Jib crane first test

So finally, I ran the first test of my new jib crane yesterday and today. The frantic days as filming date approaches doesn't allow much time for testing out in the open for by the time I'm done for the day it's already night. So...I went ahead and tried it in the parking garage.


I used to own a jib crane before. The PortaJib was a very professional tool and I have shot much of my prior films and videoclips with it, but sold it like 3 years ago. Now, the need for a jib has shown it's face as "long shots" of the battle scenes require high positioning of the camera above the massive crowds of soldiers. It also add dynamic energy to moving takes that helps give that sense of motion typical of cinematic techniques. So, did a bit of research on the net and found new options and companies that make interesting camera support equipment that years ago weren't around. Options and designs that make the jib crane simple and easy to operate even more than before. Got myself a new one in the end.

Well, the height of the parking garage ceiling is barely 2.50 meters high and that limited me to only use the basic configuration which raises my camera to only 2.15 meters. Not bad for interior shots but I'm eager to try it with the extension kit I also purchased.

So far, the weighs I got myself are doing the trick. Was kinda tricky to find a way to balance it for the difference in lens size I use changes the counter-weigh needed and it gets off balance a bit. 1.25 lbs weighs are hard to find but I was suggested a good hidden spot downtown where they sell all kinds of sporting good things and brought it home together with two 15 kg weighs. Carrying 30 kg while walking 5 blocks in downtown (not many parking lots there) was a bit odd and cumbersome but the effort's worth it.

Tomorrow, if time allows, I'll test the extended version which raises my cam up to 6 meters high!

My camera configuration weighs around 19.8 lbs which is like 9 kg. A bit heavy so better be careful and secure it tight. Don't want it crashing down against the floor.

My jib crane has arrived!

As soon as I came home from the Pachamanca, I opened the boxes I went to pick up at the airport earlier today (4am). Bought an EZ FX jib crane that came from Florida as its needed for the wide and high battle shots. We've been in contact with the dealer for many months trying to set up a good quote for me as the budget for the film was going a bit overboard.

I used to own another jib crane some years ago but sold it in 2007. I tried to contact the guy I sold it to but he resold it to another person and the daily rate of that guy was really ridiculously high. I won't tell names but many people here in the field assume I have a lot of money if I'm making a period film like this and try to take advantage in a way, that's why I always believed in owning everything you use so you don't have to depend on anybody. If they knew that no matter the costs here, I'm making much of the items myself to save as much as I can and put it all "on the screen", so to speak, to make it look like "big" and as good as possible. So, anyway, with the money I'd spent renting a jib, it was worth buying a brand new one instead with all its accessories.

So its finally here. I'm so excited about it. It complies with the weigh specifications I needed for my type of camera rig. I also got myself the extension parts to raise the camera even higher, like above 3 meters (more than 7 feet). Will test it this Sunday.

Filming the Alter Ego video

So finally....the Utopía videoclip was shot on monday.
The day was packed with details that made it a frenzy one in production anecdotes.

Lighting took quite a while as the place was big and the main power box was a bit far from the shooting sets. We had a late start and had to push my singing shots to the end of the day and overrun our schedule ending time by three and a half hours. We wrapped for the day early morning the next day. Besides of that, it was good to see all the band together after years of being apart.

Establishing shots were done in 720p at 24fps using a Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM, medium and tight tele shots were done with the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD and Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF zoom lenses all using the Letus Extreme.

The HVX200 delivered beautiful colors and details but had to lower the V-detail a bit to get rid of the "video" sharpness and get closer to film edge-quality.

Tried far to hue the colors in-camera as not to overload post-production and rendering times. So far, on today's tests, it's giving me five hours per minute of video.
The Jib-arm bringed those floating shots I so love and raising up to 12 feet, it sure brought production value to the shots.
As always, my good old friend Aguinaga was with me on the lights and it was a good thing to work once again together after so many years and like on every job, he is quite ready for light directions I might have. Most of my latter work was done with him under and I must say he is not only a great professional but a great friend.

Here are some pics of the shooting.
The second day of shooting will be on the weekend.

Here below is a first color grading test of random clips from the video.