ISSUE 33 £4.99 YOUR NEW GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING BACK TO THE FUTURE The innovative new technology taking production to the next dimension New wave warrior We head out on the road with the RNLI videography team Filmmaker Sean J Vincent tackles another crop of your questions on kit and much more... Empty rooms Filming a documentary in an abandoned pyschiatric hospital The music machine Hitting the streets to shoot an offbeat film about busking 33 kit to get started KEYMISSION 360 NIKON D5 9 772052 096003 EOS-1D X MK II LUMIX G 100-400MM SONY HDR-CX625 LUMIX DMC-TZ80 PLUS: DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS / LOCATION SHOOTS / PRODUCTION ADVICE NEWS & LATEST KIT / STUDENT PERSPECTIVE / FILMMAKING TIPS & TRICKS 001_Cover 33b.indd 1 08/02/2016 11:33 Welcome to ISSUE 33 Amazingly it’s about three years now since we first launched Digital FilmMaker magazine and what a long way we’ve come in that time. Sure, we’ve always been a little bit rough around the edges, but in many ways that echoes the world of filmmaking, even if you’re lucky enough to call yourself a professional. One thing that hasn’t changed in that time, even though some of the kit we’re using has, is the endless enthusiasm of people who get in touch to tell us about their projects. Mind you, we’re still getting plenty of folks who fancy a feature but haven’t given much thought as to how they’re going to run their promotional machine. However, on the upside, there are also plenty of others who have the crisp behind the scenes shots and a carefully documented tale to tell on all manner of production topics. And that’s the best thing about doing this magazine; seeing that enthusiasm turn a dream into reality. We’ve got all sorts again this issue, with a crop of documentaries and a host of shorts and features. Lookout for our next issue too, which is due in the shops on the 24th of March because it’s set to feature one of our past cover stars. Yes, it’s going to be none other than Philip Bloom, who’s dropping in to tell all about his latest documentary series. Don’t miss it! Rob Clymo SELECT PUBLISHER SERVICES LTD PO Box 6337, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 9EH Tel: +44 (0) 1202 586848 CUSTOMER SERVICES If you have a query regarding the magazine, or would like to place an order, please contact our back issues hotline on 01202 586848 or email sales@selectps.com MAGAZINE TEAM Editor Rob Clymo Email: robclymo@digpe.com Twitter: @theclymobrief Design Imran Kelly CONTRIBUTORS Philip Bloom and Sean J Vincent SPECIAL THANKS TO Anybody who pitched in! PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Production Manager John Beare Email: john@selectps.com Tel: +44 (0) 1202 586848 Circulation Manager Tim Harris Email: tim@selectps.com ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Sales Manager Rob Cox Tel: +44 (0) 1202 586848 PRINTED BY Precision Colour Printing Ltd, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, TF7 4QQ Tel: +44 (0) 1952 585585 DISTRIBUTED BY Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Tel: +44 (0) 20 7429 4000 Editor WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DIGITALFILMMAKERMAGAZINE All text and layout remains the copyright of Select Publisher Services. Digital FilmMaker cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material or transparencies. Digital FilmMaker is fully independent and its views are not those of any company mentioned herein. All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and all images are used for the purpose of training only. All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. The use of any trademark in this text does not vest in the publisher any trademark ownership rights in such trademarks. Nor does the use of such trademarks imply any affiliation with or endorsement of this book by such owners. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Digital FilmMaker can accept no responsibility for inaccuracies or complaints arising from advertisements. Copyright © Select Publisher Services, 2016 ISSN 2052-0964 Registered in England. Registered Number 05450559. Registered Office: Towngate House, 2-8 Parkstone Road, Poole, BH15 2PW Digital FilmMaker 005_Welcome.indd 1 5 08/02/2016 13:20 Contents ISSUE THIRTY THREE 10 New wave warriors 8. Digital FilmMaker news 30. The music machine 54. Ask the filmmaker The lowdown on the latest developments from the world of digital video filmmaking Quirky new film Busking Turf Wars shines a spotlight on the prolific busking community Professional filmmaker Sean J Vincent tackles another round of your kit and career questions 10. New wave warrior 36. Empty rooms 60. A natural thing Aram Atkinson has the enviable position of shooting high-end video content for the RNLI Joe Mander is a filmmaker who’s been working Giles Alderson and his fellow collaborators are on a documentary called Secrets of Severalls the team behind The Heart of the Forest film 18. Voice of reason 42. Dummy run 68. The marketing machine Filmmaker Mike Young tells all about his new Voices from the Unconscious documentary Scott Lyus is the writer, director and editor of ambitious project Silently Within Your Shadow George Owen blows his own trumpet about the marketing business he founded in London 24. The city kid 48. Out