Short Films, Rethinking the TV Spot

Short Films – Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC

DPC recently registered for the Lynchburg 48 Hour Film Project which will be held Aug 8-10. The idea is to create a short film in 48 hours with no pre-planning. Each team is given a  a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre for their film to include. Since Lynchburg is a first time host city, each team will have to incorporate a Lynchburg landmark into the film. The 48 Hour Film Project is held in cities all over the world and winners’ films are screened at Cannes and Filmapalooza. I’m looking for a gaffer and location sound person for my team. If you’re interested let me know!

We’ve all seen the extended ads run during the Super Bowl. There are always one or two that are more like short films than advertisements. Some say it started in 1984 with the single airing of the Macintosh spot directed by Ridley Scott. With the rise of internet only content with no time restraints to adhere to, many top name directors such as David Lynch, Joel and Ethan Coen, and Wes Anderson have written and directed short films produced by companies such as Prada, H&R Block, the GAP, BMW, Harley-Davidson to name a few. These shorts do not skimp on production value in the slightest. Take a look at a favorite of mine written and directed by Wes Anderson for Prada.

The next time you think about branding for your company, product, or service call me or e-mail me and let’s talk about developing a powerful story that your audience will love.

It’s taken a while but the short film “This Is For Josephine Brown” is back in production. The DPC crew with Director Michael, Boyd and Director of Photography, Me, resumed filming July 7 at the Salem Fair in Salem Virginia. You can read more about it here.

Local Production News

Aerial cinematography and video has been around for a long time. Just as the GoPro action camera has changed the way we view just about anything, radio controlled UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are making Aerial photography easily accessible to more productions. Although it is more accessible, this area of film and video production is under critical scrutiny by all sorts of regulating agencies. Permits, fees, restrictions and headaches abound when trying to set up a legit aerial shoot and it’s not going to get easier. Two Roanoke area UAV operators know the ins and outs.

Mike Poff and Nam Nguyen operate a single rotor UAV as a team for Aerialguys.com. “Nam Nguyen has done plenty of video shoots for news and other contracted shoots” says Mike Poff.  “I’ve always been a tinker type and always loved remote control.  We decided to put the two together.  It seems a lot of the people out there buying aerial equipment are doing it for the money first.  We are doing it for fun first because of our love for capturing angles and looks that are unique as well as getting to fly a huge helicopter. I decided back in 2012 that I wanted to go with a single rotor helicopter because you get more lifting capacity for a much lower cost.  Single rotor helicopters can also provide a fast ground speed where multirotors have limitations.  What we do requires me to fly the helicopter and Nam uses a separate transmitter to control the camera.  Nam is able to monitor what the camera sees with a video feed.  We are currently setup to carry anything from a Canon 5D or lighter camera.”

Nick Corrigan is the head Studio Engineer and Curriculum Manager at the Music Lab in The Jefferson Center in Roanoke Virginia. “For my aerial photography and video, I use a DJI Phantom Vision 2+. I have been compiling shots from all over the country during my travels for work with Live&Breathing.” Nick continues “I am trying to get more opportunities to use my aerial setup, and will be trying to focus on that in the coming months through the fall.” Nick can be contacted through his web site at Live&Breathing.

Movie Suggestion of the Week

In keeping with the “Shorts” theme, I’m going to recommend an Australian short film called “Spider”. Written by Nash Edgerton & David Michôd, it has a little bit of something for everyone. Well, maybe not everyone, but if you like edgy cinematography, convincing special FX, and a sappy love story with a killer twist at the end, you will find something to like.

Got any suggestions for killer movies we should see? Let me know about them.

That’s all for now.

Thanks for reading. – dp

Dave shooting with the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K at The Salem Fair for the short film "This Is For Josephine Brown".
Dave shooting with the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K at The Salem Fair for the short film “This Is For Josephine Brown”.