I have been in the US for about 2 and a half weeks doing all sorts of stuff. Re:Frame, Critics and then I went to LA to hang out for a few days. I went on location with “24″ to meet DP Rodney Charters who was a smashing bloke. I also had a great meet up with over 30 people I knew mostly from just the net/ twitter etc and of course I did some filming.
7D with 35mm f1.4 and Rode Video Mic
My “people series” never set out to be series. I did one in Sofia, then did a sort of homage to that in Dublin with a pre-production 7D. Whilst in San Francisco I did ANOTHER one which I was very pleased with. Now I wanted to do one in Venice Beach in LA but wanted to mix it up a bit. So instead of the usual posing I took a more documentary approach to the subject. Still mostly focusing on interesting characters rather than the glamour…I used a lot of sync and all of it was capture using the simple RODE Video Mic. You can hear the AGC but the sound is surprisingly good. Downside of RODE is you cannot take stills using viewfinder as it gets in the way. Check out the lifeguard section, that sound was all recorded at the distance shown in the big wide shot. Not bad for a camera mic…
Copyright SaraCollaton.com
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Copyright www.saracollaton.com
Copyright www.saracollaton.com
Copyright www.saracollaton.com
I used 3 lenses on the 7D. A 35mm f1.4, 70-200mm IS f2.8 and the 24mm f3.5 tilt shift. I also used a Z-Finder and a Tactical Shooter from Zacuto
Essential piece of kit was the Vari ND/ Fader ND. I used these a lot in Delhi for the Greenpeace shoot and anytime I shoot during the daytime. They let me adjust the amount of light coming in between 2 and 8 stops so I was able to get nice shallow depth of field but stay at 1/50 to keep my shutter as close 180 degrees as possible with 7D in 24p mode. This shutter speed gives you the most accurate film motion.
I also used a baby Cinesaddle for the static shots. Very useful piece of gear. Have one for my massive broadcast cameras and this one for the small cam stuff.
Big thanks go out to Sara Collaton for inspiring me and her great BTS photos and to “New York”, the featured homeless man.
Graded with Magic Bullet Looks. 20% off with code Bloom 20 at checkout.
Click on the image below to see the film and I REALLY recommend download the FULL HD version from Vimeo by going to the Vimeo page, signing in and click on download original. I watched it on my 47″ LCD screen via my XBOX 360 and it looked beautiful.
Franklin Tello
November 3, 2009 at 12:52Congrats on another great addition to your “People’s Series” Philip! Great job with the sound and the storytelling!
-Franklin
Ryan
November 3, 2009 at 13:00I love these films Philip, think they’re inspiring and beautiful. It’s interesting you decided to let people speak in them – I feel it’s a very different film from the others you have made because of this.
Was a bit surprised to hear the ‘Fuck Obama’ line too – first time I’ve heard that.
Francis Shephard
November 3, 2009 at 13:12Fantastic, the original off Exposure room really shows what the 7D is capable of. Very inspiring, for all budding young film makers who can scrounge enough together for a 7d and one or two decent lenses.
Max Scholz
November 3, 2009 at 13:13Nice work, yet again.
I am actually doing something similar right now in Germany, too. Your previous shorts inspired me, but I always thought that actually recorded sound would give it more magic. And here you go proving that.
Really great – by the way: when will you be in Germany for once?
Watching your stuff and reading your blog gives me more, than spending my day at my university. Damn.
Abraham Duenas
November 3, 2009 at 13:14you need to add this to the poll, this is now my favorite, “carnival with out the rides” perfect description. Wish you would do a similar film when you go back to Ireland. I’d love to hear there perspectives
Abraham Duenas
November 3, 2009 at 13:23Oy, philip?
What type of bag is that your carrying your gear in? It looks better for having quick access to your gear, rather than the backpack style use.
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 14:49i have a small Domke wax bag on me
Rob Imbs
November 3, 2009 at 13:29Very cool, different from your usual format. Loved the sunset shots.
Aydin
November 3, 2009 at 13:30Great shooting ! I am amazed at the ability of the 7D. Keep it up Philiip!
Francis Shephard
November 3, 2009 at 13:39Also forgot to say “YEEEEAAAAHHHHH” dialogue, talking, atmosphere, real people expressing, not just music. Thats the stuff dreams are made of.
