Lessons of a One Woman Crew #1 -- The Line

Several weeks ago, I shot this little video for NYPL with a few friends. The goal was to try and create a vague semblance of a story-- a hint of a story-- so that the conceit could honestly be that the whole minute and a half was about the kid at the end, as opposed to the chase in the beginning.

I wrote a script, I got it approved, I wrangled some friends... and I set off.
The one thing I did not do.... was finish my storyboard before the actors got to my apartment.

This, ladies and gentlemen, proved to be a problem. Because regardless of the fact that I've been shooting video since I was 16 years old... I still fall prey to ridiculous mistakes when I have not planned.

I thought I could definitely wing it. I knew what everything wanted to look like in my head. So I just set up the camera, made the colors look pretty-- attempted to get the exposure perfect with the clouds changing every 10 minutes... Should'a all been ok. But-- without that shot list...

Do you know what "the line" is? It's one of those silly thing things that people learn about in Film Production 101 and then make fun of people for screwing up. For all of you lay individuals here is a brief explanation, with LOVELY in-design mock ups by-- yours truely (so i'm not a designer. Sue me).

When two individuals are talking (here, seen from above) "the line" is drawn between the middle of their faces.  Across this line, the camera SHALL NOT cross, for continuity to be correct. Basically-- the reason you keep the camera on one side of the line, is so that the eyes of each person talking look in the correct direction. When you cut-- one person will look to the left and the other to the right- and they will appear spatially accurate in the frame. The audience will know that the characters are talking to each other because, as person two will appear on the right side of the screen looking left, and person 1 will appear on the left side of the screen looking right (see below).

And all is right with the world. 

However-- if you cross the line with the camera-- 

Then you get this:

  And people get confused, and pulled out of the picture... and etc. 

So-- why is this relevant? Because I crossed that line. I was all good and fine up until they turned the corner. But, after the running boy (Carl) turned the corner -- and the evil feet person (Gabe) followed-- the line that had been created between the two changed. And-- as I controlled the color and exposure,  people in the background and actors in the foreground all by my lonesome... without a diagram of where the relationships between the bodies were ... I shot Gabe's close ups on the wrong side, so he was look right, when Carl was on his left.

So- Gabe. I am sorry that we lost your great moment. Because it was really excellent. And Amy's great face-scar makeup.

The lesson learned here-- is that you should ALWAYS prepare. ... Even when you aren't by your lonesome (but especially, especially when you are). 

Since then, I have even diagrammed out the potential movements of the Food52 shoots, which-- actually, has helped editing significantly. 

And that, is my first Lesson from a One Woman Crew. I am SURE this will become a weekly, if not bi-weekly affair. 

Itching for Travel

I have spent the last several hours attempting to plan a vacation. Since it's not working out so well... I decided to relive my previous adventures and found some really great pics from when I went to Ecuador in March of 2009.

These are a very very small fraction of the trip-- but it was, sincerely, the greenest place I've ever seen. 

And, at night, the stars actually appeared in relief. In the states, they always seem 2D. Alas- no photo would do those justice. 

All Things Peachy

As some of you may or may not have gathered--

I've been shooting and editing some video for the lovely Amanda and Merrill over at food52.

You can watch lots and lots on their website (and make some serious delicious recipes)... but I was particularly proud of the peach cake video that was posted this afternoon.

Simple Summer Peach Cake from Food52 on Vimeo.

I feel like this video shows some really fun jump cuts-- seriously-- the brevity of these are growing on me-- and tight editing -- and my arms were not tired for most of it so my notoriously shaky hand isn't as obvious at it used to be. I've been working very hard to improve my filming- and this video felt like a step up for me. So, enjoy.

Morbidity, Humidity, ...

exclusivity? ...

No. There is no third "ity" word that fits my weekend extravaganza--which consisted of a Sunday trek out to Greenwood Cemetery. 

Took some pictures, felt pretty creepy.

But-- really, Greenwood was super beautiful, and I would love to go back with a much better camera and a little less humidity.
Or... as my fellow visitor said, "if you like history, art, and nature..." it's well worth a visit.

