Chrilleks, operated by Chris and Aleks (I think you can figure out where they got the name from) is a Toronto based Production House that modernizes sports cinema. Originally film and television freelancers, founders Chris Grubisa and Aleksandra Lason use their creative backgrounds to found Chrilleks, focusing on highlighting and recognizing Canadian Athletes. Check our their site and other works at Chrilleks.com. Oh, and did I mention, they really love puppies…

As much as we love to control our image, sometimes we’re forced to make choices based on the specific circumstances we find ourselves in, and such is this case when you have a cliff side at your back. Even still, the wide shots look great and the longer focal length shots, with the inclusion of foreground elements, are particularly eye-catching.

On their motivation for creating the piece, Mark writes, “We wanted to create a short film highlighting why we like trail running with the backdrop of the Alps, and Mt. Santis is a great place to shoot, with technical running trail and grand vistas falling away into the horizon.

While Matthew talks about gear choice he alludes to the “Nice big feet” of our Atlas FLT slider, specifically the All Terrain Legs, “which can be adjusted to position the slider on uneven terrain, which we were working on in every instance and we were able to get a nice, level platform to make our slide movements.” We’re obviously big fans of these legs but it’s always good to hear it from someone else!

We love to share your work! If you’d like to send as a video or behind-the-scenes pics, send an email to showcase@cinevate.com or tag us on twitter – @cinevateinc or #cinevate. To see more of Mark’s work check out his company site iDezo or for more of Matt’s work visit his page.

For years, APA members have been known for telling great stories, one frame at a time. This has worked well for most of us and led to very successful, rewarding careers. But time and technology have moved on…with the availability of broadband and proliferation of the internet as the prime vehicle for our clients to reach their clients, advertisers now want motion either by itself or in combination with stills as part of their outreach/campaigns.

Head over to the APA Contest page for full details on how to enter.

From Time;
“From mid-February to early April every year, 500,000 cranes stop along the Platte River, in Nebraska, to reenergize during their migration. It’s the largest assemblage of cranes anywhere in the world. Ornithologist Paul Johnsgard studies birds. In this video, narrated by ornithologist Paul Johnsgard talks about the birds and their magnificent migration.”

Bill and Laura got their hands on one of the first Axis Jibs and they couldn’t be happier. “The Axis Jib is a game changer. It’s simple, strong and so smooth. For the sandhill crane migration in central Nebraska I put the Axis on my shoulder and walked through rough terrain for more than mile with no problem at all. That’s portability in a real way.” Stay tuned for more Axis Jib media in the coming weeks or check out our Launch and Technical Overview Videos.

The film was sponsored by a few companies, including Nikon, Sony and Sigma to name a few (the complete list, along with the WPPI information can be on WPPIonline.com). Cinevate’s contribution was in the form of our new Axis Jib and our heavy-duty slider, the Atlas 200. Stay tuned for the final film which will be released soon (May) as well as a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look.

Storytelling The Stillmotion Way: Part 4

This is it! The final lesson of Stillmotion’s Storytelling ends with a nice summation of the series as well as a full, step-by-step execution by the Stillmotion gang in a compelling and beautifully shot piece for the Coava cafe.

But wait – class isn’t dismissed just yet! Patrick lays down a challenge for you with the chance to win a bunch of great prizes, including one of our new Moco Motion Control Sliders! Now that you have the knowledge, get out there and create a short film using the 4 Ps. Check out the Vimeo Video School page for the full details. But get crackin’ because you only have until May 6th, 2013 to get your film completed and uploaded for your chance to win!

Storytelling The Stillmotion Way: Part 3

Part 3 delves into the final stages of pre-production. I’m really enjoying the emphasis on planning in the majority of this series, especially in regards to storyboarding and creating a shot list as seen here. There’s also some great tips on selecting gear for your shoot and other on-set tips, including the essential 3 over 1. Whether it’s pre-planned or not, do yourself a favor and shot in sequences of 3; you will (or your editor will) thank yourself later.

Stay tuned for the the final lesson as well as details on how you can enter to win one of several great prizes, including our Atlas FLT Moco Motion Control Slider!

Storytelling The Stillmotion Way: Part 2

Lesson 2 is here. The 2nd installment highlights Discovery and the use of keywords to create a consistency of theme. Check back soon for Part 3, as well as information on how you can win some slick prizes, including our a brand new Moco – Motion Control Slider!

