Nofilmschool.com

Over the summer I bought my first DSLR and today I was in search of some in depth information on DSLRs and came across this popular website: nofilmschool.com

I guess it's slightly ironic, because technically I am in film school, but who says the learning has to stop at the end of class? That's pretty much the point of these blog posts too, right? To extend our learning outside of class? Anyways, while flipping through the website I noticed on the right hand side a link to a free pdf document called "The DSLR Cinematography Guide". Perfect. Sounds exactly like what I need. So I got the free download it's ridiculously helpful. It's over 100 pages from the very basics that I already understand to the more complex stuff that I've always wondered about but never been able to find the answers to (such as the great advantages of prime lenses).

If anyone is looking to kill a couple hours over fall break I highly recommend giving this a read. Especially if you are a DSLR user like myself.

Beyond this, there are many other great articles to find on this website. My favorite so far has been a comparison between the Sony FS-100 (Our class camera), Canon 5D Mark II (industry standard for DSLR shooting), and the Blackmagic Cinema Camera (unlike any other camera – and it looks friggin cool).

Read the full article here.

This website has pushed me forward on many objectives, first on the list is to get a prime 50mm lens. This is the least expensive of things I want to do, ranging all the way to getting a Canon 5D Mark II. That might be a little more expensive.... maybe I should wait until I get a job for that one. 

DSLR Cameras and Filmmaking

            Over the last few years DSLR filmmaking has arguably changed the indie film industry just as much as anything else in the recent past. DSLRs allow people the ability to make professional quality films for astronomically less than ever before.

            In 2008 Canon released the Canon 5d Mark II, the first DSLR camera to shoot full 1920x1080p HD video. This camera’s full frame senor allowed filmmakers to achieve images in low light settings never before conceivable for a  $2,500 price tag (Camera body only).

            Since then, with the addition of many more video capable DSLRs, these cameras have taken filmmaking by storm. A couple notable pieces shot on DSLR cameras include the title sequence to the 2009 season of SNL, and the seventh season of House.

            Despite the advantage of being able to create outstanding visuals for relatively cheap, creating a workflow around DSLR cameras can prove challenging. These cameras are far from being able to capture quality sound on camera so off camera audio arrangements must be made. While being able to use the many lenses that are compatible with these cameras may be a good thing, procuring these lenses can prove expensive.

            DSLR cameras enable a vastly larger number of filmmakers the resource to create their content within their own limited budgets. Because of this I argue that it is undeniable that DSLR cameras are a “game changer”, so to speak.  The question is, by allowing the possibility of professional quality production to the masses, will DSLR filmmaking be remembered for helping discover what would have been otherwise unnoticed great filmmakers or will it be remembered for watering down indie filmmaking and making it hard to distinguish good and legitimate work from the others?

                                                          (Season 7 promo for House)