Can't we just embrace--

I hate hate hate it when people comment negatively about how affordable digital cameras make everyone claim that they are a "photographer." I say-- yes. Finally-- we're all photographers.

Yes. There are those out there who can't claim to be professionals, who over-aggrandize their own work. But-- truth is-- that, for the first time in history, anyone who wants to can speak in images.

We can all attempt to communicate how we think and feel and what we believe is beautiful in the visual instead of written or spoken word. And we don't have to spend a million dollars to do it.

I say-- it's about damn time.

And, in the spirit of this sentiment-- I'm posting a few photographs from the weekend that I took with a Canon 7D that I rented for $100. Hot damn, I love that it allows me to appear more professional than I actually am.

[I also take much affront to the "not everyone is a photographer" statement because, as someone who went through 12 years of enrichment and AP classes in a public school system and then 4 years of a bloated "liberal arts" education -- I was never, once, taught how to correctly operate a camera. So- as someone who has to do her own teaching, before 9 and after 5... you gotta give some credit to the fact that these cameras make it a little easier for all of us who were denied that art education to practice and learn and improve. I like to think-- I'm not a photographer or a cinematographer... yet. But the 7D and the 5DMarkII and, oh... that XH-A1... they're helping me get there a lot faster than anything would have in the old days.]

Online Ventures and Decaying Theaters

I've been doing some brainstorming about what I want a professional website to look like.

I know that, functionally, it needs to serve several purposes. It needs to showcase my work, provide contact information, and house my blog. What I would like it to do, which I think is more unique, is also serve as an online production scrapbook/development platform for my personal projects. -- A place where I can put up inspiration boards, pieces of my scripts, storyboards and other things to share the creation of my films with those who would be interested. [And, ultimately, the final product as well].

Aesthetically, I think that the website has to balance a fine line. I want to communicate both a fidelity to classic film [both in the experience of the theater, the development of the camera and film as a medium, and all of the movies from which I draw inspiration], while also establishing a commitment to the media in which I currently and will continue to work [digital imaging, online streaming, and all of the technologies and developments to come].

So I've been searching for inspiration and here is one thing that really started the creative sparks flying.

Yves Merchand & Romain Meffre's photography series of abandoned theaters. First found via the NYTimes Lens blog.

You should click through -- but here are three images that I found particularly stirring:

RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theater, New York

Uptown Theater, Chicago

Fabian Theater, Paterson

I love the idea of the decaying grandeur -- how it is heartbreaking, but still majestic. 

These images capture a tone I think is fascinating and beautiful. 

Do you think there is a way to capture the majesty of these places, and celebrate them -- while transitioning to an online space? I would love to have my website take the beauty of the images above and translate them into a beautiful online environment.


[All photos from Yves Merchand & Romain Meffre.]

Happy Birthday "From Me To You"

Today, I'm going to talk about one of the blogs that, actually, inspired me to start blogging a few months ago.

In honor of her blog's birthday-- Jamie is giving away some postcards of her photography. And I am writing about "From Me To You" not only because I want some lovely pictures-- but also because, well... I really do admire and adore this blog.

And let me tell you why:

First: I really admire how Jamie is able to communicate her lifestyle through her photos. Not just pictures of what she does-- but the way she frames and styles and lights communicate so much about how she chooses to live.

 

And I want that life. I do.

 

Second: Jamie makes photography accessible. Not in "I can totally do that" way -- but in "this is an every day part of being and I'd like to be more of a part of it" way.

  

Third: Jamie gave me this hairstyle.

And, as we know, I want to look like I stepped out of 1890. So...

Fourth: "From Me To You" (and also "The City Sage")  made me feel like there was a community of really talented, creative women blogging -- and I wanted to become a part of it. The enthusiasm for beauty and art is infectious in these blogs... really.

  

Fifth: I really just think that the pictures are beautiful. They brighten my little cubicle worn day.

So... Jamie, Elena over here at Drawing the Eye wishes "From Me To You" a very very happy first blog birthday. 

We hope to follow in your footsteps! 

[All photos from Jamie, From Me To You]