It's a black day.
Yesterday, with out warning, a 650 bulb just died (sniffle). We looked the bulb over and it seemed in good health but it would not turn on. Just goes to show you--we can burnout without warning and without a sign. Then today--we had the 1k shining through a window. We had the 1k in this exact place for roughly four hours yesterday and another four today--then suddenly...it just fell over. So sad--I was looking out the window as it happened and saw the whole thing. Kind of like when you look over your shoulder and see a small child slip off the edge of a large cliff. (I've never actually witnessed the child scenario but I imagine one's reaction and emotional after-shock would be about the same.)*
So I had to light the rest of the day with only two 650s and despite their dedicated and heartfelt efforts--they just couldn't perform to desired capacities.
To add to my stress--Melvin (a real stand-up guy) wasn't on set today due to prior engagements. So I was left to familiarize my self with the EX3 and Glide Cam he had left in my care. These tools are not exceedingly complicated but with my limited interactions with both--I wasn't exactly the most qualified to be shooting a feature film with either of them.
The EX3's buttons are in funny places compared to my 150. And figuring out when the auto-shutter was off and on was a real pain. There's something about the LCD screen on the EX3 as well--I can't help but think they're providing you a false example of the picture. Somehow it's cleaner and better than the actual result. Also--the damn thing is heavy. I couldn't hand-held it with as much success as I do with the 150. You may wonder why I was hand-helding at all with the glidecam on call. The truth is--it's REALLY heavy :P
I spoke with Melvin over the phone and he guided me through the Glide Cam's assembly but I'm so unpracticed I found myself fighting it a little. I'm sure with some time and experience I would find it very useful but with the light and handy 150--I really don't see the need for such a heavy, cumbersome device.
If the EX3 wasn't annoying me enough--we only had an 8 gig memory card and the compression seemed to take up more space than the AVC format with the 150. My basic camera tests have shown (to my eyes) that both cameras look the same--so dealing with an expensive and clunky SxS card compared to the cheap and simple SDHC really isn't worth paying an extra $7,000 for.
And despite all my personal struggles and grumblings within the camera department--the very kind man that's surrendered his personal house as a filming location is starting to get a little annoyed with the racket and messes were causing (Sorry bro!) Hopefully we can wrap the location before fully pissing him off!
But we finished filming on time--Exec Producer bought us some Mountain Dews (!!!)--and the replacement bulbs came in. Not to mention--we should be getting our bag-o-flags tomorrow(!!!x4)
All's well that ends well
--Mr. Zach
*I have witnessed the conclusion of The Good Son.
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