Gear

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  • Dani Lyman

Top Tech from CES 2019
Top Tech from CES 2019 768 432 Dani Lyman

The tech industry gave us a glimpse into the future this week during the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Packed with concept cars, AI and virtual assistants, CES proved we’re another year closer to living in a sci-fi movie. Here is some of the most fascinating tech unveiled in the City of Sin this year.

Robots Galore

Ubtech unveiled it’s latest edition of Walker: The Robotic Butler. Walker has built-in sensors that enable him to walk around without bumping into walls (I can’t even do that half the time), he has arms and hands that can grab and deliver items, as well as a facial recognition feature (again…he’s better than me) so he can remember who requested that Coke from the fridge. While the technology is pretty impressive, Walker is still a work in progress. More of a novelty than a necessity, Walker wouldn’t be the most efficient Butler in terms of speed or complicated tasks, but who knows what the future holds?

 

Honorary Mention: Foldimate, the laundry folding robot, attempts to eliminate the torture of one of humanity’s most mundane tasks. However, it’s size and price tag make it an unrealistic accessory for most laundry rooms. It is only first gen tech, so hopefully, updated models will be more accessible for the average household in the coming years.

Futuristic Vehicles

The Future is here… well, almost. One of the most fascinating and potentially useful unveilings was Hyundai’s Elevate, a walking car designed for emergency response. Currently a concept only, the four-legged vehicle is designed to tackle tough terrain, stand and walk on “legs” with omnidirectional wheels and bring relief during a crisis in ways we’ve never thought possible before.

 

Honorary Mention: Bell, a manufacturing partner to Uber, revealed Nexus the Flying Taxi equipped with six tilting fans and wings. Unlike Elevate, the Nexus prototype is life size and Bell hopes to begin test flights in 2020.

Gizmos & Gadgets

Everyone can relate to the hassle of worrying about luggage when traveling, so Ovis created the self-driving suitcase that can follow behind you as you race through the airport. Much like a small child, it gets distracted at times and wanders away, but it’s camera technology allows it to identify you and follow you when you’re in its sight.

Additionally, Inubox unveiled the dog toilet, which doesn’t need too much explanation. Artemis revealed a Smart Mirror that looks like it belongs in Minority Report, Sony exhibited an 8K TV which thrilled movie lovers, and Groove X designed an adorable robot Lovots you can snuggle – now available for sale in Japan.

Are you ready?

The display of talented inventors and developers proves that what we can achieve through technology is limitless. CES is an important reminder that the world is moving forward. Are you?

 

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  • Dani Lyman

Coolest Camera Gear Must Haves
Coolest Camera Gear Must Haves 3976 2753 Dani Lyman

There are a grip ton of companies out there creating so many camera and grip accessories that it can get a little overwhelming to sort through them all. From pocket jibs to flywheels to app controlled motorized skaters, the market is flooded with nifty gadgets you want to add to your equipment cage. But, some products and companies are definitely better than others! Check out 3 companies creating some of the coolest toys in the industry!

Edelkrone

Edelkrone focuses on pint-sized, portable accessories that simplify the production process. From their PocketRig to the SliderOne, they deliver tiny tools to get smooth shots from interesting angles. Many of their products are app controlled, leaving less room for human error and more time to get that perfect shot. The motorized system is perfect for stunning timelapses and creative stop-motion projects.  While all Edelkrone products are making a splash, people are especially enthusiastic about the Motion BOX and its ability to shoot 360 degrees in one fluid motion.

 

Kessler

Established in 2003, Kessler has become an industry leader, providing some of the most innovative camera and grip gear. For their latest invention, they merged the CineDrive and Shuttle Dolly into one groundbreaking system. The multi-axis motion controlled camera system slides easily along the dolly without missing a beat. The system is designed for users to have full control down to their fingertips by programming keyframes to ensure accurate camera movements at the precise time. To give you even more to nerd out on, the upside down camera movement on the dolly is pretty epic.

