Anth Bailes and a
which is at www.facebook.com/ additional crew project too. “This is something number of other legends of the
underconstructionthefilm. In the
interim, we are pursuing social
was the I have thought about at great
length,” he says. “And, actually,
sport. Details are secretive at
the moment but, once again, we
media marketing as the primary aerial footage” given how Dave’s story are planning to do something
sales driver for downloads/ ultimately unfolded, I believe different and grab everyone’s
streams, which is working well. or full. However, due to the we rolled with the punches attention! Aside from this, JG
We have submitted the film hard hitting and brutal nature as best we could and could Films continues to work with a
to a number of film festivals of some of the content, we are not have done a better job of small, exclusive list of clients on
for screening and have US not banking on broadcast as a managing what turned out to short-form/branded content and
and Canadian press coverage certainty.” be an extremely drawn-out live stream events.” n

High
voltage We have a chat with the three main people behind
Electric Faces, a new science fantasy project that also
brings in elements of the western and noir
040-45_Johnny Herbin.indd 1 26/06/2016 18:50

High voltage
“There aren’t many sci-fi films We met to discuss the film and
out there set in Scotland,” I was totally blown away by the
says Chris Quick, producer script and the accompanying
and editor on Electric Faces. storyboards, so I jumped at the
“I think the film is quite unique chance to work on it.”
and will hopefully catch the eye Writer and director Johnny
of festival coordinators. Critics Herbin agrees that this is one
have given encouraging reviews project that stands out from
for the film, so I’m quietly the crowd. “I was interested in
confident that the project will writing a sci-fi genre short,” he
become a great calling card for says. “I was very limited in terms
all the cast and crew involved. of budget, so that indicated what
I was approached by Johnny kind of stories and characters
back in 2014 to come on board I could work with. Sticking to a
Electric Faces as the producer. kitchen sink aesthetic seemed
appropriate and I’d not yet seen
that melded with science-fiction.”
Team effort
In order to make the film
Johnny teamed up with Chris
and cinematographer Darren
Eggenschwiler and the building
blocks of the production were
soon in place. “The film is set in
a future-Glasgow and follows a
desperate crook looking to get
money fast in a plot to intercept a
trigger-happy bank guard,” says
its creator. “When his friends
refuse to get involved he decides
to recruit an old robot called

Hugh to help pull off the job. quirky screenplay evolved.
I wanted to embrace our low- “The atmosphere of Hong Kong
budget and fashion something particularly had an impact. In
pulpy. The surface of Electric an effort to make it as good
Faces is science fantasy, but as it can be, I rewrote a lot as
there are elements of the western the production rumbled on. I
and noir era too. To me, the film storyboarded the entire short
also owes to 70s crime dramas myself, so cast and crew could
like Dog Day Afternoon or Taxi see what I was aiming for early
Driver more than Star Wars.” and ahead of shooting. I also
“I was the cinematographer, worked very closely with prop
maker Thom Wall at Sorenzo
“In an effort to make Props in Glasgow to create the

costume for our robot character
it as good as it can Hugh. Thom spends a lot of time
be, I rewrote a lot touring comic conventions with
as the production his work and he really engaged

with the concept.”
rumbled on” “Stephen Paton and Chris
essentially crewed the camera
although that word is thrown and lighting with me,” says
around loosely quite a bit these Darren, elaborating on how
days,” chips in Darren. “More they managed to crew the
specifically, I assisted Johnny production with little in the way
whilst he developed the look of of resources. “We had David
the film, did some lighting design, McKeitch and Omar Aborida
and some camera tests with working as our sound recordists.
Johnny early on. During the shoot, I operated camera and focus
I operated camera, rigged the pulled myself predominantly, the
lighting, and worked with Johnny bulk of the film being handheld
to find a compromise between his work.”
detailed storyboards, and what we “Omar also went on to do the
could achieve in reality. In post- post sound mix as well and even
production I was the colourist, brought a couple of our actors
which involved desqueezing and back for an ADR session to make
recropping the anamorphic image, sure we got the delivery of crucial
as well as grading the image with lines of the script just right,”
Johnny to approximate his original adds Chris. “Composer Daniel
storyboard colour palette.” McLearnon also provided the
film with a captivating electronic
Travel channel score that guided the audience
“I wrote the script back in 2013 from the opening cityscape
during a trip around Asia,” sequence right up to the
furthers Johnny on how the emotional climax of the film.”

High voltage
Stylish concept
“We shot on a Blackmagic Cinema
Camera 2.5k with EF glass,” furthers
Darren. “We had some Samyang
cine primes at hand, but must’ve
shot almost everything on the Sigma
18-35mm f/1.8. The film was shot
for 2.39:1 scope, using a Letus
AnamorphX anamorphic adapter.
The combination of a very sharp
Sigma, and the softening effect of
the Letus allowed us to overcome the
shortcomings of the BMC’s unfiltered
image sensor. Lighting-wise we used
a homemade 100W chinaball on a
boom, some bi-colour Litepanels 1x1,
croma, some Arri fresnels 300W, T2,
and a couple of Redheads.”
“We had Samyang

cine primes at hand,
but must’ve shot
almost everything
on the Sigma”
And, it seems, the end result
was much as they had hoped for.
Adding an extra touch of appeal to
proceedings has been the decision to
film up in Scotland, with the location
being ideal for offering up plenty of
fine places to shoot. “The biggest
challenge for me was at Jaconelli’s (a
Glasgow cafe),” laughs Darren. “The
ceiling at the back end of the diner
was about 6’2” - Johnny is quite a
tall guy, and I remember him ducking
his head to walk back there. So my
challenge was trying to light the
talent with zero clearance overhead. I
remember the rigging being rammed

up against the ceiling, flat and I
was using short skirts of cinefoil
to try and direct the light without
being able to rotate the fixture.
Eventually, I just ended up lighting
them with house fixtures and fill
light from the rest of the room,
which (thankfully) had double
the height. I’m not going to
lie… exposure back there was
definitely saved in the grade.”
Brief encounter
Electric Faces sounds like it works
because of the innovative approach
the trio have taken to the shoot.
With those limited resources the
team had to make the best of what
they had and, with some decent
kit, some industry experience and
a whole pot of imagination, the
film comes across as being much
more than its short format initially for an audience to sit through some new faces who auditioned the Royal Conservatoire of
suggests. “I think the film was even ten minutes of film let alone specifically for the project. Johnny Scotland, who was keen to come
always going to be a short rather two hours,” adds Johnny. “We’re had worked with Calum MacAskill and read for the part of Tom,
than a feature length project,” all still learning and I would rather (the robot, Hugh) and June Hazel despite not having any previous
says Chris. “And, the benefit with make something small and just on his previous film Mugging For filming experience.
a short film is it allows the market nail it, instead of pursuing a half- Amateurs and Chris had not long “We brought him in for an
to be tested to see what the baked, sub-standard feature film. finished a film with John Gaffney. audition and he absolutely
response is like from the audience Having said this, the short film George McWilliam auditioned for nailed it,” reckons Chris. “In my
and leaves them hungry for more. serves as a good crash course for them alongside their original actor opinion, Euan excelled in the role
The film certainly has potential to doing a feature in the future. for Tom, who had to withdraw of Tom and, considering he was
be expanded into a feature length a few days later due to theatre only 19-years-old and still in the
picture, which would allow the Acting up commitments, which clashed with early stages of his acting training
audience to see more of the world The cast for the film came from the schedule. Luckily, within days when we shot the film, it shows
Johnny has created.” a mixture of people the guys had of that happening the trio received he has a very promising career
“These days I feel it’s a big ask worked with before along with an email that Euan Bennet from ahead of him.”

High voltage
Lucky break nominees are selected each award ceremony next month to horror directed by Matthew
As is often the case with the year for the awards amongst pick up the accolade.” Cowan. It’s about to start making
film projects we feature in these the emerging talent in Scotland headway in the festival circuits -
pages, Electric Faces is the result and I think I speak for all of the Up next or so I’m told.”
of a meeting of minds, and much cast and crew of Electric Faces Mind you, the writer isn’t “At the moment I’m about
of the sucess of this particular divulging too much about future to begin filming Autumn Never
film is down to the willingness of
the crew and cast to muck in and
“I have a few scripts projects even though he has
every reason to be shouting
Dies,” chimes in Chris. “Which is
a sequel to a short puppet film
get the job done. “I self-financed I’m considering. ideas from the rooftops with a I did back in 2012 with Andy S.
Electric Faces through my job, I’d like to do a view to securing some potential McEwan, called The Greyness
so we worked to a extremely
limited budget,” agrees Johnny.
music video at investment. “Johnny is fairly
secretive about his upcoming
of Autumn. It’s about an ostrich
who lives with a monkey and how
“Having no money dictates how some point too” projects,” says Darren. “All I they live and work in a society
you do things, but it’s not an can say is that I’m keen to work where humans and puppets
entirely negative limitation. You when I say we are absolutely with him again, and I know live together as if it was normal.
are forced to consider what’s thrilled that Johnny has been he always has a few in his The original film did well on the
truly essential to narrative and recognised for his spectacular sketchbook ready to be pulled festival circuit over two years,
adopt an occasional avant- script. In addition to this, the out when the right time comes. so we decided to return to the
garde approach to production film is currently touring on the Personal projects-wise, I’ve had concept for one last adventure.”
challenges.” festival circuit with appearances a fairly long holiday from drama, Meanwhile, Johnny remains
The hard work is paying off lined up at both British and having shot loads of marketing fairly tight-lipped on what he
too with some good reviews and American festivals, with other content this past year. I miss it. has his eyes on as the next
accolades being handed out countries in the pipeline that I’m considering the Edinburgh filmmaking challenge… “I have a
already… “I am delighted to say declare later in the year. The 48-hour film project, so I suspect few scripts I’m considering,” he
that Johnny has been nominated film also received the Best that’s what’s next for me. If this adds in closing. “I’d like to do a
for the Best Writer accolade Short Award at the UK Screen is where referrals to my other music video at some point too.”
at the 2016 British Academy One International Film Festival films goes then please keep your For more information about the
Scotland New Talent Awards,” in Leicester. Johnny will be eyes peeled for Let The Bells Electric Faces film pay a visit to
beams Chris. “Only three travelling down to the festival’s Ring Out, which is a Christmas www.johnnyherbin.com n

Gimme
Shelter
Tom Barnett and Matthew
Sharratt are the two filmmakers
behind a new short called
Shelter, which was shot on the
Blackmagic Production Camera
EF 4K and has since been
doing the festival circuit
Working your way up the

filmmaking ladder hopefully
means that you gradually get
you use better kit every time a
new project dawns. Well, that’s
often the plan for people, but it
doesn’t always pan out that way.
Now that cameras are getting ever
cheaper though it’s becoming
increasingly realistic for any of us
to have a go with a decent shooter.
Add on a few quality accessories
and you’re ready to roll come first
day of the shoot. Tom Barnett
and Matthew Sharratt are quick
to agree… “The great thing about
our new film Shelter, in relation
to our previous projects together,
was the step up in quality,”
reckons Matt, who was director
of photography on the new short
and is also a keen reader of DFM.
“One of the key elements that
allowed us to do that was the
Blackmagic Production Camera EF
4K, which was loaned to us by the
incredibly talented DP Will Price.
Having used Canon C100 MK IIs
for the majority of our work, using
the Blackmagic was an instant
step up in cinematic quality and
accurate colour science. Coupled
with a prime set of Samyang
lenses, the camera performed
very well in all types of lighting
046-53_Matt Sharratt.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:00

Gemme shelter
situations. I also used a range of environment. After a lengthy

LED panels and fluorescent lights, audition process, rehearsing
including the Kino Flo 4Bank, with the cast let me to gauge the
which helped boost ambient light emotional impact of their roles on
with a subtle soft touch. Most screen, and allowed me to adapt
of the grip equipment was by the script to fit the narrative.
Manfrotto and was very reliable. Working with Matt to finalise the
Our main specialist equipment visuals was crucial also, as was
being the Polecam jib, which my time with the editor in post.”
was incredibly easy to set up
with its simple cable layout and
carbon fibre tubes, and very
“My main role was,
handy for capturing those special ultimately, to help
manoeuvres in camera. All the create a cinematic
kit worked in sync really well to
help us create the visuals we
and contemporary-
imagined.” style short film”
Perfect pairing “I was the cinematographer
“As director, I was charged with for Shelter,” adds Matt. “Tom
bringing my creative vision of and myself reviewed the script
Shelter to life,” says Tom, who’s and adapted it to the screen.
the other half of the filmmaking My main role was, ultimately,
partnership that developed the to help create a cinematic and
short. “Initially focusing on the contemporary-style short film with
characters and environment nods to the 1980s, with use of
during pre-production, I was camera and lighting techniques.
heavily involved with production I focused solely on designing
design to ensure that the post- the lighting and shooting script,
apocalyptic, 1980s aesthetic whilst remaining as close to the
was portrayed in costume and script as possible to keep it true

witness Jenny starting to lose her
mind. Then, one day, someone
knocks on the shelter door… It
was written by a good friend and
fellow student called Jake Lee. He
shares my love of retro science-
fiction and we often spoke about
such a project. He began to write
the script in early October, with
wasteland that is 1980s Britain the first draft being completed
following Armageddon,” furthers not long after. The final draft
the director. “Whilst those on the took about another month. Once
surface have degenerated into we had decided to proceed into
animalistic, primal savages, she pre-production, a few alterations
is clinging to whatever shreds of were made and two additional
humanity remain, living out her scenes were written (a fight scene
days below ground in a homely and a flashback), as we agreed
to the writers’ imagination. I also different settings and filmmaking this would give depth to the
helped develop the rewrites and
art direction, so that I was able
techniques,” says Tom. “A lot of
the inspiration for it came from
“The Blackmagic characters and give the narrative
some more context.”
to sync the visuals with the other Threads, a 1984 TV Film set in was an instant step
key elements to the film.” Sheffield against the backdrop up in cinematic Explosive experience
A good idea
of nuclear war between Russia
and the USA. For me, the main
quality and accurate “Plenty went wrong along the way
though,” adds Tom with a chuckle.
The pair explain that when they appeal of Shelter was its resonating colour science” “Anyone involved in filmmaking
were discussing the possibility similarity to the science-fiction will tell you that, no matter how
of making Shelter, it became works of the 1980s, which has fallout shelter. Her only form of thoroughly you prep, something
immediately apparent that the influenced me massively as a human contact is a wireless radio unexpected will happen. On the
project would have a very unique filmmaker.” playing the four-minute warning first day of filming, our prosthetic
quality amongst student films: “The So what’s the storyline? “Jenny on a loop and this fearmongering wound was wrongly delivered
story was unusual yet captivating, is a woman trying to survive propaganda is compounding her to Rotherham! That resulted in
and gave us the freedom to explore against the backdrop of a nuclear isolation. Slowly but surely, we me making a 70-mile motorcycle

Gemme shelter
trip at dawn to have it on set aspect of the room reflected the

by 7:30am! There were a lot of retro, post-apocalyptic look we
positive unplanned things too wanted. If we had tried to do the
though; like the overwhelming same thing entirely outside, we’d
support we received online.” certainly have struggled. Space
“There were a lot of happy was a major issue in that room
accidents that helped add though; I’d replicated the floor
significant production value to the plan in a studio for the rehearsals,
film,” Matt agrees. “One of these which helped greatly on the day.
was an exterior shot we were But Matt had to be really creative
shooting beside some road work in order to get a good variety of
maintenance. Although the sound coverage in there.”
didn’t benefit from this, we were
able to time it right so that smoke
would float across the shot once
“Plenty went wrong
‘action!’ was called, which ended along the way.
up adding a lot of depth and Anyone involved
atmosphere to the visual planes
and to the narrative. We also
in filmmaking will
shot in a WW2 bunker beneath tell you that”
an old wine lodge in the heart
of Nottingham. I had knowledge “When we scouted the bomb
of its existence for a while, but shelter, we realised that the size
wasn’t sure how to incorporate in of it was going to be difficult,”
to any film projects until the script Matt agrees. “Fitting lights, crew,
for Shelter came along. The idea gear and actors in that space was
of a WW2 bunker being reused in clearly going to be troublesome.
the 80s by a woman hiding from So, sitting down with Tom we
nuclear fallout, was the perfect spoke about ways to reduce this
match for this location. The issue, and I was able to go away
venue that owned it were very and design built-in lighting in
accommodating and happy to accordance with the set design to
let us film there, as long as they create more space. Which ended
got a few sneaky peaks at the set up suiting the film well, giving it a
and footage.” contemporary feel whilst echoing
that 80s style and also helping
Smooth ride the shoot run smoothly with little
“In many ways I think the bomb faff and making the footage look
shelter actually made life easier, cinematic. But I also agree with
for me, at least,” reckons Tom. Tom, in that it did benefit the film
“Because it was a confined space once we worked out the kinks
we could make sure that every and practicalities.”

