Today I came across a tasteless article, whilst searching for people’s opinions on the Canon DSLR video and how it’s affecting the industry.  In it, a domain registrant Jim Stark goes on to say that none other than well known DP Philip Bloom is just “Editing a bunch of pretty pictures together in no apparent order and with no story with a sound track…. which is not filmmaking.”

Philip Bloom’s tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Red Tails, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs on a 40′ screen

I was only able to grab Stark’s name by searching the whois.net directory.  Even if he’s the same Jim Stark from imdb.com, his opinion is really shallow and nothing worth deeply considering.  He makes very bold statements with very little information and examples to back up his articles.  Ironically, in the “about” page, he mentions that he started the website to give his thoughts on the changing industry and how he feels it isn’t fair or correct that new technologies are becoming more affordable.  Jim also hates the fact that plenty of people follow film-makers like Philip Bloom

After finishing his article, and reading anything else he had to say on his website (to get a better sense of where he could have been coming from) I decided to make my comment, keeping it to the point.  Upon hitting submit, I find he’s disabled the comments feed on his blog so there’s no discussion to be had.  His one-sided opinions remain as such and we can only go on to post on our own blogs and tweet our answers abroad.

Here’s what I had to say:

———-///———-

I can understand the frustration with all these new videos coming up on vimeo.com and the like having no story – all seem to be tests that are labeled ’short film’. I feel the same way.

I can’t, however, agree with the idea that the work Philip Bloom has created aren’t ’short films’. He has great talent and he doesn’t seem to post a lot of his commercial work – just what he’s done in-between, reviews, shorts, all with various pieces of equipment.  The breakthrough Skywalker Ranch video, as I see it, is a demo piece – and it worked beautifully.  He only had a short period of time to create something to show what these Canon DSLRs were capable of. The result of what he came up with still blows my mind with the amount of time and resources available.

There are plenty of artistic and gorgeous shots up online of what claim to be ‘films’ shot on these DSLRs that I would agree, are very film-like and as such could be called ’short films’. Ones without a proper story, even. That’s not to say I’m not appreciating the films that have a great story, acting, lighting, the whole bit – I just think that these shorter edits of location, scenery, and real people have their place under that title as well.

Anyways, just my thoughts for today.

Some photos:

]]> http://www.shadesofgraydesign.net/2009/12/halloween-2009/feed/ 1 http://www.shadesofgraydesign.net/2009/08/optex-great-gear/ http://www.shadesofgraydesign.net/2009/08/optex-great-gear/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:46:19 +0000 Steve http://www.shadesofgraydesign.net/?p=242 Recently I lost the quick shoe for my Optex T465 Tripod (the top removable piece that attaches to the camera device). I was so disappointment mainly because it’s one of the few tripods I’ve actually had no problems with. It’s an extremely affordable solution for independent film-makers & photographers and has the fluid control of a $800-$1000 video tripod. This particular model is very light and extremely durable.

I decided to try and find that particular piece to purchase, but had no luck in any electronics store in Winnipeg. Later, I found the Optex website, with a general information link – and deicded to try and find out where I would be able to purchase that item. I explained that I thoroughly enjoyed their product and wouldn’t want to, but would have to purchase a brand new tripod to get that piece in Winnipeg. Well, wouldn’t you know it – they replied right away and asked for my mailing address, explaining that they would mail it to me at no cost. It was one of the greatest, and fastest customer care responses I’ve received yet.

Now, if you don’t have a nice tripod for your point-and-shoot, or your professional DSLR photography camera, your mini-dv home video camera, or your expensive HD camera, do yourself a favour and go with Optex! They have a great line of tripod products that fit anyone’s needs.

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Okay after watching the Season 5 finale of LOST last night, I’ve been thinking about a few details from previous seasons (as well as the current one).

This episode definitely had some religious connotations with the most focus obviously on Jacob and his enemy (who I can only say might be called Esau at this point – coming from various online references to previous episodes) who seems to have taken the form of Locke in an attempt to take advantage of a loophole to kill him since he cannot himself.

