Zacuto New Accessories [7:16m]: Download

FreshDV dropped by to visit the good folks at the Zacuto booth at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles. While we were there, Jens and Steve showed off their latest adapters and accessories, including the first look at a new prototype called the ZwingAway. It’s an articulated arm equipped with short rods to convert any standard mattebox into a swingaway design. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Filmmaker Michael Wohl has written a lengthy and very detailed article over at Ken Stone’s site on the subject of Visual Language. He outlines the basic compositional rules and tools that filmmakers should use to effectively tell stories with images. I would consider this a must-read for young and experienced filmmakers alike. Here’s a short excerpt:

“Film and video programs are efforts at communicating and just like speaking English, tapping out Morse code, or waving semaphores, there is a whole language that can be learned including words, phrases, grammar, punctuation, rules, and common practices. And like any other language, the more thoroughly you master it, the more effectively you can communicate.”

“Communication is both an art and a craft. Part inspiration and part perspiration. Effective editing requires both aspects, and while you can’t necessarily be taught the art of eloquence, you can study and practice the rules of the language, and hone your craft so you can edit quicker, more efficiently, and communicate more effectively because of it.”

You can read the article here.

 Pro8mm Reinvents The 8mm Scene [3:56m]: Download

At the Pro8mm booth at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles, FreshDV learned about their new 1080 HD transfer options, as well as the mod they are offering to widescreen-ify 8mm cameras. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Kevin Burke has posted an interesting short case study on how Automatic Duck Pro Import AE helped one filmmaker make the Cannes deadline. You can read it here.

 Gekko Technology KissLite [3:27m]: Download

Gekko Technology was also at the VFGadgets booth at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles. They were showing off their KissLite ring light systems, perfect for Steadicam and jib-mounted applications. They offer a number of configurations, including some with an integrated mattebox. Not shown in this interview is the Lenslite, built for HDV and small-format HD cameras, and distributed at long last in North America by VFGadgets. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

On Tuesday, July 1st, the Midwest Independent Film Festival will host the filmmakers behind the comedy Diminished Capacity, starring Matthew Broderick, Virginia Madsen and Alan Alda. The film was shot in Chicago before premiering this year at Sundance, so it is fitting that they would host the event at Chicago’s Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema. Tickets to the premiere screening and reception following are available for just $10. More info here.

Saw over at B&H that they have added the HPX170 to their catalog, it can’t be pre-ordered yet but this is a good sign we can expect it soon. MSRP appears to be $5,995. For those looking for more info on this interesting little camera, check out our interview with Jan Crittenden-Livingston from the NAB tradeshow floor, and also Barry Green’s advance review of the camcorder.

 VFGadgets Dolly and Red Handle [5:12m]: Download

VFGadgets was exhibiting at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles, and we checked out a few of their latest offerings. David showed us their improved Pro Gripper Quad suction car mount, which has been beefed up in response to our review of the unit. We also got a look at their soon-to-be-released prototype X-Dolly, an adjustable all-aluminum track dolly system. Finally, David showed us their brand new highly-configurable Red One top handle design, which includes plenty of mounting options for accessories and the ability to put the EVF support basically anywhere. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Curious how the crew behind Transformers filmed the dog-like Transformer named “Frenzy” in the first film? Take a look at this behind the scenes clip from the filming of the Transformers sequel for a peek at the puppeteers in action.

(Via MovieChronicles)

About a year ago I remember reading news of a company doing development with oil and water lenses for cellphone cameras. The idea is that the bubble of liquid can be reshaped without complex mechanical lenses, giving much higher performance in a smaller package. Well these new varioptic lenses are just now hitting the market, in the form a new webcam called the SnakeCam. Check it out at Engadget.

 Rosco LitePad HO [3:45m]: Download

At the Rosco booth at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles, FreshDV took a look at the LitePad HO, their latest update to the unique LitePad line. The HO model is 33% brighter and offers a daylight 6000 degrees Kelvin temperature. They’ve also filled out the line with accessories for dimming and light control, as well as a number of LitePad sizes and shapes. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

 Lensbaby 3G for Moving Images [5:00m]: Download

At one of the tents at Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles, FreshDV stopped talked with the folks at Lensbaby, where DP Reed Harkness showed off the Lensbaby 3G on a compact Canon HV20 + Letus Mini adapter rig. He talked about how the Lensbaby can be used with a variety of lens mounts (including their new PL mount) to achieve a unique selective focus look with moving images. Finally Kirsten walked us through the available options and pricing of the 3G and accessories. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

FreshDV has obtained the following spy shot of what appears to be a brand new professional follow focus design by Redrock Micro. To get this image we may have had to bribe a handful of known Albanian arms dealers…and we can neither confirm nor deny that the agent lost in that freak accident on the Universal Studios streetscape was working with FreshDV on this investigation. By the way, this message will self-destruct in 30 seconds…

UPDATE: Spotted another picture at Reduser.

At long last Sony’s XDCAM EX3 is now available for Pre-order via B&H. The listed price is $8,320.00 USD.

 Viewfactor Origo and Mirus Systems [4:36m]: Download

At Cine Gear Expo 2008 in Los Angeles, Viewfactor Studios was showing off their Origo wired start/stop control for the Red camera. Curt showed us how it worked, and later talked about their next product, the relatively-affordable Mirus motion-control head. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.