Our short film “3:31″ has officially been selected to screen at the 2010 Dixie Film Festival!  On behalf of the cast and crew, we would like to thank the festival for allowing our film to be a part of this year’s action.  

The Dixie Film Festival is planned for October 1st – 3rd at the Morton Theatre in Athens, Georgia.  We are truly honored to be a part of this year’s 7th annual festival.

|JONNYHEE|

OK.  Now we’re talkin’.  Sony has released a twitpic of thier new “small prototype cinema camera”.  Here’s the link: http://twitpic.com/1eycf3 

It seems to be a part of the first step that manufacturers are taking to go beyond the “trying-to-shoot-video-with-clunky-stills-cameras-cause-the-chip-is-bigger” age.  The idea of a small camera, like this one, having a nice sized chip and mounts for cinema lenses, or even SLR primes is very attractive.  I have wondered why they couldn’t just take the guts out of a 5D MKII and put it in a case with audio controls and video knobs.  This would make a lot of sense for indie filmmakers, production houses, commercial photographers, and digital media guys.

There is not any info on name, specs or pricing yet.  It is scheduled to be release at the beginning of next year.

Any suggestions here?  The “specs” are really similar in numbers, but does that really translate to performance?  Both cameras have a 1.6x crop factor (no cropping with the 5D MKII) and both shoot the same formats of video (the 5D now with the firmware update).  Though, something about the video quality just doesn’t add up. If you list almost exact specs for two different models, but the cost of one is nearly half the other: What corners were cut in the manufacturing process to make this possible?

Canon seems to really hang it’s marketing hat onto specs with the T2i.  They obviously set out to make a camera that could match up in a side-by-side-specification-comparisonwith the 7D and be somewhat comparible to the 5d MKII.  Is it a just a marketing scheme?  I have seen the video comparisons on vimeo and I am impressed with the quality of work my colleague Kevin is producing with his T2i. 

This point of this post is to start this discussion: 

• I know it’s less expensive, but is it worth paying more for the 7D or for that matter the 5D MKII?
• Is the superior low-light performance of the 7D warrant paying +$800 over the T2i?
• Does the supperior low-light performance of the 5D MKII plus the larger chip warrant the +$800 over the 7D?
• If you are considering the 5D MKII, should the 7D or T2i even be in the discussion?

Comment below or click here.

The website for our soon to be released short film “3:31″ is now live!  You can check it out at www.331movie.com.  The site includes updates on progress, pictures, and videos associated with the project.  Please give it a visit. 
Also, you can follow us here:  if you are a twitterer.

|JONNYHEE|

Update 3/19/2010:

We are moving right along with the project.  We got our main location approved this week and are very pleased with your auditions.  We are tentatively scheduled to shoot the 3 weekends following Easter (April 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th).  We would need for you to be committed to a full day on the dates you are scheduled for shooting.  We will soon have a more specific schedule for each character that will include some or all of the days listed.  Please look over your calendars and let me know if you have any conflicts with ANY of these dates.
 
Again, thank you all for the great auditions.

|JONNYHEE|

Update 3/18/2010:

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and participation in the audition Saturday.  We had a good showing and realized some great local talent.  We will have a pick-up date for the people that could not attend yesterday, so if you know anyone interested you can tell them to check for updates on www.jonnyhee.com.

Thanks again to everyone involved.

|JONNYHEE|

WHAT:  OPEN CASTING CALL
WHEN:  SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH 2010 | 10AM-2PM
WHERE:  WPMI-TV | 661 AZALEA ROAD | 
MOBILE, AL
WHO:  EVERYONE
FOR:  A LOCAL SHORT FILM

Hello all,

We will be holding an open casting for an upcoming film.  Production will take place on consecutive weekends from April 3rd, 2010 to April 18th, 2010.  The film will be submitted to several choice festivals and is intended for premiere in our local theaters.

