Pro Moviemaker Sept/Oct 2020 - Newsletter

The ultimate magazine for next generation filmmakers

Editor in chief Adam Duckworth Contributor Lee Renwick Chief sub editor Beth Fletcher Sub editor Elisha Young EDITORIAL ADVERTISING Group ad manager Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright-publishing.com Senior sales executive Jemma Farrell-Shaw jemmafarrell-shaw@bright-publishing.com DESIGN Design director Andy Jennings Design manager Alan Gray Designers Lucy Woolcomb, Man-Wai Wong, Emma Di’Iuorio and Emily Lancaster PUBLISHING Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck MEDIA SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS OF:

IMAGE It’s great to finally get back outside and start filming, like Percy Dean with his Blackmagic Ursa

Got much spare cash floating around for some new camera kit at the moment? For many independent filmmakers, the answer to that is definitely no. The global Covid-19 pandemic, which some thought would be over in a couple of weeks – or a month at worst – continues to rumble on. No sign of a vaccine or cure, second waves being talked about, confusion at who and why you should isolate from and whether you should wear a mask. People furious that it’s all a big government conspiracy to take away civil liberties. Yes, it’s been a strange time. One of the biggest impacts has been on business, especially for people in the creative industries who are often self-employed freelancers. While the majority of employed workers got some decent furlough money and a cut in their expenditure thanks to no commuting costs or even credit card and mortgage payment holidays, it was very different for many involved in filmmaking. TV and film production stopped, while small and medium-sized businesses cut back on marketing. It’s been a financial disaster for many. Yet creative people are nothing but creative! Instead of crying into empty piggy banks, the tough got going. Making time to plan and execute those personal projects that have always been on the back-burner, keeping close links with clients and even helping themwith their Zoom calls and Facebook Live videos, changing business practices, looking very closely at costs, branching out into new areas of business and lots more. Like even reading the manuals for your kit to ensure you know exactly how to get the best out of it. Never waste a crisis, as one of our filmmakers says in this month’s Round Table feature. And now, as things start to improve and businesses wake up and start spending money on marketing again, it is forward-thinking people who will have the upper hand, with leaner operations, potentially multiple revenue streams and the desire to start being truly creative once more though some awesome films. When the cash starts rolling in, then it might be time to invest in some of the most exciting new cameras that have hit the market for a long time with spec that is incredible at the price. The mirrorless market is booming and widening, with cameras at all prices and specs to suit all needs. This issue, we test new cameras from Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Fujifilm and all of them are bursting with filmmaking spec. If you’ve come this far and are still surviving, then better times should be ahead. Different times, maybe. But one where filmmakers will be out doing the things they love and armed with kit that performs better than anyone could have imagined.

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

3

PROMOVIEMAKER.NET

Powered by