Search results

I need to find an inexpensive used camera or camcorder that outputs widescreen SD or HD video directly to component video outputs to use for real-time monitoring in an audio recording studio. It does not need to be especially high quality or especially low-noise, and recording capability is...

Not sure if this has been linked/discussed here before (a search did not find it), but this very long, very well written article sums up my feelings about where Cinema has gone in recent years quite well...

Sorry if this has been asked before, but a search did not yield results: Is there any way to see how much recording time remains on the card in a D800? I've got a 32 GB card, which is certainly pretty big, but I see no way to keep track of how much space I've consumed on it as I shoot (aside...

Thanks hscully : )

Yes I'm certain that for dramatic roles, many comedically challenged actors can do extremely well. But what's interesting is that the comedically-abled ones very often seem to be likewise able with the dramatic stuff. I think that was Shurtleff's point. And it's certainly clear to me (as a...

Thanks for all the input, guys. Outsourcing casting to professionals is not in the scope of this self-financed indie short. But it has clearly been an object lesson for me in the *very* hard work that these folks do to earn their keep. And of the value of the network of known actors these...

I'm in the middle of casting for a short film project here in NYC, and to my amazement have received about 1700 submissions for the four roles in the film (all of which are listed as paid, $100+). Most came via Breakdown Services (aka Actors Access on the actors' side), with 150 or so more...

Neurotic casting directors must hate Breakdown Express...

A short film script I wrote recently has no human antagonist, just a situation that drives the protagonist over the edge (a second death of a wife). While certainly not unheard of, I've been trying to think of other well regarded/successful scripts/films in which the 'villain', in effect, is a...

I'm casting for my short film right now, using Breakdown Services here in NYC, and have asked a friend to help with looking at the vast number of actors it's attracted so far (over 1400 in only 2 days for just 4 roles - yikes!). I plan to confer with her later today. Does anyone know if it's...

With you 100% on this, except that in the USA at least, the rules for SAG members state that "for a movie or TV show, a script should be available for you to read 24 hours in advance". Obviously, the union understands the value of pre-audition prep, whether a given actor chooses to avail...

As an actor I like to read the whole script if I'm interested in a role, and am interested in a role if I see sides/breakdown/synopsis (even if only a paragraph for the latter) and feel there's something that is well conceived and fits me. If I've been cast, then I definitely want to read the...

As an actor I always insist on seeing at least the sides prior to accepting an audition call. To my amazement, some directors take offense at this, as though I'm being 'high maintenance' or something. I've actually had some testy email exchanges with some before finally refusing to audition...

Working with some 1080/24p footage imported from my Nikon D800, and can't seem to find a way to get simple realtime fades/cross dissolves. I've discovered that the footage seems to like to be transcoded to something other than its native format to play smoothly in the first place, so I've been...

I've got a short film I plan to shoot soon that will require an iPhone to do several unnatural things. In a medium to moderately close shot (no closer than 1.5' or so), it needs to: 1) Scoot sideways across a table and back 2) Levitate up off of table 3) Twirl a bit, playfully 4) Switch itself...

Well, what I was referring to is *actual* chemistry, between two people. Who in this case, happen to be actors, so it's 'visible on screen'. And greatly enhanced by the fact that the actors are playing lovers, friends, or family. But it's really just...real... Personally, I don't think 'the...

I recently rented the DVD of "Salmon Fishing In The Yemen", a film much less ponderous than its name, and one I quite enjoyed. I was repeatedly struck by what I felt was particularly wonderful on-screen chemistry between the two (romantic) leads: Ewan MacGregor and Emily Blunt. They just seemed...

Is there a well-recommended single packagesoftware suite for FCP7/X that provides a relatively comprehensive assortment of FX, compositing, titling etc., etc.? I'm looking to jump-start myself in that area, and wonder if there's a good place to get going with it without spending an arm and a...

For starters, the words "audio" and "sound" do not appear anywhere in the index. So, for starters, it took me a great deal of time to 'discover' that the headphone output is disabled if an HDMI device is connected *and* powered. Connected and *not* powered leaves it alone; a factoid that may or...

I just picked up a Nikon D800 yesterday and have been familiarizing myself with its functionality. Loving the image quality and features so far. But I've discovered an odd wrinkle when connected to my old Marshall HD-compatible monitor via an HDMI to component video converter (I know it's an...