A Rare Resolution

To ring in the new year, I have made a resolution.

Yes, I know lots of people make resolutions for the new year, but I don't! Usually if I have a plan to start something...I just start it. I don't wait until the new year to begin this.

This time it's different. After testing out my new digital camera, I realized that I need to work on my photography more often. As a young camera man, it would serve me well to have at least a still camera at my side at all times.

So there it is. My resolution is to have my camera with me as much as possible. I will take photos and post them to this website, and perhaps i'll make a photo section for people to look at my work. Who knows, maybe i'll get good at it.

Here are some Navy Pier photos I took on the 26th of December. A few test shots, but I rather enjoy them. Hope you like them as well.

Hope your holidays were wonderful.

DM

Natural History: Part 1-4

Many of the films at Flashpoint will stand out when they are screened to the rest of the class, but one in particular will make a statement far different than any others.

"Natural History: Part 1-4" is the short film I am thinking of, and today was the first of a two day shoot. It was a rather interesting setup, with a set of three walls with an opening of roughly 6x6. See for yourself below.

It has in its title "Part 1-4" because of its chapter setting. Although this is a short film, it encompasses a mans entire life. From birth (yes, there is a baby) to a teenage boy, to a middle aged man, to an elderly man. It is rather impressive work. For now, just enjoy the poor quality pictures I took with my cell phone. I'm sure I'll be posting more on the subject of Flashpoint films at a later date.


Until next time,

DM

Easy Like Sunday Morning

This picture is Daley Plaza on a cold sunday morning. I find it amazing that a city so busy with life on a weekday can look like this on a Sunday. Granted, it was rather early in the morning but nonetheless, downtown was empty and cold for much of the morning.

Sunday was the day I officially started working as Director of Photography on another short film. This film was much different than my own, since it was indoors and in only one location. This made filming a lot easier.

Don't get me wrong, it was still a lot of hard work, but it was very refreshing not having to rush from one location to another, only to be halted by authorities who don't want you to film there. I have two more films to work on, both of which I am producing. Although I am excited by all of these films, I am eager to sit down and edit my own film.

On a side note, I loved being the cinematographer. I feel like it is where I belong.

DM

Hope for the Best...

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst" is what my new Assistant Director is pounding into my head. He could not be more right, and I feel this is a motto many filmmakers should live by if they don't already.

With production on my first film just a few days away, many have been excited to see what it will be like during shooting. I have decided that I will use my GL2 camera to show off some of the behind the scenes filming, even though it is only a two day shoot. With this material, we can craft a short documentary on the making of the film. Coupled with what hopefully will become a great film, we can show the two off as part of our film reel.

In fact, if prospective students can see this short film and the making of it, perhaps it will be a helpful advertisement for how Flashpoint film students spend some of their time on a school day.

Monday & Tuesday we begin shooting "Lost Wallet" in downtown Chicago.

Pray for good weather. Please.

DM

I AM 3D BEOWULF!!!

He is Beowulf, and he is very angry.

Tonight was the Film Society's long awaited IMAX premiere of Beowulf in 3D. If you see this film, it is imparative that you see it in IMAX 3D, since it added greatly to the entertainment value. There's nothing quite like putting your hands to your eyes to shield from flying arrows...or was it because the 3D glasses were too damn big for my face?

There hasn't been too much posting going on lately, and that is because of pre-production on my film. I will likely give you an update later this weekend or maybe next week and show off some location pictures and props.

In other news, here are a few pictures of working with the crane and another hi-def camera. After spending some time on the dolly and operating the camera, I feel like its where I belong.

It just feels right to be sitting there, no matter how uncomfortable it may be at times.

If we get to play with new toys for class every week, then i'll be a very happy student.

DM

A Little Lighting

After sitting through a few classes with the Panasonic HD camera, I must say that I am rather impressed with its quality. Yes, reviews seemed to say that it was bulky and heavy, but last time I checked, most cameras of this quality were like that.

And at the "ahem" affordable price of $5000, you couldn't pick a better camera.

