Jon Merz

Evasion from josh dolby on Vimeo.

Kingston Station... Roughcut, no titles.

A fantastic Boston restaurant, Kingston Station is located right in Downtown Crossing.



Bistro cuisine, great bar, and cool spot- check it out!

Corporate Video

This is an office video I put together for teams I work with and for. It is a parody bit- all meant to be in good humor.

Thanks to all of the folks who helped out!

New England Ninpo Situational Video Series

Capturing action is very challenging for me- I've got a couple of great books that talk about camera angles, movements and setup for a wide variety of situations, but they're mostly in regards to fictional "stunt" actions, or for tension-building moments in film.

Shooting actual martial arts videos, action works a bit differently - you're supposed to be able to see what's really happening, so that as a technician, you can parse the different movements in order to potentially replicate (or consider replicating them).

Hey, I'm overthinking again, right?

Well, add to that the very interesting position of working with people who could tear your arms off and beat you with them - they're not "actors" per se, they're martial artists, experts in hand to hand (and hand to whatever you want, in the case of Mr. Davis).

So, here's the first in an installment of online "situational self protection" videos.

The next step will be to add the "in class" demonstration portion, with Mark Davis, the instructor, talking through what's going on, and how to best keep oneself safe in the displayed situation.

Thanks to Mr. Mark Davis and Mr. Paul Etherington for their time and effort, and to Renato Rodriguez, Tom Lato (the shakahachi flute), and Ryan Oberland!

Comments and Ideas on Your Videos

Someone stop me. Now I see why Andrew told us NOT to get him that PS3 for Xmas. Yeow.

And here's one I was in...

Women, an adaptation of a David Mamet bit by Arlen Ladue and Luke Boelitz.

Cast- Ashely Burgess, my Honda, and me.

Jagpro35 Gear

In my quest for the "proper kit" I've read a LOT of posts on both Vincent Laforet's as well as Phillip Bloom's blogs. Mr. Bloom had a post back awhile ago where he talked about a "runner up" to the gorgeous, albeit pricey, Zacuto Z-Finder.

Mr. Bloom reviewed the Jagpro JagPro Follow Focus system, which I promptly ordered.

The Follow Focus is very cool, it gives a much more controllable feel to the focus - with an SLR you're reaching around to the front to turn the barrel of the lens, and this causes jumpyness or other shake in your video. The FF allows you to very gently turn a large, easy-to-grasp knob, and get the focus you want. It also could let a focus-puller come into play, though that might be overkill... Then again, it's really not when you're moving these cameras around and doing lots of interesting scene setups.

Once I got on the Jagpro site, the LCD Viewfinder caught my eye- here was the answer to the Z-Finder, but for under $200! Moreso than the FF, the LCDVF is a must-have for any daylight shooting, and for any 3rd party manual lenses. With the JP LCDVF I can actually tell if things are in focus without having to bring a monitor, or generally worrying about the results.

Listmaking...

I had been making lists for some time.

Perhaps last year I stopped.

It felt a bit like I was kicking off the training wheels- that I was done with making lists, that I was in process of finishing many projects, without needing to worry about the little tricks that I'd been using to get myself to actually DO many of them in the first place.

Now, I think that instead of training wheels, listmaking is more like a bicycle helmet- a little bit of extra insurance that's useful in a "just in case" situation where something might, or does, fall through the cracks... When you're a one-man band, you can't really expect to get it ALL correct- and I think that I'm feeling that from trying to write/shoot/edit EVERYTHING myself...

It's just not possible for me to have a "perfect" product without input from other people- and usually their input is "the sound is weird" or "there's a blue screen/shake/blip in that one part" or "that part jumped to quick" and so on... Most are comments that, had I taken a few days to let my work SIT before showing it, I could PROBABLY have corrected. Instead, I release to a few (20) sets of eyes, and see what they think- slapping my forehead and saying "ahhh shucks" with every comment that makes me think "I know that!"

Ed's Car- Shot on the 7D

Overcast, miserable-looking day... But, did it really matter?

What to do... Thoughts...

1) what can I learn the most from?
2) what can I do the best at (what's within my capacities)?
3) what is going to impact MY "visibility" to other desirable collaborators/customers?
4) what's going to look the coolest?!

Nikon 50mm F1.4 with adapter

We can do this until we get it right! from josh dolby on Vimeo.

Equipment Arms Race... plus, 'How DSLR Cinema Changed My Life... (part 1)'

DSLR Cinema has taken the world by storm- or at least it's taken my world by storm...

I've really been waiting for YEARS now for a dslr that takes video (SD or HD, didn't really matter!) - something that I can really work with, put different glass on for different situations, and enjoy.

