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Cinematography

Four images of filmmakers
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How To Film a High-Value Commercial on a Budget

Three weeks ago I was selected as the director for a national commercial campaign for Case Tractors. It would be my first solo directing gig after signing with the Bandito Brothers one month ago. In the commercial world, an advertising agency is hired by the client, which...
The Santa Monica Pier at night gif
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The Making of The Carnival Sequence from “The Last 3 Minutes”

Episode III “Carnival” was on Day two of our four day shooting schedule. This day was a very ambitious one because we had four company moves. We started at the ranch house location, moved to meadow location, then on to the main street location for the street fight.
Still Camera made into movie camera

Transform Still Cameras Into PL Mount Movie-Makers

It seems like everyone is jumping on the PL mount 7D bandwagon and I have to say it is very unfortunate that the 5D does not have the same energy. All the specs on a PL mounted 5D have shown that the vignette is a big issue. Most cinema lens...
Boats drifting on calm waters with fog
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The Making of The Vietnam War Sequence From “The Last 3 Minutes”

We are going to give you a special treat on this blog. When I travel around the world, many people come up and ask me about the one shot helicopter crash in Terminator:Salvation. So I thought this was a fitting place to talk about all in one shot sequences...
Kowa-lens-Shane-Hurlbut

Altering Lenses For Peak Performance

I have had many discussions about the different lens options other than Zeiss ZE’s and Canon’s that mount to the Canon cameras. Zeiss took it to the next level with their Canon mount CP2’s and their new Zooms that come out this summer.
Bearded old man frowning
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The Making of The Janitor Sequence From “The Last 3 Minutes”

When Canon and Hurlbut Visuals teamed up on this joint venture, we wanted to put together a trilogy of Behind the Scenes videos where I narrated about what goes on inside my head as a cinematographer. We also wanted to show that even though there is a planning process...
Tech Specs in grey computer box
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DSLR Media Management with Mike McCarthy (Part 2)

Here is the much anticipated post-production work flow blog that you have been asking for from Mike McCarthy, our technology guru. Please visit Mike's site at hd4pc.com for even more in-depth technical information on the post-production work flow process.
Girl in abandoned room tied to chair
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The Making of “The Last 3 Minutes”

Here are details from our EPK crew on "The Last 3 Minutes." With this first person perspective, it is not like a scene where you do a wide shot and then go in for coverage. It plays out like a play where everything has to work.
Stacks of SD cards
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Media Management for DSLRs with Mike McCarthy (Part 1)

I am Mike McCarthy, the Director of Technology at Bandito Brothers. I have been working with Bandito Brothers since the company started in 2006, and have been involved with projects using almost any format imaginable.
Man cam in minivan with Shane Hurlbut ASC

Cinematography: Keeping It Small

I have been doing research on other sites recently and checking out the monster camera configurations that people are creating. I question if that is the right path based on the two things attracted me to this camera; the filmic looking sensor and the size.
Simpsons gif: "Marge! We're responsible adults."
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Responsible Filmmaking: HDSLR TECHNOLOGY

When I stumbled onto this HDSLR technology, I realized within minutes of using the technology that it was a “game changer” and the rulebook had to be thrown out and a new one created. I thought if we can start a new rulebook...
Stabilized Handheld camera

Cinematography: Camera Stabilization

I walked into Samy’s Camera last week and a camera assistant was mounting gyros on the 5D to stabilize the camera. She was getting beaten up by the mount and said, “I cannot get this clamped on here.” I said “ Hi, I would love to help...
Man with gun coming into focus gif
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The Power of Focus in Cinematography

Focus is probably one of the biggest obstacles that the 5D encounters. So many of our colleagues have questions and wonder why it is absolutely essential to have a focus puller. They are the backbone of this amazing technology. Shooting with practical...
Avoid-Cheap-Glass-Cinematography-Thumbnail

Cinematic Filters: Beware Cheap Glass

Making HD look like film has a cocktail and one of the essential ingredients to this flavorful recipe is Neutral Density. You have to keep your exposure on a 5D around a 5.6 to get that beautiful shallow depth of field. The 7D should be around...
Close up on still lenses on wooden table

Still Lenses used on the Big Screen

On the still lens front, you have a variety of options. I am addressing this topic from a 40 foot screen digital projection perspective, not a still photography one. Zeiss ZE primes rock. Their resolution is spectacular and they are lightweight. Their focus is a little more cinematic then...
Picture Style Menu
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Picture Style: How Do You Choose?

I am frequently asked about picture style. There are so many internet sites making RAW picture styles, Flat picture styles, Panavision Genesis Picture Styles and all the picture styles in between for the Canon 5D, 7D, and the 1D. It is confusing to know which one to choose and I...
Bandito Bros logo

Tim’s Visit To Bandito Brothers

Tim was the second-place winner of our "Where's the 5D" online contest. He came to Bandito Brothers this week to meet me for lunch. It was an amazing experience for both of us! Tim is very bright with a vast knowledge of still photography. A trip to Bandito Brothers... The day started out with…
Navy pilot stands on snow covered mountain

Navy Swimmer: Mountain Rescue & Sea Rescue Sequences

Here is the breakdown for the Mountain Rescue portion of Navy Swimmer. - 1-camera in deep water housing which captures underwater and split level shots. - 1-camera mounted on the Navy Swimmers helmet to capture him exiting the helicopter and being lowered down in between the rocks...
Navy Pool Training Sequence in Act of Valor

Navy Swimmer: Pool Training Sequence With Real-Time Workflow

The Bandito Brothers Production Company has a very unique work flow. I have adopted the Bandito Brothers “Real Time” shooting module and combined it with "traditional" filming. Here is how we made it work for the Navy Swimmer commercial. Imagine prepping, shot listing and then...
Canon 5D Mark II as crash cam

Canon 5D Mark II Extreme Heat Solution

The Untitled Navy SEAL movie has taken me to some of the most extreme working conditions that I have ever experienced in my career as a Director of Photography. We traveled to the following locations: the jungles of Costa Rica, the swamps of Mississippi...

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