a narrow shooting window - we
had three days. I also employed
a fantastic prosthetics specialist
named Kira Gwillam-Keeton for
the duration of the shoot, and
involved several action specialists
to work with me in choreographing
the fight sequence, in which I
made a cameo!”
“From early on I’d

been focusing on
distributing the
casting call as far
afield as I could”
“From the crew perspective,”
furthers Matt, “producer Deshan
did a great job of keeping things
on schedule and keeping morale
high. Jake helping with camera
“Plus, while we did have a a feature length. It’s also worth great results. “We had a crew of assist on the Blackmagic was
budget for Shelter, it wasn’t noting that a feature is much five,” says Tom. “Including me great too; he worked with such
huge,” adds Tom. “It wouldn’t harder to distribute than a short, as director, there was Matt (our positive energy and a speed
have stretched to fund a feature so this way opened more doors DOP), Deshan Sureshkumar (the that was refreshing to see. We
length production. By keeping from a networking perspective.” first AD), Jake Lee (the writer) who also had our Dutch friend Pim
the project as a short, we were acted as camera assistant, and sound operate, as well as later
able to maximise our resources, Compact team Pim Meijer as sound technician. helping with the visual effects
focus on high-quality scenes and As is usually the case on these We’ve all worked together on in post-production. And, finally
performances, thereby giving us projects, the cast and crew numerous shorts now and have a of course, working with the
a far more polished finished piece were kept to a minimum, but great working dynamic, which is director Tom was a great creative
than if we’d tried to draw it out to that didn’t stop the guys getting so essential when you have such collaboration. Everyone worked

Gemme shelter
so in sync with each other and they had registered an interest; And, by the sound of it, the duo It looks great though! I’m so
the schedule that problems that this was hugely beneficial as it had some things they wanted happy with the way it’s turned
occurred on the shoot were allowed me to review talent from to fix once it had been edited. out! We have a fantastic post-
resolved at lightning speed. It was beyond the local area. Ironically, “The screening revealed a few production team in Deshan, Pim,
a dream crew to be a part of. Sarah-Wynn-Kordas (Jenny) minor issues with Shelter that Matt and Jake; as such we had
“From early on I’d been and Danny Clarke (Mike) were we’ve since tweaked,” adds a really strong edit from the first
focusing on distributing the both Nottingham based, but that Tom. “Currently we have a final rough cut. One of the best things
casting call as far afield as I didn’t factor into my judgement, cut with totally locked visuals, about working with Matt is that
could,” furthers Tom on the their character portrayals were and are just making very slight we communicate a lot, so when I
point of the actors. “For weeks simply the best and too good to amendments to the audio, convey my ideas of how I want a
I inundated acting networks on miss out on.” although it won’t change the scene to be, he’s able to facilitate
social media across the UK, as story whatsoever. We’re hoping that with a fantastic shot. It’s that
well as putting out castings on Finished feelings to enter it into a number of Film working dynamic and that makes
various websites. I specified Of course, you’re never quite sure festivals throughout 2016 and as such a difference, both in terms
that applicants should submit how a project is going to turn out such we want it to have as high a of the atmosphere on set and the
an audition tape to me once until it’s been fully finished up. production value as possible. quality of the end product. I don’t

think you can ever have enough
rehearsal time, so in future I’ll
probably just devote a little more
time to that with the principal
actors so we can explore a few
variations for the scenes. Aside
from that, the only hiccups we
encountered were the unforeseen
circumstances already discussed,
and you can’t really account for
them. I probably should have
ordered that prosthetic wound
earlier though!”
“On the technical side, not
much would change,” reckons
Matt. “All the kit accomplished
what we envisioned. The only
thing I would consider would
be possibly using the new
Blackmagic Ursa Mini, just so
that I could utilise the different
frame rates for the benefit of the
narrative, to give the film a little
extra punch.”
Satisfactory result
“Shelter was everything we
envisioned and a product of hard
work, graft and pulling together
as a team,” says Tom, looking
back over the project. “It’s an
emotive and tense view in to
an alternate 1980s, where life

Gemme shelter
has been stalled by a nuclear Work in progress

apocalypse. It’s our little pride “I spent a while developing a
and joy of a film. We initially key look and cinematic visual
contributed just £75 each and style that complements the
agreed to make a promotional narrative and relates to a modern
video to drive a fundraising audience,” Matt agrees. “So
campaign on Indiegogo.com, I’ve handed that script to Tom
aiming to match the amount we’d who is currently adding his own
put in, giving us a total budget of spin, and we hope to go in to
£750. The online campaign was a production, as he says, around
great success and we were able September-October time with the
to raise close to that (a massive same dream team crew.”
thank you to all our contributors!),
but it was soon apparent that
we’d need more. We all chipped
“As the film
in to fund our respective progresses we gain
departments; personally I bought a more sympathetic
the costumes and several props,
Matt bought lights, props and
perspective of our
booked a studio for us. The total protagonist”
budget was around £1,200.”
And now the pair are busying “It’s an off-the-wall, visually
themselves with new projects… captivating short focusing on
“Over the next few months I’ll a rebellious old woman beset
personally be working on a by guilt and tortured by the
number of action projects with a misdemeanours of her past,”
team of stunt performers in the chuckles Tom, summarising the
UK and Ireland,” adds Tom. “And unusual-sounding film. “She’s
I’ll be involved on professional trapped in a purgatory that
sets in an action capacity also. takes the form of a cinema,
As a group, we’re starting pre- we get to explore past events
production on The Persnickity of Pamela’s life through the
Paradox of Pamela Pokk medium of film. Subjected to
and are aiming to shoot mid- watching these films, there is
September. It’s written by Matt nowhere to hide as Pamela
and reads very well, and there’s faces the realisation of who she
a tremendous amount of visual now is. As the film progresses
potential with it. I’m currently we gain a more sympathetic
working through the script and perspective of our protagonist.
advising on changes to fit the Think The lady in the Van meets
narrative, but watch this space!” Hot Fuzz.”n

‘
Ask the
filmmaker
Sean J Vincent is Time keeping first DSLR when I was 20. how many photos to take
a professional who I’ve been interested Since then I’ve bought before the camera moves
faces filmmaking in filmmaking and a lot of gear and started a bit, how far the camera
challenges every day cinematography since I filming weddings, but should move between
was around 12-years-old. I’ve always wanted to do each group of photos,
of his career. Here he I got more involved with timelapses on a slider to and how many frames
takes some time out it when I studied media get the movement, but should I have per second
to answer a few of at college, and after they always seem to fail. once I export it? Many
your questions… saving for a few months Could you please help thanks for your help.
I managed to afford my me out by recommending Garreth Evans
Win a 64GB memory card!

We’re giving away a Samsung
Pro Plus SDXC 64GB card
worth £87.99 each issue for your
best filmmaking question. The
Editor will pick a winner from the
entries received in collaboration
with our professional filmmaker
Sean. So, send in your queries to
robclymo@digpe.com today!
www.samsung.com/memorycard
054-59_Ask the Filmmaker.indd 1 26/06/2016 01:17

‘‘
Ask the filmmaker
There’s no hard-and-fast rule for

timelapse settings, but I usually
set the camera to take a picture
every 8 seconds
start with moving it maybe a
centimetre every 5 minutes.
It won’t be as smooth as a
motor controlled slider as that
is moving constantly. Once
you have your data card full of
photos from your timelapse,
transfer them over to your Mac
or PC and put them all in one
folder. I then use QuickTime Pro
Trophy time
‘open image sequence’ - it will
ask you to select the first picture Me and my mates are really starting to question
SJV: There’s no hard-and-fast in the sequence, it should then the merit of winning one of the many ‘accolades’
rule for timelapse settings, but find the others as long as they that seem to be handed out by the bucketful at
I usually set the camera to take are located in the same folder. countless film festivals around the world. These
a picture every 8 seconds. The Once QuickTime has put them things seem to be ten a penny and there’s an air of
length of exposure will depend together, you can then export
on the lighting conditions. The them as a 25fps move file in
‘so what’ about them as far as we are concerned.
slider motor needs to be able Do you think there are specific festival awards
to move very, very slowly. that are worth aiming for or are they all much
Mine takes just over an hour to of a muchness. Save for Cannes and the
complete movement from one unobtainable high-end awards, many of
end of the slider to the other. the lesser efforts seem a little bit pointless.
This is pretty hard to do without
a motor as you would have to
What do you think?
Terry Edwards, Neath
move the slider yourself and
try and judge the amount of
movement – not easy. I would SJV: I have to be honest and say that I don’t think
laurels from unheard-of film festivals are worth the hassle.
Obviously, like you say, the big festivals are always going
to be worth mentioning if you’ve won something, but adding
loads of laurels to your artwork or vimeo title card don’t
generally do much other than show that you’ve spent a lot
of money on festival fees. There’s awards for so many
categories at so many festivals that it’s become almost
worthless in the majority of cases. Do you want to make
a good film that YOU like and feel that says something
with your unique voice, or do you want to please
festival judges who in the most part are people
interested in, but not working in the film industry.
any resolution you need. Doing am still not convinced

this process within an NLE is about buying one. I’m
possible too, and gives you more effectively a one-man-
scope for blending the frames, band shooting wedding
but QuickTime is fine for most videos and suchlike, so I
applications. can see the potential for
such a gadget, but there
Flying high also seems to be more
I’m a little confused questions than answers.
by the huge amount of Most importantly, do I
drones on the market need certification and
at the moment and additional insurance?

Secondly, what sort of professional drone pilots – you
camera can be mounted don’t want to crash your new
on these things or do camera or risk hitting a client
you recommend a model with it! The footage from a
with the built-in camera? drone with a built-in camera will
Finally, is it easy to be similar to GoPro footage –
merge any aerial footage so with a little colour grading
with my existing video will need to get CAA certification and some creative editing, you
taken from a ground and you will need insurance. If should be able to match it with
perspective? Hope you you’re completely new to flying your regular footage.
can help. drones, I would recommend
Adrian Meadows, Farnborough something simple like the DJI Back it up
Phantom range. The bigger, This is a common enough
SJV: Firstly, if you intend to more complicated ones that question I’m sure but
make money with a drone that can carry professional camera I’m going to ask it again
can record video, then yes, you rigs are probably best left to anyway! Do you have
a preferred method for
backing up your video
footage and is there a
brand that you think
is best for the job?
I’ve heard good things SJV: There’s a difference
about G-Technology between back-up drives and
but looking at prices ‘working’ drives in my edit
they are not cheap. suite. A drive I’m going to be
However, I understand editing from has to be decent
the importance of having and G-Technology make great
a back-up of my work drives for this purpose. But, for
so am willing to spend a back-ups, I use cheaper USB 3
decent amount of money drives from more conventional
for a tried and tested manufacturers like Western
chunk of hardware. Any Digital or Seagate. I use a piece
ideas? of software called ‘Hedge’ (it’s
Marianne Delsey, Guernsey free) to back up my footage to
Muscle man
I follow all of the latest kit developments with
interest but one item that always makes me
curious is the Russian Arm. What is the point of
this seemingly enormous design when most of us
are downsizing and attempting to work with lighter
equipment. The Russian Arm looks like being
a hugely unwieldy thing and surely you can get
similar results with much more innovative new kit
that’s around. Does the Russian Arm still have a
place in filmmaking?
Brian Edmunds, Cromer
SJV: The Russian Arm is a fantastic bit of kit. It’s a huge gimbal
stabilized, remote-controlled arm that mounts on a vehicle, usually a
4WD truck that can then chase the hero car in a movie. The ability to
move the camera at very high speeds either very close to the ground
or even up and over the target vehicle make it invaluable for car
chase scenes. Of course, kit like the MoVi and other similar gimbals
mean we can mount these on jibs and get similar results, but the
Russian Arm is just a far more sophisticated and capable solution.
It’s big and expensive, but like many professional film tools, it’s
mostly a rental item, so you only pay for the days you need it – not
to mention hiring a professional operator!

Ask the filmmaker
SJV: Zacuto are based in they bring to a shoot? They mean

Chicago and have a reputation that you can more accurately get
for making really high-end quality focus, framing and exposure in
support products for the film difficult lighting conditions and
industry. Their Gratical range of they even allow you to view with
viewfinders are stunning in both LUTS for a more pleasing look
build quality and performance when shooting LOG. CVP in
and if you’re shooting outside a London are authorised Zacuto
lot, I would highly recommend dealers and their customer
one. Unlike most other high- support is usually excellent.
‘‘ end viewfinders, the Graticals

can work with pretty much any
camera, so you’re not tied into
one manufacturer. As for what
Mod movement
Big it up
We’ve made a short film
and are generally pretty
‘‘
I’ve seen a few modular cameras in the news
recently and wondered if you think this might be
the way forward for filmmakers who only require
certain features and functions. After all, many
of us need to have kit for a variety of different
scenarios so I’d like to know if you think a
modular model might be an option? I know it’s
early days, but the Apertus Super35 Cinema
Unlike other high-end Camera AXIOM Beta sounds intriguing.
viewfinders, the Graticals work Natalie Weeks, Cromer
with pretty much any camera SJV: I love the look of the modular designs that have been seen
so you’re not tied into one

recently. My only worry is the quality of the backup these new
companies can provide and also I’d be concerned about resale
value if the camera doesn’t’ become a big hit commercially…
multiple locations at once. If you the UK? I’m particularly Think of all the troubles Blackmagic Design have had with their
need worry-free no-compromise keen on their new cameras – and they’re not a small cottage company! I think ‘wait
back-ups, it might be worth electronic viewfinder, and see’ is the best plan for now…
looking at a RAID solution like a so what can you tell
Drobo system. me about buying one
of these? Presumably
Eye for detail they’re fairly low
I’ve been really maintenance but I’m keen
impressed with some of to know what you think
the products that Zacuto it adds to the shooting
have been bringing out experience as they look
but can you give me a to be invaluable if you’re
little bit of detail on the shooting outdoors a lot,
company? I know they which I inevitably am.
are a US-based so I’m Mark Adam, Cowes
keen to know if their
products are available
off-the-shelf over here in

proud of it. Now though you think a PR person
our thoughts are turning or marketing person is
to promotion and like to going to be money well
know what you think of spent?
hiring in a professional Michael Fisher, Enfield
PR person or service
to market the project. SJV: I’ve used professional PR
We know that the film companies on past projects,
isn’t going to make us and as long as you get the right
a fortune but it would team, they can make a huge
be good to give it a fair difference. Decent film-based
crack of the whip. So, if PR contacts will get your film
we throw a bit of cash the kind of publicity that it needs
at the marketing side of to bring it to the attention of
things do you think we the public. It’s all about timing
can get it seen? And, do though. We used professional
‘
PR for a film a few years ago and company know the exact time
we got some amazing coverage you need the coverage to be
in the press all over the world, seen. It’s easy to think that a DIY
but the release came too late online PR campaign can rival
after the buzz had died down a proper PR push, but it really
and it ultimately didn’t work - can’t… these companies will
all because we got our timing have contacts at all the big film
Budget buster
wrong. The film needs to be magazines and websites.
I’m wondering if anyone may be able to available when the publicity hits
help me out. I’m really into filmmaking and or you’ve wasted your money. App magic
cinematography, but I struggle with finding Get a definite release date from As an industry
locations to legally film in on a zero budget the distributors (if there is one) professional I’m keen to
project. What would be the best advice on how and make sure that the PR know what sort of apps
to find derelict locations that can be accessed you have on your phone
that help you with your
without getting in trouble? I search the internet everyday filmmaking
frequently for locations, but I never have any activities. I’d like to have
success in finding out who I can contact. a few on mine that let
Gareth, via Twitter me take control of my
workflow and speed up
SJV: Finding derelict locations for free can be tricky. You always any other processes,
need permission and you must make sure a location is safe – a lot but am also conscious
of derelict sites are not safe at all! Speak to local councils. They that there are a lot of
often have sites waiting for development that you might be able duff programs out there
to use for a small admin fee. Please remember to do a thorough too. So, do you have
recon of the site though – you don’t want any of your team falling any must-have apps
into a badly covered drain or working under a roof that might cave on your phone that you
in at any moment. A lot of people use urban explorer sites to find think could transform my
locations. This can be good for finding places, but please do seek filmmaking activities?
permission before going onto these properties – they all belong I don’t mind paying for
to someone and it’s far less hassle to shoot without the worry of them if they help me get
getting caught somewhere you shouldn’t be. the job done, but am also
after stable, dependable