I think we should all chip in and get you to do one of these for every country in the world.
Come on community lets start a send Philip around the world fund…………
Mitch Albin
November 3, 2009 at 14:58oh god no
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 14:59what’s up Mitch?
Sergio
November 3, 2009 at 17:32Ok, lets find you lodging in Athens Greece… What you teach us and get to film “athenian people” (have to warn you tho its full of Greeks)
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 20:02sure, why not
ahram
November 3, 2009 at 14:59No vari-ND or Fader-ND?
thanks
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 15:07yes, both
Joe Gaetani
November 3, 2009 at 15:00Excellent. This truly captures what Venice Beach is all about. By far the best episode in your “series.” Thanks
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 15:07Thanks Joe
Paul Treacy
November 3, 2009 at 15:42Best 7D film yet, Philip. A gem to behold.
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 16:37that is very high praise Paul. Thanks! I am back in Ireland on Friday! Cork’s People?!?
Abraham Duenas
November 3, 2009 at 18:18Yes, please. you must, and in this doco style. “Cork’s people poppin”
Alex da Silva
November 3, 2009 at 16:34Great job Philip.
I like the doco style, makes it very compelling and engaging. Your “People Series” is becoming a reference of well done work and excellent information.
Congrats and thank you!
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 16:36Thanks Alex!
Mook Genius
November 3, 2009 at 17:10You sure that you didn’t hide the H4N in there for the guitarist?
Sounds way better than the RODE can do.
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 17:12I swear that is the Rode!! I was as shocked as you!
Lonny Quattlebaum
November 3, 2009 at 17:22Great video!
If you don’t mind, what’s the minor tweak you made to the standard camera settings? Did you reduce the sharpness? I tend to get moire on fine lines and high contrast edges, but I didn’t notice any in your shots, even on the guitar strings.
Thanks!
Joseph
November 3, 2009 at 17:58I totally loved it, Phillip. I think you really accurately captured the “character” of Venice with the “characters” you captured. Brilliant!
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 20:01thanks v much Joseph
Adam Kozlowski
November 3, 2009 at 18:21Philip, what do you mean by using 1/50s to keep as close to “180 degrees”? I totally agree about keeping long exposure times in daylight to keep the rolling shutter effects down, but… “180 degrees”?
The VariND / Fader seems a bit pricey, but isn’t that simply a double polarizer? I have NDx64 by B+W and it seems alright for daylight shooting in most situations, though it doesn’t give this smooth exposure control needed in some situations.
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 20:01180 degrees relates to the shutter angle for film cameras. The equivalent in video cameras is double the frame rate. So 30p is 1/60th. 25p is 1/50th, 60p is 120th…etc
Vari ND is pricey. Fader ND is cheap. About 1/3 price. It isn’t a double polarizer as the light isn’t polarized.
Francis Shephard
November 4, 2009 at 06:24Philip what is the best location for purchasing the Vari ND and Fader ND? I cannot seem to find any australian camera shops that stock them. Also does the thread on the filters only work on canon lenses? or nikons ? etc – or would one have to use a step up / step down adaptor?
what are they compatible with?
Any help appreciated.
Juhani Väihkönen
November 3, 2009 at 18:38Nice shot, when your next workshops will be, and where?
Mikael Hall, Sthlm
November 3, 2009 at 19:12Good job Bloom, my favourite in the suite! Sound and vision!
Daniel
November 3, 2009 at 19:16Phillip, great video. Please can you post a final mov for download? I like to test a SD dvd final output quality. Apreciate it.
Congrats.
Daniel
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 20:00it’s on Vimeo in Full HD for download if you are a member
Matt
November 3, 2009 at 19:36Philip,
I here-by challenge you to show us a workflow for Premiere.
Ideally for PC, but Mac will work too.
There has been much discussion over it in the forums, we’re talking NeoScene, XDCAM, i-frame MPEG…
This is the official white handkerchief to the face, pistols at dawn challenge.
Matt.
