Essential Knots for Filmmaking: Clove Hitch
A useful knot to know for filmmaking is the clove hitch knot. The clove hitch can grip anything, from round objects, to square objects, to rectangles, it can wrap around pretty much any shape.
Entries by Shane Hurlbut, ASC
The Drama Triangle & Difficult Personalities: How to Deal with Film Industry Quirkiness
Big personalities, intense time pressure, and thousands of dollars riding on getting the shots to make your day. As a filmmaker, how do you deal with difficult personalities, especially if you are stuck with someone on a long feature?
Canon 1D C Internal 4K Workflow
Many people have asked about how I am processing these huge files from the Canon 1D C and its powerful 4K in camera capture. Here is how we roll it out.
Dark Energy for After Effects
Lance Maurer and his team at Cinnafilm developed the Dark Energy Suite, a revolutionary texture management system. This is how I was able to seamlessly cut film and the Canon 5D MkII together on Act of Valor.
Podcast on Selecting Cameras for Need for Speed
The approach to selecting cameras for Need for Speed. It’s about each camera’s unique abilities and how to use those abilities to your advantage.
Blackmagic Camera Post Workflow
We look at some workflow options for getting both the CinemaDNG and ProRes files out of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and into the NLE of your choice.
Inovativ Carts on a Game of Thrones Promo
Recently, I shot a promo for HBO’s enthralling television series “Game of Thrones” and had the opportunity to put the Inovativ Echo cart through its paces in a real set environment.
The Musicbed App for iPad and iPhone
The Music Bed has just released a cool little iOS app and it is a fantastic way to research what music you want for your project while you are mobile.
The Basics of Audio Equipment for Filmmakers
In order to be a well-rounded audio engineer, it is crucial that you understand the tools available to you. Here I break down the audio equipment available and teach you their purpose, limitations, and some tips on learning how high quality audio is recorded.
Interview with Greg Staten on the HP DreamColor Monitor
Greg is dedicated to producing a great monitor. He’s fascinated with what his clients are doing with HP’s products, and he’s always looking for improvements.
Shane Hurlbut Returns to NeedCreative podcast
I joined the NeedCreative Podcast again this week. We talked about the art and science of cinematography and then did a mini-workshop. I go into story scenarios and how I would light and lens them.
Gemini 4:4:4 RAW: Your 4K/2k/1080p Recording Solution
Testing the new Gemini 4K RAW Recorder. I am all about keeping things compact and mobile, and the Gemini has this in spades. It is very small and has a very cool on-board monitor so that you can immediately check the digital gate.
Turning the Blackmagic Cinema Camera into a Movie Making Machine
Blackmagic graciously supplied a camera for testing. We pushed and pulled this baby to see when it would break as well as where it excelled.
Digital Cinematography vs Film: Tides are Turning
As I embark on a long creative, exciting journey on Need for Speed with DreamWorks, I wanted to share some of my most recent findings from a five day camera test that pushed every camera to its breaking point.
Big Winners: The SmallHD Story
Learn how Wes Phillips and Dale Backus from SmallHD won the “Doritos: Crash The Superbowl Contest” not once… but twice and then how they used their earnings to fund the growth of SmallHD.
Smart Business for Cinema Podcast
As CEO and co-founder of Hurlbut Visuals, I joined Carl Olson, Chris Fenwick and Mitch Aunger on the Digital Convergence Podcast. We had a wonderful conversation about business, marketing, branding, education and building a team in the world of filmmaking.
Canon 1DC Camera Tests Outside the Studio
How important it is to take your camera tests out of the studio and on to location. You want to see how your camera’s emulsion handles highlights, hot skies, night exteriors and night interiors.
Writing “The Ticket”
By Po Chan. Shane and I have always said that The Ticket is a love story between art and science. I think the true beauty of art, as well as the art of cinema, is the power to communicate with people on a subconscious emotional level.
“Deadfall” DP on American Cinematographer Podcast
American Cinematographer recently produced a podcast about shooting Deadfall — “going inside the visual landscape of a suspense filled winter wonderland.”
Editing “The Ticket”
By Dan Liu. As an editor, it is the best feeling knowing that you will have great material to work with. After talking with Po and Shane, I was very excited about working on The Ticket, as I knew it would have great material in spades.