Ask the filmmaker
It takes a while to input all of

your shot list requirements and
details, but when you’re on set, Magic touch
it makes ‘forgetting’ to get a shot I’m keen to get a monitor/recorder for my GH4
impossible. It also allows you as it seems like the sensible thing to have if
to push back a shot to another you’re an aspiring filmmaker. However, while
shoot day and still not forget that
I know you go on about the merits of Atomos
it needs shooting – very useful!
I use Wunderlist all the time for
products a lot I’m wondering if there are any
making lists of various things other models you think are worth buying. I’ve
‘‘
to do with a production. These
are sync’ed with the whole
production team, so if someone
‘ticks off’ a task – it’s removed
from the list on everyone’s
device. Lastly, I use an app
nothing against Atomos as such, but have read
some negative words about battery life. If I’m out
in the field or on location for the day I don’t want
to be worrying that my kit is going to die halfway
through a shoot. So, some sensible advice
‘‘
software options rather for checking when sunrise and would be appreciated.
than flaky homemade sunset is. There are loads of Dan Clelland, Basingstoke
efforts. apps that do this, but they are
Robert Munk, Telford so useful for planning a shoot. SJV: Sensible advice? I’ll do my best… I do ‘go on’ about Atomos
Knowing how much light or dark because I think they are the best at what they do – making
SJV: I don’t use loads of apps, you have left is so important. n awesome monitor/recorders… but, you could also check out the
but there are a few good ones I new 4K Blackmagic Design Recorder/Monitor, or the Convergent
Keep up with Sean and his work at
rely on. Shotlister is vital for me. www.seanjvincent.com Design Odyssey. All of them will do what you want, but I’d still
recommend the Atomos as being the most bang for your buck.
There are a few good apps I rely The negative battery comments probably stem from the original
battery that was supplied with the Shogun as it wasn’t really up to
on. Shotlister is vital for me... the job. I generally get a full day’s shooting from two batteries on
any of my Atomos devices.
when you’re on set, it makes
‘forgetting’ a shot impossible

060-65_Matthew Butler.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:11

Special brew
Special brew
Matthew Butler co-runs Fizz and Ginger Films and has
recently been working on Two Down, a feature film
with a sterling cast executive producers in the shape of
Stephen Fry and Sir Derek Jacobi
Shooting a feature film is no

easy feat, but to do it with kit
that’s only just come out is all
the more adventurous. But,
that’s exactly what Matthew
Butler and his colleagues did for
the production of Two Down.
“When we filmed this project
we used the Sony F5,” he says.
“Which had recently come out,
and we were the first people
to shoot an entire feature on it.
Sony still hadn’t worked out all
the software, so we had a lot of
fun playing with it to see what
it could do, and the results look
great. The cast includes Conleth staggers to what he thinks is a including a made-for-TV movie.
Hill (Lord Varys in Game of safe-house only to find a young “We had shot a 70-minute TV
Thrones), Graham Butler (Penny woman, Sophie, now living film, Miss In Her Teens,” he goes
Dreadful), Tori Hart (Keeping there. Having already exposed on. “After we had been asked
Rosy), Amy Manson (Once Upon himself, and bleeding profusely, to adapt it from an 18th century
A Time) and Alex Hassell (Royal he takes her hostage, and the play. It was at this point, while
Shakespeare Company). The local delivery guy, whilst he waits we were in post-production, that
whole film was shot in Crouch for his partner. Over the course we felt we really wanted to start
End, North London (apart from of the evening the trio piece on our first theatrical feature film
a few scenes in Ian McKellen’s together what happened to John from an original script. We knew
pub), in just 12 days. With a that we wanted to keep the
festival run just coming to a
close, a string of awards and
“The whole film budget low so we could keep
control over the entire thing. It
executive producers in the was shot in twelve was our calling card, showing
shape of Stephen Fry and Sir days, we didn’t what we could do as filmmakers,
Derek Jacobi it’s little wonder
that Matthew sounds so upbeat
have much room for so we thought we’d make it
containable with just three
about things… things going wrong” actors in a room. We quickly
realised that the characters
Major project and come to the conclusion needed a bigger world to live
“The film centres around John that he was set up. What they in and the whole film expanded
Thomas, an ex-soldier who has have to work out, before it’s too hugely. I co-wrote Two Down
been convinced by his brother late, is why and by who. But with Tori Hart and then directed
to become a hitman after Sophie seems perhaps a little too it, whilst Tori produced it with
being injured fighting in Iraq,” interested in the details and John our company Fizz and Ginger
elaborates the filmmaker. “John starts to realise there is more to Films. I always help produce up
is quite an eccentric character, this than meets the eye.” to a point, helping with getting
obsessed with manners and The idea was spawned while the money and cast and crew
food, and when a hit goes wrong Matthew and the team were together, but when it begins
and he is shot in the back, he occupied on earlier projects, to get closer to production I

have to have only my director adjusted things to work with
hat on and Tori takes over locations as we had a very small
with all the really hard stuff of budget, so had to be flexible and
actually getting the film through a bit clever with the script.”
production.” They ended up with a feature-
length plan that would span
Different route some 88 minutes and draw on
The film marked something of a wealth of talent that the team
a departure for Matthew too had been in contact with over the
after he decided to write the last few years. “A lot of our crew
script back at the beginning of were people that we had worked
2013… “I originally trained as an
actor,” he explains. “I’ve moved
away from that for now and am
“We wanted to
working full-time with Fizz and keep the budget
Ginger Films. Back then I was low so we could
working on a play in the West
End and I had a lot of time to kill
keep control over
backstage, so I would spend it the entire thing”
writing Two Down. Tori, who was
filming at the time, was doing the with before,” adds Matt. “Which I
same so we would write scenes think is very important, especially
and then send them back and when you’re working on such a
forth to each other. Then we’d tight budget. As a director, I need
get together and merge the to know I can rely on the people
writing and the whole process around me, so I like working
took about six months, which with people I have already had
is the fastest we’ve ever written a working dialogue with. William
a script! We did make changes Honeyball is our amazing editor
over the next six months as we and he also did our sound on set,
which I love as we can discuss of the Sony F5, which as we

the editing side of things whilst mentioned at the beginning, was
we’re filming, making sure that largely untested at the time the
things will work out and that we production started shooting.
won’t have any nasty surprises “We had been talking to
in post-production. Becci Mapes Onsight about what we wanted
has worked with us on most of to shoot on and we did a few
our projects as the make-up tests with different cameras,”
artist, while Gini Godwin was Matt explains. “And then we
our art director and both did an had a play with the Sony F5.
amazing job with very little time Just before we were filming
and money. Andy Alderslade was it had only just come out and
our DP and we had worked with DP Andy was very excited to
him when we were producing a have a play and see what it
short film for someone else a few could do. We quickly realised
years ago. We hadn’t worked that it was perfect for what we
as director and DP before and wanted to do, so we went and
he was very patient with my got some old 1970s super Zeiss
appallingly drawn storyboards! lenses and created our look,
The entire crew were excellent which was inspired by films of
and it truly felt like it was all our that era. As the camera was so
film and that everyone had an new though, Sony hadn’t quite
emotional attachment to it and finished the software so we had
worked incredibly hard to get our a lot to learn very quickly and
vision onto the screen.” ended up coming out with some
very fun visuals when changing
Testing time focus, for example. But those
At which point we come full are best seen rather than written
circle and back to the subject about, so you’ll have to go and

Special brew
like our ‘John Woo moment’ that we knew we could get. Crouch End for these scenes
when Alex Hassell, who plays It meant that we could shoot is that Conleth plays our bad
hitman John Thomas, has in twenty two locations in our guy and I wanted a different
just shot someone with a rifle, short shoot and not waste time feel to the scenes and putting
stands up and two birds fly past moving around too far. It also him in a lovely location on
with perfect timing making for a gives it a very authentic feel the Thames river immediately
very cool take, which of course geographically. The only time did the job for us. Location
had to make it to the final edit.” we strayed further afield was shooting will always present
when shooting Conleth Hill’s problems over shooting in a
Helping hands scenes, which were all done at completely controllable studio,
Matthew also moves in the The Grapes pub in Limehouse, but it also adds so much to the
right circles when it comes which is co-owned by Sir Ian authenticity of a film. Coming
to blagging the odd favour McKellen, who is a friend and from an acting background I
or two, which helped out no very kindly arranged for us always felt it was much easier
to film there. The reason we to work in actual locations than
watch the film! Tori and I plan

“As we had a very wanted to move away from studios and, at the end of the
everything to within an inch of small budget, so

its life and I am very specific had to be flexible
with what I want visually and,
since the whole film was shot
and a bit clever
in twelve days, we didn’t have with the script”
much room for things going
wrong so tried to plan so that end when it came to location
very little could go awry. We work. “Everything was shot on
had also rehearsed a lot in location and all in a square mile
the weeks leading up to the of the North London town of
shoot, so by the time we got to Crouch End,” he explains. “It
shooting it just flowed. We had is where we are based and we
a few lucky accidents though, wrote with locations in mind

day, the actors are telling, and Conleth who helped us come businesses who were extremely he enthuses. “So much so
selling, your story so I will always up with the title. Alex Hassell kind with their locations. Having that they bumped us up to the
do everything I can to help them is big in the theatre world and an incredibly talented crew, and largest screen, kicking out Love
get to where they need to be to we had worked with him on post-production people, also and Friendship in the process.
tell it as effectively as they can.” Miss In Her Teens and Graham made a huge difference. Until the It went down a storm, we’ve
Butler, my brother, is also big film is officially sold we’re being have some amazing reviews. I
The right crowd in the British theatre scene and a bit quiet about how much we won Best Director, which I’m
“Tori and I have worked with a spent, and we also like people to bloomin’ delighted with. The film
watch it and then we’ll tell them
lot of interesting people when
acting,” adds Matthew. “So we
“We’ve have some as it’s always fun see people’s
is coming to the end of its very
successful festival run with only
do our best to collect them so amazing reviews. I reactions as they assume we the Cayman Islands, Cayfilm,
we are fortunate to get great cast won Best Director, spent a heck of a lot more.” one to go. It has won awards
to work on our projects. Conleth
Hill, Felicity Montagu and
which I’m bloomin’ On the up
around the world, at every
festival it was in competition
Matthew Cottle were all working delighted with” At the time of writing Matthew in, and has now been picked
on the play I was on when we has been in touch again to up by a distributor for the US,
were writing Two Down, so they I really wanted theatre actors reveal that Two Down had been Flix Premiere, and by British
knew all about it before we even for our main parts, including doing even better than when sales company Moviehouse
approached them to be part Tori. Considering we had a tiny he’d been in touch previously, Entertainment for the rest of the
of it. Having Stephen Fry and budget we still paid everyone particularly at the Oxford world. We’re very positive about
Sir Derek Jacobi as executive properly and fed them very well! International Film Festival. how it’s gone for Two Down.
producers also helped get our We kept costs down by having “For starters, we were the only It has been a long process
amazing cast! It was actually very friendly neighbours and film to completely sell out,” from writing to it finally being

Special brew
distributed, and taking it to how much it would cost, not

festivals was the key to that. It just the submitting to festivals,
winning awards and proving that but everything that comes
audiences love it showed people afterwards. Getting people to
in the industry that it was a film talk about it before the festival
that would work with bigger means that you need PR, so
audiences, so going through the you need people to help with
long process and having faith that because you need their
really paid off.” connections. You also need tons
While Matthew and his team of deliverables to send off, not
of collaborators have plenty to mention travelling costs if
to be proud of, the filmmaker you want to go to the festivals,
is also keen to adapt his craft which is really important if you
based on what he’s learnt from want to get your name, and
this experience. “I’ve learnt a lot film, out there more. That’s our
in the last couple of years,” he biggest piece of learning.”
says. “And there is a lot I would
do differently as a director, but
I had to make those decisions
“Considering we
in order to learn what I would had a tiny budget
do differently. But, most of we still paid
it is more to do with the time
we had and not always being
everyone properly
able to do what I would had I and fed them”
been given more days. But I
think that’s always the way. I’m Learning curve
very happy with how it turned Nevertheless, Two Down leaves
out. From a producing side Matthew and Co. in a good
we would definitely put money place and they are already
aside for the festival part of looking into the viability of future
the process. We had no idea projects. “Our next feature is
The Isle, filming this year

and then Dragpies hopefully
in 2017,” he adds. “We are
also co-producing a feature
documentary with director
Louis Devereux, called The
Great Rift Journey. The Isle is a
Victorian psychological thriller
set on a remote Scottish island
and based around the Greek
myth of Sirens. Three sailors
are shipwrecked and discover
a small island that is on no
known map and discover four
lonely islanders who take them
in and promise to help them by a businessman and they
back to the mainland. Things decide to get their revenge by
start to go wrong and the sailors crashing his 50th birthday party
discover that the island was and taking back some art that
once a prosperous place full of he took from them. To sneak
people. After a shipwreck, years into the party, they enlist the
before people started fleeing, help of a troupe of drag queens
or dying, the cause may still after they find out that the same
be on the island. Meanwhile, businessman has just bought
Dragpies is a comedy heist with up their favourite club in Soho
drag queens based around the to turn into overpriced flats. It’s
events that are happening in Ocean’s Eleven meets Priscilla
Soho in London at the moment. Queen of the Desert, on a much
A young family is screwed over smaller budget...” n

prime mover
Independent filmmaker Velton Lishke is
as keen as mustard to tell you all about
Velton Lishke has a career
that’s cooking nicely thanks
his new film, The Happiness of Larry, to his undying enthusiasm,
penchant for getting things
which has been completed using a done and some very positive
heady blend of wits and enthusiasm… praise being heaped upon his
projects to date. Velton has
featured in these pages before
and he was, he says, gutted that
he didn’t make it into the last
issue with a feature on his latest
film. With our current backlog
Velton had to be bumped, but
he’s here this time around and
is more animated than ever…
“My aim is to keep bettering
myself with each film I make,” he
says. “I made my first film for a
fiver and it went international, all
around the world in 11 different
festivals. I then made two micro
horrors, one of which won the
Liverpool International Festival
and one that is to be featured
on a DVD compilation. I’m still
learning with every film I make
and every production I act in, but
if there’s one thing I have learnt
about this industry is that it’s all
about helping each other. It’s
a ridiculously tough business,
but I think I’ve proved with my
latest film The Happiness of
Larry that it’s not always about
big budgets and fancy locations.
If you have the right script, a
066-71_Velton Lishke.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:13

Prime mover
great crew, a fantastic cast and On top of that he assembled the actor to director in the same and decided this was something
a very wonderful, understanding crew and found all the locations. scene and throughout the film, I could work with. So I rewrote
girlfriend then you truly can Velton even cooked for the cast but luckily I was blessed with a parts of it to make it work for my
achieve great things.” and crew and picked some of fantastic cast that took direction film style, with the major change
them up and dropped them off easily. The project came together being the title character as it was
New direction home at the end of the day. In after I was sent a very short script written for someone in their 60’s
The Happiness of Larry is Velton’s fact, he says, the only thing he by professional scriptwriter and but, at 20 years younger, I was
fourth production under his didn’t do was the edit. “This has friend John J McGimpsey titled certain I could pull this off. After
company V-Pac Productions. to have been one of the toughest Shoe. It was around 12 pages and
He directed and took the lead
role as the title character Larry.
challenges I have faced,” says
the filmmaker. “Switching from
as I read it I was instantly able
to picture how it would play out
“I made my
first film for a
fiver and it went
international...11
different festivals”
quite a few script changes and a
new title I sent it back to John to
see what he thought. He didn’t
agree with hardly anything I had
changed but he respected my
decisions and basically said ‘it’s
your film, do what you think is
best’, and so The Happiness of
Larry was born.”
Harsh reality
The story, reckons Velton, is
very dark and gritty: Larry is
an outcast from society who
doesn’t speak much and keeps

himself to himself. When
another child goes missing
in the Harrogate area people
are becoming very suspicious
and who better to point the
finger at than someone who
is as odd and reclusive as
Larry. The film deals with
peoples’ preconceptions over
those different from ourselves;
should you always judge a
book by its cover, and who
would you point the finger at
if your daughter or child went
missing and how would you fantastic crew and, as always, Thorpe. Dave and I worked
deal with that situation? “The I pulled in my long standing on a very important advert for
shoot itself took 4 days,” adds friends and project partners diabetes and he wanted to
Velton. “But from receiving from Crimson Reel Studios; repay the favour by helping
the first draft to the finish line Aidan Rawnsley on camera me, which was something
was around two months in all, and assistant director Andriy that proved invaluable as his
as I work very fast, as many Demtschuck on sound. I was experience and equipment
will tell you. The Happiness of also privileged to have an took the film to another level.
Larry was fortunate to have a absolute pro to help us in Dave At one point we were filming