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 19:59sure, send me a PC with Premiere and will do
Ibrahim Serra
November 3, 2009 at 21:13MAC PRO + BOOTCAMP = PC
Then all you need is a 30 day trial of premiere
Koolpenguin89
November 3, 2009 at 19:47Hey Phil, if I remember correctly, you can modify the Rode Videomic so that the shock mount actually sits further on the shoe mount, giving you more access to the viewfinder. Maybe someone can test this out, I would, but sadly I sold mine. Great little mic. Oh, and i love your compression work for the video, what’s your secret?
Dylan
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 19:59good info. Will look into it!
Secret? Can’t tell!
Koolpenguin89
November 4, 2009 at 03:46Haha, oh well, can’t blame me for tryin’. With regards to the videomic, I found this pic that illustrates what i meant: http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5956/0804082236ys8.jpg
Obviously your situation would require moving the shoe in the opposite direction. I think that all you have to do is remove the screw under the shoe mount. Good luck!
Dylan
Keith Moreau
November 11, 2009 at 15:30Actually, it’s not as simple as using the back screw hole, because it doesn’t exist. You need to put the hot shoe mount on the front screw hole, which would make the hole mic go back, the opposite way of what you wanted. However, if you remove the shock absorbers, you can rotate the hole shock mount 180 degrees, and then reattach the shock absorbers. I little more trouble than just the screw, but took about 5 minutes.
Alex Everingham
November 3, 2009 at 19:54Very nice video, very clean looking, loved it. The audio was very nice too. Loved the shot with the basketball players, was there a tilt lens involved or was there adjustments in post?
(Do a video with premiere pro!
would love to see how you’d go about a work flow with premiere as i am a PC user.)
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 19:59Tilt Shift lens. Nothing was done in post.
I don’t have Premiere Pro, or a PC so it’s tough for me to do!
Dennis Mason
November 3, 2009 at 20:42Philip,
Did you use the same picture profile for this shoot as you set in your new 7D DVD? It looks great. I’m a Follower of Bloom now. You sold me on the 7D, the Z-finder. You’re the pied piper of good 7D advice. Keep it up.
my best,
Dennis
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 21:15No I used a modified standard as I knew I was not going to grade this one
Jeff N
November 4, 2009 at 11:22Can you share what the modification to the standard setting is?
Very very nice stuff. My wife is really excited that we just picked up a 7D…now to find some time to play with it.
pc2
November 3, 2009 at 20:44The tactical shooter must be very useful but it’s price is ridiculous IMO ;-(
pbloom
November 3, 2009 at 21:15I used the rapid fire
Anthony
November 3, 2009 at 20:55Love the documentary touch!
Brian Cohen
November 3, 2009 at 22:52Nice edit. The audio was a real highlight. For all the kit, the NDs, the glass, etc I found the vision from 3m > 4m to be really flat visually. I don’t think this is a reflection on Philip, just the 7D kinda reveals itself there more than any other part of the piece. Of course grading could augment & mask, but I’m on the fence with the 7D at the moment & on the hunt. Also, how is it to track focus with the Rapid Fire with the subject moving in and out? Tricky?
Big fan for years, first post…
Brian
pbloom
November 4, 2009 at 06:05when wide open like i was deliberately a lot of the time it is tough to keep focus, but that was my choice. Rapid fire helps stability and your hand rests on focus barrel the whole time.
Mike Collins
November 3, 2009 at 23:25Any chance we might see one of these shot on the Lumix?
pbloom
November 4, 2009 at 06:03There is no reason why not at some point.
Italo Brito
November 4, 2009 at 01:44Recommended by you, I bought a H4n to use with my coming 7D, even though I don’t have any external mics and will be using the ones from the H4n. What made you use the RODE over the H4n this time?
Great video, by the way.
pbloom
November 4, 2009 at 06:01i always use to RODE for reference audio when using the H4n but I wanted to be see just what one man and a camera with camera mic could get…
Corey
July 13, 2010 at 17:50How do you account for the hissing that the 7D provides due to lack of audio gain controls? I’ve got a lovely Azden mic that sounds great on everything else it’s plugged into, but not on the 7D. Did you tweak the sound in post? Thanks!
pbloom
July 16, 2010 at 20:01nope, nothing done to audio!
