Hello from The Auteur Edit, a roundup of what’s keeping me sane, inspired and awestruck in the madness that is the media arts business. Today's list, plus video commentary with my take on the Coppola kerfuffle at the Cannes Film Festival, is the first of my newly formatted newsletter. It’s a little random — no real theme — but I write it as it comes.
The list below is available for free subscribers. The separate bonus video commentary — is available to paid subscribers.
Adapt to this. Indie and studio filmmakers who are Canon and Blackmagic fans know the frustration of not having the ability to mount your favorite Canon EF lens directly to the BM MFT cameras. Made worse if you end up with an adapter that can’t stand up to constant use. The Metabones T-Speed adapter is your next best friend. It is an absolute game changer. You can read all the specs online, but essentially — that booster and aluminum alloy frame makes all the difference. And when you are ready to upgrade or add to your BM collection, the new BMPCC 6K Pro is already built — finally — with an EF sensor.
Some sugar for spy series buffs. There’s nothing salty about the new standout series Sugar, now streaming on Apple TV+. For starters, two of my favorite auteurs — are involved in the project. That would be director Adam Arkin and producer Colin Ferrell, who also happens to be the lead. In case you’re scratching your head over the series title, Sugar is his character’s surname. Billed as a “troubled detective” drama, this is not your average detective drama. Especially given there’s such a huge plot twist a few episodes in — it disrupts my entire thought process — but not viewing experience. Then there’s the camera work that had me even more distracted — in a good way. So, so good. The time spent on this storyline and precise attention to production value makes this is an absolute hit. It’s not often that I can binge an entire series in practically one sitting so, that tells you all you need to know about how sweet this series is. (Yes, I know my constant word play is cheesy but I can’t help myself).
For haters of t-shirts. I am one of them. They may be cheap but they’re also boxy, shapeless, unflattering — shall I go on? I am not — and never really have been — a fan of the tee. One reason is because I have yet to find one that’s reasonable, sustainably-sourced and not only flatters my silhouette but has staying power after multiple washes. That is until now. This one has these dainty (I’ll call them poof or puffy) shoulders, so it doesn’t look frumpy and can easily dress up a pair of slacks or jeans — even a skirt. And because it’s made of 100% cotton — it keeps me comfy during long film shoots. Bonus: it comes in multiple colors.
Breakfast jar of champions. As someone who takes breakfast to go on most days, this is the container I didn’t know I needed until I did. It’s advertised as a portable overnight oats solution. But I’m not much of an overnight oats person. Chia seed pudding yes. Greek yogurt with fruit, nuts and granola — most days. And this is perfect for that or any other layering combination one might fancy. It’s a pretty decent step up from my usual Mason jar — which worked for me until I stumbled upon the roomier, glass without the metal lid container that has a built-in spoon to boot. I didn’t know what I was missing.
We could all use a reboot. I just started reading it but I’m excited about this e-Book. For one, I’m proud of its author — a colleague and friend in my former political work days. Will Hurd is a former three-term Congressman, CIA agent and cyber security specialist. His story is quite the winding road with lessons that we can all relate to, weaved into American Reboot: An Idealists Guide To Getting Big Things Done. Hurd warns about the cost of ignoring current challenges facing our country. “We need an American Reboot that gets our country back on an operating system that can adapt to a chaotic and uncertain future but is based on shared values that have solved challenges of the past,” he writes. He’s also optimistic but realistic offering up solutions that he calls pragmatic idealism — “achieving what is actually achievable while improving life for the greatest number of people possible.” This isn’t a book about politics per se — but humanity — and inspiring a new crop of leaders who can actually get sh*t done. My kind of read.
The tote of totes. This is the tote I lug everywhere with everything from scripts to memory card cases, laptop, tablet, cardigan, and even a few props from time to time. It’s the best. Good size, spacious inside, just enough pockets, zips shut, removable crossbody strap and beautiful soft leather that holds up to stains and a lot more. New colors just dropped and I want them all!
That’s another Auteur Edit. I hope you found something useful. Paid subscribers can access my bonus commentary video above — where I opine on a timely industry topic — in this case Coppola’s comments at Cannes. Thanks again for your support.
