The short film I made earlier in the year, ‘Making it special, when it matters most’, a film to show the Nokia Siemens Network ‘Customer Experience Management’ software in action (made for NSN) is now public.
It was shot on Canon 5DmkII and Canon 7D (second unit), edited on Avid and graded on FCP Color. I wrote about my experiences on the blog here…
Lessons Learned On A DSLR Drama Shoot… Day 2 Wraps
Why costume, makeup and production design is so important to your film
Grading 5D Footage With FCP and Colour
The edit above is the longest cut, with everything still in place. We also did a super short version (here).
Worth noting are all the technology screens which were motion tracked and replaced in post production.
My personal favourite sequences are at 02:05 (leaving the home) which really shows off the pretty images you can get out of 5D, and also 05:50 (tossing the bouquet) which captures the fun of the event, and shoot.
So the million dollar question (actually more like the ten grand question)… Would I shoot a low budget feature using this kit?
100% YES!
At ten grand absolutely, at fifty grand probably, at one hundred grand… maybe… maybe not (the choice would be project dependent, but I think I would shoot on a higher HD tape format or perhaps film).
I really liked the fact that to shoot 5D you need to have a shooting discipline that is more in line with film than video formats. Again this is something I blogged about in the posts above.
And as for the 5D artefacts so widely reported, aside from some moiré effects on the ushers jacket (example at 04:40), I didn’t have any problems (rolling shutter for instance).
Perhaps what is most important about this film is that it takes what could have been a dry and ‘techy’ product film for use at Nokia Siemens Networks and gives it some real heart, spirit and humour. Credit should be given to the folks at NSN who took a risk on trying something different.
Honestly, this is the first ‘corporate film’ I am proud of (and I have made quite a few in my time).
Splendid!
So what do you think?
Onwards and upwards
Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author
www.livingspiritgroup.com
www.ProductionOffice.org
e: mail@livingspirit.com
PS – I have had a lot of emails about the music, in particular the middle track – they all come from Audio Networks, the middle track being called Only Angels, listen here.
Related Posts:
Top Ten Kick Ass Tips For Shooting Action Horror From ‘Zomblies’ Director Dave Reynolds
Film is dead!
Is Film Dead…? Part 2
‘Ghost Girl’, terrific short from the Isle Of Man, shot on Canon 5D MkII
Lessons Learned On A DSLR Drama Shoot… Day 2 Wraps
Shooting Steadicam and Low Budget Aerial Shots using Canon 5D MkII
16 Responses
Didn’t feel very “corporate” there’s a proper human story there with laughs and tears (I didn’t cry, I was chopping onions) …and terror. Kitty needs a spin off.
Pats on the back all round. Looks like they gave you a lot of leeway to interpret the concept and tell a proper story which will serve them well in the long run.
Cracking Job!
That was the idea mate, we needed to make something with heart and humour so as to engage beyond the normal corporate video experience. Yes they took a risk and so far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
I was the Kitty!! I have to say I absolutely adored this shoot! I am so glad the ‘fun’ essence was brought out – cos it was just that – fun!
Hello Kitty! Can’t wait till we collab on a full length drama!
I have started using Red Giant Magic Bullet for my grading.
http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/magic-bullet-suite/
They are amazing, I can recommend the guru presets, Eric Escobar and Stu Maschwitz bundles are fantastic.
That’s great advice pal, I will check them out.
Looks great Chris!
Did you read this Phillip Bloom article about anti-moire/aliasing filter for 5D?
http://philipbloom.net/2011/08/19/moire-2/
Not yet Peter but will now – thanks for the link
CJ
Great emotion. I think 90% of the potential audience will not notice what it is shot on if you make them feel.
Thanks Julian. Whats important is that a major brand chose to make something with heart and not just about technology. It’s the way forward!
It’s great Chris!, there are very touching moments! Canon 5D Mark II rules!. Chris, I wanted you to know that today I’ve just ordered your “The Guerrilla Film Makers Pocketbook”, it seems amazing!. I’m planning making a no budget feature zombie film with my little Canon Vixia HF-S21… I know it’s not the 5D Mark II but it’s the camcorder I already own!
I can´t wait for that amazing red pocketbook to arrive!. I forgot leaving a link to a “demo trailer” of an horror project of mine, it’s called VERONICA. Hope you like it!
http://vimeo.com/16340387
Thanks MLC, just saw this note – how was the book?
The book is amazing!, it’s so packed with useful information!!!… it inspires to take action NOW and that’s priceless!!… that little book seems to be a whole seminar about making no budget movies!… great!
Hey Chris, you talked about this shoot at the masterclass. Well done in convincing the client to go for such a narrative and film like production. Can you tell what the budget was?
Thanks. I can’t share the budget for contractual reasonson, but as I said on the class, a feature version of this story would cost around a hundred grand, paying everyone.