Prime mover
two different scenes on one other shots, they were shot

street and everyone just got on a big Blackmagic Ursa,
along and understood what they using 28mm, 50mm and 85mm
were doing, which shows in the Samyang primes. We also had
film. I also had a fantastic MUA a Libec head on Vinten legs,
in Amy Jayne, who offered her while the sound was done on a
services for free and she did Rode Video mic. We also had
incredible work.” the benefit from some great
lighting, like the Datavision FL2
Positive vibe softlights, 650w and 1000w
Velton also had some great tungsten Fresnel and a 1200HMI
equipment at his disposal for Fresnel. The behind the scenes
the shoot… “I had the more stuff was done on a Canon
dramatic handheld shots filmed 60D. So, all in all, not a bad set
by Aidan on the Blackmagic up. We used green screen for
Pocket Cinema Camera,” he the TV news report, which we the equipment. We also used Also, the shop we used in the
says. “Which is a stunning set up in my front room and sliders and steadycam on a film was a slight issue as it
little camera. Then, for the cast Dave, who owned most of few shots. As usual with any had to remain open because I
filming project, the unplanned couldn’t afford to have it closed.
can always happen. Weather So we had customers walking in
problems caused me to cancel from time to time.”
one days shoot and reschedule
it, while I also had a visit from Northern appeal
the local police who had been The whole film was shot in
given a report that something various places in and around
much more sinister was being Harrogate and most locations
filmed. Fortunately, they soon were friends houses or gardens.
left when they realised what was “It was pieced together like
going on and they apologised, Frankenstein,” chuckles Velton.
but it turned out to be great as “I had someone’s front room,
I did, however, quickly film their then a mile away someone’s
van for a police shot I needed. garden, someone else’s hallway

and my front room as well. I am laughs the filmmaker. “No budget
fortunate that I live in a great whatsoever. All these people
community and everyone is helped me out for free, although I
aware of what I do so they all have done acting for each one of
help me where they can. The them in their brilliant productions,
Harlow Inn pub has helped me so it just shows what you can
out on so many projects, while achieve in this industry by
Nick at Harlow Stores took helping each other. The actual
a backseat in his own shop
whilst I took over. We also used
the streets where I live to film
“This is one of the
on, so the whole thing was toughest challenges
basically shot within a two mile I have faced.
radius. There are always a few
challenges when making films;
Switching from
especially when you’re filming actor to director”
in public. Aside from the usual
beeping of horns from car drivers, total amount spent was £42
and the general public walking and that was on chilli dogs and
directly in front of camera, we a wonderful spread made by
had a few other problems as well. my partner Samie, but the film
One guy decided he didn’t want looks as if thousands have been
us filming on ‘his’ street, so he spent on it. The film has been
revved his motorbike for about 30 completely finished after several
minutes and there was absolutely edits; I also had a composer
nothing we could do, other than but due to time constraints I
wait him out.” had to do this myself, so right
now I have two versions, one
Money for nothing at 19.5 minutes and the festival
Velton is well known for edition at 13.5 minutes. I think
producing his films for peanuts it looks great. I entered it in to
and this one was no exception… its first public film festival in
“I had absolutely nothing,” Manchester, called Kino and it

Prime mover
was up against some very big nearly destroyed me mentally.

budget films some of which were As for the cast; I would work
lottery funded or BFI so I felt with every single one of them
completely out of my depth. But, every day if I could because
it won everything including best that’s how much they mean to
film and best screenplay. I also me. As far as shooting goes,
won best actor on the night for I think I may be a little more
playing Larry. I am now waiting inventive with shots although
to hear back from Raindance Aidan got some great handheld
and Leeds Film Festival, as well moments in this film. I think the
as several others around the main thing that has always been
world, but I am quietly confident an issue for me is taking my
that it will do well as it really has time… I love to work so fast and
a great story with a twist and an get through a project, so I can
awesome cast. Next time around move on to the next. I should
I would certainly get more help; take my time more and get the
it felt very rewarding but very best from it.” n

Road
warriors Irfan Shah is a documentary maker from
Leeds who’s recently been working on his
latest project, a feature length documentary
called The Ambulance Man
Meet John Shackleton, a mild

mannered 77-year-old from
Harrogate who buys up old
ambulances, fills them full of
medical supplies and drives
them into warzones… I’d come
across the story of Shack in 2015
whilst channel-hopping and finding
a three-minute piece on him on
a local TV station. Over the last
20 years, John has gone on 44
of these incredible adventures,
travelling to places such as
Kosovo, Afghanistan and Georgia,
crossing continents, dodging
armed guards and delivering
much needed medical supplies to
the innocent victims of poverty,
conflict and natural disasters
everywhere. He seemed a perfect
subject for a feature length doc – I
imagined a road movie of sorts;
an inspiring tale that also explored
how a sprightly septuagenarian
could live the kind of life that would
exhaust a person half his age. A
DoP friend of mine described the
idea as a cross between Mad Max
and Last of the Summer Wine
(which really clinched it for me!)
and preparations began for an
exciting new project.
Planning stages
A meeting with Shack was
arranged and at which my partner
and producer Tracie Johnson fell in
love with him and his outrageous
traveller’s tales. A skeleton crew
was assembled and, before we
knew it, we had announced The
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 1 26/06/2016 20:04

Road warriors
Ambulance Man as our next film

on a local BBC radio programme
and put up a Facebook page,
all in order to commit, or scare
ourselves into action! Making
a film is hard work, and
making it on a limited
budget means everyone
doing three or four
jobs simultaneously,
which also means
that technical and creative
considerations are constantly
overlapping. That might
sound constrictive and
confusing but this route can
lead to original approaches
to filmmaking, which we’ll look benefit from a government tax
at in a minute. But the budget relief scheme such as SEIS, or
is, and always will be, the big something else. For us, it was
issue for indie filmmakers. One easy – the sense of adventure,
combined with the generosity
“It stretched us of what Shack was doing was

something that people wanted to
physically and be a part of. Therefore, we got a
technically and it lot of our funds by asking various
gave us some great companies and organisations

to sponsor the ambulance, and
memories” the crew’s support vehicle, and
share our progress with their own
piece of advice I would offer is customers through social media.
to remember that people never
invest in a film solely to make a Kit considerations
profit. That’s because films are As we budgeted, we had to
notoriously bad investments make some early decisions about
and it’s virtually impossible to equipment – what we wanted
know what project is and isn’t versus what we could afford.
going to be a hit. So, there are The last project I’d been involved
usually other reasons someone with, The First Film, was a feature
wants to be involved with a film length doc that had used the
and the trick is finding out what Canon C300 with a Canon 5D
those reasons might be, whether MKII for B-roll footage, both of
it’s to share in the perceived which seemed to be satisfactory
glamour of filmmaking, or to go-to cameras for small budgets.
Our then co-director, had shot
a project on C300 and I had
done work with it, but she had
also recently directed several
episodes of 24 Hours in A&E for
Channel Four, using a Sony FS7
and, because of its mount, had
enjoyed the feel of it more, so we
originally aimed for this. However,
our decisions were restricted
further when the co-director and
DoP got a job on a doc in Nepal
and became unavailable. We
made the decision to continue
with the simplest set up we could
and to do everything between just
three people, with me directing
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 2 26/06/2016 20:04

and operating the cameras, Ian the whole look of the piece with
Davies covering on sound and its harsh, desaturated colours
doing the driving, and Tracie seemed a great reference point
Johnson producing, taking stills, for our own project, set as it
getting iPhone footage and would be, largely in Eastern
driving too. It seemed like a tough Europe. Black Box use DaVinci
proposition, but we committed to Resolve through a 5k iMac to
it and pushed on regardless. get some pretty lovely results
and I recommend getting your
“Before we knew DoP to sit down with you and the
post-production guys right at the
it, we had outset, because so much can be
announced The decided together that will save
Ambulance Man time in the long run. Get on the
same page with how the footage
as our next film” will be shot and how the dailies
will be delivered. Discuss together
Unusual path whether to shoot on Raw, discuss
An early part of the preparation white balance, what you will be
process involved working editing in and so on. It will help
backwards. We looked for a you all coordinate and prepare
post-production house to work and make the eventual post-
with, which wasn’t easy in Leeds production as smooth as possible.
where the infrastructure for
filmmaking isn’t great, and got Filming begins
a lucky break when we came Our first shooting set up was
across Black Box Creative, who very basic and based around
had graded the short film Shok, a Canon 5D MKIII, recording
www.shokshortfilm.com, which direct into an Atomos Ninja2.
had just been nominated for an The Ninja2 is an external
Oscar. Shok is set in Kosovo and recorder as well as a field
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 3 26/06/2016 20:05

Road warriors
monitor and allowed us to Additionally, it magnifies the

record images without the screen and makes focusing
compression that would have easier. It can also help with the
occurred had we recorded stabilisation of the camera when
straight into the camera. It also in use and, to be frank, when
helps you bypass the half hour combined with a Genustech
matte box on the lens, it’s one
“It seemed like a piece of kit that made our bare
bones DSLR set up look like
tough proposition, a bona fide ‘movie’ camera!
but we committed An Edelkrone PocketRig is a
to it and pushed on foldaway arm that attaches to the
bottom of the camera and, when
regardless” extended, can be pushed against
your chest or rested on your belt
recording time of the Canon. to allow a steadier shot. It lies
We received a huge amount of somewhere between a tripod
support from Audio Technica, We also had AT radio mics, but extensively – the Zacuto Z and a harness and I found I could
who happen to have a major they were criminally underused Finder Pro and the Edelkrone run from cutaway to cutaway
centre in Leeds and who as we struggled to keep up with PocketRig. The Z Finder easily and could do basic pans,
basically supplied our sound the pace of 77-year-old Shack, attaches to your DSLR providing although it was difficult to walk
needs, which meant we had an who blazed through Europe an eye cup, which cuts out and shoot simultaneously.
Audio Technica AT897 Line and leaving us very little time to set glare and generally makes for
Gradient Condenser Mic in an things up as we’d have liked. more comfortable viewing of Tricky business
AT zeppelin case, running into the image. There were bright Because the ambulance rarely
a Tascam DR-60, all of which Additional kit days where this was the only stopped on its way to Ukraine,
was the core of our very run- Two other bits of kit found satisfactory way of viewing and because Shack drove so
and-gun approach to sound. themselves being used footage while shooting. fast at times, the one thing we
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 4 26/06/2016 20:05

missed badly was a gimbal to little sequences we are sprinkling
help us catch the scenery we throughout the film. And, when
passed on the way to Ukraine Shack gave a press conference
without too much shaking. in Ukraine, we spent half the time
Having said that, however, filming the reporters themselves
necessity is the mother of because we’d decided that the
invention and we came up with rest of the sequence would be a
different ways to get the footage montage made up of the actual
– for example, we had already news reports themselves.
started using old slides of
Shack’s previous adventures to
add an extra aesthetic ‘texture’
“We used natural
to the film and doing this also light, and were
gave us an excuse to put effects happy to let backlit
onto iPhone footage to create
a 16mm home movie feel. This
subjects appear
meant that we could film some dark at times”
of the moving scenery on the n Look at the order in which you you could create your own
iPhone, add effects and thereby Bright ideas do things simply by listing the obstacles
create a visual connection And so, with a bit of imagination n Ask people to work against you already face:
between Shack’s old traveller’s and the confidence to push on their better judgment
tales and his latest adventure. regardless, you can turn apparent n Listen to the quiet voice n You cannot afford the kit you want
In fact, we decided to expand disadvantages into creative n Your feelings towards the subject
on this idea and to continue to opportunities. In fact, have you They were designed to move of your doc have changed today
use a range of types of footage heard of Oblique Strategies? musicians into new mental n Why are you moving so fast?
throughout the film. So, for The music producer Brian Eno spaces where they could get
example, still images shot on the developed a set of cards with themselves out of creative ruts. Situations like these can
Canon 700D were turned into left-field problems and cryptic You can buy a set of Oblique typically demoralize a person
more old-fashioned ‘slides’ for instructions written on each: Strategies for around £60. Or but, if you choose to, you
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 5 26/06/2016 20:05

Road warriors
can use them to become an ongoing discussion with

a more original filmmaker. themselves about the story they
Our minimal equipment had want to tell in order to be alive to
many advantages as well as things like this happening.
disadvantages – it was light
and took very little setting up.
We used natural light, and were
“It’s virtually
happy to let backlit subjects impossible to
appear dark at times and did know what project
not artificially light any scenes,
which again, helped with
is and isn’t going
mobility. Most of the scenes to be a hit”
were captured through a Canon
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Moving experience
lens, however, I quickly fell in Filming The Ambulance Man was
love with the stereotypically a steep learning curve for me. In
‘cinematic’ look of slightly presentations, which left us many ways it was a dry run for
blurred out backgrounds very little room in which to find a feature length film we shall be
drawing attention to the central our own angles on the story. In making at the end of the year, Turn
subject, and found myself using Working smart one way, their attentions were Right at Istanbul, where we’ll be
a cheaper EFS 18-55mm lens, On a less technical aspect – understandable – they were living following Shack to Uzbekistan.
opening up the aperture to 1.8 we found ourselves constantly a day away from the conflict in But, The Ambulance Man was
to allow shallow focus and using having to reevaluate the balance the east and were desperate to more than that – it gave us the
a strong ND filter to avoid over between simply following a bring attention to the situation opportunity to meet some brave
exposing the image. I would subject and actually ‘directing’ in Ukraine. But, on the other and wonderful people making the
dearly love to look around for elements of the story. This hand, it felt like a legacy of best of life under the shadow of
better lenses to create this look issue was thrown into relief the Soviet era that they felt war, it stretched us physically and
and will be toying with the idea by our Ukrainian hosts, who they had to try and control the technically and it gave us some
of combining old lenses with were incredibly generous to narrative so much. It was a tricky great memories. It also gave us the
adaptor rings to try and find us but who tried to fill our two problem that we did our best to chance to see a beautiful country
some economic, but cinematic days in Ukraine with a stream navigate. I would recommend for the first time, an experience we
set up for future use. of prearranged meetings and any documentary maker having are all profoundly grateful for. n
072-77_Irfan Shah.indd 6 26/06/2016 20:06

Images: Warrior Gym, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 1 26/06/2016 18:31

The underdog
the
underdog Imran Kelly is an amateur filmmaker and YouTuber
working on a new series of interviews with sportsmen
from the world of boxing
with all the right ingredients to

make a good looking film. Many
of them, it seemed, were shot on
smartphones with the interviewer
obviously on the move, shooting
a brief ad-lib interview. There’s
nothing wrong with this, of
course, but I thought; wouldn’t
it be great to dedicate some real
time to the interview with a proper
set-up, using decent cameras and
sound equipment in a quieter,
I was never a born filmmaker. more intimate location, so that all
I used video cameras as a efforts were put towards making
teenager, but never had the desire the best interview possible?
to follow that path at a young in the business might call the look back on now that the TV
age. I have followed boxing for
years, though, and the thought of
“I wanted to do golden era of the sport.
It seemed to me that many of the
cameras had turned away.
Obviously my intended
being a journalist in that area has a series of boxing British domestic fighters from ten, subjects had to be British,
appealed to me for a while. With films centred on twenty, or even thirty years ago as they were the most easily
YouTube being extremely popular
now, it seems that everyone and
champions of are all but forgotten today, having
made way for the new generation
accessible. I didn’t have the
budget to travel overseas for a
their brother claims to be an the past” of fighters to gain a devoted young non-profit project.
independent journalist of some fan-base through social media. A It was just a matter of deciding
kind, and people covering the Room for improvement fan-base who, for the most part, who would be my intended first
boxing scene are no exception, I realised there was room for are too young to remember the subject. I flicked through archive
with iFLTV becoming the most improvement, so I gave it a little fighters of yesteryear, with many boxing matches on YouTube and
successful and clear favourite thought and came up with the of their achievements now having stumbled across a fight between
amongst fans. There are others idea of a series of interviews, gone by the way side, apart from James Cook and Mark Kaylor
of course, but I noticed that utilising the things I had learnt a few online videos, records and for the European middleweight
although much of the content from reading DFM. I decided that history books. title in 1991, which took place
was very good as far as the I wanted to do a series of boxing I thought I’d set out to give in York Hall, Bethnal Green.
stories that were being told and films centred on champions of these guys a chance to tell Peckham’s Jamaican-born
the enthusiasm of the subjects the past. The unsung (and often their full stories in a series of Cook upset the odds that night
go, I couldn’t seem to find one forgotten) heroes of the British productions that they would be by beating West Ham’s golden
independent interview set up boxing ring, from a time many proud to share. Something to boy, Kaylor. I thought it would
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 2 26/06/2016 18:31

JAMES COOK
Prior to my meeting with James, what should have been a three-hour
drive to London took me eight hours, thanks to a traffic accident in
the city centre. This almost lost me my first interview, as I was over
three hours late arriving at Hackney’s Pedro Youth Club, with now only
an hour to spare before the former middleweight champion left the Onwards and upwards professional.
building. Not a great start, but I kept my composure, and stuck to the Now it was time to lock in On arrival at the Bulldog Gym
game plan. One thing I have found with my project, and I suppose it’s interview number two. A boxer in the centre of Bournemouth, I
the same for others, is that things rarely go exactly to plan, and you by the name of Cornelius Carr; immediately got the feeling that
have to stay on your toes if you want your intended project to work. originally from Middlesbrough, Carr might be a tougher challenge
The James Cook interview was a success and well received once it but now Bournemouth-based for me as a subject; he wasn’t
was edited. I was proud to have shot my first interview. was an obvious choice, as his easily taken by the idea of being
gym was only a few miles from interviewed to begin with, but
me, so I set up an interview with after a few minutes, he began to
him. Coincidentally, Carr had feel a little more relaxed. I think
retired James Cook in 1994 when it’s extremely important to try and
the pair met for the British super make your subject feel at ease,
middleweight title. I thought It’d and I think my knowledge of his
be a nice touch to get both sides career and boxing as a whole
of the story behind their fight, as made him much more responsive
they were at opposite ends of to my line of questioning. That’s
their respective careers, with Carr another thing I think its imperative
trying to make a name for himself, when approaching some one for
and Cook (I don’t think he’ll an interview; do your research. It
mind me saying) in the twilight may sound obvious, but building
of his career after 12 years as a a rapport with your subject will
be a great start, so I approached of gym footage and a ‘behind
James Cook on social media, the scenes’ style conversation
explaining my intentions, and between James Cook and his
asked if he’d be interested in more than formidable looking
being my first subject. protégé, Morrison. Being a big
To my surprise I’d had a fan of documentary maker Nick
reply within a couple of hours. Broomfield, I immediately adopted
We arranged a meeting for the his kind of style, which mixed
following week. The interview interview footage with hand-held
went very well, and apart from footage. The final edit was a
a hold up on the road, and success, and I realised I hadn’t
being extremely late, I was been kidding myself. This was
able to get my first interview actually working. Mandatory8Films
in the bag, with a nice B-Roll was born.
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 3 26/06/2016 18:32

