Atlanta-based DP Michael Chase shoots multi-camera interviews on a daily basis. “We shoot for Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Oz, Harpo Productions and others,” explained Michael. “We do two or three cameras almost all the time during our interviews. We do the press tours for most of the motion picture companies when they come through the Southeast.” Michael utilizes the Convergent Design Apollo to aid in these productions.
Inter Video in Los Angeles has been shooting 3D and Virtual Reality for some time. “We’ve been using Convergent Design Odyssey and Apollo recorders in 4K for about a year now,” explains Richard Clark, President of Inter Video. “For the three years prior to that we shot in 2K, also to Convergent Design recorders. We tried another type early on, but quickly switched.”
Scott Ferril’s company Rent the Sky Films provides a variety of camera-related services. “We do all sorts of oddball, boutique stuff that’s very specific,” explains Scott. “Full productions, motion control, even 3D. I originally bought an Odyssey7Q for the RAW recording and was looking at the Apollo Option for 3D work, recording two complete stereo camera rigs. Usually the device is mounted to our motion control rig, but then we got this last-minute call for a Video Assist job.”
When Director of Photography Mike Gomes began prep for the feature documentary “The Dwarvenaut,” he was unfamiliar with the Sony FS7 camera. “It was just hitting the market,” explained Gomes. “Producer Jason Diamond introduced me to it. With the XDCA Extension Back I could use proper batteries and other accessories, but most importantly I could get 4K RAW out of the camera and into an Odyssey7Q+. I wanted to have a monitor for director Josh Bishop anyway, and when I mentioned this Jason smiled and said ‘already on it.’”
Phelps Harmon is a video producer who travels light and works fast. Elm Media recently hired Phelps to shoot a series of interviews for Citi Velocity, a subscription information service from CitiBank. “I shot 15 interviews in two days,” explained Phelps. “It was at a conference in St. Petersberg, Florida. There was political content and this was actually during Super Tuesday, so we had to turn around the material lighting fast.”
While many people know me as a writer and tech evangelist, one of the things people don’t know is I actually spend a good deal of my time working on and around film and television production sets on a regular basis.
Zack Charney Cohen has been working as a DIT on a series of national ads for an automobile manufacturer. Versions of these spots have included focus groups, elaborate false sets, hidden cameras, and multiple cameras hidden inside the cars themselves.
Matthew Zappile is a Video Producer for Men’s Health Magazine. He makes 30-60 second lifestyle videos as content for the magazine’s website and Facebook page. “We do food shoots, lifestyle and relationship videos, “ explained Matthew. “They’re fast-paced little self-contained pieces that are meant to be both entertaining and informative.”