I decided to take a few pictures with my phone of the lighting stage. The class was expirimenting with lighting techniques. I'll tell you one thing - I never thought it would take so long to set up a shot with the proper lighting.

Filmmaking takes time, but it's worth it. At least to me. I'll let you take a look at the rest of these picture. More on this later.











Until then,

DM

Now We're Cooking

With Flashpoint Academy in full swing, filmmaking students have had a taste of acting, directing, production, and screenwriting. Although I love all these aspects dearly, the best part is just beginning. You see here the Panasonic AG-HVX200, which is the camera of choice for the school, and the camera in which I will shoot my first film.

I have heard a number of excellent things about this camera, most of which are good. The few bad things are that it is a little heavy and the viewfinder is low res. Beyond that, this camera seems to be exactly what we need.

I will try and have a more detailed review after I have used it myself, so expect a full report in the coming weeks. Nonetheless now that we're going to be working with these cameras, I feel like the next couple of weeks will be the most challenging and exciting.

Another Flashpoint Film Society screening tonight - Brotherhood of the Wolf. Also, on the 16th, of November Beowulf at IMAX!

More to come,

DM

Macbook Pro

This would be the current object of my affection. Not only will I eventually need a laptop to haul around between classes and work, but buying something like this will allow me to do much more than just whip out essays and check e-mail.

While preparing to attend school as a full time student, I feel that having my work with me at all times would be an extraordinary benefit to my portfolio. After researching the possibilities of how I could make this a reality, it was pretty obvious that I needed to upgrade to a Macbook Pro since movie editing seems to be a hell of a lot easier on that.

What I hope to achieve will be the ability to film something on my camera, perhaps even something spur of the moment, and take it home and edit it within the same day. Yes, it may be farfetched for some people, but it is probably not as uncommon as you would think. I'm not saying i'll be shooting full length features, but I would like to capture a moment and be able to reproduce it online within hours of finishing the shoot. Perhaps I would even post something here on the blog.

Maybe I'm just dreaming of what I could do with a laptop. I do have a desktop that has worked great for years, and yes I have stations at Flashpoint that can assist me in my work, but I just like having my material at my side - easy to work on, where and when I want to.

So I will begin saving money, and with a student discount - and a little luck - I should hope to have one within the next couple months. I just have to remember to keep it with me always, since laptops have a knack for disappearing...

DM

Lifetime Connections Part Duex

Once again, I ponder how I will work with many of the people I will meet at Flashpoint, as well as how these relationships will pan out throughout the next several years. Beyond this, I also think about relationships I have already developed - through family.

I have 3 brothers, 2 of which are in college pursuing careers that are not so different from my own. One is nearing his final semesters as an ambitious film student, who can likely stump me with his knowledge of how to shoot on 16mm. The other is entering his sophomore year with plans to manage music - likely blues and jazz (Although I am sure he will be playing a little too).

Will I work with my brothers often in the future? I suppose that many say they can't work with family - in any profession. But perhaps it will be different for me. Only time will tell, but I can gaurantee that I will be bouncing film ideas off of them on many occasions in the future. Well, for that matter, I already do. I am constantly bothering them with my own film ideas, no matter how silly they may be. We shall see.

DM

The Film Army...

A few weeks ago I attended a shoot in Chicago for a short film. It was being shot in the very studio where I hope to be working in the near future on some of my own films. Although I was there for no more than 6 hours, there was plenty to take in.

That evening I thought about what I had learned throughout the day by sending a short journal entry to one my future teachers. After thinking about it for pretty close to an hour, I decided to write about the collaborative effort involved in film.

When working with my friends on short films during high school and college, I knew that we had to work as a team to successfully put something together. But it took an experience like this recent film shoot to show me how necessary it is for everyone to do their part. Every person had a job to do that they would squeeze in between takes. Then, as expected, everyone quiets down when the camera starts rolling. The director must rely on the group of people that help bring the story to life, since he or she cannot do it alone.

As a director, if you want to realize your vision, you need an army to make it happen.

DM