QLD Viewfinder - MARCH 2015

NATIONAL SPONSORS

THIS ISSUE...

BEN NOTT ACS Q&A
BRAD FRANCIS DISCUSSES THE SONY FS7
ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS AND FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: ESSENTIAL CREW TRAINING COURSE
EXTENDING A HELPING HAND - MPIBS
IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP TO DATE?
POSTCARD FROM PETER SZILVESZTER
SEND US YOUR SNAPS
@ACSQLD - FOLLOW THE QLD ACS ON INSTAGRAM
MEAA STAA BULLETIN: TVC STANDARDS FOR CREW
SCREEN QUEENSLAND ROADSHOW - CAIRNS
LOOK GOOD ON SET - ACS MERCH
COLLECT YOUR AWARDS MEDIA

BEN NOTT ACS Q&A - MID APRIL 2015

The QLD ACS is excited to announce a special presentation with Mr Ben Nott ACS and special guest visual-effects supervisor Jeff Gaunt.

Further information will be in your inboxes soon, with this event slated for MID APRIL. A great opportunity to socialise with other ACS members and listen to one of QLDs best DOPs discuss the cinematographers approach to shooting, colour-grading and working with complex visual-effects for the feature-film Predestination.

Proudly supported by ACS Sponsors CUTTING EDGE and the GRIFFITH FILM SCHOOL. Admission is free for all current financial ACS members, including complimentary drinks afterwards to network and socialise.

Numbers will be strictly limited, so be sure to keep an eye out for the next e-news with more information.

A RUNDOWN WITH THE SONY FS7

Heathen - Into my first battle with the SonyFS7
BY BRAD FRANCIS

The Sony PXW-Fs7 is the latest release in the sony range boasting some pretty impressive features for an exceptionally modest price tag.
The basic specs are that it shoots almost 4k(3840 (H) x 2160 (V)) up to 60fps and up to 150fps in HD, super 35mm sensor,
S-Log gamma curve, expandable RAW output and lightweight, very lightweight, which is great because Im feeling pretty overweight after Christmas.

Heathen written and Directed by Siobhan Mulready was the perfect first battle to test out its capabilities and limitations as the shoot involved a wide variety of different environments and lighting conditions with night, twilight and full sun exterior scenes, both day and night interiors, steady cam shots, car rigs and hand held.

If you have shot with the F55 and F5 you will probably be familiar with Cine Ei and S-Log gamut. I have had limited experience with the other Sony cameras and even tho Im a bit of a camera nerd, the Sony system is a little confusing to me, so I did some pre shoot camera tests to help determine which color space/curve/tech stuff to go with and how to rate the bloody thing.

When shooting Cine Ei there are 3 combinations of colour space and gamut curves to choose from -
S-Gamut / S-Log2
S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
S-Gamut3.cine / S-Log3

A lot of our film was to be shot in low light conditions so I was particularly interested in the noise level in the shadows, so I did a normal exposure test +/- 2 stops with each of these gamma modes and found that there was very little difference between them when correctly exposed, but at 2 stops under it was a different story. I set up a colour chart and a grey scale on a table at home with the camera looking into the house (4 stops under) and also outside (4 stops over). The -2 stop test was the most interesting as there was a noticeable difference in the noise level of s-Log2, as in there was very little, it was clean and crisp even in the darkest areas, compared to clearly visible noise in the S-Log 3.

Comparison charts shot by Brad.

My tests were quite rudimentary as my knowledge of resolve is infantile at best and it was literally my first go at the software after watching the tutorial, but I added contrast to 1.3, saturation to 60 and balanced the black level, mid tones and highlights of the colour charts so that each shot looked the same and sat at the same place on the waveform.

So the decision to shoot s-log2 was an easy one and after a bit of colour/grey chart work I was happy rating my meter at 1250ISO and getting some pretty solid results, it was nice dusting off the dome again, who said #lightmeetersareforpussies anyway?

Unfortunately I hadnt got my head around creating a LUT and I think the rec709 looks like balls, so we just monitored the S-Log2, took readings and made sure that everything was where it needed to be on the waveform.