The underdog
help. If you come across like you London collective that lends a Nottingham welterweight Jawaid a Sigma 10-20mm lenses. For
don’t know what you’re talking mutual understanding between Khaliq and US heavyweight recording sound I use a Zoom
about, naturally they will struggle interviewer and subject, which Shannon Briggs, which I’ll go into H4n; often along with a Joby
to warm to you, as it will seem I’ve noticed works well for them a little later. Gorillapod, so I can wrap the
you have no common ground to in getting a decent story. But pod around part of a ring post
start from. This actually ended as with Cornelius Carr before Kit used or rope if shooting from ringside,
up being one of the more frank him, Ian gave me an honest I use a Canon 5D MKII for my making sure it’s as close to my
interviews, with Carr not really account of this life in and out A-camera, a Canon 650D as subject as possible. I also have
holding back when it came to his of the boxing ring, resulting in my B-camera, often using it as Manfrotto and Hama tripods.
opinion of the more corrupt side one of the most watched films a second angle shooter, and a It’s a very basic set-up, but it’s
of the sport, naming those he felt I’ve ever done. I think this is Canon Legria HF R606 for easy, what my budget allows me at the
had treated him unfairly. because I took the time to pre- on-the-move shooting, as well moment, and I’m happy with the
empt some of the more detailed as Canon 50mm, 18-55mm and results so far.
“My knowledge facts regarding his boxing career

before the cameras rolled.
of his career and
boxing as a whole Making connections
made him much After learning the lessons I had
learnt at this point, and making
more responsive” the connections that I had, finding
interviews was a lot easier.
I had a similar experience Between August of 2015 and
with Ian Napa; a former April of this year, I shot interviews
flyweight champion and star with former fighters such as
amateur of the 1990s. If you English middleweight champion
follow the independent boxing Steven Bendall, WBC super
YouTubers, it seems that most middleweight champion Glenn
of the creators are London- Catley, British middleweight IAN NAPA
based, and there seems to be champion and world title As far as background and personalities go, myself and Ian Napa were
a camaraderie between them, a challenger Wayne Elcock, popular chalk and cheese, but this turned out to be one of the best interviews
I’ve shot to date. We spoke about his career to begin with, but after
about 30 minutes the interview took a more personal turn, as Ian
became more comfortable talking about his very personal struggles
after boxing, followed by what he does now to help young people in
the area who face similar issues. The thing that was most satisfying
for me, though, was the fact that a week after the interview went live,
he messaged me thanking me for taking the time to travel to him and
shooting the interview, as he’d had a great deal of friends and family
contact him saying that they’d seen the interview online.
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 4 26/06/2016 18:32

GLENN CATLEY
As well as being one of the few boxers from the West Country to
have won a world title, he is known for being one of the nicest guys
in boxing. Because of this, Glenn Catley had been on my radar for
some time. When I approached the former WBC super middleweight
champion, he was all too happy to agree to an interview.
We arranged to meet in Guildford, as opposed to his native telling anyone who will listen that names in the sport today. As
Bristol, as he was giving a hypnotherapy seminar there, which I was he intends on taking on David iFLTV has become so popular
given permission to film. He explained to me during a particularly Haye with his “Let’s Go, Champ” in recent years, with millions of
enthusiastic interview that hypnotherapy had become a huge part campaign. When he arrived here, followers and an astronomical
of his life because, according to him, it was the very reason he went the occasion certainly attracted view-count, he has become
as far as he did in his career. “Translate visualisation”, as he put it; a lot of press, with Sky Sports well known, and is rarely turned
the power to visualise success and then deliver. There’s no denying even making an appearance to down for an interview. The iFLTV
that he is the most accomplished boxer I have had the pleasure of catch a short interview with the method consists of filming what
speaking to during this project. aggressive, yet friendly boxer is happening right now, and
outside Buckingham Palace where uploading as soon as possible,
his very public campaign began.
I shot a lot of footage on the
move that day, and caught the odd
“Something will go
word with Briggs when he was wrong somewhere
available for comment, but I was along the way, you
obliged to wait until the evening
before I could set up a one-to-one
just need to think
interview with the big man. fast and adapt”
YouTube star so the coverage is almost live; a
During my time in London with method that has obviously proven
the Briggs entourage, I shared a successful. We spoke briefly
taxi with founder of iFLTV, Kugan about our respective methods
Latest interview heavyweight champion, Shannon Cassius, a YouTube sensation of covering the sport, and he
In March of this year I was given Briggs in his bid to challenge all who really has a captive audience explained to me that he aims to
the opportunity to film my first UK heavyweight contenders. If online when it comes to boxing. upload his footage as soon as
interview with a US-based boxer. you’ve followed boxing at all over He dedicates much of his time possible, with no edits, therefore
I was invited to London by a the past few weeks, chances travelling the country, attending being an almost live source for
friend of mine, Marc Smith, who are you’ve at least caught a major boxing events and filming the fans. It’s the opposite of what
is involved in promoting former glimpse of Shannon Briggs interviews with the biggest I do in many ways; I interview
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 5 26/06/2016 18:32

The underdog
champions from the past, speak amounts of cash for one interview, SHANNON BRIGGS
about the old days, and how their but offer something. That way My interview with the former heavyweight champ was a tough one
lives have changed since hanging people will see that you’re serious to land, as Mr. Briggs’ attention was directed at the well-known
up the gloves. A more biographical about what you do, and in turn, members of the press such as Sky and iFLTV. I was left in the
method, which I spend hours they’ll take you more seriously. background waiting for my chance to land an interview away from
editing. It’s not live, and it’s not Another thing I have noticed, the media frenzy. At about 7pm that night, as I sat in a London
very “now”, but it is worthwhile and I know it’s a warning often hotel’s foyer with my cameras at the ready, a very withdrawn
and people appreciate what I echoed within these pages; things Shannon Briggs approached me and said, “Do you want that
have done so far. And I enjoy it, will go wrong at some point. If it’s interview now?” My patience had paid off and I was granted a
of course. There have been a few not time restraints, it’s location twenty-minute interview with the big man himself. In retrospect I wish
adventures along the way. problems or lighting issues, I’d been bolder and seized the opportunity earlier. Maybe then I’d
if not that, it’ll be something have had more time, but, as it turned out, along with the extensive
Lessons learnt else. Something will go wrong footage I’d shot that day, and the 20 minute interview I shot in that
I’ve learnt some valuable lessons somewhere along the way, you small, stifling hotel room, I put together a 15-minute film that I was
during my time on this project. just need to think fast and adapt. pretty proud of, and to date it’s been the most popular in regards to
The first one is being aware that Also, as a first-timer it’s always a views and attracting YouTube subscribers to my channel.
if you’re approaching people good idea to follow a subject you’re
and asking for their time, they comfortable with. With boxing as a
may expect to be paid. It has subject matter, I knew my audience
become very popular in all lines would be limited. It’s a pretty niche
of filmmaking to get whatever area after all. The interviews I shoot
you can for free. I tend to have a are for the boxing purists really,
different view; if your project is but I was happy with this, as it’s an
important enough to you, and you area I have knowledge of, therefore
really want it to work, you’ll pay I knew I would produce the best
your way. I think there’s a danger work I could.
that people will not take you If you’d like to check out the
seriously if you assume you can interviews in full then please visit
take up their time for nothing. You my website found over at:
don’t have to pay extortionate www.mandatory8films.com. n
078-83_Imran Kelly.indd 6 26/06/2016 18:34

084-89_Student Perspective.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:33

The student perspective
The student
perspective
This issue we turn the notion of being a student
on its head with a look at senior Canadian
artist-turned-filmmaker Margaret Lindsay Holton
who’s recently released The Frozen Goose
This feature is usually about up the pieces. In deeper terms, it

student filmmakers who are just stands as an exploration of familial
starting out in life, but in the case dynamics shattered by world
of Canadian Margaret Lindsay events, which is quite a common
Holton, her story is one of coming occurrence in the world of today.
to moviemaking later on down Set in 1920, in Southern Ontario,
the line. She has recently finished a Canada, a shellshocked soldier
new film in the shape of The Frozen returns to the farm of his best friend,
Goose in between managing a who died heroically at Vimy Ridge.
busy career as an artist, while her By virtue of a promise, he tries to ‘fill
fascinating story actually spans the boots’ of father, husband and
several decades… provider. He fails miserably. The
The Frozen Goose is about widow is lukewarm, the children are
a broken family coping in the unruly, and he just cannot find work.
aftermath of war. In this instance, As his depression prevails, the
World War One is over, the men are two young children decide to take
coming home, families are picking matters into their own hands. The
girl, Bella, sets out to her uncle’s
store to ask for work. Her younger
brother, Charlie, tags along. As the
situation unfolds, Bella is challenged
to ‘cope’ beyond her years, and
young Charlie loses it… All hell
breaks loose.
People power
Films are fundamentally
about human character. The
prevailing question, given certain
circumstances and a given crisis,
is: what will the character do? If the
film ‘works’, it successfully conveys
the truth of the protagonist’s
experience to the audience: it is

believable and resonates. If the conditions meant that certain ways, the making of the film screening, I was heartened to
film ‘fails’, it is primarily because scenes had to be shot ‘on the amplified the story itself: the hear both giggles at Charlie’s
the story arc is unconvincing. No fly’. It was a valuable lesson challenge was to overcome the tell-tale antics, and was even
amount of cine-pyrotechnics can for me, because no matter seemingly impossible. In the surprised when one audience
save a bad story. This is my first how much you prepare and end, I managed it. Of course, member broke into song with
formal ‘narrative’ short, based think you’ve got it covered, the it is not 100% as I had hoped, one of the WWI ditties in the film.
on a published short story of unexpected happens. Suddenly, but overall, with some judicious This is encouraging, especially
the same name that appeared all that planning goes out the editing, and some added stock for a first narrative film. As the
in a World War One anthology window. You, as a director, are shots and fancy foley, I do know logline goes, ‘Life is never really
in 2014. That story, The Frozen forced to improvise. In many we’ve got it. At a recent ‘test’ what you think it is’...
Goose, was set as the final
story in the anthology, a good
place to be. As the author of
that original story, I knew I had
a ‘keeper’. The challenge was
to transcribe it into a workable
screenplay, cast it properly, set
dress it convincingly, and keep
the momentum of the story
working towards a revealing and
believable conclusion.
Careful planning
To that end, meticulous
storyboards were intricately
drawn and a shot list was
carefully defined. Yet, during
shooting, unfavourable weather

The characters in period costumes that meld the rails during the damnable ‘shopkeeper’. He is a solid
Perhaps the most unique her into the background. She ‘scarf tying’ scene. As for uncle citizen, a local proprietor who
character development in the becomes a part of the now Harry, and the returning broken looks out for his neighbours. In
story is the unseen ‘dead’ man, hollow home. Yet, as we watch soldier, Tom, I knew I needed contrast, Tom, (John Fort), the
the unnamed father-husband her methodically cut bread two high-contrasting male types war-torn soldier, is aloof, alone,
who died at the front. In order and perform her wifely duties, to best amplify the social and adrift and isolated. He just does
to convey both his enduring we become aware of her emotional disparity between not fit in. The audience are not
caring personality and the loving consistency, her sense of duty, the two. So, with uncle Harry really meant to ‘like’ him when
intimacy he felt for his family, I and her quiet determination to (Rod McTaggart), the audience he is first introduced. And yet,
used fiddle music to project his ‘soldier on’ in the face of tragedy. see and hear a warm-hearted his true character is revealed at
The audience learn a lot about
her, not so much by what she
“The Frozen says, but by what she does.
Goose is about The children were cast to best
a broken family reflect the nature of their scripted
coping in the characters. Bella, (Hannah Ralph)

is on the cusp of maturity. Charlie
aftermath of war” (Cameron Brindle) warms hearts
as he displays both innocence
absent persona. As a superb and young boy hubris. Both child
fiddler, his music - beautifully actors were encouraged to ‘be
rendered by David Clarence themselves’. As a result, their
MacLean - is a recurring motif character authenticity rings true.
that ribbons in and out at
poignant points of the film. His Laughter lines
wife, the sad and disheartened We did have some hilarious
widow character (played by moments during rehearsals
Leslie Gray), is enshrouded when things went completely off

the very end. Then, the audience handful of humble yet heroic community, I was very fortunate Early days
slowly realize that he was the leaders, including the strength to get to know the late, great After finishing a dual degree in
dead soldier’s ‘best friend’ for a of character of Mahatma Canadian documentarian English Literature and Philosophy
very good reason. Gandhi, the current soft-spoken Peter Wintonick. Peter was a taken at the University of Toronto
Dalai Lama, the commitment most marvellous man: witty, and Edinburgh back in the
Main influence of Mother Theresa, and, compassionate, passionate and 1970s, I began my art career
My greatest inspiration is, perhaps unusually for some, very companionable. It was in the realm of typography. I
and remains, my now dead the present Queen of England, he, after seeing a few of my proceeded in the publishing
father. Dad was a really Queen Elizabeth II. That lady documentary shorts, who first arena for a few years: as a
remarkable ‘ordinary’ man. In has been one heck of a Queen, proofreader, editor, publicist
many respects, he was like
so many of his generation. It
fulfilling her ‘role’ as head of
state most diligently. She has
“The children and finally, as a book marketer.
My love of language always
was not until after he died, consistently led ‘by example’. were cast to best propelled me to explore and
as an example, that the story Meanwhile, in the filmmaking reflect the nature investigate the arts of rhetoric
of his courage during WWII
was revealed. He was one of
of their scripted further. I soon fused these
attributes into a business,
only five Canadians who won characters” MLH Productions, and began
the Polish Cross of Valour for to package book projects to
outstanding bravery at the front. tarred me with the title as ‘the various Canadian publishers.
Yet, not once during my lifetime Maya Deren of the North!’ I was I established my own artist’s
did he ever ‘burden’ his family equally touched and honoured press, Acorn Press Canada
with the known horrors of that when he wrote the delightfully and have since produced an
war. Instead, he unstintingly poetic foreword to the exhibition assortment of poetry, prose,
dedicated his time to making life catalogue for my first public solo photo and artist books, as well
better for his friends, associates photography show, Memory’s as a music CD. I was always
and, most importantly, for his Shadow at the Art Gallery of aware that I must survive on
family. Aside from my father, I Burlington. Peter was a big man what I earn. After a 2-year
continued to be inspired by a with a very big heart. stint exploring ‘experimental’

documentary filmmaking with Valley School of Art and never beyond the perpetual digital the ‘survival-of-the-fittest’ edicts
a Ryerson Film Arts grad - (we looked back. Today, I make all ‘rush’. Likewise, I have held of yesteryear, but it also grounds
co-produced, directed and shot my own pinhole cameras, print a brush for as long as I can this Darwinian philosophy with
the 54-minute In the Eye of my own prints, and have shown remember. In this medium, I the all too pressing necessity of
the Hunter, in 16 mm, that was my works at two celebrated often document the prevailing a sustainable evolution that will
eventually broadcast, via VHS, public art galleries in the area essence of the previously guarantee all species survival
on Rogers Cable 10 in 1986) - I to good reviews, the Homer explored. Mindstopping on the planet. We are the
started working 9-to-5 for my landscapes continue to enchant. caretakers. It really is time that
late father as sales director in Clients often come back to we, as the dominant species,
his fine woodworking studio
“I remain see ‘what’s up with Lindsay’. start taking that responsibility
at Holton Fine Furniture in motivated to There is usually something seriously. The act and art of
Hamilton, Ontario. produce a uniquely ‘new’ underway when they drop filmmaking can be a bridge, if
Taking stock Canadian vision to by my studio on Lake Ontario.