of nowhere 72. Lucky chance Kyle Kelley is a filmmaker from Kansas City who has just been finishing up his short film James Gray shoots documentaries, corporates and weddings from his humble base in Oban Fergus Nolan might be an accountant by day but that’s set him up nicely to make films 18 Voice of reason 6 24 The city kid Digital FilmMaker 006-07_Contents.indd 1 08/02/2016 13:48 Subscribe and save today! Get Digital FilmMaker the easy way Turn to page 108 36 Empty rooms 30 48 The music machine Out of nowhere 78. Cash in hand 99. New kit Simon Phetter is the development manager for the MMBF Trust that aims to help creatives We pick through a whole host of the latest hardware from cameras through to gimbals 84. The student perspective 107. Next month Milo Cremer is a student who’s producing a musical comedy for his graduation project Make sure you make a note of the date when the next action-packed issue hits the stores 91. Hardware advice 108. Subscriptions We take a look at all of the latest kit plus people who keep the industry ticking over Get Digital FilmMaker the easy way. Take out a subscription and have it sent to your door 92. Interview with a pro 111. Hot 40 indie films We catch up with Keith Harding to hear how Beyond HD are staying ahead of the game We pick out 40 or so of the current most talked about and anticipated new indie films 42 Dummy run 60 A natural thing 92 Interview with a pro 99 New kit Digital FilmMaker 006-07_Contents.indd 2 7 08/02/2016 13:48 with a Pro Interview This issue we hear from Keith Harding, the CEO of BeyondHD who are located in the prestigious filmmaking location of Pinewood Studios, England 92 Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 1 08/02/2016 04:06 Interview with a pro: BeyondHD In the past year, the folks here at BeyondHD have continued to be heavily involved with innovative ‘cameras in motion’ for films and TV dramas with their unique range of exciting UAV’s and stabilised camera solutions. Based at the world famous Pinewood Studios, BeyondHD are a company that specialise in finding and creating camera support and stabilisation technologies and platforms, that allow even full-size film and TV cameras to film in environments and in ways that have never been done before at this price point. “We can now offer unique packages to productions using a multitalented crew” Exciting times Amazing product launches and introductions this year already include the new Double Helix 3-axis handheld stabilisation system (capable of taking cameras up to 25kg) and the Mk II ExoSkeleton, which has already established itself as the most versatile and capable ‘made for gimbals’, body-worn gimbal support system. There’s also the latest Mk III Aerigon ‘Black Armored Drone’, the worlds most advanced and powerful commercial UAV, (now with up to 15 minutes of flight time, even with the heaviest of camera/lens/motor payloads). On top of that there’s a Porsche Cayenne high-speed camera vehicle and the ETV, custom electric quad camera vehicle, all of which are new this year… But despite these releases, in what for most companies would be a very exciting year, let alone just the start to one, BeyondHD’s biggest announcement kind of eclipses all of these with the announcement and operational launch in March of Cavalon Pro; the worlds first and only certified commercial Gyrocopter for professional aerial filming work.” Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 2 93 08/02/2016 04:06 Incredible journey The BeyondHD story started back in 2013, when I, as a private pilot, started talking with Autogyro, a German Gyrocopter manufacturer and their certification director and shareholder, Gerry Spieck, who then embarked on an 18-month road trip to create and certify what has become a true world first with the launch of this new genre of commercial aircraft. Without the commercial certification and C of Up and away So, firstly I guess, what exactly is a gyrocopter? Combining some of the best attributes of a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter, the gyrocopter has actually been around since just after the First World War, when a pilot and engineer vowed to make an aircraft that could not stall at low speeds, after a friend was killed when his aircraft stalled and crashed. The gyrocopter is unique from a helicopter in that its rotors are not powered, but driven by the air passing through them with the forward momentum created from the motor and propeller at the rear. Consequently, the aircraft needs some forward speed to fly, although as little as 25 knots of airspeed will keep it at level flight. But, unlike an aircraft or helicopter, if the speed drops below this or the motor cuts, the aircraft simply starts to autorotate gently down, where the flying machine can be safely landed in a space as short as a tennis court. It’s this that makes it one of the safest aircraft ever to operate at low speed and altitude; so it’s therefore perfect for aerial filming. “The ETV has massive torque and being electric has extremely green credentials” A (Certificate of Airworthiness), which are required by all aircraft wishing to be used for commercial activities, gyrocopters would have continued to be just for recreational fliers. However, with this introduction by BeyondHD, the skies have literally opened