Looking deep into the shadows.

For the shoot I had a mettabones E-PL mount and a set of Ziess Superspeeds, which worked flawlessly, there was no vignetting or movement in the mount and even in the heat of battle it was solid.
It is designed to be a run and gun, straight out of the case, turn on and start shooting on the shoulder camera with a smart side handle and measly little shoulder pad for comfort. This doesnt quite work as it is a little front heavy and my base plate support system hadnt arrived yet so we had to butcher a few things together to make it work, but all in all it was quite a light and easy camera to work with especially in hand held, I dont think Ill need an easy rig anymore.

It performed flawlessly throughout the shoot and the rushes I saw each night thoroughly impressed me, the next step is to see a real colourist get their hands on the footage and see where it goes, we dont have one attached yet, so if anyone wants to come onboard and break my footage, be my guest.

A quick wrap up

PROS:

Versatile frame rates 4k (almost) up to 60fps
Lightweight and great for handheld
High sensitivity Slog2 @1250ISO practically noiseless
Long battery life
Sharp, bright and sturdy eyepiece
Built in NDs up to 6 stops in 2 stop increments
No cropping when changing to 1920 high speed mode
Loadable LUTs
Multiple picture outputs 2xSDI, 1x HDMI

CONS:

A little bit plasticky in construction
Menu system a bit slow in playback
No Time Code in (without the additional extension)
Monitor LUTs turn off S&Q (high/off speed mode)

ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS DATES ANNOUNCED

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has announced the 2015 dates for Brisbane's flagship screen events, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF).

Cr Quirk said Brisbane will celebrate cinema for eleven days in November, with BAPFF screening 19 - 29 November, and the prestigious APSA ceremony to be held on 26 November.

"We are thrilled to present the ninth annual APSA ceremony and bring the industry's leading directors, producers, actors and actresses to Brisbane," Cr Quirk said.

Complementing APSA is the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, a world-class event in its second year, which gives audiences the chance to see APSA-nominated films as well as a broad program of specially curated cinema.

BAPFF highlights Brisbane's cultural diversity and promotes our close connections with the Asia Pacific, the world's fastest growing film region.

Visitors and locals are encouraged to attend and experience the rich screen culture of the Asia Pacific.

APSA BAPFF Chairman Michael Hawkins said that the success of the inaugural BAPFF had already built strong anticipation. "The 2015 events are set to be better than ever and will coincide with the spectacular Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at GoMA,".

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards are the region's highest accolade in film, recognising and promoting cinematic excellence of the world's fastest-growing film region: comprising 70 countries and areas, 4.5 billion people, and responsible for half of the world's film output.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: ESSENTIAL CREW TRAINING COURSE

A Guide to Successful Freelancing for Film and Television from CV to Set

Course Date: 18 April, 2015
Time: 9:00am (3 ½ to 4 hours)
Location: South Brisbane

Queensland crew booking agency Essential Crew is excited to present this course. It offers a full introduction to freelancing that will provide you with the practical knowledge required for working on a professional film set. It also prepares you for the challenge of earning income as a professional crew member, including a valuable insight into how best to approach obtaining credits and increasing your experience, which will in turn lead to booking more work.

Some of the topics covered are:

Departments and roles within those departments, including the chain of command on set and in the production office
CVs: Formatting and presentation and approaching production companies
Freelance crew member requirements: Public liability insurance, registering for an ABN, invoicing and deal memos
On Set working hours and conditions
Negotiating Rates, how to negotiate with producers
Definition and explanation of terms used with bookings
Call sheets, dress/footwear on set
Information relevant to specific departments, materials and equipment specific to roles
Top tips for on set work
Information about directories and free listings for crew, useful links
Discussion of career pathways and work experience
Questions from attendees

This vital course content will be presented by an Assistant Director/Producer and a Crew Booking Agent who both have invaluable knowledge and firsthand experience of all the skills required to succeed in the screen industry and to prepare you for exactly what is required to achieve a long and sustainable career in Film and Television.