Cumulatively, these things are
used judiciously, between what
is and what really can be. To
When my father became the world” just what I do as a Canadian that end, my next narrative short
seriously ill in 2000, I closed arts ‘producer’. Over the past is about a fun-loving bohemian
the business in Toronto and Watson Gallery in Kitchener and four decades I have been built family who run a quirky bed and
came home to rural Ontario the Art Gallery of Burlingon. I a solid reputation as a focused, breakfast on the Great Lakes.
to help the family tend to him. have also shown privately, at multi-disciplined, mid-career, They love each other and life
After relocating, and after he the trendy Rosedale Diner in award-winning Canadian is good, but things can get a
had passed away, I settled into Toronto, and at various Fall ‘outsider’ artist. bit odd at times. The script is
painting, writing for a living Studio Tours in the region. in development now and then
again. Then, quite by chance, I Pinholing is an intriguing Bold vision I will attempt my first narrative
picked up pinhole photography. mind-expanding journey into With little formal arts training I feature. Copies of The Frozen
I attended a basic pinholing the alternate world of ‘slow remain motivated to produce a Goose can be pre-ordered
workshop with framed Canadian photography’. It is a healthy way uniquely Canadian vision to the via the website found at
pinholer Di Bos at the Dundas to perceive the world above and world. My vision recognizes, yes, mlhproductions.weebly.com. n

Untitled-2 1 26/06/2016 23:07
Hardware advice
The DFM team offers up essential
advice on getting started and takes a 92 Interview
with a pro
look at some of the best kit currently
available for filmmaking
99 New kit
091_Kit intro.indd 1 26/06/2016 22:36

with a Pro
Interview
Affordable video editing software has
just become even more accessible
thanks to Sony selling its leading
applications to German software and
app provider Magix, as the company
CEO Klaus Schmidt explains…
Magix has recently acquired

Sony creative software products
and, if you’re a filmmaker on a
budget looking for a video editing
solution, then that is very good
news indeed. Magix is a leading
creator of video, music and photo-
editing software and apps in Europe
and is already well established in
the US market too. By purchasing
Sony Creative Software products,
including the full Vegas Pro, Movie
Studio, Sound Forge Pro, and Acid
Pro product lines, Magix is looking
to further cement its position in
the market and accelerate its
international growth. The SCS
Catalyst Browse and Catalyst
Production Suite will continue to be
developed by Sony for professional
broadcast and production
applications. “These products from
Sony Creative Software are the
perfect addition to our portfolio,”
says Magix CEO Klaus Schmidt.
“We have already strengthened
our presence in the United States
in order to propel development
and sales. This autumn, we plan to
release new versions of the video-
editing programs Vegas Pro and
Movie Studio, which are heavily
oriented toward the customer
requirements of today,”
Good move
Crucially, if you’re already an owner
of the software, is that Magix will
092-95_Sony Interview.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:41

Interview with a pro: Klaus Schmidt
continue to support all current

SCS customers who purchased
products from Sony to ensure,
they say, a seamless end user
experience. It’s a bold more by the
company but a positive one for
the company that was originally
established back in 1993. Magix
prides itself on offering private
and professional users with a
technologically sophisticated and
user-friendly range of products for
designing, editing, presenting, and
archiving digital photos, videos,
music, documents and websites.
And, based on retail sales figures,
Magix is the market leader in
multimedia software in Germany
and the other most prominent
European markets and is also one
of the most successful market
players in the United States. So
what then prompted Magix to
make this move? “The Vegas
line is very attractive and has a
large and loyal fan base,” reckons
Klaus. “It is also strong in markets
like North America where Magix
currently is not. So it looks like a
perfect match for us.”
How receptive were Sony to the
idea once you’d decided to make
a move for the line? “Sony was
quite interested from the beginning
as the trimming of their software
line down to the Catalyst family
seemed to fit quite well in line with
their desire to focus on supporting
their large line of professional
hardware solutions. Sony seemed
to have a desire to see these
products Magix has acquired
thrive into the future and knew
that their business model wouldn’t
support that effort.”
Different strokes
Given the decision by Sony to
make the move and sell their
software assets to Magix, this
might mean we won’t see any
more program options coming
from that camp. What does it
suggest to Klaus about Sony if
they were prepared to sell the
popular software packages? “To
us it suggests that the priorities
they’ve set for their software
development fit more effectively
with their Catalyst line and that
they did not want to leave current

customers who love Vegas pressed to match, let alone beat.
Pro and the other titles without The Vegas line-up truly stretches
future options,” reckons the across the spectrum of editors and
Magix boss, before adding, their needs.”
“Vegas Pro is truly what its name
suggests: a professional tool. New look
Filmmakers at all levels benefit The acquisition is currently
from the intuitive and extremely something of a work in progress
fast editing environment. High- so Klaus reckons you will see
end filmmakers who may also some aesthetic changes to
work with other tools find that these packages over time too…
Vegas Pro fits in well with their “Naturally, rebranding efforts are
workflow because projects underway and they’re critical,”
can be transferred to other adds the CEO. “But that’s not all
tools if necessary. Independent we’re doing for the next releases.
filmmakers and documentarians We’ll be looking at stability
find that the full and powerful and performance issues, along
feature set gives them all the tools with a handful of new features.
they need - from multicamera We’re dedicated to seeing these
editing, to colour grading applications grow into the future,
features, to flexible hardware and that requires creative thinking
support, to the unequalled audio ensures users that graduating on everything from fixes to new
feature set and more - to deliver from one level to the next will features. We’re interested in
their art. And, the fast editing be extremely easy. Once you nothing less than providing the
environment helps editors at all know how to edit in Vegas Movie best video editing options on the
levels deliver their projects under Studio, stepping up to editing in market!”
tighter deadlines.” Vegas Pro is unbelievable easy And, it’s interesting to ponder,
because the user interface and does this mark a period of further
Varied solution tools are essentially the same acquisitions for Magi? “Well, never
Of course, the other great thing from one version to the next. So say no, but we are pretty busy with
about these software applications yes, there’s something here for this current acquisition,” chuckles
is that they are well-known for everyone!” Klaus before adding, “first things
being pretty easy to use. One first, as they say.” n
of the most off-putting issues Power packed
for fledgling filmmakers is how To drill down into the detail a
they are going to manage their little then, what sort of features
footage once they get it back and overall functionality can
to base. Having a user-friendly they expect from the range? “At
option seems like the way to go, the introductory level, Vegas
so there a package to suit every Movie Studio provides basic
type of budding video editor? essentials for creating videos,”
“The Vegas line starts at the furthers the CEO. “But, even
introductory consumer-oriented at this beginner level we offer
Vegas Movie Studio product a few great surprises, such as
that offers simplified tools for the three-wheel and secondary
hobbyists and new editors to colour correction tools typically
get fun projects done and learn found only in higher-end software
about video editing,” Klaus applications. At the top end,
explains. “Vegas Movie Studio Vegas Pro gives professional
Platinum takes things up a notch users virtually everything they
and really opens up the world of need to get pro projects done
serious editing for people who quickly and with top quality.
are interested in going beyond Multicamera tools, a wealth of
simple ‘home movies’ and delving correction and creative filters and
into more serious work. Then, of effects, closed captioning, support
course, Vegas Pro takes care of for professional hardware, and too
the top end and provides a wealth many other features to list here!
of professional tools and features And, of course, supporting all of
that give users complete editing these applications are top-notch
power. And the continuous line audio tools and features that any
from the low-end to the high-end competing NLE would be hard

Interview with a pro: Klaus Schmidt

with a Pro
Interview
Wes Plate from
Automatic Duck takes us
on a tour of the American
software company and
explains what their
products can do to boost
your filmmaking workflow
By NAB 2001 we were selling our first for translating Final Cut Pro X clips to
plug-in, a translator for taking Avid Motion. Automatic Duck’s tools help
sequences into After Effects. Our editors and other digital media artists
Automatic Duck is a father and son business was born out of a real-world create workflows involving different
team; we are editors, filmmakers, need. After that we expanded to video tools. Very often you need to use
engineers, software developers and creating more translators and Automatic FCPX with a graphics or compositing
we are lucky enough to be a part of Duck became known as the go to tool like After Effects or Motion and
an amazing community of artists. We company for timeline translation. Automatic Duck makes it possible
develop software products that make lives to use these tools together more
simpler. Our timeline translation software Growing range efficiently. Editors who use Final Cut Pro
has been used by tens of thousands of Today, Automatic Duck sells a product X together with After Effects or Motion
people - from filmmakers, indies, editors, that translates Final Cut Pro X clips will be very happy with Ximport AE and
VFX artists and on everything from major to Adobe After Effects, that’s called Xsend Motion.
motion pictures to indie films to television Ximport AE, Media Copy is a very handy
commercials. Automatic Duck was started tool that figures out the media files Latest highlights
in 2000, and, at the time I was an Avid used in an Avid or Final Cut timeline Xsend Motion is a new product that
editor often using Adobe After Effects in and copies those files to a destination reads projects from Final Cut Pro X and
my editing work. I wanted a more seamless you specify. We have also finally just turns them into Motion projects. Users
way to translate Avid timelines to After starting shipping Xsend Motion, a tool of the old Final Cut Pro 7 and Motion 4
Effects and I proposed to my father Harry,
who worked as a software engineer, an
idea for how we could solve this problem.
096-97_Automatic Duck.indd 1 26/06/2016 21:22

Interview with a pro: Wes Plate
5 project, building a long-desired bridge

between the two applications.
Great solution
Mark Spencer is a freelance producer,
videographer, editor, trainer and writer
based in the Bay Area where he produces
Final Cut Pro X and Motion-related
training and plug-ins with his partners
at Ripple Training. He is also an Apple-
certified Master Trainer, consultant for
corporations and individuals and is the
author of a half-dozen books on motion
graphics and editing. Mark participated in
the beta program for Xsend Motion and
that were a part of Final Cut Pro Studio to be used in FCPX, but you use Final had this to say about it:
had an option in FCP to send clips to Cut Pro to select the clips then send to “Automatic Duck Xsend Motion is a
Motion and many editors enjoyed this Motion to keep designing. godsend for Final Cut Pro X editors who
workflow. Final Cut Pro X does not have use Motion to add motion graphics and
a similar way to send clips to the new Easy to use visual effects to their videos. Finally, there
Motion 5. Many users have requested Automatic Duck’s Xsend Motion is very is a simple way to get your edited clips,
this feature, and many of them asked easy to use. Xsend Motion integrates complete with temp effects, titles, and
us to solve this workflow problem. into the Share Menu in Final Cut Pro, it transitions, into Motion!”
That’s how Xsend Motion came to takes just a couple clicks to have clips Steven Galvano is an independent film
be: solving a problem real users have. translated from FCPX to Motion. We producer and operator of Colors Studios
Using Xsend Motion you can send don’t want our translation tool to break in Rochester, New York. Steven’s work
clips from Final Cut Pro X to Motion 5. creative flow so we therefore make it includes an extensive roster of short film
You can add video clips to complex as easy to use as possible. Automatic and video projects, national ads, narrative
animations or composites in Motion Duck Xsend Motion made its debut at short film projects, and feature length
where you have more control than the FCP Exchange Workshop during documentaries shot all over the world.
FCPX offers. You might be designing the NAB 2016 conference in April, Steven is a long-time Automatic Duck
titles and wish to use clips selected and where the company demonstrated customer, and has been using Xsend
trimmed in Final Cut Pro X, or maybe how Xsend Motion instantly converts Motion as well.
you’re creating a generator in Motion 5 XML from Final Cut Pro X to a Motion “Automatic Duck saved our lives -
and dozens of post hours - during a
documentary feature we produced nearly
10 years ago. Now that we are producing
content at the screaming pace that
episodic TV demands, we’re thrilled to
have Automatic Duck back for FCPX and
Motion. It’s proven itself once again to be
a no-compromise time-saver, and one of
the most valuable tools in our bag.”
Xsend Motion reads XML exports,
or is able to process projects directly
from the Final Cut Pro X Share menu.
Xsend Motion is also able to translate
clip transforms, speed changes, and
many third party filters and it’s available
now for $99. For more information on
Automatic Duck Xsend Motion, visit
www.automaticduck.com/products/
xsend-motion. n
096-97_Automatic Duck.indd 2 26/06/2016 21:22

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n Movie Edit Pro 2016 Premium is the first
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098_Competition page.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:43

ProMediaGear
New Kit
New Kit Reviews
Cage Rig
Use this innovative new rig design to give your
shooting set up the extra boost that it needs
ProMediaGear have been in their range, so it’s probably
increasing their range of good to have a look at their
filmmaking accessories at website and see how the rig,
Panavision 8K
a rate of knots recently and and those other add-ons, can
this adjustable video cage rig help you put together a set up
DXL Camera
for DSLRs and video cameras that’ll be good for a whole raft
is another quality addition. of shooting assignments.
Alongside looking pretty good
The mighty Panavision 8K DXL Camera has a on the eyes, the rig is designed VERDICT
mind-boggling array of technical potential with functionality firmly in mind. With its competitive price tag
The device locks on to your of $199.95 (about £140 at the
Yeah, we know this camera with simultaneous 4K proxy camera in two places, so it’s time of writing) this is a top
doesn’t have much to offer (ProRes or DNx), Recording going to be safe and secure for value bit of kit. The unit comes
the fledgling filmmaker on Media - SSD (up to 1 hour starters. The other appealing well-made and looks durable
a budget but there is no on a single magazine), File factor is that it is very flexible enough to stand the inevitable
way we’d let this issue go Type - r3d (supported in RED and that’s thanks to a series bumps and scrapes of everyday
by without having a closer SDK), colour profile - Light of bracket plates that can be filming duties. And, the fact
look at the mighty 8K DXL Iron Color (compatible with all used in tandem with the rig that you can mix and match a
camera from Panasonic. popular gamuts and transfer to make it work with a variety wide variety of brackets from
This large format 8K cinema curves). There are also a host of of cameras. Meanwhile, it the company also means that
monster is actually a pretty additional features too, including appears to also be relatively it can be used with numerous
big deal too because when it 6 independent video outputs, low-maintenance and can be cameras. So, that means come
comes to high-end then this support for 6 independent 1D adjusted via a couple of Allen the day you trade up your trusty
is right up there with the best LUTs or up to 4 independent 3D screws and there’s a wrench rig will also work with the new
of them – think the Arri Alexa LUTs, you can directly motorize included into the bargain. model that you buy.
65 for example. However, and Primo 70 lenses through wireless As is always the case with
perhaps a little surprisingly, control, there’s built-in wireless ProMediaGear, it will also work Price $199.95
the Panavision 8K DXL is the timecode for genlock (Ambient in harmony with other products Web www.promediagear.com
end result of a meetings of Communication Network) and
minds, which means that the dual menus (Operator side,
optical and inner technology is Assistant side).
all Panavision while the sensor
technology has been developed VERDICT
with RED. Meanwhile, Light Incredibly, especially when
Iron had a hand in the colour you consider just how much
science that’s involved to pull technology is packed inside,
it all together. The end result the Panavision 8K DXL weighs
is therefore quite spectacular just 10 pounds or so. That
with a specification that’s pretty said, this is also likely to be
eye-watering: sensor type - hugely expensive and will
16-bit, 35.5-megapixel CMOS, doubtless only realistically be
resolution 8192 x 4320, sensor available from rental houses.
size - large format: 40.96mm x Nevertheless, for anyone with
21.60mm (Diagonal: 46.31mm), sufficiently deep pockets and a
dynamic Range - 15 stops, desire to use the best kit at their
Max Frame Rate - 60 fps at 8K disposal then this will be a must.
Full Frame (8192 x 4320), 75
fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 x 3456), Price £TBC
recording codec - 8K RAW Web dxl.panavision.com
099-106_Kit.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:27

New Kit Fiilex AL250
This cool new lighting solution is designed to
illuminate subjects when using a drone
Fiilex has some cool products

and this one, the AL250 is a
neat new take on illumination.
Yep, the company has only
gone and released its first aerial
lighting solution, which actually
makes a lot of sense when you
think about it. The unit can be
mounted to any drone with
a minimum payload capacity VERDICT
of at least 270 grams, while a This is one of those ideas
compact design and a 200-watt that make you wonder why
tungsten bulb means that your nobody has done it before
subject area is going to be well in this particular format.
lit with being imposed upon. Sure, this won’t work for lots
The bulb only draws 30 watts of situations and shooting
Olympus LS
of power so Fiilex reckons it’s scenarios, but it could be
super-efficient and relatively handy for some projects
Pocket Series
low-maintenance. The optical where you need an extra bit
construction makes the most of of light on the subject matter.
Fiilex’s Dense Matric technology If it’s priced right then Fiilex
Improve your audio on the next shoot with this too, which focus the flicker-free could be on to something,
portable recording solution from Olympus beam more efficiently. Power although it’ll be only a matter
comes from a rechargeable of time before everyone else
With so many great audio 3-microphone system for Lithium-ion battery that is follows suit with their own
accessories on the market expanded frequency response attached to the body of the light version.
there’s no longer any real with better bass capture (20hz itself. From that you can expect
excuse for having poor sound to 20,000hz). In addition, the around 25 minutes of use, Price £TBC
quality although, as most LS-P2 includes a convenient which isn’t bad at all. Web www.fiilex.com
people will probably agrees, Normalization function enabling
there are plenty of things on the levels of recorded files
the day that can still cause it to be subsequently boosted
to run out badly. Minimising to the optimal distortion-free
the risk of duff audio is therefore maximum volume - without the
a case of getting yourself a need for any PC or additional
dedicated mic and recorder software.
arrangement, which is what
this the Pocket Series does VERDICT
really rather well. There are two This pair of recorders are
models, the LS-P1, in silver, appealing because they’re
and the LS-P2 in black and small, compact and deliver
Olympus has had the rather very decent audio. The fact
good idea of offering a tripod that Olympus has also tweaked
attachment that allows either them to appeal to video people
unit to sit on the hotshoe via an is a smart move too, while the
adapter and cable arrangement. pricing isn’t bad at all and you
Therefore, for videographers also get battery life of up to
the unit adds a much better 39 hours, internal memory of
stereo sound capability than 4GB and 8GB respectively plus
standard mic options that come microSD card storage. One to
built-in on DSLRs and the like. consider if you want your kit
Olympus reckons you’ll get top set up to remain as compact
quality recordings in broadcast and unobtrusive as possible.
Linear PCM 96kHZ/24bit
format, while the LS-P2 even Price £109.99/£169.99
incorporates a TRESMIC, Web www.olympus.co.uk
099-106_Kit.indd 2 26/06/2016 19:27