Frederik Sulser
November 4, 2009 at 05:49Hi Philip
Love this movie – I’m always looking out for new material from you, and this movie is one of my favourites, with the beautiful pictures (as always) the very good sound (love the guitar playing guy with the song), and the documentary style… just great – keep up the good work.
I’m really thinking about buying a 7D as a second small camera to film (have a EX1 with a letus (which I bought after a discussion with you and am still very happy with it)). I also have a nikon D-300 which is an excellent camera but doesn’t film (but I will for sure keep it as I have so many Nikkor objectives for use with my letus..
But first I have to finish my PHD and then I’ll start my movie business… So till then I will have to watch films of other people like you…
Thanks a lot for always posting your wokr and sharing your knowledge you really helped me a lot already… (also Magic Bullet looks is a really magic tool I got thanks to you… )
take care…
Frederik
pbloom
November 4, 2009 at 05:59thanks Frederik and good luck with everything
Angel Haralampiev
November 4, 2009 at 10:20Again great movie, but I think with Rode Stereo Video mic you will capture better ambient sound. What about Marantz PMD-661. Do you tested this sound device?
pbloom
November 4, 2009 at 13:56I have the Rode Stereo Mic. Yes for general atmos sure, but I needed a shotgun for sync. The Stereo Rode is no good for that.
Zachary FInk
November 4, 2009 at 15:05Great work as always Philip – Quick Zacuto question: Why tactical shooter versus Rapid Fire? Does the extra hand grip really serve you?
Being an EX3 shooter and not owning a 7D (yet) I would think that that you’d want both hands on the camera rather than floating one way out to the side like that…
Best,
Zac
ryan pallotta
November 4, 2009 at 15:42I am trying to shoot at 1/50. What was your ISO set at most of the time. Thanks!!!!
ryan pallotta
November 4, 2009 at 15:43I am just confused about “this gives you the most accurate film motion”
Manny
November 4, 2009 at 18:59I got the 7D recently but i like night shooting more then anything, what lens do you recommend for high ISO night shooting for video in this Camera (7D)?
stephen
November 4, 2009 at 19:11did you use apple compressor to output the final video for uploading to vimeo? i do hope you could give us tips on the compressor recipe/settings for vimeo uploading and dvdstudiopro to preserve the quality of the video painstakingly capture with hopefully quality lenses. your videos aside from them as very touching and well thought of, have very good compression, you make the 7d yield awesome quality. i am hoping for a 7d post workflow walkthrough in the future. thanks!
Tommy
November 4, 2009 at 23:16Philip,
Great piece, as usual.
Question: Is the 7D becoming your camera of choice?
Olie W
November 5, 2009 at 12:53Great stuff Philip,
ive been using the 7D since it came out, coming from hv20 + DOF adapter i use 50 f1.8 ,17-55f2.8 IS and a 70-200 f4 L, the shots that look like they are with the70-200 are fantasticly steady, are you fully zoomed on them? i know the IS does help my 17-55 alot thats why i got it, i am thinking 70-200 f2.8 IS is the next purchase!!
any ideas if you will come to the uk?
keep up the good work
Oli
STR
November 5, 2009 at 23:18Beautiful work Phil, definitely one of the best 7D videos around..!
and seriously amazing work with the rode, The guitar close up is damn impressive…. as is the pickup from the life savers !
Jingle bells Jingle bells, did you help him get drunk?
or kick the guy in the ass for a dollar ?
silver face was a nice different character – reminded me of steve buscemi hah!
Problem with your vid’s is i don’t want them to end…! could watch these people all day..!! fantastic stuff..
pbloom
November 5, 2009 at 23:22very high praise. Thanks. I was so surprised with the Rode, didn’t think it would sound great and was shocked when it picked up the lifeguards!
Stephen Skok
November 6, 2009 at 18:36Those Rode mics are also excellent value for money. Did you know that Rode mics are designed & manufactured in Sydney, Australia?
Keep up the good work.
