Filming in the Desert Heat
We are a third of the way through spring, which means that summer is around the corner, including summer heat. Filming in the heat of the summer comes with it's challenges. It's important to note that most pieces of gear have minimum and maximum operating temperatures. Cameras generally top out around 104 degrees; here in Vegas, it's common to surpass that. Best practice is to keep cameras, audio mixers, computers, etc, as shaded as possible.
Filming in shorter spurts when possible can help to regulate gear temperature, and can ultimately lead to more productive shoots. Furthermore, investing in additional 4'x4' solid cutters can help create added shade for crew and gear. It's also good practice to have your crew bring gloves and multi-tools, as metal gear can become burning hot sitting in the sun.
Hopefully, we'll be back up and running sooner than later, and we can enjoy the scorching heat. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay filming.
Intermission...
In accordance with Governor Steve Sisolak and the fine folks in Carson City, we have stood down as "a non essential business". To be honest, though, we can think of nothing more essential than production! We will stand down for 30 days and do our part to help our community, city, and state. James Moore, General Manager of F11 Rentals, will be available from home to help in any way possible. And we sincerely hope to be back to helping make cinema-magic soon!
On a personal note, we send out our best to all of our friends, clients, and the like. We know that most filmmakers are freelancers, and are feeling the horrible, and terrifying reality of little to no paychecks. We also know that our friends, clients, and/or their families may be affected by illness, anxiety, frustration, etc., and we truly hope the best for all. Believe that you are all in our thoughts, and we will be relentless in our determination to get everyone back on track when society picks back up. We will continue our 19% discount until the effects of this pandemic dissipate.
So, be well, be safe, and be calm. Please do your part so that we can get past this, and get back to awesome. We're here as best as we can be, and send our best. Peace be with you.
Stay Calm and Keep Filming!
We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy in the coming weeks. We also know that times are tough, especially for businesses. While we can't generate business for you, we can definitely help make it a little more viable. We're offering a guaranteed 19% off all rentals moving forward. (Laughter is medicine.) If you have a production that's on the fence because of budget, let us know and we'll be happy to try and help! Visit F11 Rentals for all your Las Vegas video production needs!
Matching cameras on Multi-camera shoots.
How important is it to match cameras (make and model) on multi-camera shoots? Like everything in production, that depends on your end goal. Generally speaking, you always want to match not only brand (make), but also the model of camera. There are differences for instance, between the image produced by a Sony FS7 MkII and a Sony a7S II, but it's not a huge difference. You could dive into the specs of the processors, image sensors, color space, etc., but when push comes to shove, they're very similar. Let us hypothesize a few scenarios:
Two-subject, three-camera interview. Budget is always the driving factor in production. Using a DSLR as your lock-off wide shot for a two or three person interview is great. You can easily match shooting specs, and shoot without a color profile. Additionally, run audio to your nicer cameras capturing the singles, and you're great.
Event coverage with interviews. If you have the budget to have a Sony FS7, Canon C300 MkII, or similar, you want to take advantage. However, getting smooth gimbal or slider shots is much easier with a DSLR and Ronin-S or Cinevate Duzi (think small and light). The b-roll that you're using to compliment your interviews will look great as long as you're matching camera makes (Canon with Canon, etc.)
Different cameras, same assignments. If you have two crews capturing similar content, but using different brands of cameras. The common viewer may not notice, but an experienced client probably will.
All in all, while the world won't end if you mix camera brands or models... life will be easier if you don't.
Best Gear for Filming the Convention Floor: 2019
Conventions and trade shows are big business these days, and that's especially true here in Las Vegas. With well over 10 million square feet of convention and meeting space, Vegas constantly ranks among the top host cities in the world. Gear requirements of course depend on the project, but some of the best gear on convention floor are as follows... The Sony FS7 Mark II is great for ENG-style shooting, has a 17-110mm servo lens, and can shoot up to 4K. Couple the FS7 with the Sony a7S II and the DJI Ronin-S; b-roll shot over-cranked will really up your production value. Either the Astra 6X or Gemini 1x1 LED kits provide more than enough light, run on batteries, and have a small footprint. If you have an audio technician with you, the Sound Devices 633 is perfect. If you're a one-man-band, an on-board shotgun mic and lavalier is usually more than enough. Finally, the Cinevate Duzi is a great, compact slider to really take your video over the top. F11 Rentals is happy to provide all your Las Vegas video production rental gear for your next convention gig!
Most Popular Cameras from Summer 2019
The Sony FS7 Mark II enjoyed quite a bit of work during the flurry of spring conventions. The FS7 after all, is very popular for run-and-gun, ENG style shoots that usually accompany trade shows. As late spring turned into summer, and the trade shows took their normal breaks, so too did the FS7s. This summer saw the resurgence of popularity amongst the always impressive Canon C300 Mark II. Both commercials and high-end corporate projects dominated the summer months, and the C300 Mark II is perfect for such scenarios. The excellent range of picture profiles, 4K capability, and advanced image processing make this a go-to camera; especially with our cinema lenses. The FS7 did enjoy a hand full of "reality TV" days, as it's again, great for run-and-gun style shooting. Finally, the end of summer saw our Arri Alexa Mini go out for both a short film in Utah, and a few of Las Vegas' exciting music festivals. The truly cinematic capabilities of the Alexa Mini made it a no-brainer for the short film, as well as the very high-end demands of IHeartMusic and Life Is Beautiful. We are definitely looking forward to seeing what autumn brings!
Easyrig Vario 5 - Las Vegas
The Easyrig Vario 5 is an incredible tool for filmmakers of all types. Whether you're working on a feature film or covering NAB on the show floor, this tool will elevate your production. While the whole system only weighs fourteen pounds, it's strong enough to carry camera loads from eleven to thirty-eight pounds, giving you the range and flexibility you need. By providing increased lower back support and vertical tension, our setup is optimized to work well with motorized gimbals, such as the DJI Ronin 2. The Vario 5 will provide expanded camera mobility, as well as increase productivity by taking stress off operators and minimizing down time. For your next Las Vegas video production, considering adding this amazing accessory to your photography department.
2019 Latin Billboard Music Awards
We had the pleasure of providing gear and crew for some wonderful folks from Miami this past week during the Latin Billboard Music Awards. Our gear and crew were everywhere from backstage to the Red Carpet, hotel suites to afterparties and nightclubs. We pride ourselves on being able to provide a wide array of crew and production equipment to handle a myriad of situations. From "run-and-gun" backstage and Red Carpet interviews, to multiple camera, sit-down interviews in hotel suites, and everything in-between, we've got what you need. Canon C300 Mark II and Sony FS7 Mark II, SoundDevices 633 field mixers, Schoeps CMIT 5U shotgun microphones, Litepanels Astra 6X kits, Skypanel S60, Astera Titan Tubes, and a whole lot of great crew to use it. Let us know how we can help on your next Las Vegas video production!