Gremsy gStabi H7 New Kit
3-axis gimbal
This high-tech gimbal will help you get sterling
results no matter what kind of shoot you’re on
Smoovie
Stabilizer
Gremsy reckons that the seconds is also great, while The natty little Smoovie Stabilizer lets you shoot
gStabi H7 3-axis gimbal is the the dual-operator configuration super-slick video using your smartphone or GoPro
lightest and most powerful with remote controls (SBUS or
accessory in its class and SPEKTRUM) means that this With more of us choosing video capture. There’s also a
it’s certainly an impressive will be good for a variety of to shoot what we hope will Smoovie Plus that’s available
offering. It comes packed different shooting assignments. be decent quality video on for £21.99, which comes with
with features too, including our smartphones it’s little an additional interchangeable
a 32-bit ARM high speed VERDICT wonder that there has been adapter that lets you use it in
microprocessor that enables it This was actually on special an explosion of accessories tandem with your GoPro tripod
to work in super-fast fashion. offer at the time of writing for to help make the end result mount.
Meanwhile, the encoder $1,995, which is about £1,360, look that little bit better.
offers ultra-high resolution up so you’re getting quite a lot The Smoovie Stabilizer has VERDICT
to 0.005 degrees – which is for your money plus it’ll work been developed during a This thing weighs just a few
apparently the world’s highest with a wide variety of cameras crowdfunding campaign and grams and thanks to the
resolution available in the too including most DSLRs, the it’s a great addition to the foldable design it’s easy
gimbal market. Elsewhere, A7s, GH4, BMPCC, BMCC and ranks and, for the proposed to take this with you when
there’s an auto tuning feature C100/C300. Motion control can price point, it’s hard to resist. you’re on the go. And, for the
with one touch functionality for also be managed using an iPad The main bonus is that it’s price, the Smoovie Stabilizer
making adjustments to settings app and that gives you precise compact and bijou, so you can seems to represent brilliant
and there’s a built-in stand too. monitoring of pan, tilt and roll. take it on your travels without value. Admittedly it’s going
With a weight of 1.7 kilograms Add it all together and you’ve any hassle, while the other to be hard for any device
the unit is up there with the got a potent little package. bonus is that it works with to completely eradicate the
best of them and it also has the majority of smartphones. rough edges you inevitably get
a payload of 2.7 kilograms, Price $1,995 Similarly, the stabilizer will also from using a smartphone to
which is also very decent. Web www.gremsy.com hook up to a GoPro if you have shoot video, but the ingenious
You’ll get a battery running one. There’s some clever stuff design does do a pretty
time of up to 8 hours while here too, like the adjustable good job of letting you get
the other boon of this model counterweight on the shaft that presentable footage that will
is that Gremsy says you’ll be allows precision tweaks to be leave people asking just how
able to enjoy a very simple made to the action. Meanwhile, you managed it.
5-minute setup and balance a pair of magnets help to
before you’re ready to go. The further dampen any movement, Price £19.99
neat quick release top handle thereby producing silky smooth Web www.pocketsmoovie.com
which can be connected in
099-106_Kit.indd 3 26/06/2016 19:28

New Kit
Freefly Alta 8
The Freelfy Alta 8 is an innovative new twist on
the more regular UAV but is it any good?
Freefly have a few models of performance the Alta also

available and this the new comes with a premium price
Alta 8 is being marketed tag, so if you have a desire
as innovative in that it to see what it can do for your
can pack down nicely for film then you may be better
transportation to and from off hiring a company that
your point of flight. Of specialises in getting the best
course, that’s not an idea from it.
that’s exclusive to Freefly,
but this model does seem to VERDICT
be pretty good at downsizing This is no toy and as such
itself rather more so than
some of its competitors out
you’ll really need to know
what you’re doing if you want Aputure
Lightstorm 120t
there. For starters, the props to use it to capture high-
can be folded up, while the end video, hence the reason
swan neck booms do the we think you’d be better
same. So that takes it from a off using the professional Bid a welcome to the fresnel LED projector that
flying size of 1325mm down to services of people who have comes with high colour rendering CRI9
just 660mm when the whole insurance and sufficient flying
thing is packed up. And, the experience. Nevertheless, Aputure continues to guys and we particularly like the
other big thing about this there’s no doubt that the expand its range of diverse design aesthetic and the overall
quirky machine is that it’s Alta 8 packs a formidable filmmaking accessories look of quality.
also the first of its kind to punch, which is further and this new light is
offer the option of mounting compounded by the Synapse certainly worthy of further VERDICT
a camera above the airframe flight control system that investigation. The LightStorm The Aputure Lightstorm 120t
using its Skyview system. comes as part of the COB 120t LED video light is works out at around £447, so
In addition, this is a high package. An awesome bit of the first COB design from the it’s going to be a reasonably
performance machine with a kit for professional use only. outfit and it comes packed large investment. However,
maximum lift capacity of 18.1 with features, including CRI ≥ everything is here to ensure
kilograms, which is more than Price £10,500 97, High Colour Restoration, that you get maximum mileage
most out there on the market. Web www.freeflysystems.com a dual power supply and an from the light and it does
Naturally, to enjoy this sort ultra-silent fan with low noise everything you’d expect and
down to 18dB. However, it’s with the minimum of noise. It
also perfect for a wide variety of comes with a handy carrying
shooting situations and features bag too and, while Aputure
a standard industrial mount that doesn’t state its weight, the
makes it really easy to work company reckons that it is
with. As with any light, the heat perfectly portable, which is
can be a challenge but in the what you want from a light
case of the Lightstorm 120t when you’re on the go.
there’s a dual cooling mode
that’ll keep it functioning quite Price €582
happily even on those long Web www.aputureshop.eu
location days. Elsewhere,
there’s one key switching,
unique light-control
separation design that
boosts its capabilities and
the portability of the unit
means that it’s easy to pack
up and go when you’re done.
An impressive foray into the
work of lighting from these
099-106_Kit.indd 4 26/06/2016 19:28

Benro BV4/6 Pro New Kit
Tripod Kit
Benro adds a couple of new tripod kits its ever
expanding range of filmmaking accessories
A high-end tripod might Another real boon in the way
seem like a significant these two tripods are put
investment, and it is, but as together is that they feature
is the case with all quality a stepped counterbalance,
kit, the initial outlay is soon which allows you to dial in
recouped both in terms of precise settings for each and
improving the quality of your every set up that you have,
work and also in the way which is a very practical
that good kit lasts. Benro solution especially if you tend
now has two new additions to to work with heavy kit.
its range, with the Pro version
of the BV4 and the BV6, with VERDICT
the latter being able to cope These units are clearly going
with heavier payloads and to be ideal for any filmmaker
both are targeted firmly as or videographer who needs
Eken H8R Camera

videographers and filmmakers both a robust design and a
thanks to a design that feature set that allows for
allows for finite control over the ultimate in flexibility.
counterbalance, pan drag You can get them up to a Can the relatively unknown Eken take on the stiff
and tilt drag. Construction maximum height of 160cm competition out there in action camera-land?
of both is based around a (the minimum is 71cm) while
double tandem leg design features such as the pair Another action camera from latter then this could be a handy
that features an adjustable, of 3//8” accessory mounts, China and this time it’s the second camera option. It’s
removable spreader, a metal counterbalance options and a Eken H8R, which on face got dimensions of just 41mm
75mm bowl and oversized leg tilt range of +90/-60 degrees value looks to be very like (height), 59mm (width) and
locks that allow ease of use means that these tripods one of the big rivals out 21.4mm (depth) and weighs
on the move. There are dual should suit any kind of job. there, but while the looks just 66 grams so it’s certainly
spike feet with pads too, so are fairly predictable there’s small enough to be unobtrusive.
both should be dependable Price £277 a specification that’s better It’s also waterproof down to
on less than ideal terrain. Web www.benroeu.com than you might be expecting. 3 metres and can also deliver
The H8R features Ultra HD 4K stills in 12, 8 and 5-megapixel
30 frames per second shooting variants.
capability and has also got
a wide-angle lens that can VERDICT
cover 170-degrees. There’s We quite like the look of
also Wi-Fi control, HDMI and the little Eken H8R Camera
Wi-Fi all built inside this petite although without knowing the
little casing plus there’s also price it’s tricky to say if this is
a microSD card slot for good good value or not. If it costs
measure. There’s also a 2-inch peanuts and offers this sort
screen that delivers a fine little of specification then it could
preview of what you’re shooting be worthy of investigation,
and the whole thing can be although the only potential
controlled via your smartphone downside is that battery life
or tablet with the Ez iCam app looks to be around one and
installed. The Eken H8R is, as a half hours tops if you’re
you’d expect, small enough shooting 1080p at 30 frames
to adorn a helmet or vehicle per second. This doesn’t
of your choice and the other seem too great, but if it’s
bonus with this unit is cheap then that might be
that it is apparently worth making allowances for.
fully compatible with
the range of GoPro Price £TBC
accessories. So if you own the Web www.eken.com
099-106_Kit.indd 5 26/06/2016 19:28

New Kit Canon Speedlite
600EX II-RT
Canon offers up this new lighting accessory for
the recently-launched flagship EOS-1D X Mark II
up to 15 separate Speedlights
to work as one dramatic light
source. On top of that there’s a
bounce adapter that lets you get
even more creative.
VERDICT
Xiaomi 4K Mi This comes nicely designed
and very well made although
Drone there is unlikely to be little

appeal for videography people
Aggressive pricing and a decent feature set who probably stopped used
makes the new Xiaomi 4K Mi Drone very attractive Canon products a while ago
in favour of more forward-
This Chinese tech brand Robinson feel about the unit, thinking manufacturers.
might not be instantly familiar with a controller that needs to Nevertheless, if you own the
but with a growing portfolio of have a smartphone attached mighty EOS-1D X Mark II then
products that include phones, in order to get a video feed you’ll find that the Speedlite
tablets and action cams it going. Nevertheless, Xiaomi 600EX II-RT makes a perfect
is already making waves reckons it’ll stay in the air for up addition to the camera bag.
with lovers of gadgets. This, to 27 minutes, and it’s suitably If you’ve shelled out a chunk
the Xiaomi 4K Mi Drone is a portable into the bargain. of cash on something like Price £539
foray into the ultra-competitive the EOS-1D X Mark II then Web www.canon.co.uk
UAV market, which has been VERDICT Canon reckons that you’ll be
dominated by DJI for quite a If you fancy dipping your toe into equally as willing to pay a bit
while now. However, Xiaomi the world of drone videography extra and get this accessory,
is going for the jugular with an and don’t want to risk trashing the Speedlite 600EX II-RT,
aggressively priced product a premium priced model then which is aimed primarily at
that comes in two flavours – the the Xiaomi 4K Mi Drone might stills shooters who need a
1080p edition that should cost be worth a look. There are not versatile lighting solution that
around £259 and a 4K unit that as many bells and whistles as is relatively low maintenance.
will have a price tag of £310. some of those high-end models It’s a nice bit of kit and Canon
So, what to expect for that out there, but for this sort of has made some improvements
kind of silly money? Well, you money you can still fly it safe in to the specification that enables
get quadcopter functionality the knowledge that if the worst it to fire up to 50% more flashes
and a 360-degree camera that comes to the worst it’ll stop if continuously when put up
apparently uses a 12-megapixel you accidentally venture into a alongside its predecessor. There
Sony sensor to capture your restricted area. So, theoretically is also improved heat measure
content. 4K footage will offer it’s beginner-friendly and technology that’ll stop the unit
3840 x 2160 video, there’s Raw Xiaomi says it can be controlled from overheating when you’re
capability and 1080p at 60 up to 3 kilometres away too. in full flow. Canon reckons that
frames per second. Of course, its guide number of 60mm
being so cheap means that Price from £259 at ISO 100 will let you
there’s a little bit of a Heath Web www.xiaomi-mi.com tackle a variety of lighting
scenarios plus there’s a
wireless slave function
that gives additional
freedom to people who
want to use the Speedlight
off camera. In addition,
a radio control function
provides an extra touch of
creative freedom too and
it’s also possible to hook
099-106_Kit.indd 6 26/06/2016 19:30

Yuneec New Kit
Typhoon H
Can the Yuneec Typhoon H pick-off the
competition with its high spec and solid price?
Yuneec have some very
decent products in their
range and the new Typhoon
H looks like adding to the
appeal. It’s an all-new, six-
rotor machine that boasts
retractable landing gear while
the combination of a full
3-axis, 360-degree gimbal
and brand new CG03+ camera team then the additional ST12
means that it’s got a potent Wizard controller lets one
edge too. In fact, Yuneec has person fly and another operate
clearly been busy refining the camera.
what they’ve learnt from
other models, and indeed VERDICT
other competitors, and has With current conversion rates
built-in new flight and image the sterling price of the Yuneec
Canon DM-E1
capture feature. And, with so Typhoon H looks like it should
much attention being given to be under the £900 mark,
UAVs presently, the company which for something with this
reckons it has made the specification and pedigree Canon hopes to offer extra audio muscle to your
Typhoon H safer too, with a looks to be very good value. shoot with this new directional stereo mic
failsafe system that allows the Yuneec reckon that they’ve
unit to land safely and remain used carbon-fibre for a lot When it comes to securing and 120-degree modes spread
intact if a motor gives up the of the components on the quality audio then most that capture field for filming
ghost. There’s an impressive Typhoon H, so if that’s the case videography types who are things like events or multiple
Android-based ST16 controller then this should be a rugged shooting with a DSLR or subjects. There’s a built-in
that features a sizeable 7-inch machine, while the other bonus equivalent camera tend to shock mount plus a windshield
integrated display plus HD here is that it is reasonably opt for a third-party add-on too and the 50Hz to 16kHz
720p video downlink that gives user-friendly, which is not the microphone. Having the luxury sound frequency range pick-
the pilot top-notch real-time case with some of the other of a dedicated mic, rather than up 66dB S/N ratio and -42db
video viewing. Adding value is products in this category. the built-in options that come sensitivity offers respectable
the HDMI output for attaching on consumer models means performance.
an external monitor if needed., Price $1,299 that you get better quality
while if you’re working as a Web www.yuneec.com and much more flexibility VERDICT
than with the sound being This is a perfect pairing for any
recorded in-camera. And, if of the EOS camera models
you have any desire to get a and the simple 35mm audio
professional edge then you’re connectivity means it’s plug-
best off doing the same. Now and-play. It’s powered by a
Canon has come up with this, CR2032 Lithium battery so
the Canon DM-E1, which is a should be good for most long
directional stereo microphone days out on location and is
that is designed to complement probably ideal for those small
models from the EOS range. jobs where you don’t want to
The design is essentially a have too much kit on board.
shotgun style, and there are However, you’re still best
three directional sound pick- sourcing a quality third-party
up modes and this gives it real mic from someone like Rode if
flexibility depending on what you’re looking for a long-term
you’re shooting. For example, workhorse.
there’s the monaural shotgun
mode, for subjects right in Price £275
front of the camera, while 90 Web www.canon.co.uk
099-106_Kit.indd 7 26/06/2016 19:30

