Straight From the Studios to Your TV...a Future With Less Middlemen

If you've been listening to any of the 30+ hours of free filmmaking advice we've been doling out every week on The Double Down Film Show, then you are already well aware that as I've been predicting and preaching on this blog since it started sveral year ago, the Hollywood middlemen of old (cable companies, networks, satellite providers, etc.) are being slowly, but surely, edged out of the picture.

Most of these operations produce very little if any original content. HBO and Showtime are the primary exceptions, but even their slates are heavily dependent on other people's products. Essentially, the biggest thing they bring to the table is an efficient delivery system..."the tubes" that get the product there to paraphrase kooky Senator, Ted Stevens.

Well now everyone has affordable access to these supply "tubes" in the form of the Internet and their old school distribution isn't nearly as valuable as it was when they were the only way to get your project out to a mass audience. It's an incredibly turbulent time for television and filmmaking right now...which means it's ripe with opportunities for independents if we pay careful attention.

Peep out Sony's latest gangster move to bypass some of those profit-skimming "tubes" to get product directly to the people. Direct to consumer film/tv distribution isn't the future anymore. It's the HERE AND NOW...

Read the Article:
Sony to Offer Film on Internet TV, Then DVD

It's All About the A.D. on the Next Double Down Film Show

On the next Double Down Film Show this Wednesday, November 11th we’ll rap to Assistant Director, Greg Staley, who has helped to shepherd a dozen plus independent films through production over the years.

One of the unsung heroes on any set is the A.D. Hiring a good and experienced Assistant Director can be the difference between making the day and busting the budget or the difference between a well-functioning crew and a chaotic set. Few positions on set can have the impact to make or break a production the way the A.D. does, so understanding their role is vital to your project’s success.

• What little production secrets do A.D.’s know that you don’t?
• What type of temperament does an A.D. need?
• Who’s on the typical A.D.’s team?
• What type of logic goes into scheduling a big day?
• When should you bring an A.D. onboard?

…The answers to these pressing questions and more will all be revealed on the next Double Down Film Show. Straight answers to real filmmaking problems from some of the best artists and craftspeople in the industry delivered straight to your ear every Wednesday night. Listen and learn.

The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!

Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

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Listen To It Online Here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

*PS - If you can't tune in live, you can still stream the show or save the podcast to your iPod later at the site above.

Is That a Slate in Your Pocket? - Smart Phone Apps for Filmmakers

You ever try to make a phone-call using your film slate? I’m sure you think that would be rather silly, but in today’s world of digital technology, why should anyone be surprised?

Amongst the over 100,000 iPhone applications available, there are now apps tailored specifically for the needs of filmmakers. The Zippo and Beer apps are important on set, sure, but now there is an ever-expanding selection of applications that can actually be practical to us.

For example: the slate. I have seen more than one low budget film using a makeshift slate, and I think every single set I have been on, someone cries “all eyes out for the dry-erase marker!” Well now your iPhone can be used as a slate with the Movie Slate App. At $9.99, it’s cheaper than the clunky original and saves you the running through pack after pack of double A’s.

The TapeMeasure. It’s use is pretty self-explanatory and it works by using the built in GPS. Useful for measuring in Meters or Yards, not inches though.

Or Gel Swatch Library. A made-for-video-lighting app that transforms your screen pixels into a small light, emitted in whatever standard gel color your cinematic eye desires. Sure, it might only be for tests and close-ups, but it still comes in pretty handy.

Also helpful for the low-budget filmmaker are the Calculators:

The Power Load Calculator (helps you calculate the load on a circuit so you can avoid blowing a fuse and keep a safer set), Depth of Field Calculator, TimeCode Calculator and the Film Rate Calculator, just to name a few. There is even a LightMeter that uses the camera to calculate perfect exposure!

A bunch of apps made for general use also happen to be particularly useful during production or pre-production.


Weather Underground or The Weather Channel apps, as well as the sunrise & sunset apps like Magic Hour can really help you plan your shoot for example, or any of several photo organizers to keep your stills in order.


There are always a million different tasks to do on set and it seems like more and more of them are now doable with a single device.

Follow Up Questions:
1. What iPhone apps do you find most useful on set?
2. And what type of filmmaking apps would you like to see in the future?

Leave a comment below!

UPDATE:
Here's an even more comprehensive List of iPhone Filmmaking Apps courtesy of a comment by Samatha Halfton at the World Wide Angle Blog and written by Derrick Faw. Thanx for the tip!

Indie Film Guru Peter Broderick on the New Indie Landscape

This is Part 1 of a two part interview with notable indie film consultant, Peter Broderick, who was also the executive producer of Paper Chasers directed by Maxie Collier. Thanx to Maxie who posted this on his new Digital Media Recipes site so I could discover it and post it here for y'all...

The Future of Indie Film Distribution: Peter Broderick from Scott Kirsner on Vimeo.

Star Wars Fans Gotta See This...