This film is written as a drama by a very talented local writer.  There are four available roles for men and two for women.  Though the project is not-for-profit, the cast/crew will be provided lunch on days of production.  If you are interested in being involved in what plans to be an exciting adventure – we encourage you to attend the casting and/or leave us a comment HERE. 

|JONNYHEE|

Audio for Video
Most of us have entered an edit session following what at the time seemed to be a successful shoot – perfect lighting, clean lines, smooth pans, precise focus….uh oh - that boom mic was noisy as hell!  How could you have not realized it in the field?  Well, most of us utilize the awesomely convenient XLR inputs on our cameras to handle the usually simple audio recording options required.  You can use a boom mic in one input and a lavalier in the other.  This setup will usually suffice.

The Problem
We all use this set-up and probably all run into the same problems.  The camera is now attached to something.  The extra wires cause many inconveniences in changing set-ups and handheld work.  And, you are monitoring your sound levels and quality from a camera which is not ideal.  Shots are probably your number one concern when standing behind a camera - not audio.  This run-and-gun solution works 90% of the time.  For the other 10% when you need to impress:  You have a client/interview/film that needs a little “wow” in it.  You have an idea for something big with the “look” and being hassled with boom mic placement is a distraction that you can’t afford.

The Solution
By recording your sound independently from your camera set-up - You can be more creative,  more mobile, and more precise.  More subtleties can be realized and you free your eyes from level meters to the picture.  If you are low budget, but maybe have an extra person on hand,  make that person your sound guy/girl.  The benefits of quality of sound will outweigh what this person could attribute as extra grip.  This DIY field kit is easily set-up and operated and you can teach just about anyone how to use it.The Set-Up
There are many solutions out there that range from all-in-one field recorders to complex 12 channel boards.  The system described in this article falls somewhere between the two.  The intrical piece of the system is how sound is interfaced digitally.  This DIY kit is built around USB audio interfaces used for recording in home studios with Pro Tools - specifically the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.  It gives you dual XLR or 1/8 pin inputs, 48v phantom power, and is powered by USB.  I connect the Fast Track Pro to a Asus Netbook.  These mini notebooks have just about everything that laptops have.  You can run full operating systems like Windows 7 and since the screen is so small and the hard drive is SSD, the battery life is extraordinary (5-7 hours per charge).  With software you have a couple of options – You can use Pro Tools (M-Powered in this case) or free audio editing/recording software such as Audacity.

The Advantage
You have endless options to effect the quality of recording “live” that you are not afforded with the cameras “level” controls.  It gets your camera “wireless” from any audio devices which allows for freedom of movement.  You now have a dedicated person for audio which enables a more concentrated effort for picture and talent.  And, you have a stand alone system for grabbing natural or b-roll sounds without having to break out any camera gear.  Give it a try and shoot me a message or comment with some feedback.

|JONNYHEE|

**Here is a 35mm DOF adapter comparison chart.  The information was gathered from each manufactures website.  Remember that you still need a camera and lenses to make these work, so the price is for the adapters and accessories only.  There are many upgrade options that will add to the cost of each. 

Additional Features:

Letus Extreme
◦ Best edge-to-edge sharpness in the industry.
◦ Battery is fully enclosed and secured by 2 magnets for ease of replacement during a shoot.
◦ Optional relay offer direct mount to ENG type cameras.

SGblade
◦ Choice of 3 ROTOrazor (ground glass element) for various shooting environments.
◦ Variable speed controller for spinning element.
◦ Now offer PL mounts.

M2 Encore
◦ Rotating screen enables you to stop down to f16 without seeing the screen grain.
◦ Integrated collimating lens mount, and the adapter comes pre-collimated.
◦ Widest angle-of-view of all adapters.

Brevis35 MP.2
◦ Microprocessor controlled adapter.
◦ Interchangeable diffusers allow for a variety of looks/setups.
◦ Waterproof ABS case provided.

