This past weekend I DPed a really interesting project for History Making Productions, a relatively new documentary production company in Philadelphia run by Phil and Sam Katz. The production involved shooting reenactments for a short doc they are producing on Richard Allen.

Shooting a period piece and reenactments were both a first for me, but despite this and being a little under handed, the shoot went amazingly well! We put a lot of thought into camera movements ahead of time and it really paid off. Our primary camera support was a doorway dolly with wheels, straight track and curved track. We also used a small jib arm on a few shots as well.

We were also privilege to have a great mix of wonderful professional actors and a small group of dedicated volunteers for extras! I really can’t wait to see the edit!

I’ve been getting behind in my updates lately. The other week I shot a project for BMS (Bristol Meyer Squibb) Films that included a NJT train, a 3 ton grip truck, 20 x 40 green screen and a pretty large crew. The video was for an overseas audience so the NJT train was mocked up inside to look like a chinese train! The art department did an excellent job!

Tech wise we shot it with a 5d mkII and a HDX900. I have to say its interesting switching back and forth between a HDX900 and a 5d mkII, the two couldn’t be more opposite! While I love the amount of color info the HDX900 gives you, the 5d mkII really does provided a richer, more film like look and considering the price difference between the two, that says a lot!

Last week I DPed a series of TV commercial for Susquehanna Bank, a growing bank in the Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey area.  The spots were commissioned through Aloysius Butler & Clark, produced by Shooters Post and Transfer and directed by Scott Whitham.

Scott approached me because the spots used real people but had a highly stylized feel to them .  We decided to shoot on the Canon 5d mkII.  I outfitted two 5d packages from Abel Cine.  On both we had Arri Matte boxes, full ND sets, follow focus and rails.  For lenses we had the full Canon L series set (the 85mm 1.2 being my favorite). We also had a set of T/S lenses as well.

I just saw a cut and they are coming out great!  I can’t wait to get a few up on my site.  They have a really nice feel to them and are definitely not your average bank commercials!