to a whole new era in lower cost, highend, manned aerial filming for film and TV. BeyondHD have also the world’s only pilot approved by the CAA for commercial filming. Bigger picture Of course, having a brand new and very cool-looking aircraft is only part of the story as an experienced film/TV cameraman myself knows only too well. Without a revolutionary change in high-end gimbal design and cost, 94 Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 3 08/02/2016 04:07 Interview with a pro: BeyondHD the aircraft would have been little more than an exciting curiosity. So, at the same time as we started looking at the commercial viability of the gyrocopter, we also met with Austrian gimbal manufacturers Dynamic Perspective and their CEO and founder Peter Morawitz, who shared his vision and details for a new generation of 5-axis gimbal. This would be a third of the weight and price of the current bestknown market leaders. Of course, price and weight are only relevant when a certain level of quality is reached, and the DynaX5, from the first of the prototypes early last year, clearly showed that it had the pedigree to meet our exacting standards. Lean machine The production version is now shipping at less than 16kgs (without a camera), which is a critically important factor for the Gyrocopter project. With such a compact and lightweight aircraft, every kilo added in payload has to be countered by reductions in fuel, so a typical gimbal and mounting for a helicopter weighing upwards of 70kgs, would have reduced the fuel feet line of site capability) and the special features of a helicopter, like being able to hover, where we can offer three to four times the amount of aerial filming with the gyrocopter than you’d expect to get from a helicopter for the same budget. “Skies have opened to a whole new era in lower cost, highend, manned aerial filming” Operationally, this aircraft can be uniquely trailered to locations in the UK or even overseas, giving us much greater cost efficiencies, which of course can be further passed on to our customers. Indeed, it has not only created a new way to get aircraft to location; typically, in the past, you hired an aircraft for, let’s say as an example, two hours at X thousand pounds per hour. However, possibly of that two hours, you might be paying for say a 50-minute flight from the aircraft’s base to the capacity by two thirds. It’s also capable of supporting a wide range of film and TV cameras, from RED Dragon/Weapon and Arri/Mini to broadcast cameras such as the Sony P1 or the GVG LDX, all of which can be mounted, together with cine prime and Mobile solution anamorphic or broadcast zoom lenses. The ability to have this level of flexibility on an aircraft of this size and weight was the point where the whole plan came together and the skies literally opened for a new price point in quality aerial filming. We see the Gyrocopter fitting in perfectly between the capabilities and restrictions of drone filming (a 400 Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 4 95 08/02/2016 04:07 location, leaving you with just a few minutes of time for the actual filming. Due to the comparatively short take-off and landing space needed, we are able to utilise small airfields and even the surprisingly large number of farm runways that abound throughout the UK. The ability to trailer the aircraft using our Porsche Cayenne camera vehicle, which also utilises the same DynaX5 gimbal, means that we can now offer daily filming packages. For example, with a crew of three, we can offer a tracking vehicle with high-end 5-axis stabilisation, gyrocopter aerials and perhaps drone aerials too, all with the same gimbal or camera/lens combinations. Appealing option Clearly you don’t get all at once, but it makes a very attractive package to get all of these dynamic action shots in a day or more of filming. Capable of flying at speeds of between 25mph and 100mph (air speed) and at “Due to short takeoff and landing space needed, we are able to utilise small airfields” altitudes of between 500ft and 6,000ft (lower with special CAA permissions), the aircraft can provide around two to three hours of flying between refuelling, which is done with normal unleaded fuel and not aviation fuels. The aircraft makes a perfect solution for both live broadcast work and for film, drama, sport, documentaries and commercials. Special vehicles The company’s range of new tracking vehicles, including the aforementioned Porsche Cayenne, can be called upon for high-speed filming. The car uses the uniquely portable and location mountable camera/gimbal columns with patented anti-vibration/anti inertia mounts. Due to the design of the vibration mounts on the vehicles, 96 we can utilise the same high stabilisation, DynaX5, as used on the aircraft, or for lower speed work, there’s the superb Newton 3-Axis Gimbal from our long term UAV partners Intuitive Aerial. The newly designed anti-vibration and inertia mounts virtually eliminate all ground lumps and bumps, whilst the inertia mount eradicates the effects of heavy braking or cornering. We also expect to see a motorised version of the columns, allowing even more dynamic shots to include jib, pan tilt and roll, plus of course the movement of the vehicle. Both these innovative gimbals have their own