New Kit
Olympus Stylus
Tough TG-
Tracker 4K
Can a revised Tough camera from Olympus hold
its own against a plethora of action cams?
It’s around ten years since
Olympus launched its first
Tough camera and there
have been many rivals
released since. Now the
company has dusted down its
action camera portfolio and
has come up with the Tough
TG-Tracker 4K, which looks
to be pretty impressive. It is of to use more than one camera
course tailor-made for extreme to get their footage nowadays.
sports fans, who will be able to Battery life is said to be good
rely on its rugged build quality.
However, the feature set is tidy
too, so all in all this looks
promising. Sun-Sniper
too, with a detachable grip,
ultra-wide angle lens offering
a 204-degree field of view,
VERDICT
This little camera is a hardy
Rotaball Pro
5-axis image stabilisation and beast with a respectable
The revolutionary Sun-Sniper Rotaball camera
a flip-out LCD monitor for good ‘everything-proof’ persona that strap offers a new take on keeping your kit safe
measure. A free companion makes it ideal for the great
app allows you to manage outdoors and hobbyists who While we’re all obsessed with to steal thanks to a high-
content too, so you can pick want to capture action without our camera and other kit tech design that doesn’t let
through recorded events and fear of trashing a regular video essentials it’s often easy to anyone unauthorised unscrew
analyse the likes of geo- camera. The price makes overlook the importance of it. Amazingly, the Sun-Sniper
location, speed, direction and it on par with many other the strap. After all, if you shoot strap has been tested with
so on. You can also pick from action cameras out there, so with a DSLR or equivalent then loads of up to 80 kilos, so it’s
1080p and 4K for video duties it’s worth a look and the fact it spends a lot of time hanging perfectly happy looking after a
while the built-in underwater that there’s an included grip around your shoulder. Sun- camera and lens combination
detector automatically extension included makes Sniper, a German company, of 5 kilos or so.
switches to optimal settings it mighty handy for getting has therefore produced this,
when you’re submerged. The those on-the-go moments the Rotaball Pro, which is a VERDICT
grip extension is a neat add- in the bag without fuss. strap like no other because This is a perfect accessory
on, which shows that Olympus it uses a special connector for anyone who needs to be
are moving with the times and Price £279.99 and is virtually unbreakable. sure their camera isn’t going
realise that videographers tend Web www.olympus.co.uk And, that’s very good news if to go anywhere. The rugged
you’ve got kit that’s worth a design and innovative thinking
few quid. This new addition behind the connector means
is just one of seven different that this appears to be pretty
straps all of which comes much foolproof and is a
armed with the Rotaball great way to look after your
Connector. Central to the investment. There are several
way this works if the stainless variants available and they’re
steel connector that allows not cheap, but if you’ve got
your camera to pivot and a valuable camera to protect
move unhindered as needed. then they actually start
Cleverly though, there is also a looking like a bit of a bargain.
Blokker; which is a component
that has been added to make Price £59.99
the camera incredibly hard Web www.tetenaluk.com
099-106_Kit.indd 8 26/06/2016 19:31

38
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What’s
hot?
The Nice Guys
Set against the backdrop of 1977 Los Angeles,
two private investigators are hired to uncover
Breaking a Monster
The team singles out current
and forthcoming indie movies
plus documentaries that are
creating a buzz!
This film tells the story of the unexpected and

astronomical success of a teenage rock band.
The Shallows
When a great white shark strays into shallow
waters off the shore of a secluded Australian
the truth behind the alleged suicide of a fading A success that transcends their childhood and beach, a young surfer fights for survival as she
adult film star. But puts them to the test as tries to make her way
hippies, strippers, drug they try to adapt to the safely back to dry land,
lords and a government new found success they which lies only 200 yards
conspiracy all try to have always dreamed away. Survival horror at
impede their mission. about. its best.
Director Shane Black Director Luke Meyer Directors Jaume Collet-Serra

UK Release June 2016 UK Release 2016 UK Release August 2016
Language English Language English Language English
Duration 116 minutes Duration 92 minutes Duration 90 minutes
UK Certification 15 UK Certification TBC UK Certification PG-13
Turbo Kid Sing Street Take Me to The River

Set in an alternate 1997 where the world has Set in Dublin in the 1985, Sing Street is the tale A gay Californian teenager plans to come out
become a barren wasteland, a comic book of a young musician who suffers a troubled at his family reunion in Nebraska. His intentions
fanatic takes on the persona of his favourite home life, and in an attempt to escape this sad are put on hold when his attention is drawn to a
character and battles existence, he begins bloodstain on his young
an evil overlord in this a rock and roll band, cousin’s dress, which
homage to the low attracting the attention leads him to unwittingly
budget futuristic flicks of of an aspiring model in suspect she is being
the 1980s. the process. abused by the family.
Director François Simard Director John Carney Director Matt Sobel

UK Release 2016 UK Release May 2016 UK Release 2016
UK Certification 15 UK Certification 12A UK Certification 15
Destined Swiss Army Man Buzzard

A story of two parallel worlds and one man A young man is shipwrecked, stranded in the A bored office employee by he name of Marty
who lives out two lives; one as a successful wilderness and desperate for help. Just as he sets out to steal from the bank he works for
business man, the other as a criminal of a attempts to take his own life, he befriends a by cashing dozens of refund cheques, whilst
drug-fuelled underworld. dead body with bizarre, living on the streets. But
Destined explores how grim powers. Together when his grand plans
one man’s future can they embark on a surreal begin to fail, his world
be changed by a single journey in an attempt to spirals into paranoia and
moment. get home. violence.
Director Qasim Basir Directors D.Kwan, D. Scheinert Director Joel Potrykus

UK Release 2016 UK Release 2016 UK Release 2016
UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC
111-114_Hot List.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:21

Dough Orthodox Short Stay
An old Jewish baker struggles to keep his A boy victimised in his neighbourhood for this Daringly shot on 35mm film, Short Stay tells
small business afloat when sales dramatically religious beliefs takes up boxing as a means the story of Mike, who seeks to change his
begin to fall. But when his young apprentice of self-defence. His involvement in unlicensed mundane life and heads to Philadelphia, where
intentionally drops fights alienates him friends, colleagues, and
cannabis into the dough from his beloved Jewish potential love interests
mix, business starts to community, and the prove that the grass isn’t
boom again in this fun criminal life that comes always greener on the
British comedy. with it lands him in jail. other side.
Director John Goldschmidt Director David Leon Director Ted Fendt

UK Release 2016 UK Release February 2016 UK Release 2016
UK Certification TBC UK Certification 18 UK Certification TBC
Creative Control Fraud Tale of Tales

This film is based in a future version of A found-footage-style film in which a family try An anthology of three twisted tales, all set in
New York City, where a yuppy marketing desperately to live the high life, but in truth, are the same macabre world. A world filled with
professional uses a new augmented reality drowning in debt. Out of sheer desperation, mythological beasts and tyrannical kings. From
technology - enabling they turn crime to fund a queen’s bitter quest, to
people to immerse their pretentious life. The two sirens who seek the
themselves in alternative director initially claims to passion of a king, to a
realities - to pursue a have stumbled across man’s obsession with a
taboo relationship. the footage on YouTube. giant flea.
Director Benjamin Dickinson Director Dean Fleischer-Camp Director Matteo Garrone

UK Release 2016 UK Release 2016 UK Release June 2016
UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC UK Certification 15
Green Room Pandemic High-Rise

An American punk rock band are witnesses An unidentified disease that has swept across A man moves into a newly designed, futuristic
to a violent murder in a music venue run by the planet in the near future has claimed the building, home to only the wealthiest of society.
white supremacists. They are forced to fight for majority of the population. The film follows our He soon finds that his new life is controlled by
their own lives, coming protagonist, Lauren, a secret society from
face-to-face with the who leads a party of the stories above. A
murderers, who are four doctors to unearth black comedy about the
intent on covering up the truth behind the absurdities of wealth and
their crime. outbreak. social classification.
Director Jeremy Saulnier Director John Suits Director Ben Wheatley

UK Release May 2016 UK Release 2016 UK Release March 2016
UK Certification 18 UK Certification 18 UK Certification 15
Hotel Dallas Intruders Backgammon

This documentary begins in the late 1980s, when After her brother’s passing, Anna inherits all of After a house party is broken up after an argument,
the country of Romania was shown the TV series, his money, but when word gets out, thugs enter two remaining revellers find their feelings for
Dallas, for the first time. It was so popular in the her home with the intention of stealing the cash. one another may be more than platonic. Soon
eastern bloc country, that Anna cannot flee because noises are heard from the
a Dallas-themed hotel was of her acute agoraphobia. darkest corners of the
built, where guests could But agoraphobia isn’t her house. Could one of the
play out the fantasy of only psychosis. A thriller angered guests be hiding,
living in 1980s America. with a twist. waiting to seek revenge?
Director S.Huang, L.Ungur Director Francisco Orvañanos
Directors Adam Schindler
UK Release 2016 2016
UK Release 2016 UK Release
Language Romanian, English English
Language English Language
Duration 74 minutes 89 minutes
Duration 90 minutes Duration
UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC
UK Certification 15
111-114_Hot List.indd 2 26/06/2016 19:21

No Home Movie No Men Beyond This Point Borealis
An experimental documentary, No Home This comedy documentary-style film looks at Jonah, an addicted gambler, and a man who
Movie follows the life of the filmmaker’s aging an alternative world in which men have become has made a series of life-changing mistakes,
mother as she goes about her life in Belgium, obsolete. In fact no male has been born since takes his teenage daughter on a dangerous
often frustrated and the 1970s. 37 year old road trip to Churchill in
only interacting with her Andrew Myers is now the Canada to show her the
daughter via the internet youngest man on earth, Northern Lights before
as she travels the world. in a battle to keep men a disease renders her
from going extinct. completely blind.
Directors Chantal Akerman
UK Release June 2016 Directors Mark Sawers Director Sean Garrity
Language English, French UK Release 2016 UK Release 2016
Duration 115 minutes Language English Language English
UK Certification TBC Duration 80 minutes Duration 95 minutes
UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC
Knight of Cups Miles Ahead Demolition

Knight of Cups tells the story of the slow A biographical feature about the life and music An investment banker struggles to cope on his
deterioration of Los Angeles womaniser, Rick, of jazz musician, Miles Davis, focusing on his own after he loses his wife in a sudden accident.
who lives off the memories of a past care-free mission to retrieve a session tape stolen by As his situation worsens and his life spirals,
life in Las Vegas - a life greedy music producers. he finds friendship and
that he still longs for The film’s finale is a solace in the unlikely form
- whilst undertaking a reenactment of his final of a customer service
series of love affairs with performance in 1991, rep of a vending machine
six different women. shortly before his death. company.
Directors Terrence Malick Director Don Cheadle Directors Jean-Marc Vallée

UK Release May 2016 UK Release April 2016 UK Release April 2016
Almost Holy Hello, My Name is Doris 3rd Street Blackout

A documentary in which self proclaimed Doris has been inspired by a recent self-help During a New York black-out, a couple
superhero and maverick clergyman, Gennadiy seminar. The 60-year-old Staten Island woman, are forced to concentrate on their flawed
Mokhnenko, acts as father figure and lawman in the wake of her mother’s death, pursues an relationship, rather than the technology around
to a drug and poverty- unlikely courtship with her them that has always
stricken neighbourhood in much younger co-worker, been a constant
Ukraine. Helping as many John. A bittersweet tale distraction. As they
as he can, but using of loneliness and the become closer, secrets
controversial methods. acceptance of aging. are revealed.
Director Steve Hoover Director Michael Showalter Director N.Farsad, J.Redleaf

UK Release June 2016 UK Release 2016 UK Release 2016
UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC UK Certification TBC
Soy Nero Closet Monster Cemetery of Splendour

Nero, a Mexican deported from the US, Set in the 1990s, this film follows Oscar, a A Thailand nurse cares for local soldiers who
returns to his spiritual home illegally in search young tortured genius, desperate to move have been struck down with a mysterious illness,
of his true identity. In an attempt to legally gain away from his small hometown and the awful bringing with it a coma-like state. Her long days
US citizenship, he joins memories of the troubled are spent discussing
the US Army as a Green childhood he suffered. their ailments with other
Card Soldier, but finds An often psychedelic nurses, but the arrival of
himself fighting his own coming-of-age film with an American soldier sees
battle in order to stay. a twist. a new relationship bloom.
Director Rafi Pitts Director Stephen Dunn Directors A.Weerasethakul

UK Release 2016 UK Release March 2016 UK Release June 2016
Language English, Spanish Language English Language Thai
UK Certification TBC UK Certification 15 UK Certification 12
111-114_Hot List.indd 3 26/06/2016 19:22

best of
the rest...
Releases by inspirational
filmmakers that may have
passed you by
A Birder’s Guide... The Road Within Geography Club

Despite his father’s constant pleas, a bird- After the death of his mother, young Vincent who A group of teenagers with varying sexual
watching obsessed teenager and his friends suffers with tourettes, is left with his estranged orientations join an after-school club to reveal
steal a car and take to the open road in pursuit father. But his right-wing father is running for their most intimate secrets in confidence, but
of an extinct duck, the day political office and doesn’t will their stories be revealed
before his father weds the want Vincent ruining his to the peers they are trying to
nurse of his late mother. chances on the campaign trail. hide the truth from?
Director Rob Meyer Director Gren Wells Director Gary Entin

Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2012
White Frog Don Jon Dear White People

A young man with Asperger’s syndrome, A sex addict becomes disillusioned with his A long-waging culture war comes to a
struggles to cope with the death of his brother. playboy lifestyle, preferring the false intimacy head between black and white students
With his parents in denial and unable to deal he experiences whilst watching pornography. at a predominantly white school when the
with the loss themselves, a But his attitude towards college radio station begins
new group of friends come to sex changes when two very a controversial debate
the rescue. different women enter his life. regarding cultural differences.
Director Quentin Lee Directors Joseph Gordon-Levitt Director Justin Simien

Certification 12 UK Certification 18 UK Certification 15
ATM Dark Horse Whiplash

After visiting an ATM cash machine in the An unlikely romance blossoms between an avid An ambitious young jazz drummer, desperate
dead of night, three friends find themselves thirty-something toy collector and black sheep for fame, suffers under the tutelage of his
in a desperate fight for their lives when they of his family, and a damaged, self-loathing ruthless new teacher. Known for his savage
become trapped in a woman, still raw from her methods, he pushes the
small kiosk by a potential recently failed long-term musician to the brink of his
murderer. relationship. ability and his sanity.
Director David Brooks Director Todd Solondz Director Damien Chazelle

Keeping Rosy Listen Up Philip Hits

When Charlotte’s once-promising life A troubled author, reluctant to publicise his A talentless teenager from Upstate New York
disintegrates, and she fails to gain respect from latest book, is pushed out of his troublesome believes she has what it takes to succeed in
the media agency she once worked so hard neighbourhood and takes up residence at the music business, and with the help of her
to create, she sets out on a the home of his literary idol, loud-mouthed father, will do
journey of redemption and where finds peace and quiet almost anything to get on to a
danger. and time to reflect on his life. televised talent show.
Director Steve Reeves Director Alex Ross Perry Director David Cross
UK Certification 15 UK Certification 15 Certification R (Region 1 only)
111-114_Hot List.indd 4 26/06/2016 19:22

Untitled-3 1 18/04/2016 19:03
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your new guide to Independent filmmaking

Darth Maul Apprentice

Moving mountains Gothic challenge

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Visit the website and book on a course today!

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PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION

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005_Welcome.indd 1 26/06/2016 23:14

18. Moving mountains 34. Tough call 60. Special brew

22. Wheel of fortune 40. High voltage 66. Prime mover

006-07_Contents.indd 1 26/06/2016 22:38

006-07_Contents.indd 2 26/06/2016 22:38

008_News.indd 1 26/06/2016 22:41

Untitled-1 1 26/06/2016 20:35

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 1 26/06/2016 01:27

“A dream project did the screenplay. It occurred

sea of horror films the years (7 since 1939, 8

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 2 26/06/2016 01:28

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 3 26/06/2016 01:31

genuinely conflicted about who top-end camera gear but, let’s

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 4 26/06/2016 01:32

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 5 26/06/2016 01:53

a tricky one to get right and, she wanted. It was initially

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 6 26/06/2016 01:53

Scraping by locations that require just a single

010-16_Gary Rogers.indd 7 26/06/2016 01:54

Untitled-1 1 26/06/2016 20:36

If you’re a filmmaker just starting

018-21_Lexus Commercial.indd 1 26/06/2016 01:04

many of your favourite commercials

018-21_Lexus Commercial.indd 2 26/06/2016 01:05

018-21_Lexus Commercial.indd 3 26/06/2016 01:07

don’t think this would have been

018-21_Lexus Commercial.indd 4 26/06/2016 01:07

022-23_Stealing Cars.indd 1 26/06/2016 19:03

022-23_Stealing Cars.indd 2 26/06/2016 19:05

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 1 26/06/2016 18:38

“The Package is essentially

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 2 26/06/2016 18:39

“We had an Alexa,

filmmaker. He’s currently on his

All consuming But, making films has never

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 3 26/06/2016 18:39

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 4 26/06/2016 18:40

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 5 26/06/2016 18:40

lack of running water meant

024-29_Damon Rickard The Package.indd 6 26/06/2016 18:40

030-33_Darth Maul Apprentice.indd 1 26/06/2016 02:16

030-33_Darth Maul Apprentice.indd 2 26/06/2016 02:16

030-33_Darth Maul Apprentice.indd 3 26/06/2016 02:17

Minimal effects reliant on VFX; this is much more

“The cameras and shot composition throughout