48 Hour Film Festival!

So, last weekend I just competed in a film festival. The festival was through Valley Forge Christian College and the requirements were to create a captivating short film that had to be within 5-12 minutes in length. The film had to be a redemptive story and needed to be completed in only 48 hours! Another cool aspect about the "Captiv8 Film Fest" was that it was open to any Assembly of God College or University in the entire United States.

On Thursday at 12 p.m. we were given a line, "Don't you see, it's happening again", a character, "barista", and a prop, "bouquet of flowers". Once the live announcement was over, 5 teams set out to create something incredible. My team had a slight setback since the guy we were borrowing a slider from forgot it back at his home in Maryland. I had to take a little 3 hour detour before filming (Not fun). Once I got back, my team had already set up and prepared our first shoot. We began shooting at 4:00 p.m. and we went on throughout the night and got back in the editing room by 6:00 a.m. the next day.

Everyone was tired at this point and we began doing shifts to give everyone a chance to nap a little. That entire Friday and early Saturday morning took up the rest of our time editing. The product was due at 12 p.m. on Saturday and we turned our video in 30 minutes before it was due!

Once that heavy load was taken off our shoulder we all collapsed and fell asleep to try to gain whatever sleep we missed. The award show started that evening at 7:00 p.m. The judges included Kevin Hackenburg, Kris John, David Tate, Scott Ball, and Matt Lusier. Our film, "Resist" won Most Captiv8ing Cinematography and was nominated in Best Editor, Best Director, Best Set Design, Most Captiv8ing Short, and Best Screenplay.

Check out the film Resist!

More About Indie Elephant Productions

Indie Elephant Productions is a small business that started from a freelance class at Valley Forge Christian College. At first I didn't think much of it, except that it was fun to pretend I was a major media company. However, the more I got involved with the branding and business side of the class work, the more I really enjoyed the thought of really owning a business. I bought the rights to the name and began taking pictures for free to boost my portfolio and to practice starting a small business.

This year I was fortunate enough to film my first wedding, which is my real passion. Once I graduate I'd love to be a film director that creates positives films, that can make a real difference in this world. In reality, I see myself working in a church producing media and providing videos for sermons and illustrations. What's exciting for me is that I have found something that I love! And what is better to do for a living than something you love doing? I really want to encourage you that if you have a passion or dream go after it! I truly believe that God gives us passions and dreams for a reason. We have these thoughts to motivate and look towards. Am I where I want to be at? No. But I know I'm moving in the  right direction. Just Keep at it! Proverbs 16:3 states, "Commit to the Lord, whatever you do and you will succeed." This is my life verse. Committing to God with all that I do and in the end I'll be successful. Not only in my eyes, but in God's eyes and what's better than that?

A 4K Cinema Camera Under $3,000?

Filming something that has the same quality of the big screen is a big deal. Being an independent filmmaker and having such a camera is everyone’s dream. How about this dream becoming a reality? Black Magic Design is an electronic company founded in 1984 from Australia. The uniqueness of this company has been re-defining the cinema industry with ground-breaking cameras at great prices!

I have recently had the opportunity to use the Black Magic 2.5K Cinema Camera and was blown away from the visuals and ability to have 13 stops of dynamic range. This camera is at an incredible deal of only $1,994! But just when I though it couldn’t be any better, Black Magic Design came out with a 4K under $3,000! 4K Resolution!

                                                       (Photo From www.BlackMagicDesign.com)

For those of you who don’t know what 4K means, it’s a measurement of resolution from the camera of being 3840x2160. That’s 8,294,400 pixels to play with! It’s also shot flat and enables the editor to have a wider range of dynamics to really boost and color correct on a whole other level.  

                                     (This graph from Wikipedia demonstrates the difference of resolution)

The 4K has changed its sensor from the 2.5K by making it a super 35 sensor. This enables a closer feel and look as to what the lens is suppose to show. With the older 2.5K the sensor has a crop that really makes most shots tighter than what the lens is suppose to show. This 35 sensor will have a much better look for the lenses that are wanted.

Another great aspect of the camera is the lens mounts. Any EF Compatible Lens will fit on the camera. Unlike other Cinema Cameras that require special Cinema style lenses, this camera works with your typical DSLR style lenses. This is a great feature, especially for filmmakers looking to save money on lenses.

The 4K BMCC records on SSD! This enables the camera to record all of its massive information quickly. The 240GB SSD can record up to 36 minutes and the 480GB SSD can record up to 72 minutes.

The camera also has a back screen that is completely touch screen. From the screen you’re able to change the display settings, to different shutter speeds and F stops, ect... The side of the camera features numerous inputs for Thunderbolt connection, ¼” Jack for the Mic inputs. There is a 12V to 30V DC input, a 3.5mm headphone input, and a LANC remote control.

