Coverage You Count On

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
I pushed the AF-100 to its fullest with this spot. Heck I pushed my self as well!
Blowing out the background in bright sun and walking with the lens wide open. Why the heck would I do this? Because it was fun and the results to me look good.
This promo was a bear to shoot. I used a Manfrotto Fig Rig. After seeing the BTS footage from "The Raid" it seemed this would work for the documentry style the producer wanted. The whole spot was shot in profile. That’s not an easy position to shoot from. If the camera was on my shoulder the footage would have been total crap. That Fig Rig saved me. I was pretty beat after 5.5 hours shooting but I don't think I could have pulled it off without the Fig Rig. I used only the Lumix 20mm mostly wide open to get a cinematic look. It was hard to keep the talent in position while walking in profile. We did a gazillion takes!
I was thinking about different cameras to use for this spot and Red was in the front. However weight was a huge factor and the AF-100 with a native lens made the most sense. No regret.


I just finished grading this morning show version. This was shot with the Fig Rig but I also used the new Lumix 12-35 on all but Jodi. The lens arrived while I was shooting her at Presidio. I like this spot a lot. I was able to pull a lot of color out of the image in post. I love doing that!


This is the third promo featuring weather.


Jason Walking With Fig Rig.jpg

I shot two more spots in the same style with the new Lumix X 12-35. I can’t wait to see this footage. The lens worked very well. More to come.
 
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Robert Eldon said:
Congrats Erik. Looking good! Love the 20mm.

Let us know how you're liking the 12-35 when you get a chance?
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Thanks Robert! It’s funny how we tend to overlook the Lumix lenses but when you need a light weight rig your really not making any sacrifices using the best of the Lumix line.
 
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I'm assuming you did in fact receive the 12-35 from DigitalRev at a rather speedy turnaround from order? How do you like it so far Erik?
 
dustylense said:
I'm assuming you did in fact receive the 12-35 from DigitalRev at a rather speedy turnaround from order? How do you like it so far Erik?
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Yes I did and I owe you one! Great service from DigitalRev! So far I love the lens. It’s what we’ve been waiting for. Not perfect as a cine lens but for MFT it’s really nice! Light and fast. Great combo. I'm so burnt out from all the shooting that I haven't had a chance to review all the footage I shot yet, and what I did shoot was only walking dialog shots similar to the spot in this post. The OIS is what I really need to look at. Tomorrow I will.
I did a few moves with the Fig Rig that felt really fluid. OIS + Fig Rig = smooth.
 
Nice job Eric. Kind of love that energetic American "TV clean look"

Not so sure about the lighting on the Catherine Garcia scenes. ie low angle & hot with nose shadow flat on her cheek. Hot eye lights!

NIce hand held , track and frame .
 
Shooter said:
Not so sure about the lighting on the Catherine Garcia scenes. ie low angle & hot with nose shadow flat on her cheek. Hot eye lights!
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Agreed. I wish they used takes from a different location.
I didn’t have my Mathews bounce board that day so we used a collapsable/portable reflector disks. Didn't work very well. Also stuck in mid day sun. Hate shooting at high noon.
 
groveChuck said:
Wow, Jason's blown out BG looks cool! What gamma are you using?

Nice spot Erik, and nice rockin' the Fig!
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Thanks groveChuck! I use Cine Like D most of the time.
I know most people would hate the look but I liked it for this spot. It's good to try different looks and approaches, thats what makes it fun not just work.

I just saw a rough cut for the next two and they look pretty good with the Lumix 12-35. The OIS made the shots a tad smoother but not a huge difference. The fig Rig really did a nice job stabilizing the shots.
 
I liked it, even the raw and blown-out nature. I think it worked for the energy level.

However, I feel like I am the only one who noticed the bizarre Micheal Bay-style car roll and the firefighter getting blown away. These clips seem in poor taste when used for promotion. But this might be a cultural difference. It actually made me laugh at the absurdity.
 
Nice going Erik. Those look great. I noticed a little flopping around in the bounce too but the exposure, the skin tones all looked great for noon time shooting. Still in there, and the highlights on the hot stuff look great, just blooming. Go, AF-100! Can't wait to see the others with the 12 - 35. Now I need that AND a fig rig. woof.... Really smooth.

I noticed the exploding spinning car too. Oddly... didn't bother me... ;)
 
Looks great Erik! I really love the saturated colors for this type of thing, and you've mastered the semi-hand-held look. Found a Fig Rig for cheap the other day so naturally this video made me need to have it :)

Would you be able to share your camera settings when you have a moment? Always nice to have a setting on hand that really pops when you need it.

Keep up the cinematic ENG work, I find it fascinating.
 
Thanks guys for the kind words and the feedback. As for the news footage in the spot? That’s the real deal and that’s news.

That Fig Rig is a great tool. Nate I wish I got mine used. It’s pricey but worth it.
hscully if you find a used one BUY IT!

Nate, I use Barry’s settings and they work for me. I grade everything I shoot so I like having room for it. The AF-100 footage grades very well. I’ve never used an external recorder and probably never will unless somebody demands that I do.

This is my favorite quote "Keep up the cinematic ENG work, I find it fascinating.” Because in my biz promos are basically blah. I’m trying really hard to not be. Thanks!

I’m grading the Morning promo tomorrow and this has a few 12-35 shots. Love that lens! The Weather promo was shot with only the 12-3,5 and some of the La Jolla cove shots are really nice. Hopefully I can get these posted this weekend.
 
Added the second spot for mornings to the original post but I figured I’d embed it in this one as well.

This one was primarily shot with the Lumix 12-35. And yes I love that lens! Graded with Magic Bullet Colorista II. The time lapse’s in the spot was shot with a GH2. The time lapse of the city skyline at the end was with the AF-100.

 
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