The 7D has been blowing my mind. It's a great piece of equipment - so similar to my old 10D, so FAMILIAR in feel- so well-built, so solid... It performs well- I was concerned that shooting too much video at one time would heat it up, slow it down, shut it off, but so far NO that's not the case! The image that I'm able to get is fantastic- and of course, it's all about the glass here- the life-like quality of the video we're capturing has me saying - "I've finally found a camera that takes video like I experience in reality - video that feels like real life."

And all for under 2 grand.

Camera Bits...

Tai Chi Video

Vimeo seems to work pretty well...

This is the 2nd week I've had the 7D, but...

Tai Chi from josh dolby on Vimeo.

But what do you want to DO?

I was talking to a friend of mine while driving home the other night... He'd been very hot to get himself a T1i, the Canon camera that sports HD video capture in a Rebel-esque sub-$1000 body. That day, Gizmodo had an article proclaiming advance information on a newer version of the T1, potentially called the T2i - which would incorporate many 7D features, but in the consumer-style body.

Naturally he was deciding to hold off- to wait until the better featured version would come out. He said "I don't really want to buy a year-old camera - a camera that's already been out for a year." This comment struck me- how can you concentrate on WHAT you're shooting if you're obsessed with WHAT you're shooting on?!

I asked him - "what do you want to DO with whatever camera you eventually get?"

"What?"

"What do you want to do? Do you have some ideas?"

"I just need a camera."

"Yeah, okay but what are you going to DO with it?"

"No, I just need a camera- I just have to have another camera!"

We went along like this for a few more minutes.

My problem is that when we get too concerned with the gear, with having something, with possessing stuff, with the features and the buttons, we LOSE the reason one would want to shoot or film anything- to offer experience of different points of view, or situations, to other people. Not to show how cool our kit is, or which lens we have, or how large our equipment-penis is...

I've been a bit of a camera nerd for years now- and I don't claim to be very good at all - I do claim to (roughly) understand how the things work, and to be able to make my gear perform- but I recognize that I have much to learn, and that photo and video are lifelong pursuits, like painting or sculpture.

It bugs me to no end when I see the material-obsession in useful people. It's like an addiction, it takes precendent over lots of other more direct and important needs (like paying your rent or paying on debts you owe) and is so easy to be consumed with that starting to do creative work becomes almost impossible- you end up "playing with" your gear too much.

It's like the people who post pictures of their computers, their workstations, for others to see how sleek they are- rubbish!

Caught You Pickin' Comedy Videos

So...

I have to admit something.

I've always wanted to make comedy.

We grew up watching The Kids in the Hall, SCTV, and old SNL reruns. These shows all combined to warp my sense of humor, but to make comedy one of my favorite things- there's nothing else like cracking jokes and making people laugh.

That said, we've started to put some sketches on YouTube under the group name "Caught You Pickin'" - composed of John McGhee, Shadiah Sigala, Lou Susi, Sean Kelly, Tom Lato and myself.

Here is FelonDate (the one that most people say is by far the funniest)...

These are all shot on the DVX-100b as well.

Another Video...

Our 2008 Boston 48HFP entry.

Shot on the Panasonic DVX-100b by Shaun Clark, it looks pretty darn good- however I think that the edit was far too heavy-handed.

So it goes.

Attending a Virtual Conference

This week a segment in my company is holding a virtual conference- supplanting the usual travel and location arrangements for a schedule of WebEx Meetings and Events.

Now, you might think that this is a good thing- sure, they’re saving a TON of money on T&E, and I won’t have to fly out to California for a week and miss friends and family- but there are a lot of things that I’m going to miss- you know, the things that you do at a conference… Maybe we’re not all as nostalgic about attending conferences as I am, but if you’re the kind of person who saves all those nametags from all the different events you’ve been to- then I’m talkin’ to YOU.

So, I’ve come up with a list of things that I will do this week to get back that “on location” feeling- here’s a list…

- I will wear a name tag all week long. I’ll even put it on one of those tassel-fob things, and enclose it in plastic. I will wonder if the chip inside really tells my boss what sessions I attend!

- I will eat lunch with strangers in the company cafeteria- and purposefully pick food that won’t sit well in my digestive system, so that I can really get that “away from home” feeling…

- I will go out every night this week to either a mediocre local *bump-bump* club (which will be dead, ‘cause it’s Tuesday) or to a hotel bar. I’ll try to act like I can really put ‘em away, but get tired and leave after only a couple of drinks, or total strikeouts with whatever females are around…

- I will show up late to all meetings, starting on Tuesday, due to “food poisoning” (my hangover).