So if you’re a filmmaker looking to make a splash into the 4K world, definitely give this camera a shot! Coming from only using the 2.5K camera, I can tell there are many similarities to both cameras. However, the resolution along with sensor difference really sweetens the deal! The only thing that I have a complaint with the 2.5K was the battery. It would die somewhat quickly. I’m anxious to see if  the same goes for this battery. In the end, I love Black Magic Design and all of the innovations they are working on. I’m a fan and I’m sure you will be too. Check out more details of the camera at www.blackmagicdesign.com 
You can purchase the 2.5K Black Magic Cinema Camera Here!

Wisdom From A Church Media Director

I was fortunate to complete my required internship this summer at Christian Life Assembly. The internship involved creating videos for the church and join in the creative team processes. After I graduate from VFCC, I'm planning to work for a church or Christian organization in the film world. But, what does it take to work in a unique environment such as a Church? I interviewed my mentor from the internship, and heres how it went.

Me: " How did you get started in the digital media field?"

Richard: "I began doing video work for my high school, recording and producing the annual school musicals, football games, etc."

Me: "Did you attend a college/university before this job and if so what did you study?"

Richard: " I attended Montgomery College and the University of Maryland receiving my degree in Communication-Video Production. After graduating, I did not use my degree for almost 13 years when I began working in the church."

Me: " What is a typical day in the office look like?"

Richard: "Most days are spent multi-tasking in five areas. Pre-production of upcoming services, post production on past services, volunteer management, equipment maintenance, administrative tasks (email, phone calls)

Me: "What is a goal you have for yourself in this field of work?"

Richard: "To continue to use the latest in technology to reach the world for Jesus Christ, keeping in mind that the message is not changing, only the method."

Me: "Is there anything you know now that you wished you knew getting started?"

Richard: "That a vast majority of the leadership (pastoral staff, deacon/elder boards) in the church do not have any idea what or how to use digital media, but think they know everything. This creates an unnecessary level of stress and conflict when dealing with personnel and budget requests."

Me: " What’s your advice to anyone looking into working for the church in media?"

Richard: "Confirm that the church has a digital media plan (audio, video, lighting, photography, web, apps, and social media). During the interview process, make sure you confirm this with more than one staff/board member. If there is a plan, then confirm that the church is prepared to budget between 7-10% of the annual operating budget for the entire church, in the areas of digital media. Digital media is a continuing cycle of maintenance, upgrades and advancements. You must be flexible, and the church must be flexible."

In recap, here's a video I was able to produce for the church to promote their digital media ministries.

Click here for video.

Hope this post is able to spark some interest in those who want to work in a church! Don't forget to leave a comment below!

What You Need To Know To Become A Better Filmmaker

There are so many filmmaking enthusiast out there, trying to figure out the secret recipe in producing a great film. Many resort to buying better equipment or attending different workshops that are promoted by their loved professionals. But, becoming better only starts from within. Here is a list of things that will help in your journeys of better filmmaking.

#1 Search from within

Too many times I see creators trying to recreate things. Being a creator according to Webster Dictionary, is "To bring something into existence." I understand that some art must be recreated, because there is no better way of doing it, but you must try and be original too! Everyone tells a story differently.

#2 Equipment

Equipment is important, but the mind is more important. You can get by with cheaper equipment and still come away with a great product. For example my first tripod couldn't pan or tilt very well. It would get stuck and not have a nice smooth motion everyone loves to see. I found out from a YouTube tutorial that you can use a rubber band on the handle to help steady the shot. The elasticity of the band would have the perfect resistance to make the shots look decent enough.

The Camera: I use the Cannon 5D Mark iii. But for those of you you on a budget, the Canon 60D works great. A link of the 60D can be seen Here

The Tripod is also a crucial tool in simple filmmaking. Tripods come in many different types. There are monopods which is basically a pole and have great mobility. A standard tripod usually has three legs. These types of tripods are able to withstand heavier equipment, especially when your rig begins to hold lights and microphones.
          For beginners I would recommend the Revellie APLT4 as seen here. It's a cheap tripod with basic functionality.
          For professionals I would recommend the Manfrotto MVK500 with a fluid head as seen here. This tripod can hold heavier equipment and the fluid head is incredible for fluid smooth shots.

The audio: Audio can be a tricky thing to capture properly. Most beginners will use the in camera mic (if there is one), but for the most part the audio is awful. Usually in camera mics pick up too much wind or ambient noises that can take away from a scene.
To capture great audio, I would recommend recording audio from an outside source and then match up the audio and video in your editing program. The Zoom H4N does a great job with this. However, with this recorder you also need to get a mic, such as a shotgun mic or lapel.


#3 Practice

Richard Carlson said, "You are what you practice most." If you want to be a filmmaker, then you must practice filmmaking…it's the only way you're going to get better. Write a story! Be creative! Just be sure to always be doing something that you love. For me it's film. I try to write portions of a script, film nature, or watch and critique a movie every day. What is it that you are doing today, that will make you better?