Rhino

If you search the internet for “best slider” Rhino undoubtedly has one of the largest and loudest fan bases out there. Rhino Slider EVO has the reputation of being the best in the game. One of the most notable ways this slider stands out among its competition is the flywheel. The flywheel securely sits on top of the slider to create the perfect amount of tension which keeps the camera flowing smoothly, avoiding any little bump in the road. That uninterrupted “sliding” motion is exactly why we use the slider to begin with and Rhino seems to have mastered it!

 

 

iphone video - Crew Connection
  • Dani Lyman

Push iPhone’s video potential to the max
Push iPhone’s video potential to the max 6720 4480 Dani Lyman

With internet articles like “How to Film A Hollywood Worthy Movie on Your iPhone” and “How to Shoot iPhone Video Like a Pro” you may get the impression that cinematic brilliance is in the palm of your hand with the purchase of the iPhone X.

You say to yourself, “Why do I need to hire a crew for my social media campaign, my promotional video, or my company’s internal projects when I can do everything on my phone?”

Then you see incredibly beautiful images produced with the iPhone like this gorgeous short film by Amnesia Art and you think, “I can do that.” But, it’s not as easy as it looks.

When you see such a well crafted film like this it is easy to get swept away into the notion that you, yourself, or at the very least, your neighbor’s teenager because he’s better with technology than you are, can create something similar for your video project. Until you give it a try. Then, sadly, passed your deadline with half your budget wasted, you find yourself with unusable footage ruined by terrible lighting, unbearable sound and choppy editing.

Just like wearing Nikes doesn’t make you Jordan, the iPhone doesn’t make you a talented DP. The device is only as good as the person operating it. Ryan Earl and Nick Arcivos, the talent behind this film, have years of experience as filmmakers and photographers. In their dedicated and very capable hands a phone becomes another tool in their arsenal to create a successful piece of art.

Another thing to consider is the extensive amount of equipment needed to create a piece that looks this professional. The Amnesia Art team posted the list of equipment they used which totals over $2,000. Half of that was spent on sound equipment alone! BECAUSE THAT’S HOW IMPORTANT SOUND IS! No one will watch your video if the sound is bad! That is why a professional Audio Tech is so crucial to the success of your project and worth every penny. Not to mention the smooth flow of the edit is not something that can be accomplished by just anybody, even with easy to use editing apps.

There is a laundry list of details that go into making a film like this. The kind of details that those of us who work in Video Production are completely passionate about, obsess over and educate ourselves on daily.

The iPhone definitely has a place in the DIY video world. You can make awesome videos for your podcast, Instagram or YouTube channel, but when it comes to larger endeavors and really higher-end projects – nothing beats experience. Or dedication. Or knowledge. Or passion. A crew of experts who understand how to use the equipment and deliver a solid project is always worth the investment.

 

 

 

 

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  • Crew Connection

What Rental Houses Teach About Buying Versus Renting Camera Equipment
What Rental Houses Teach About Buying Versus Renting Camera Equipment 5616 3744 Crew Connection

The eternal dilemma for film crews, production houses, and freelance camera people is whether to rent or buy lighting, grip, and camera equipment. You may purchase the latest and greatest one month only to have it obsolete the next. It’s easier to decide than you may think (as long as you know a little about the business model for rental houses). And we do! We talked to Pierre Habib, of Dunia Rentals, to take some of the mystery out of renting camera equipment.

Last week, Habib shared which equipment depreciates quickly as well as what is most likely to maintain value. Today, he shares some secrets about the business models for traditional rental houses as well as the benefits and drawbacks of using online companies.

1. When to buy:

Habib says in smaller markets, typical rental houses charge a day rate of 5% of the cost to own. So if you’re going to use the gear for 20 days or more, you are better off buying. In major markets (LA, New York, and Chicago), rental houses charge around 9% of the cost to own for a day rental (which makes it worth buying if you’ll use the gear 11 or more times).