You can check out the full breakdown of lesson 2 on Vimeo’s Video School page and stay tuned as we update this post with each lesson as it becomes available.

Storytelling The Stillmotion Way: Part 1

As Patrick and company explain in part 1, they’ve established a structure to approach each project with, from start to finish, that they call the four Ps.

Storytelling the StillMotion way is a free, 4 part video tutorial series which goes into detail on how to discover and create a compelling story before you ever pick up a camera.

We start with an overview of the 4 P’s of story – your People, Places, Plot, and Purpose. Next we talk about how to use this framework to conduct detailed research and to pick the characters, locations, and conflicts that best tell your story.

You can check out the full breakdown of lesson 1 on Vimeo’s Video School page and stay tuned as we update this post with each lesson as it becomes available.

Today we’ve got a host of clips that we’d like to thank Jason Ramsey over at DVXuser for. The following clips cover the DSLR Rig v3, the Axis Jib and Moco – Motion Control.

Here’s a Vine clip showing off the Atlas 10 Moco combined with the OmniHead and Evolution tablet interface. This unit delivers repeatable, GUI controlled, precision slides with simultaneous 360 degree pan and tilt. In other words it’s coool.

Over the next week we’ll be sharing more media from NAB 2013 so stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who visited the booth. We greatly appreciate your feedback and growing support and look forward to seeing you all again soon, whether it’s in person or online.

Don’t forget that you can save on Cinevate gear during our NAB Sale!

Two names we won’t forget belong to our friends at DitoGear. Robert and “what’s his name” (just kidding Patryk). In all seriousness we’d like to give DitoGear an enormous thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the trip and giving us all the support and help that they did. Thanks so much guys.

Cinevate + DitoGear = True Love. From left to right: Dennis, Jeremy, Luke, Sarah, Robert and Patryk.

In the following video our man Luke demos the Atlas 30 Moco for EVSonline.com

Our pals Kendal Miller and Matt Jeppsen of FreshDV stopped by the booth to visit, check out our latest gear and to interview Dennis. We’ll share the interview with you once it’s live but in the meantime these pics may give you some idea of what to expect. I’m expecting shenanigans.

Dennis, Kendal and Matt mug for the camera.

Matt Jeppsen gets hands-on with the Cinevate Axis Jib.

One product that got a lot of attention in the booth was the Axis Jib with OmniHead combo. The range and variety of motion that you can create with this combination is truly inspiring from a creative standpoint.

Dennis demos the Axis Jib with OmniHead

Although several of the Cinevate crew have lost the feeling in their feet, we’re still extremely excited to pack in more face and gear time with all comers during the final day of NAB tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you then.

Make sure to stop by booth C9525 and stay tuned on facebook, twitter or our blog for regular updates.

Don’t forget that you can save on Cinevate gear during our NAB Sale!

Here’s the crew responsible for manning and womanning the Cinevate booth. From left to right: Jeremy, Sarah, Dennis and Luke.

For those of you not able to make it to the the show, our man Jeremy was kind enough to put together this extremely comprehensive tour of our booth

Today was the day we had to say good-bye to our friends at DitoGear. Robert and Patryk head back to Poland tomorrow however, not before Patryk had a chance to show off the incredible multi-axis OmniHead with Evolution interface on the Atlas 10 Moco.

The DitoGear OmniHead and Evolution combine with the Atlas 10 Moco … to blow my mind.

The following pics feature the plethora of cool gear and cameras we’re rocking in the booth this year.

The Canon C100 and the Core Rig bug out!

The Sony FS700 and SmallHD Monitor combine with the Axis Jib to get a better perspective.

The RED Epic and Durus Follow Focus share an intimate moment together.

The Sony F3 and Atlas 200 poised and ready to give the buggy a thorough cross examination.

Don’t forget that during NAB you can save on most of the Cinevate gear you’ve seen in these pics as part of our NAB Sale!

We’re doing it all over again tomorrow so be sure to stop by booth C9525 and stay tuned on facebook, twitter or our blog for regular updates.

Here you can see Patryk of DitoGear operating the multi-axes OmniHead on the Axis Jib.

Last night Dennis and Luke had a chance to tour the David Copperfield museum and see first hand the custom rig that we’ve been developing for David and his team for use during their stage show.

Backstage at the David Copperfield show with “mystery” rig and David’s creative director Homer Liwag.

Dennis Wood is levitated by a David Copperfield mannequin.

The silky smooth Durus Follow Focus snuggles up to the RED Epic to pull focus on the dune buggy just outside our booth.

