I worked as a guest cinematographer on a cooking segment for a new web series being produced by the Kapisanan Philippine Centre. I’ve now had a fairly long standing relationship with the centre and it’s people, often shooting in their facilities in Kensington market, and was happy to get involved with this new project - especially with it combining my two favorite things - food and film!
I shot the segment with the 7D which lent a great look overall. The first season will probably feature a wide range of different aesthetics as various people have shot each episode. I brought up my concerns about consistency with the production, about lending a totally different look with the 7D and overall more lighting, but they were happy to run with it as they further develop the project.
The series should debut with the launch of Kapisanan’s new website sometime this spring.
Here are pics from the day. Thanks to Jodi and team.
Having a traditional Filipino lunch with the crew. Thanks Paul for cooking!
The good folks over at Cinequip Whites have been running a blog for the past year which profiles local product, services and also spotlights local people working in the film and television community here in Toronto. They kindly asked me a few questions and have just posted their spotlight on me. Thanks to Jonathan Stainton, at Cinequip, for approaching me.
You can check it out here: http://cinequipwhite.wordpress.com
Spent some time sharing and exchanging ideas with fellow filmmakers, photographers and image makers - Ryan Hughes, Kar Wai Ng and Arash Moallemi. We did a little informal testing but mainly discussed workflow, shortcomings of DSLR cameras, as well as imaging technique and application in general. Hopefully, the first of more meetings to come.
Some pics from the day - all photos by Arash - thanks!
barrycheong.com 7D package next to a standard 5D.
Ryan testing out handheld with my 7D. He was very interested in exploring handheld shooting, as his last experience hadn’t been too favorable. The added hardware of my package definitely makes handheld easier to accomplish.
Kar Wai and I talking shop…
My friend Stacey Kaniuk (www.staceykaniuk.com) just recently performed at the Cameron House in Toronto to a full and enthusiastic turn out. I was there capturing some of the performance with my new 7D plus a 2nd 7D package. The A-cam down by the front of the stage was mainly shot on a 50mm 1.8 and the B-cam in the back was on a 24mm 1.4. Camera’s were at 640 ISO (I think..can’t quite remember).
The footage is going to be cut together and will probably go up on her site. Here are some screen grabs:
Great Show!
I don’t usually post random things here but I came across this quote by Cinematographer Gordon Willis, ASC and found it incredibly profound yet wonderfully simplistic…I thought I would share:
“I’ve told students many times to concentrate on the purpose rather than the method of doing something. It’s not really ‘How do I do this?’ It’s ‘What is the purpose of this?’ If you think that way, you’re going to do things differently.” - Gordon Willis, ASC
Prepping a live performance shoot for my friend Stacey Kaniuk happening later in the week….
Happy shooting.
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Attended Vistek’s Canon EOS 7D launch to a full turnout. Canon gave a presentation talking about the camera’s new features as well as some feedback from both photographers and videographers who have used it in the field. There seems to be a wide spread interest in this camera and I know a lot of people who have or are strongly planning on buying a unit. Saw some footage shot by Vistek staff to demo the video function and it looks great on a HD screen! Need to get an HD TV to playback some of my stuff!
Great to see some old friends that I haven’t seen in a while as well as the usual bunch!
The 7D with 70-200mm lens and Redrock accessories. I’m strongly thinking of adding the Redrock cage system so I can add the convenient top handle that they make. I think it will mesh fine with my Zacuto gear.
Hung out at the Henry’s Imaging show this past weekend - so many people into photographing, video and imaging these days! It’s become a really huge market and has opened up to a lot of people. I think everyone should make images…it’s really good for you and your development.
The Canon booth was packed with people checking out the new 7D and the slew of lenses. Got to briefly play with an EF 14mm f/2.8 and their EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5. I definitely want to get something wider to compliment my 24-70 f/2.8. I’m liking that wide lens really close up to faces look these days for certain things… (see my Candy Apples video..though it still wasn’t wide enough at 24mm). Also got asked by a lot of people about my Z-Finder!
Was also told that the WFT-E5 wireless transmitter for the 7D is shipping soon. I’m hoping that this is my answer to a director’s monitor as I should be able to send a Live View video feed from the camera to a laptop or my iphone all wirelessly! I’m hoping I can still connect a monitor to the HDMI port simultaneously.
Also got to check out some 3D technology at JVC’s presentation - impressive - this is going to open up a whole new angle for filmmakers telling their stories.
You can now follow me at http://www.twitter.com/barrycheong.
Armed with my new iphone 3GS I’m hoping to do some updates from set and abroad.
The good folks are Cinequip Whites have just launched their own blog with equipment reviews and local Toronto film related events.
Check it out when you get a second.
http://cinequipwhite.wordpress.com/