2. Renting online:

By skipping brick and mortar, online companies are able to get close to that 5% mark no matter the market. The downside is you don’t get a chance to see or test your equipment. And even with overnight shipping, any malfunction means waiting for replacement gear, which can be very costly when you have other crew members and a tight schedule.

3. When to buy used:

Traditional houses make money two ways. They rent gear until they make a profit and then they sell the used gear. If you don’t need the latest and greatest, you can get something pretty great from their retail side at a much better price. The same applies online at places like lensauthority.com.

It can seem overwhelming, but it is possible to make smart decisions about new technology. Use this guide the next time you’re unsure about where to invest.

Next, we’ll cover the other angle of this question: When to learn a new skill (such as capturing worthwhile drone footage) versus hiring out.

Here are more things to keep in mind when buying equipment and when to hire versus learn a skill.

Enjoying our series on how to invest in your freelance company? With almost three decades in the industry, we have a lot of tips—and connections. Sign yourself up on Crew Connection for free and let our international clients come to you. Want to talk to one of our coordinators? Contact Us here or call us anytime at 303-526-4900.

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection connects you with video production crews across the country and around the globe. With more than 25 years of experience and thousands of shoots with film crew pros to our credit, you can trust our expert coordinators to match you with the right freelance video crew and equipment—every time.

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  • Crew Connection

Freelance Video Production Gear: Five Things to Remember
Freelance Video Production Gear: Five Things to Remember 5616 3744 Crew Connection

No matter how shiny and high-tech it looks today, there is only one guarantee for your freelance video production gear: It will be old news someday. The eternal question for film crews, production houses, and freelance camera people is whether to rent the latest technology or purchase grip, lighting, and camera equipment outright.

We solved that eternal question—with more questions! After chatting with Pierre Habib of Dunia Rentals, we came up with five things to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy your next piece of gear.

1. Freelance video production gear maintenance comes with a cost.

You can buy great gear and get quality images without having to spend an arm and a leg. But when film equipment is built cheaper, it also has a tendency to get beat up more quickly. Video production is vigorous. Reputable rental companies can provide a replacement if something happens to your gear—a guarantee you may not be able to make yourself.

2. Not all DSLRs are created equally.

Entry-level DSLR cameras depreciate in a couple of years. High-level ones have a much longer shelf life. The camera that starts out filming high-budget films may be more appropriate for indies and TV commercials after a couple of years, but that still gives you time to ride the wave. If you buy something entry level, consider selling before it depreciates completely and using that money to invest in your next piece of gear.

3. Grips are forever…

Grip gear has been the same for the last 100 years and will remain so for the foreseeable future. You may upgrade your camera 35 times before you need a new jib. It maintains its value forever. That said, if you don’t want to haul your stuff around when traveling and spend big bucks checking an extra bag at the airport, you can rent grip gear for about $4 a day versus $130 buying new.

4. …but lighting isn’t.

Speaking of hauling crap around—LED lights are big, bulky and rapidly evolving. Like DSLR cameras, their value depreciates instantly. The second you walk out of the store with a new piece of lighting equipment, there will be something better and cheaper available. Keep this in mind as you determine how to best invest in your freelance video production company.

5. A camera is never just a camera.

Cameras, with all their promise and sparkle, are really fun to buy. But you need a lot more to make a good image. If you can’t afford the accessories, you can’t afford the camera. It’s that simple.

Interested in learning more about the nuances of renting freelance video production gear? So were we. In this article, Habib talks about the business model for traditional equipment rental companies versus renting online.

Enjoying our series on how to invest in your freelance company? With almost three decades in the industry, we have a lot of tips—and connections. Sign yourself up on Crew Connection for free and let our international clients come to you. Want to talk to one of our coordinators? Contact Us here or call us anytime at 303-526-4900.

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection connects you with video production crews across the country and around the globe. With more than 25 years of experience and thousands of shoots with film crew pros to our credit, you can trust our expert coordinators to match you with the right freelance video crew and equipment—every time.

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