Just for my Star Wars geeks, here's a little seen behind-the-scenes photo of twin Princess Leias from Gizmodo.com. During a break in shooting on Return of the Jedi. Carrie Fisher and her stunt double, Tracy Eddon, are soaking up some rays and no doubt a million adolescent (and post-adolescent) Star Wars geek fantasies.

(I've repeatedly tried to convince my wife that the Princess Leia bikini is what all the hot women are wearing on the beach, but she just won't take the bait. If only we lived on Tatooine!)


On a related note, I'm not sure if there are still tickets left in your area, but later this month I'm taking my six-year old Star Wars fanatic son to see Star Wars In Concert, which is a musical tribute to the film series featuring a full live orchestra playing those famous themes over Star Wars montages and perhaps, most intriguing for hardcore fans, they will also be displaying many of the original Star Wars props and costumes that have only previously been shown at a limited run at the Smithsonian museum almost a decade ago.


So it is a rare (and pricey) opportunity to see some scenes on a giant HD screen with live music and a classic museum exhibit. I'll let you know what I think of the show. At $82.00 a ticket though, we better both be wowwed and my son shouldn't stop smiling for at least a month!

Star Wars In Concert Trailer

A Technical Practical Double Header On the Next Double Down Film Show

On the next Double Down Film Show we have a double-header of filmmaking knowledge. First up is colorist, Eric Alvarado (Sex and the City, Fog of War, Tupac:Resurrection), who’s gonna walk us through the process of color-correction and discuss some of the many ways that a colorist can enhance the production value and visual story-telling on your next project.

Exactly what does a colorist do and how can you help them do it better for your project? Eric will break down the answer in living color on the next episode.

After that we’ll converse with Tiare White and Camille Landau the authors of the classic film book, What They Don’t Teach You In Film School: 161 Strategies for Making Your Movie No Matter What.

There is a huge catalogue of practical knowledge about the psychology, reality, and delicate daily minutia of filmmaking that you can only be picked up from painful experience or by having the foresight to study a book of wisdom like this (and listening to Double Down Film Show of course). These set-saavy Hollywood producers will share some of the best insights from their popular film book for your ears only.

The Double Down Film Show…bringing you “the real” every Wednesday night. The back door to film school is now open. Listen and Learn.

The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!

Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

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Listen To It Online Here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

*PS - If you can't tune in live, you can still stream the show or save the podcast to your iPod later at the site above.

Just for Laughs: Butter's Pimp Game

WARNING: The following clip is offensive and wrong on multiple levels, but I honestly laughed my ass off so many times re-watching it that I felt I would be doing a disservice to not share it with my blog peeps. I missed the full episode, but it will be available on 11/14/09 at South Park Studios.

Watch it with headphones or the volume low, if you value your job. Thanx to Obatala for pointing out this clip and to Matt and Trey for another good laugh. Happy Friday!

-Ant.

NPR Interview w/ The Coen Brothers' DP, Roger Deakins

(Roger Deakins left w/ Joel Coen right - photo courtesy of Focus Features)

Just wanted to share this enlightening interview I heard on NPR this afternoon w/ DP, Roger Deakins, who shot ALL of the Coen Brothers movies since Barton Fink as well as Shawshank Redemption and A Beautiful Mind amongst others. It's always educational to peep other filmmakers techniques...listen and learn:

The NPR Article and Audio Interview w/ DP Roger Deakins

Benefit Event for NYC's Own Movement Theatre Company

If you ever peeped the video loop to the right-hand side of this blog, you may have caught the Shut Up an Shoot Documentary Guide book launch party podcast with members of The Movement Theatre Company in action as "The Down and Dirty DV Guerrilla Film Drill Team".

This is a talented group of serious actors who regularly host plays, events and other theatrical happenings here in the Big Apple. No doubt some soon-to-be-name-brand talent is being honed here. Check their latest...

The Elevator Reading Series Festival: “The Impact Of Change”

will showcase three plays written by emerging playwrights. The plays, along with music, poetry and visual art all come together to explore how a moment can change a life.

Saturday, November 7th, 2009
3:00pm to 9:00pm
Space On White [81 White St. NY, NY]

For more information, please visit:
www.themovementtheatrecompany.org

Michael Jackson Rolls With The Red Camera

(photo: NY Times - By BEN SISARIO)

Just thought I'd share this picture of Michael Jackson with the much-coveted RED camera from the upcoming docu-concert movie, This Is It, which chronicles Mike's last days on this earth as he rehearsed for what would've been his comeback concert tour.

I have yet to see a major feature film shot on the Red (at least not that I know of), so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all looks and plays on the big screen. Please feel free to comment with a list/links of other upcoming features shot on the Red camera if anyone knows of more.

Peep the NY Times article on "This Is It"\

Update:

Thanx to Double Down Film Show listener, Tilden Jones for this link to other films shot on Red. Turns out the list is much longer than I thought:

Films Shot on the Red Camera