KitPlus | Articles

Documentary filmmaking - Protecting the past

If you wanted my opinion on what I thought was the most rewarding media making pursuit, I'd have to single out documentary filmmaking. All media making can be very demanding, and each genre has its own particular issues that make it what it is, but almost nothing is certain about documentary which is why I find it so exciting. The idea could be ins...

Submitted by Charlie Watts

Published 26 September 2016

Top 10 Tips for Saving Time in Post

Whether you're working on a shoestring or with feature film budgets, every production is under pressure to save money. And while cutting back on crew and downgrading your gearlist are effective ways of reducing costs, they invariably also reduce production value. But you can make big savings simply by being organised. Time really is money in the ed...

Submitted by Max McGonigal

Published 14 June 2016

Canon C300 MkII Reviewed

The Tech It 's been just over eight months since the release of the updated C300 camera the C300 MkII and almost five years since Vincent Laforet shot Mobius with a pre-production C300. In a landscape dominated by self-shooters and the continued rise of internet video, the C300 perhaps surprisingly like it 's forefather the 5DMkII came to become a...

Submitted by Ben Sherriff

Published 14 June 2016

NAB Review

by Duncan Payne Issue 113 - May 2016 As I emerge from the customary post-NAB haze and try to formulate a coherent analysis of the 2016 show, perhaps the most striking realisation is that despite pacing the halls for four long days, I barely scratched the surface. The scale of the event, much like Las Vegas itself, is simply extraordinary, with over...

Submitted by Duncan Payne

Published 13 May 2016

EXIT PLAN - Creating an indi SCI-FI for less than 3000 do...

with Richard Oakes Issue 108 - Decmeber 2015 The director behind new indie short "Exit Plan\" reveals just what it took to write, crowd fund, shoot and grade his very own proof of concept for a science fiction feature with DaVinci Resolve, a Pocket Cinema Camera, and only four crew members on set For founder of Dark Fable Media, Richard Oakes, film...

Submitted by exitplan

Published 15 December 2015

The key to stability

by Mark Scotton Issue 106 - October 2015 Moving shots dont just enhance video production, they bring it to life and allow the viewer to experience what they are watching. This isnt something new, but the options we now have available to bring productions to life are more varied and readily available than ever before. No longer do you need a Hollywo...

Submitted by Mark Scotton

Published 01 November 2015

Sony PXW-FS5 Review

by Alister Chapman Issue 106 - October 2015 I was lucky enough to get some hands on time with a prototype FS5 in Amsterdam at IBC. In case you havent heard about it, the PXW-FS5 is a compact interchangeable lens, super 35mm camcorder from Sony that can record in HD or UHD 4K. It shares many of the features of the already incredibly popular PXW-FS7...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 November 2015

Talking Steadicam and Exovest

by David Crute Issue 105 - September 2015 Q: When did you first get into using Steadicam?There were only about 10 UK Steadicam operators when I started, and very few that owned a rig. It was a massive investment for me as a young cameraman. The reason I did it was very simply that I found myself in this unusual position of doing both film and video...

Submitted by David Crute

Published 01 October 2015

Lighting fundamentals

by Larry Jordan Issue 104 - August 2015 Lighting is like chess. Simple on the surface yet wondrously complex the more you learn about it. Recently, I was asked to do a presentation on the basics of lighting. So, I decided to share that presentation with you here. It starts with 3-point Lighting, though, um, we actually use four lights (see above):-...

Submitted by Larry Jordan#

Published 01 September 2015

Shoot safe, shoot dynamic

by Nick Allen-Miles Issue 104 - August 2015 Todays craze for shooting from a UAV or drone is not for the faint hearted. Unless used legally and in very limited situations, its a dangerous way of capturing dynamic shots. Wherever people are involved or height restrictions apply, there are more useful ways of filming safely that deliver a more intere...

Submitted by Nick Allen Miles

Published 01 September 2015

5 must haves for sound recordists

by Paul Zanders Issue 101 - May 2015 Every location has a different set of challenges and you have to deal with whatever sound your environment throws at you as best you can whilst looking after your gear and yourself. Here are 5 non-technical things that make my life on location easier. 1. Sound BlanketA lot of studios are big empty spaces that bo...

Submitted by Paul Zanders

Published 01 June 2015

Increased Support

by Mark Scotton Issue 98 - February 2015 Shoulder rigs are more commonly used these days than ever before and have become a great solution during the DSLR boom. Providing you with the option to adjust your kit, depending upon the set-up required, the rail system rigs are both practical and adjustable with the option to add matte boxes, viewing moni...

Submitted by Mark Scotton

Published 01 March 2015

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by Alister Chapman Issue 96 - December 2014 First and foremost you need weather protection. Both for you and your equipment. If you are cold and uncomfortable you are not going to be happy and your work may suffer. So item number 1 on my list is a good quality thermal base layer. This should be made of a high quality wicking fabric that draws moist...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 January 2015

The Autoue Motion Pro camera stabiliser

By Matt LyneThe Autocue Motion Pro camera stabiliser is a brilliant piece of kit for getting high movement shots whilst also maintaining the ability to pan/tilt with ease. It is light compared to similar functioning stabilisers however prolonged use will quickly tire out your arm due to the manner in which you hold it with one hand at almost arms l...

Submitted by Matt Lyne

Published 01 January 2015

REVIEW: Portaprompt 365 Personal

by Sam Dierckx Issue 95 - November 2014 InSync are an online video strategy and video production company. Our roots are in the production of Television programmes, but we left that boat early because of the opportunities that presented themselves online and of course because TV budgets here in Belgium have become smaller and smaller due to online c...

Submitted by Sam Dierckx

Published 01 December 2014