The new Cinevate Lock Block is a great cable locking system, seen here locking down a cable on the Axis Jib. Pricing and availability are on the way.

As part of our NAB tradition we’re running our NAB Sale giving you a chance to pick up a wide variety of Cinevate gear at a discount.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure to stop by booth C9525 for your chance to play with all the Cinevate and DitoGear toys. Also, stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.

We’re anxiously awaiting the start of NAB 2013 and looking forward to seeing all our old (and new) friends, not to mention we’re excited to play with all the latest and greatest gear on the planet.

This year you’ll find us in Booth C9525. Pop by to check out our latest wares and don’t forget to collect your free hug from Cinevate President, Dennis Wood…they’re mandatory

Although we just finished packing up and shipping off all our new toys for the show, we’ve still got plenty here and we’re including them in our latest NAB Sale.

Until May 31st you can save on the following Cinevate products that are sure to fill any gaps that you currently have in your gear bag.

Please note: This offer cannot be combined with other offers and is only valid from April 1st through May 31st, 2013.

Atlas FLT Camera Slider Save Now! $579  $549

Durus Follow Focus 15mm $1254.98 $999 / 19mm $1382.63 $939

Simplis Quick-Release Plate Save Now! $214.98 $209

Trawly Compact Dolly Save Now! $449 $419

Atlas 30 Camera Slider Save Now! $1149 $1092

DSLR Core Package Save Now! $2,697.98 $2,399

Atlas 10 Camera Slider Save Now! $679 $649

Cyclops Viewfinder with Universal Mount Save Now! $529 $419

Video Backpack Save Now! $208.95 $169

Trawly Wheels Kit Save Now! $99 $49

Cyclops Viewfinder Save Now! $477.98 $309

19mm Carbon Fiber Rails 45cm $159.98 $80 / 60cm $209.98 $100

Grip Sticks Save Now! $109.98 $79

Director’s Bag Save Now! $109.85 $89

Cyclops Articulating Grip Save Now! $106.84 $99

Video Roadie Save Now! $335.95 $279

Cyclops Viewfinder with Rails Mount Save Now! $569.98 $469

Pegasus Carbon Camera Slider Save Now! $1,244 $1,047

Cyclops Viewfinder + Simplis Save Now! $689.98 $579

Pegasus Table Dolly Save Now! $795 $730

Titan Swing-Away Matte Box Save Now! $979.98 $839

This offer cannot be combined with other offers and is only valid from April 1st through May 31st, 2013.

I’m not much of an activist in the traditional sense, but I do feel compelled to explore this issue and use whatever knowledge or talents I may have to get people talking about water preservation. That is why my writing partner Kyle and I decided we may be able to utilize our knack for storytelling as a way to get the message out there. With the assistance of dozens of generous supporters, we were able to use the outstanding fundraising platform Indiegogo to raise the money we need to make a short film. We want to tell a compelling and entertaining story that moves our audience emotionally first and foremost, but also leaves them with a new found consideration for all things water related. We strongly believe that our story will at least plant a seed in your mind, if not urge you to start taking water preservation seriously.

The other wonderful thing about using a public fundraising platform is that it is very easy for us to donate some of the proceeds directly to the cause. We have partnered with an organization called Waterkeeper Alliance (who are doing amazing things around the world) and they have been extremely supportive of our project.

We are going to be shooting the film this summer with a small but passionate crew, we hope to have it ready in the fall for everyone to see. As luck would have it, Cinevate will be letting us use a few toys for production, including the Axis Jib and Moco Motion Control sliders, so check back for behind-the-scenes photos and stories when we go into production this July. We will also be updating our website with pre-production updates as our shoot date draws closer. Our story may just be one little drop of water, but hopefully it ripples out there into the world and gets some people talking.

Jeremy

Nikon’s Senior Technical Manager, Steve Heiner has supplied many of the educational posts on the page, including the titular one here. Naturally, we would argue that sliders are essential kit to have (especially our Atlas 30 camera slider) but it’s nice to hear it from someone else. Steve opens his article by stating just that; “Someone asked me recently, “After your HD-SLR and NIKKOR lenses, what’s on your essential equipment list?” That was an easy one: a slider (the term is shorthand for a device that replicates tracking or dolly shots). It’s the most important accessory you can have. It’s versatile, easy to use and inexpensive, and it will quickly raise the creativity level and production value of anything you film.”