Jacob envisioned a “Ladder to Heaven” (described in the Book of Genesis 28:11-19) during his flight from his brother Esau.

In all three – Hebrew, Muslim, and Christian interpretations, Jacob’s ladder can be considered as a bridge between two worlds… a connection between God and Man. In the Bible, Tanakah and the Qur’an, Jacob was the younger twin of Esau. Benjamin was Jacob’s youngest son. Jacob died in Egypt in slavery… but Jacob’s descendants went on.  In the Bible and Tanakah, Aaron is a direct descendant from Jacob.

There’s some interesting good vs. evil religious themes there.  Jacob was sitting on the beach in the first episode of the 2 hour finale, wearing white – and his brother(?) was wearing black.

When the Nemesis tells Jacob that the humans on the ship “come to fight, destroy, corrupt” and Jacob disagrees and says “it only ends once.” This discussion resembles the Devil’s discussion with God regarding the nature of humanity in the beginning of the book of Job. God and the Devil make a similar wager on Job as a representative for humanity.

When Ilana asks Richard what lies in the shadow of the statue, his Latin answer translates to this: “That which will save us all.” Food for thought.

It’s interesting that Jacob turns out to be a benign soul because Ben, who never met Jacob – or at least doesn’t know he had – needed to portray him as frightening, all-powerful and all Old Testament. That’s how Ben leads – with fear, knowledge-withholding and his favorite tool, manipulation. Where Jacob reminded everyone they have a choice. But seeing Ben fall apart, hearing him in his desperation ask, “What about me?” was interesting to see. Jacob delivered the final blow by simply asking, “What about you?”.  I (as well as friends of mine) almost got the sense that he wasn’t quite saying “What about you?” in a hurtful way, but more like… who are you but a man in the way of a grander scheme?  Jacob looked completely at ease, and didn’t even move when Ben went to stab him.

Remember that “God Loves you as He Loved Jacob” video that Karl was forced to watch back in season 3? That same room that Walt was likely put in when held captive and forced to “take tests” back in season 2?

The Smoke monster, also known as Cerberus from the map we saw hidden in the hatch made by Radzinksy and Kelvin, seems to be the protector of the temple and so it has some connection to the ancient people who built the temple and the statue. That map from the hatch also had several spots labeled “CV” which was confirmed to have meant Cerberus Vents.  As for the name “Cerberus,” in Greek and Roman mythology Cerberus is a multi-headed dog which guards the gates of Hades. Hades has multiple meanings, some of which refer to the ancient Greek underworld, or the domain of the dead.

Other interesting points:

We see the old sailing ship, the Black Rock, in the intro and it is revealed that Jacob brought them there. Will we see how the ship got to the center of the island or how Jacob brought them there?  (Remember the slave ship found in the middle of the jungle in an earlier season, full of explosives on the lower deck?)

Who was Jacob referring to when he said “they’re coming”?

What are Jacob’s lists for and what were the others doing with Walt and the children back in season 1/2?

If Ben didn’t really see Jacob in the cabin back in season 3, who called out “Help me” to John and what made the cabin go nuts in that scene?

What did the interracial couple have to do with Jacob’s cabin?  Was the silhouette of the man sitting in Jacob’s cabin in an earlier season the same man who built it?

Why can’t Esau kill Jacob himself?

Parallels between Stephen King’s books and Lost

There are almost equally as many references, or similarities to Stephen King novels as there are biblical ones.  For more information, click the link below.  I won’t go into all the details, as this page could get very long.

http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Stephen_King#Parallels_between_King.27s_works_and_Lost

Tim Gray, the star of most of our short films, started his own radio show, which airs Monday nights at 6:00pm.  At the same time, he also launched a production company – as well appropriately named “The Gray Area of Comedy” where he hosts comedy events, and writes, shoots, and produces short films.  Go to umfm.com to get more information on upcoming radio events.

Check out GrayAreaofComedy.com