Brain Dump
Wow so much to say. Some Key announcements below.
Time’s latest covers call the first decade of the new millennium “The Decade From Hell.”
Wow… I thought the world was supposed to end on Y2K…? We made it didn’t we?
Sure – we’ve lost 90,000 print jobs this year (BRUTAL – especially to see the excellent photo team at Newsweek slashed. These were forward thinking photo editors who had us blogging from Beijing as an equal priority to shooting for the mag… )
OK so some news:
First – I’ve got 3 commercial/video+still jobs in a row over the next 2 months – so that’s going to make it hard to post. That’s why this blog has been a little quiet (I’ve been tweeting too – which is a bit easier)
Second – I’ve got a pretty major announcement coming – that will actually potentially involve all of YOU. Something to do with a nationwide film contest over an 8th month period w/ 7 winners – just dotting the “I”s right now before I make the official announcement – hope to announce it within the week. I’ve been hard at work on it since July.
That means I’ll be posting a LOT more of course – so disregard the first thing I said.
Also – I’ve wrapped shooting the example videos for my DSLR instructional video – despite all of the work I was fortunate enough to be awarded this week – the plan is still to release it within the next 1-2 months. I will pretty much share everything I know / have learned as it relates to HD DSLR video, gear, theory, workflow etc. Not holding anything back. If you would like to be notified of the video (downloadable) release (before the end of the year) pls e-mail me at production@vincentlaforet.com – with the word “NOTIFY” in the subject and I’ll ping you when it’s available. We are currently in pre-production on the series.
As I’ve mentioned on twitter – there are some extremely exciting pieces of gear coming out early next year. I’ve been working with quite a few companies with the current HD DSLR cameras (5D MKII, 7D) and we’ve been measuring the 1D MKIV as well… expect to see a bunch of pretty much the most interesting developments in HD DSLR accessories in time for NAB in April.
2010 will be the year where HDDSLRs come of age in my opinion. So many companies have been hard at work making the necessary pieces of gear to make these cameras truly production worthy. I just shot a network television opening credit sequence a few weeks ago and it went absolutely, perfectly, smoothly – even though we had 3-4 prototype pieces of gear in the mix. A veteran Steadicam operator was so impressed with these HDDSLR’s camera’s performance that he put in an order for a 1D MKIV the very next day and started to make custom mounts for his rig as well.
Lastly – I’m looking for potential advertisers for this blog. If you are interested please send me an e-mail directly at studio (at) vincentlaforet.com. As many of you know – I’ve been incredibly resistant to putting any form of advertising on this site. I’ve loved the fact that it’s ad free and revenue free. But lately – I’ve become a bit too busy to edit the videos etc. to put up on this site as often as I’d like. I need some help in terms of aggregating and editing the content for this blog.
I intend to take the income from advertising on this blog and put it right back into producing original content for the blog. If there is anyone in the LA area that is interested in volunteering for now – and getting paid when we get advertisers – please e-mail me at the same address. Video shooting skills and editing are obviously a pre-requisite.
Well that’s about it. More to come very soon.
Vincent,
Excellent post … looking forward to the “Film Contest” and all the new developments in HDDSLR Land!
How do you like working with the Inclino & Impero System (follow-focus) by View Factor? Do you think they can create something for the guerilla film-maker making doc’s with a 5D?
Lastly, any chance your going to be up here in Vancouver shooting for 2010 Olympics? (had to ask, take you out for coffee)
Congratz on a phenomenal year … which singlehandedly turned me in a niew direction with my 5d mark II. Thank-you.
‘J-dog
http://twitter.com/JDog23
J-dog Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
@J-dog, One more thing man … Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family! All the best …
‘J-dog
Yeah, all the best, I appreciate the effort you put in to letting the knowledge flow!
May the next decade be the one from Planet Earth (with a bit of Mars thrown in maybe?;).
Peter
Sounds very exciting. Can’t wait to read more about this competition.
Great!
I love the idea of a video competition. They really motivate people like me who are still new to the realm of video, to practice more, collaborate more, and try new things. With competition comes innovation.
I plan on participating.
Great post.Learns a lot,but there are still something that i should spend more time to figure out.
Vincent, how do you afford these cameras in the first place? I want to rent one, but even thats a bit spendy for me at this point and time, but I have a vision for a short film I want to do.. Do you know of any way to get sponsors or cheaper rental houses? Let me know anyone, thank you. 🙂
Vince I thought you didn’t like people working for free. You’re asking for volunteers that may be paid if you get appropriate advertisers. Seems kinda hypocritical doesn’t it?
Ron Dawson Reply:
December 8th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I don’t think it’s hypocritical at all, IMHO. I specifically have not read any of Vincent’s posts regarding “working for free,” but my guess would be he was talking about not selling yourself short. Many experienced professionals give away far too much of their talent for no equitable return.
And that is the key. An equitable return. Getting the chance to work for someone at Vince’s level, with his connections and exposure, is well worth offering your services gratis if you have the time. Heck, I have plenty of experience, and if I lived in LA and had the time, I’d jump all over it. In fact, email VL and let’s talk. 🙂
Would love to have you on my new filmmakers podcast too.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 13th, 2009 at 2:28 am
@yo yo, Yoyo – perhaps this is a pet peeve of mine – but I really have a problem with people who criticize others – when those people haven’t even bothered to read things CAREFULLY prior to making the criticism…. if you read the last paragraph note this:
” If there is anyone in the LA area that is interested in volunteering for now – and getting paid when we get advertisers” you’ll notice that the volunteering happens UNTIL money comes in and then those people will NO LONGER be volunteers – v