Head to the below link for more course information & to book this fantastic course - at the checkout enter ACS as the discount coupon to receive your ACS discount!

BOOK NOW »

You can also contact EC via courses@essentialcrewtraining.com.au or on 0412 017 019.

Essential Crew Website »

EXTENDING A HELPING HAND - MPIBS

To donate, please visit our website for more information.
http://cinemapioneers.com.au/mpibs/

IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP TO DATE?

As renewals for 2015/16 are fast approaching, we urge all members to make sure their member contact information is all correct so you dont miss out on any benefits from the society.

You can log into your own member page via www.cinematographer.org.au.

If you need your login information, please email the branch at acsqld@austcine.org.au

POSTCARD FROM PETER SZILVESZTER

Peter Szilveszter will be DOP on the feature film The Legend Of Ben Hall [http://www.thelegendofbenhall.com/], which begins principal photography at the end of march. Shooting on RED Epic.

Peter on set of the Trailer shoot for The Legend of Ben Hall

SEND US YOUR SNAPS

We love to keep up to date with what our members are shooting and who doesn't love a postcard! Take a behind the scenes shot (with production approval of course!) when shooting your next project and let us know what you're working on.

If your postcard gets published in our monthly Viewfinder eNews, we'll send some trendy ACS Merchandise your way!

Email the Viewfinder Editor MITCH KENNEDY »

@ACSQLD - FOLLOW THE QLD ACS ON INSTAGRAM

Over the next few months the ACS QLD Branch will be extending the amount of interaction with members on Social Media outlets.

We're happy to announce we're now on Instagram, so if you've got an account start following us @acsqld and tag us in your snaps from work.

MEAA STAA BULLETIN: TVC STANDARDS FOR CREW

Commercial Producers Council (CPC) has proposed to set out standard rates for crew working on TVCs. MEAA will hold department meetings to outline their proposal, hear member and non-member concerns and to discuss a plan of action moving forward. Crew now have an opportunity to organise to challenge unfair rates and negotiate a fair standard for TVCs.

Based on feedback so far it is clear that very few crew have been consulted on the proposal prior to its release this week. MEAA believes it is important that crew have the time to discuss the proposal fully and has requested that CPC does not implement the standard rate sheet before the end of financial year.

Read MEAAs letter to CPC here: http://meaa.io/1FLIdlc

Members and non-members will have a chance to have their say at meetings to be held over the coming weeks. To organise a meeting for your department, contact the MEAA Queensland organiser below.

Brisbane/Gold Coast
Ellen Kear
0423 073 977
ellen.kear@meaa.org

Join MEAA - http://meaa.io/joinMEAA

Follow the campaign on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MEAAECS?ref=hl

LOOK GOOD BEHIND THE CAMERA

The ACS has a great range of merchandise available for members to buy, including T-Shirts with the awesome new design.

Contact the ACS HQ Manager with all your merchandise orders: dlewis@cinematographer.net.au

New Shirt Design by Scott Windon

ACS Hoodie $35
ACS Spray Jacket $60
ACS Ladies Tees $30 Cool New design
ACS Mens Tees $25 Cool New design
ACS Tees $20 Original design
ACS Cap $20
ACS Beanie $15
ACS Mug $6 Pen $6 Notebook $3

*Note: Prices include GST

SIZING:
A special run of Ladies Tees in the new design are available:
Size 10 - 92cm
Size 12 - 96 cm
Size 14 - 104cm
Size 16 - 110cm

Mens sizes, new design:
Small - 106cm
Medium - 112cms
Large - 116cms
XL - 122cms
XXL - 128cms

COLLECT YOUR AWARDS MEDIA

We still are currently holding a small cache of memory sticks, dvd's and hard drives from previous awards entries (2013 & 2014), but not for long!

If you have media for collection please pop in to see Tim Jordin at LEMAC during business hours. Or if youd like to check to be sure, you can call Tim on 07 3252 977, or email the branch at acsqld@austcine.org.au

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