Steve goes on to explain effective slider use, be it in reveals, transitions or for dramatic effect. He also talks about adding depth to the frame through composition and movement; “If I want to show, for example, a forest scene and there’s nothing else going on, there won’t be much depth in the scene until movement shows the relationship of objects near and far as they change their relative positions based on where the camera is going.” Steve includes a collection of his slider shots effectively showing frame depth as mentioned.

Check out the full article from Steve Riding the Rails and be sure to check out Nikon’s Learn and Explore page for more educational content.

If you’re going to be on the West coast (or at NAB in a few weeks) there’s a workshop taking place that is practically a stone-throw away. The folks of Visual Masterpiece are holding a 2-Day Masterclass Workshop on April 11th and 12th in Anaheim, California. In an industry (videography – wedding or not) as competitive as this with new shooters emerging at a constant pace, it is vital to stay educated on not just the cameras and gear but also the techniques and approach, from planning to final delivery. Not to mention the fact that you are running a business and facing the challenges that come with that. So why not get some help? Check out the workshop highlight reel and other details below;

Our MasterClass Workshop is a two day intensive training, designed for beginning-to-intermediate videographers or photographers, looking to excel into advanced cinematographers and thriving business owners. We will focus on Canon DSLR workflows and associated cinematography equipment.

• Build your skill set with hands on HD-DSLR training, shot selection and theory
• Discover your unique market and how to run a successful business in any economy
• Get familiar with our personal equipment and discover why and how we use our gear
• Know what to expect when shooting a wedding and corporate jobs
• Learn how to coach your clients for the best results when filming
• Recive a mentorship review of your current portfolio & Join our Members-Only facebook group
• Dynamic editing skills and much much more..

Check out Visual Masterpiece’s Masterclass Workshop page for more information and how to register. Seats are extremely limited so act fast to save your seat!

Stopping production on the film was never an option for Imaginarium however, the robbery has delayed production and created the need for additional funding. The team at Imaginarium has decided to utilize crowdsourcing site Indiegogo in hopes to raise the additional funding needed to see their project to fruition.

The footage thus far looks amazing and we’re hoping that they can garner enough financial support to finish the film.

The following are excerpts from the Indiegogo Campaign along with images and footage that they’ve shot to date. There’s also a cool clip showing the lengths they went to when building the extremely detailed set. If you’re interested please contribute to Scenes from a Room.

About the Film: SCENES FROM A ROOM

Scenes from a Room is a series of short dramatic films, each an independent story that together form a larger narrative. Set in a one-room pension, the film explores an array of characters and the events of their stay.

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the set build:

For The Love of Film:

For us, film is not so much a choice but a calling. It is a passion that drives us to tell stories and inspires us to create. It is the vehicle for doing meaningful work and it allows us to live creatively. Beyond the complexities and endless challenges of production, the journey of making films is a road we have chosen to pursue. We do it because we must.

The Axis Jib helps achieve an overhead shot.

On Character and Perseverance:

Independent filmmaking challenges all of us in countless ways. There are the known challenges that we plan and prepare for but sometimes there are unexpected challenges that we can’t foresee. Most of the time, the obstacles jeopardize some component of a film project; but once in a while, filmmakers have to face the possible cancellation or indefinite suspension of their project. It is then that the truest character of the filmmaker and the strength of the production team reveal themselves.

The Unexpected:

This was our first opportunity to build a set for a film project and amidst the sawing, hammering and painting, pre-production had, for a couple months, been in full swing including rehearsals, wardrobe fittings and storyboarding.

Suddenly, everything came to a halt. One week before principal photography was scheduled to begin, a robbery in our studio resulted in the loss of three cameras including our Red Scarlet digital cinema camera, lens kit and a large majority of camera accessories. Without a camera, no budget to replace it and under immense pressure to make some decisions, we found ourselves in a quiet studio.

Stopping Was Never An Option:

“They’ve taken the camera’s but they can’t take the film.”

And with that comment we knew what needed to happen next. The cast and crew rallied and contributed far more then the compensation justified. The production date was pushed back by three weeks and the resources were re-organized into a new plan. By the end of December we had our first chapter of Scenes from a Room in the can.

If you’re interested in helping support this project please contribute to the Indiegogo campaign.

The emergence of HD Video in still cameras has opened up a new world to photographers and cinematographers. For photographers, journalists, film students and visual artists, HD video in a DSLR camera has widened the creative palette for visual expression, bringing together photography, video andmultimedia.