Cheers, Steve
mike kobal
November 6, 2009 at 02:52just have to say it again, Mr Bloom, simply amazing! one of my fav’s.
m.
ryan pallotta
November 8, 2009 at 17:10I was shooting in similar conditions here in Toronto trying to keep my Mark II set at 1/60. But it is very hard get the right exposure. So I prob need the filters. Do you have any guidelines for setting your ISO? I had to have my F stop set at 18! The lower the F-stop the shallower the D.O.F?
pbloom
November 8, 2009 at 18:27you need a fader ND from ebay or vari nd from singh ray. only way
Reid Carrescia
November 9, 2009 at 05:36Hey Philip,
Great stuff as usual; I’ve been following your work for a while now.
I’ve been shooting with my 7D and am looking for something that can give me the nice wides without too much fisheye. I thought one of your best shots in this short was the wide of the lifeguard chair. Was this shot with the 24mm? Also, could you recommend for me a good wide angle rectilinear lens for the 7D to make up for the crop?
By the way, your color is awesome in this vid.
Thanks,
Reid
pbloom
November 9, 2009 at 07:54that is the tokina 11-16mm f2.8 zoom. a great affordable lens
Reid Carrescia
November 9, 2009 at 15:46Thanks a lot. Much appreciated!
Дима
November 11, 2009 at 00:48Hi. cool video. in what format you upload this to YouTube?
thanck you.
pbloom
November 12, 2009 at 00:03mp4 h264
Brian Anderson
November 11, 2009 at 10:20WONDERFUL
Absolutely FAN TASTIC
Matt
November 14, 2009 at 13:06Hi,
Nice work, I really like your concept and the 7d seems to be made for it. And for you who doesn’t know but seem to care: Adobe Premiere is available for mac.
Tanks for a great site with both great info and inspiration!
-Matt
martin
November 24, 2009 at 05:29I love the stuff your making and posting here,really inspirational and informative.
Was the sound on this just the Rode Video Mic recorded to camera and nothing else – apart from a certain technical skill obviously
?. Seems a very simple set-up but effective.
Martin
pbloom
November 24, 2009 at 07:13thanks Martin, all just the Rode Video Mic.
Kitt
December 3, 2009 at 21:41Another inspired piece Philip. You’ve captured the diversity of Venice’s people perfectly and a great progression to the series.
Thanks for posting the info and the gear you’ve used to make this.
-Kitt
L.E. Curbelo
December 5, 2009 at 20:34hey Philip next time you are in L.A please let me know. Great work, i love Venice, i spend most of my sundays there.
5 Great Videos Shot With The Canon 7D | Media|Fire
December 14, 2009 at 22:52[...] Bloom has a full write-up of how he shot the film on his blog HERE. [...]
jeremie
February 18, 2010 at 20:43Amazing as always !!
surprisingly good with the rod !!
I got myself a Tascam DR100 with the rod, I’mthinking that it wasn’t necessary now …
most of it without tripod as well ,
wow, WHat you did there get closer to what I do normally, it helps to see it can look amazing.
thanks a lot
Baron
February 21, 2010 at 04:28Philip,
Just checking, throughout your blog, when you say you used the 7D to to shoot at Full HD 25P, you actually mean 1080P right? Not 720P?
I just want to make sure the 7D can shoot at 1080P… going to purchase it realll soon
pbloom
February 21, 2010 at 04:39of course it’s 1080p!
Joel
February 27, 2010 at 05:51The image looks wonderful as always, the only thing is, I couldn’t help notice the aliasing at the top of the frame, does this happen a lot on the 7D?
pbloom
February 27, 2010 at 14:06which frame? aliasing happens on all DSLRs at times
Joel
February 27, 2010 at 17:38I noticed it through out most of the video. Is there a way to reduce it, or do we just have to live with it? Is this happening due to the type of sensor used in DSLRs?
pbloom
March 1, 2010 at 05:30have you downloaded the mp4? got to vimeo or xr and do that and let me know.
Joel
March 1, 2010 at 19:37I think its my computer cause I’m noticing it even more now. I must say though, the image quality is absolutely gorgeous!
pbloom
March 2, 2010 at 13:27i have seen it on the big screen and not seen any issues…
Mark Day
March 10, 2010 at 17:48Without going into a ton of detail, could you please list out a little of the Looks used on Magic Bullet? Even “I used this, this and this, with a fair amount of tinkering…” would be great starting point for anyone wanting to learn a little more about the tool, and not sure where to start.