- I will attend all my meetings from the conference room so that I feel like I’m really part of the audience.

- I will wear a suit on Monday, slacks and a collared shirt on Tuesday, and jeans and a “No I will Not Fix Your Computer” t-shirt (the same one) for the other 3 days.

WebCam Background and Lighting Tips...

A few thoughts on how to get the most out of your Webcam...  

- Be Aware of Lighting: Since the sensor on even the highest-quality webcam is pretty darn small when compared to, say, a digicam sensor which, again is small compared to a full-frame 35mm DSLR (or actual 35mm frame) we realistically can’t expect too much in the way of dynamic range.  Therefore, we have to have optimal conditions in place to get a good image- to make us look good. 

- Windows Kill: DON’T sit back-to a window- natural light will overpower anything but powerful studio lights.  DO put the webcam BETWEEN you and the window!  This will let you use the powerful natural light to light the subject- YOU.

who is that masked man?

- Get a desk lamp: either point it at yourself (this is a Key light), or at a cube wall so it bounces some light onto your face (this is a Fill light).  In a normal video shoot, there is the classic “3-point” lighting setup- which includes a Key-, Fill-, and Back-light to isolate the subject from the background- but in lighting for a basic webcam conference, you only really need one good light- if you use an advanced video system, you may want to invest in a more professional lighting package.

standard 3-point lighting for an interview...  only 1/3
needed for our webcam presentations!

- Background Information:  Sometimes its the little things that tell people the most about us...   Make sure that whatever is behind you is clean & clear, and free of debris.  Make sure to remove any dead plants, KISS posters, or old computer junk.  

- Missed Opportunities...  Now that it's blank, how can we use it?..  I like to think of that empty wall as unused advertising space- space for advertising YOU!  Not sure about this one? All you have to do is flick on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc to see how all the major news channels interview in front of cityscapes, cool graphics, bustling newsrooms, or libraries of books.  This adds a level of credibility to the speaker, and communicates even more to the audience.  Take a little time to "pretty up" your area, and think about how you can make your own background advertisement out of the artifacts in your office space- diplomas, degrees, books, plants, framed art, accolades or even magazine covers.  

- The Right Stuff- Don't have a web conferencing tool that will support this kind of webcam video?  Check out WebEx.  I know, you've heard this one before, but there's a reason for it- it works!

Don't forget to check out my post on how to have better web meetings...

- Josh

Tips for better WebEx Conferences - Or Video Conferences in General...

People seem to think that because we've called a meeting, everything will just take care of itself. That's where they're wrong! Meetings require leadership - not necessarily Robert's Rules of Order leadership (egad, shudder to think of those hours spent in the Student Senate...) but some kind of direction. Here are a few pointers, from one who is in/part of/attends a LOT of meetings. Heck, I do work for a company that provides a serious meeting platform...

1. Bring an Agenda (what are we here to do???) Regardless of what the format is - Powerpoint, Keynote, Notepad, etc - make up some kind of bullet list. People LIKE bullets. They like things synthesized for their consumption- the salient, important points. Outline the basic framework of what's supposed to happen in the meeting, and show it to everyone.

2. Show Yourself! - Use your web conferencing tool's video option. This lends seriousness and credibility - if you're not willing to show yourself, it makes people wonder what color your pajamas are (the ones that you're obviously sitting at home in, in front of the television no doubt!). Don't have camera options with your web conference? Get WebEx.

3. Annotate (Draw & Text on the Screen!) Use the marker and text tools to highlight and outline what is important. Change and adjust the agenda, or add to it as people make comments. You can also let your attendees use these tools simultaneously for brainstorming & planning sessions. For example, in our team meetings there is a specific agenda item called "feedback." Our manager opens up a blank slide, and turns on the annotation tools for everyone- then asks us to throw out words and ideas about how he can help us be more successful- with the idea that nothing is off-limits, but that if you put up something heavy, just be ready to discuss!

4. Follow-Through - on movie sets there is a dedicated person who watches for continuity- IE to make sure that props, wardrobe and makeup are consistent from scene to scene. In meetings we need to have similar people- someone who's specific job it is to make sure we have targets set for what happens next. Don't forget to either snap a quick screenshot or record important points of the meeting. If your conferencing provider doesn't offer this option, you can always click "Print Screen" (it's above the number pad) and then Control-V to Paste it into either Word or Powerpoint as a captured image. Also, there are tons of free screen capture tools out there that let you record directly from your desktop, and end up with a video. You can use some of the converter tools from my earlier post to convert to other formats.

5. Encourage Participation - ASK QUESTIONS! "does that make sense," "are we all on board," "does anyone have any questions," "do you think that's a good idea?"