SUMMER 2019
The ultimate magazine for next generation filmmakers
FROM THE EDITOR
Editor in chief Adam Duckworth Staff writer Chelsea Fearnley Contributing editor Kingsley Singleton Chief sub editor Beth Fletcher Senior sub editor Siobhan Godwood Sub editor Felicity Evans Junior sub editor Elisha Young EDITORIAL ADVERTISING
Sales director Matt Snow 01223 499453 mattsnow@bright-publishing.com Advertising manager Krishan Parmar 01223 499462 krishanparmar@bright-publishing.com DESIGN Design director Andy Jennings Design manager Alan Gray Designers Lucy Woolcomb, Laura Bryant, Emily Lancaster & Emma Di’Iuorio PUBLISHING Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck
Welcome to the summer edition of Pro Moviemaker magazine, and I sincerely hope you can find the time to read it in what should be a filmmaker’s busiest period of the year – the run-up to many people’s annual summer holiday. So often as freelancers, we end up working to a schedule imposed on us by full-time employees who all want everything done and dusted before they go on leave for their couple of weeks lounging beside a pool. In many parts of Europe, it feels like August is a complete write-off as seemingly whole countries take the month off. At least this time of year we have longer days, and the promise of the golden hours of light at the end of the working day – the time when we want to keep shooting in that most wonderful light, while the nine-to-five employees want to scuttle home for their dinner. They often want everything shot in normal working hours when the midday summer sun causes havoc with extreme contrast. But in so many cases, they are paying the bill and you have to work to their rules. Most successful independent filmmakers, luckily, are problem solvers. Given a super-tight time frame, uncooperative subjects, unflattering light and a client changing their mind unpredictably, it’s a true test of thinking on your feet and getting a decent result. That’s despite hurdles put in the way by clients who may not share your quest for the ultimate images. To get the best results in all potential situations, you need to be at one with your camera and kit, so it’s one less thing to worry about on set. You don’t want to be fiddling with tripod plates and assorted gubbins while the important stuff – getting the shot – is disappearing in front of you. That’s why it’s crucial to not only know how to get the best out of your camera and master its important settings such as white-balance, codec and ISO, but also to have the camera handling right for your specific need. That could mean having a quick-release plate for your tripod that always works, a comfortable grip handle for going handheld for extended periods of time, a shoulder rig for perfect balance, a higher-quality EVF so you can really see what’s going on, a foolproof wireless mic set-up, a monitor recorder with advanced monitoring tools or even a higher-powered battery with a D-tap connector to power accessories. All cameras – even premium cinema cams like the Canon C200, Panasonic EVA1 or Sony FS7 Mark II – need the right bolt-on bits to customise them into working, professional tools. And in this month’s issue, we take a look at some of the best and most useful kit you can buy to pimp your camera, so you can use it to its full potential. We also have tests of some of the summer’s hottest new cameras, like the Panasonic S1R, Olympus OM-D E-M1X and JVC HC500 as well as lots of other accessories in our huge section all about filmmaking gear. All to help you make wise buying decisions, which can make a very real difference to the films you make – either creatively or by speeding things up – and therefore give your business a boost. After all, time is money: so spend both wisely.
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Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ
Pro Moviemaker is published quarterly by Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ. No part of this magazine can be used without prior written permission of Bright Publishing Ltd. ISSN number: 2045-3892. Pro Moviemaker is a registered trademark of Bright Publishing Ltd. The advertisements published in Pro Moviemaker that have been written, designed or produced by employees of Bright Publishing Ltd remain the copyright of Bright Publishing Ltd and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Prices quoted are street prices. In sterling they include VAT but US dollar prices are without local sales taxes. Prices are where available or converted using the exchange rate on the day the magazine went to press.
ADAM DUCKWORTH, EDITOR IN CHIEF
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SUMMER 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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