Proxies on Camera and Software

In almost every production depending on the workflow and the technology used, I get asked to create proxy files for viewings,

To quickly explain what proxy files are they are basically a low-resolution version of the media that the camera creates and they usually have a codec to keep the file size small

Unless you are using one of the bigger cameras starting from the Sony PMW 500 and upwards which creates proxies while its recording and stores it all on the same card ,it also has an amazing function where you can stick a USB stick in to record the proxies on to an external USB where you can pass it on to DPs etc.

I just wanted to share a piece of software with you called Proxy Mill which does the Job brilliantly and its now compatible with Ipad (the favorite viewing station for Execs) it also exports multiple formats at the same time and best of all it has a Watch Folder feature which means every time a new clip is put in the watch folder , Proxy Mill generates proxies for it.

Nexto Devices (Nexto NVS 2525 UDF Special)

 Overall I am impressed with what the device does and its idiot proof built , the device has only two buttons and two slots plus the device recognizes any card that has been inserted and prompts the user to ingest it and verify it

The only thing that really annoys me about the Nexto Device and I hope it changes in future firmware upgrade is not being able to rename the folder that the device creates which is a shame because if you are using more than 1 Nexto on the same production the folder names have to be changed to firstly avoid having the exact same number with different media on separate drives and secondly to marry up the reel numbers with the logs, dope sheet etc.

Mexican Assistant

The shoot has started a few days ago 4 crews filming + fixed camera rigs rolling around the clock none stop. The teams were clocking around 1.5TB of Media Per Day, Luckily I had a Mexican assistants to assist with the media management while I created my daily QC checks (exposure, color temp etc.) to make sure the footage is the best it could be.

I have never worked with Mexicans before and truth be told they are nice and Friendly. I still remember every morning when they used to walk in with Tacos for breakfast.

GS3:Chaos in Cancun

Prepping The New Series of Geordie Shore in Cancun Mexico. Researching new effective methods to send Data back to base as the editing will be running during the filming of the series

Air Crash Confidential 2 for Discovery

I am currently working on an exciting Documentary for Discovery Titled "Air Crash Confidential 2". Most of the shot has been filmed on an Arri Alexa and the sound is being recorded on Nagra's, I have discovered a few new tricks to Sync rushes on set that I will be sharing soon enough after I proof test it.

The D.I.T side of things is going well so far but I am a bit put off Flying anywhere soon due to the nature of the programme.

Geordie Shore Series 2

GS 2 Airs tonight on MTV UK. The Team and I have worked really hard on it.

I Will share the technical /wrangling pipeline behind the show as soon as it Finishes airing as I am not allowed to do so till then.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/shows/geordie-shore

Onset Technical Coordinator

I have just got back from a shoot. I coordinated 5 teams; each team consisted of two Cameramen, Director, and Assistants. The show is a Live TV series and the main challenge was sending the media to the postproduction house without disrupting the shoot, as it was a 24/7 filming. The cameras were Ex3s and the audio was separate. I applied a Grade to all the viewing monitors on set to give the Director an idea of how it would appear.

The media was sent using G-Drives and it had to be meta-dated and accompanied with a text document that describes “what is what”. There were a few hiccups along the way but all in all the media was wrangled properly which really helped the postproduction house to catch up.  

(this should give you an idea of how much media was involved - this is only for the first day of filming )