These numbers come from the least expensive set-up which usually includes mounts for “still” lenses like Nikon, Canon EF (OES), and Pentax K mount.  If you want to use the grossly more expensive “film” lenses, the PL mounts and others are several hundred dollars extra.  This chart is to be used as quick reference for people needing a side-by-side comparison that would usually come in the early stages of the whole process.  Please be sure to investigate before you buy so you know exactly what you are getting when making a purchase of this size.  You can leave a comment here.

|JONNYHEE|

Like you I struggle with the cost of staying on the cutting edge of the video production. Everything associated with what it takes to shoot video/film professionally is horribly over priced. Well, I have a money saving idea that I will take you step by step to owning a professional portable light kit for less than half of the leading manufactures like Lowel and Arri.

First get juiced - The number of watts any given lighting kit will output is the key to professional results. Second is control - Once you have a kit that continuously lights at 1500 watts, you have to be able to control that power to get the results you are looking for. Lastly is price - You don’t have to pay $1500 for a kit that you can put together separately for under $300 and get the exact same results.

Step one: Be super!  The kit that I use is assembled from old Super 8 camera lights. These lights were made to be mounted onto Super 8 cameras and usually output up to 650w at 120v. This is key considering that a 650w Lowel or Arri light can cost upwards of $800 each. These “super lights,” as I call them, can be found either around town or on eBay for sometimes as cheap as $10. What’s the catch? Well, there really isn’t one. Most are made of plastic which is probably the only downfall. Some of these supers come with the hot shoe mount. That’s OK because you can buy stand mounts for around $5 here. If you take care of them, they will last a really long time. And, otherwise at $10 a pop, they might as well be disposable. So search around and find at least 3 of these “super lights” to get your kit started.

Next: Stay in control. I suggest soft boxes. You can find these at B&H or eBay. The ones I use are cowboy studio’s soft boxes. They control the light just like the Lowel Rifa soft boxes. It has the option to have two levels of diffusion (outside and inside) with the two included diffusion clothes. You need to find a way to attach the speed ring to the light. The easiest way is to screw it to the ring of the barn doors. Some of the “super lights” come with barn doors, others do not. You can find them at B&H, but with everything else they sell, they can be pricey. So, when purchasing the “super lights” try and find ones with the original barn doors.

Lastly: Take a stand. You have to have stands for all of your new lights. The ones I use are Smith-Victor and can be found relatively cheap on eBay. Think quality over cosmetics. It doesn’t matter how ugly any of these components are. What matters is how well they make your subject look on camera.

With the soft boxes and gels, you can get professional results for well under $300.  Remember that the softboxes have to attach to the light.  Some supers come with barndoors that are usually the easiest solution.  Most soft boxes have “speed rings” which will easily attach to the barndoors.  Check out the details and measurements of each component, so you are sure they will be compatible.  Questions? Leave me a comment here.

|JONNYHEE|

Last weekend, I worked with a really cool group of guys and girls on a film for the SoAL Film Festival.  The concept was for the festival’s 48hour Film Scramble.  We had 48hours to produce, write, direct, shoot, and edit the film.  The scramble concept was “Mobile, We love you” and our location was Spinghill College.  The film is a love story/comedy that takes place in the Springhill area titled, “Steal My Heart” and debuts Friday, Nov. 6th during the opening of the SoAL Film Festival at the Crescent Theatre.  Try to come out, check it out and vote for our film before you go off and get into whatever it is you’re gonna get into later that night.
|JONNYHEE|

Hey guys, I’m still here.  People are fussing at me about the lack of posts on the site.  The imbalance of work and more work leaves little time for jonnyhee.com, but I’m about to get back in the groove.  Many updates to come on my new project entitled for now: “(type title here)”.  OK.  I haven’t got a title yet.  But it is a short-subject documentary on the Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile bay.  Click here if you wanna learn about it.  Middle Light is one of our most beautiful historic places here along the gulf coast and there is an effort to try and move it on land.  Before that happens, I want to archive the beauty and elegance of this super cool place before it is too late.  I will post when it is complete and have to trailer on jonnyhee.com.

|JONNYHEE|