dedicated high-end control panels (there are no radio modellers flight controllers used for the gimbals here) allowing for perfect operator control of both Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 5 08/02/2016 04:07 Interview with a pro: BeyondHD framing and camera functions. The vehicle is further equipped with highend HD monitors (front and rear) with HD recording and engineering scopes built in for up to three production crew, such as a gimbal operator, focus puller and DOP/Director, plus BeyondHD’s experienced supercar driver. Going green In addition to the recently added Cayenne, BeyondHD have become worldwide partners with UK electric quadbike manufacturers EcoCharger. Taking the basic two or four wheel drive electric vehicles, BeyondHD then equip them for filming use with, typically, remote gimbal technology and motorised columns. The ETV (Electric Terrain Vehicle) has massive torque and being electric has extremely green credentials, as even the factory in the UK where it’s made is totally powered with renewable energy sources. However, in addition to these great virtues, the vehicle is perfect for filming. Having no gears, the vehicle goes from zero to around 35mph smoothly, making a great platform to get stabilised shots. The vehicle can also be safely used both inside and out, as there are no fuel risks when taking it into a studio or indoor location. It also goes without saying that the ETV is amazing on very rough terrain when used offroad. This vehicle is road legal, but special permissions do have to be obtained from the Police in order to take the vehicle with camera mounts onto public highways. With a 35-mile range, the vehicle will easily fulfill a whole days shooting schedule when on location, or even comfortably cover a live sport event such as a marathon. A new way With all these great vehicles and stabilisation solutions, both on the ground and in the air, it has dramatically changed the way we offer services and equipment to clients. With the ability to share the gimbal, camera, lens, motors, monitoring and so on between all of the gimbals and vehicles that we own (BeyondHD supplies the Dragon or Arri Mini as its standard camera packages), including our remote tracking vehicle, the SteadiSeg, ETV quad bike, Porsche Cayenne, Aerigon Drone and finally the Gyrocopter, we can now offer unique packages to productions using a multi-talented crew of Digital FilmMaker 092-98_Interview with a Pro_amended.indd 6 97 08/02/2016 04:08 Interview with a pro: BeyondHD commercially approved pilots and experienced gimbal operators to create the package your production requires. For example, a day with the Gyrocopter, Cayenne and drone can be provided easily, as the gyrocopter can be towed to location by the Cayenne, with the camera mounts stored in the trailer and the Drone stored in the Cayenne. Almost any of our equipment can be combined into packages for the ultimate in costeffective filming days. Handy solution As well as all the different types of remote and manned vehicles BeyondHD offer, handheld stabilisation is still very close to our hearts and the latest Double Helix from Letus, combined with the Mk II ExoSkeleton produces a formidable partnership for those wanting to take cameras with One-stop-shop As operators of all this equipment for high-end film, drama, sports and commercials, BeyondHD can also sell much of the equipment including the tracking vehicle conversions, drones, gimbals, ExoSkeleton, electric quad bike and so on. 98 larger optics, such as cine primes, zooms or even Anamorphic lenses from the likes of Arri and Panavision. Both the Double Helix and Exo-Cine can support “The Mk II ExoSkeleton is a dream, with a narrower footprint than previously” up to around 25kgs payload, enabling the most demanding of camera/lens packages to be handled with ease. Despite looking continuously at all options, our partners at Exhauss and Letus have kept their products continuously at the forefront of this technology and their payload capability is consistently the best. We love the simplicity of setting up and balancing the Double Helix, with its optical centre stabilisation. This means that making lens changes something that, with a little practice, you can do in under a minute including the rebalancing. Using the Mk II ExoSkeleton is a dream, with a narrower footprint than previously, so getting through doors is a breeze and mounting monitors and even cupholders to the arms is possible via the multiple mounting holes provided. There’s nothing quite like the look you get on set, when wearing the ExoSkeleton with the Double Helix, riding our SteadiSeg… It’s only matched by the unique quality of shots that can be obtained with this ultimately flexible package. ■ Doing it all... BeyondHD are a specialist film and TV company providing innovative products and services including handheld gyro stabilisation, advanced cine/broadcast 12 motor UAVs, SteadiSeg personal tracking vehicles, Electric Quad camera vehicles, the Cayenne high-speed camera vehicle, GyroCopter manned aerial filming... All come with one thing in common... You never need to compromise the choice of camera and lens, regardless of whether you are flying, driving or hand-holding the stabilised camera/lens. 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