The virus has just about shuttered our industry but now is NOT the time to give up and binge watch all six seasons of GLEE. We need to stay positive and creatively active. We will outline some helpful activities that creatives and AC’s can do to stay busy while under quarantine.
If we go for an extended period of time without using our creative juices we can start to become anxious, depressed, and downright mean. I know a lot of you reading this are probably in the same boat. It is important for our families and for our mental health to stay creatively active in these pressing times. Things will get better and when they do, we need to be prepared to get right back to work AND be on point when the time comes. Here’s what I am doing to stay active…
CLEAN GEAR
To contain the spread of the virus the Government is asking folks to stay inside and practice social distancing. Well if you’re stuck inside with dirty gear, now is the time to disinfect especially after all those hospital and gas station shoots! Here are the key items you want to clean and how:
VIEWFINDERS AND TOUCH-SCREENS
We’ve heard horror stories of operators getting pink eye from using an eyepiece so make sure the eyecups are cleaned with alcohol and wipe the glass gently with a kimwipe. Generally, you shouldn’t use alcohol on any screens instead use mild soapy water and a chamois.
CAMERA HANDLES
Handles on the cameras and cases are prime areas for germs. In general if a material is anodized alcohol is safe to use. Avoid using alcohol on the camera body itself because they are typically painted and alcohol can remove the paint and finish. Use a q-tip and alcohol to clean out the nooks and crannies where germs can sit.
TRIPODS
The tripod may be the most germ-ridden piece of kit known to man. It is often never cleaned and may never live its life in a case like a camera or lens. It ends up in the back of cars, on the ground, on carts, and is the most touched item on set. hot spots are the head, handle, and tripod feet. Lightly wipe with a shop towel and alcohol.
UPDATE YOUR REEL
It may seem daunting but it is equally important to stay up-to-date with post tools as it is production tools. These days I think it is paramount that cinematographers know the basics of editing and color correction.
LEARN DAVINCI RESOLVE
Davinci Resolve has become the standard software for color correction. It can run on any computer and the best part of Resolve is that the LITE version is free. Learn how to create your own LUT’s and import them into a camera. By grading some of your own footage and analyzing how you could have lit it better, you will think about the next shoot in a totally different way! I really like Juan Malera’s Youtube tutorials.
UPDATE YOUR REEL
This is a truly horrible task especially if you’re like me and hate everything you shoot. Having a reel WILL get you work. It is an easy way for a Producer or Director to quickly see the quality of your work. A couple important tips I have are to keep it under 2 minutes long, have multiple versions, and be sure to include LIGHTING, not just natural light. I am often asked to submit a reel relevant to the shoot I am being hired for ie animals, comedy, lifestyle, etc. so be prepared to have a couple different cuts in the bank. Knowing how to edit on your own means you don’t have to wait and rely on a 3rd party to deliver the final cut.
ORGANIZE YOUR PHOTOS
Creative people are always taking pictures. After purchasing and spreading all of my work across 10 external hard-drives i’ve said enough is enough and starting uploading everything to Google Photos. 2TB of cloud storage costs about $10/month.
READ A BOOK
Now is a great time to get caught up on some reading. There are many great books available relating to our field wether you are a camera assistant or director of photography. Here are a few of my favorites:
‘THE CAMERA ASSISTANT’
BY DOUGLAS HART
Aside from having a solid mentor, this book is the next best thing. It is a treasure trove of technical knowledge and etiquette for working with camera equipment on set. It is very film-camera heavy but many of the practices and theories are still VERY relevant for use on set today. Buy it here.
‘COLOR CORRECTION HANDBOOK’
BY ALEXIS VAN HURKMAN
This is a fantastic book for learning the basics of color correction no matter what program you are using. It not only can inform a DOP of what is possible in post, many of the techniques can be applied in-camera while shooting. Buy it here.
‘NEW CINEMATOGRAPHERS’
BY ALEXANDER BALLINGER
While this book is from 2004 it is a peek into the top 6 DOP’s and Directors working today. Lance Acord, Darius Khondji, and Seamus McGarvey are a few of the subjects that give in-depth reports of working with Directors and how they approached and lit films. Buy it here.
GET CREATIVE
If you can’t get your juices out on set, then we are going to have to get creative.
SHOOT A SHORT AT HOME
If you are lucky enough to have some gear at home shooting a short can get those creative cells firing. Get your family or significant other involved. If you have some basic lighting equipment you can experiment with different methods of lighting and ways to manipulate light. CRLS and reflected light is on my list of theories to experiment with.
TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS
Everyone has a camera whether it is a DSLR or iPhone. Taking pictures is a great way to experiment with composition, natural light, and color correction. I was able to pull myself out of a mild depression a couple winters ago by forcing myself to get out everyday and shoot photographs by exploring the small town where I live.
START A BLOG
When I am not shooting I love talking to people about cameras and writing about cameras. Although my grammar is not the best, working on this blog and website stimulate some of those creative juices for me. Squarespace, WordPress, and even Instagram, are great places to get some thoughts out on a topic you enjoy.
STAY TECHNICAL
Since hands-on time with cameras may be limited over the next few weeks, stay sharp by surfing menus with virtual simulators.
SONY VENICE SIMULATOR
Sony releases firmware updates often so the simulator is a good way to practice surfing the menus without having the camera in front of you. Format media in the timecode menu?! Yea welcome to Sony’s world! Check out the simulator here.
ALEXA MINI LF SIMULATOR
Although very intuitive the menu structure is a little different than the Alexa Mini and Amira we’ve become used to. When things get back to normal this camera will be on every set so make sure you’re caught up here.
CANON SIMULATOR
The latest c500 Mark II does not have a simulator up yet but the c300 Mark II has a simulator which is still a very popular camera. check it out here.
STAY HEALTHY
It’s important to stay physically and mentally strong in these trying times.
EXCERCISE
Exercise triggers the release of hormones that facilitate the growth of brain cells and most importantly it will improve your mood during these stressful times. If you’re not much of a runner just start walking 30 minutes a day. Even this simple task will make you feel amazing after one week.
EAT AND DRINK RIGHT
It will be tempting to start drinking lots of alcohol in these uncertain times. When you drink, “feel-good” neurotransmitters like dopamine are released triggering feelings of pleasure. But, drinking alters other brain chemicals that enhance feelings of depression. It is a downward spiral creative people need to avoid. Drink water, take vitamins, and eat lots of greens!
MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH
Although we are stuck inside away from our friends and colleagues, social media is a great way to stay in touch. Host a virtual hang out or a group video chat! Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and make a call to see how others are doing.
TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS
It is going to be a while before shoots start up again let alone start paying. It’s time to get your business in order.
UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE
On par with editing a reel, creating a website is a daunting task. It is also a absolute must for a DOP to have. Although not the best for video, I find squarespace very easy to use and professional looking. Host your videos on Vimeo and embed them on your squarespace site. Once you have it all set up, it is quick to add a project as they come.
DO YOUR TAXES
As April approaches now is a great time to get your finances in order and get your taxes done. Send invoices, pay bills, and pray to god you get paid for any outstanding invoices.
UPDATE YOUR RESUME