Create Innovation: The Story Behind SmallHD

I felt it was perfect timing to release the trailer for the documentary that Hurlbut Visuals produced about this forward-thinking company called SmallHD, founded by Wes Phillips and Dale Backus. Julien Lasseur directed and photographed this piece, which was edited by Matt Macar. Julien went down to North Carolina to hang out with the masterminds behind this incredible company.

We are going to show you the trailer to get you fired up, but I have to tell you that after seeing this documentary, I fell in love with this company. Their passion, their fearless nature, and a Dad that supported them the whole way. I think back to all of my hair brained ideas as a child when my Dad was right there. This reminds me of a cannon story.

Shane’s Cannon Story

We had cut and welded the sewer pipe so that it could accept our black powder charge and electrical spark maker that would ignite the device. We were deciding what to put in the thing to test it out. My Dad happened to be rounding the corner when we were discussing things and he asked, “What the hell are you guys up to?” We told him we were making a cannon. We wanted to use this to open up all of our soccer games. My Dad looked at this thing that we had created and it looked like a missile. “That thing is going to need some legs,” he said. “Let me find some pipe.”

He came back with two pipes and welded them onto the missile. “Now we need something to shoot out of this baby. Hold on.” He came back with some old weights that his Dad had used to measure gold. We put them into the cannon, loaded the black powder, and hid behind my Dad’s tractor. We plugged in the extension cord that fried the little copper wire that then lit the black powder that soon exploded and sent that weight spiraling out of the barrel.

My Dad jumped up and down more excited than we were seeing that the weight was still rising after 400 yards. We looked at each other, proud of our creation, and my Dad had a huge smile on his face. I love him! Thanks Dad for fueling my passion and creativity!

SmallHD DP-6

SmallHD is releasing two monitors that have been upgraded from the monitor that started it all, the DP-6. Its innovation, research, and development were paid for with not one but two grand prize wins in the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl commercial contest.

This amazing group of filmmakers slashes engineers slash forward-thinking innovators who created an amazing monitor that you can light from. I have made the DP-6 and the DP-4 EVF my main exposing tools for shooting with the Canon arsenal.

SmallHD AC7

Smash cut to 2012 and the dream team at SmallHD has created a wonderful upgrade, including the AC7. The new monitors offer OLED with the richest, most accurate colors available and contrast ratios of “infinity-to-one.” OLED displays are vivid. A more in-depth blog will follow once I really put these babies to the test, but I thought it was pertinent to not only tell you all about their new products but shout out to the SmallHD team. Thank you for your spirit, your innovation, your passion, and your incredible love of what you do. It shows.

Cannot wait for the DP-7. It looks off the CHAIN!!!!!! The entry period for this year’s Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest has passed, but you can vote for your favorites.

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About Filmmakers Academy Cinematographer Mentor Shane Hurlbut, ASC

Director of photography Shane Hurlbut, ASC works at the forefront of cinema. He’s a storyteller, innovator, and discerning collaborator, who brings more than three decades of experience to his art. He is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, the International Cinematographers Guild/Local 600, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Hurlbut frequently joins forces with great directors: McG’s Netflix Rim of the World and The Babysitter, plus Warner Bros. We Are Marshall and Terminator: Salvation; Scott Waugh’s Need for Speed and Act of Valor; and Gabriele Muccino’s There Is No Place Like Home and Fathers and Daughters. His additional film credits include Semi-Pro; The Greatest Game Ever Played; Into the Blue; Mr 3000; Drumline; 11:14, which earned Hurlbut a DVDX nomination; and The Skulls. Notably, his television credits include the first season of AMC’s Into the Badlands.

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