The Edit: the future of film, fantasy TV & a stealth studio
plus a few more things i'm using, trying, thinking, binging or buying.
Hello from the Auteur Edit, a roundup of what’s keeping me sane, inspired and awestruck in the madness that is the media arts industry.
I’m fresh off of a work trip to LA, feeling futuristic and psyched about some of what’s to come in media technology and advances in AI.
ICYMI, I dropped this video a couple weeks ago to take you behind-the-scenes of a recent film project.
Now, let’s get to today’s list.
Going virtual. Okay, this little kit may not look like much but it’s a powerful piece of tech behind many of the scenes in shows like The Mandalorian and House of the Dragon, and movies like Solo and The Irishman. It’s also my new obsession. During a recent trip to Los Angeles, I swung by a virtual studio to check out their setup and how they’re using the VIVE Mars CamTrack system to execute these film scenes. This is a bit different than using a simple green screen (although you still can). Generally speaking, Virtual Production (VP) as its known, combines LED screens and background images with camera mounted trackers to project an image that moves with the action. The result is a much more realistic, seamless, time-saving production that also allows talent to see what's behind them in real time. Unlike having to chroma key the footage in post, that means talent can act and react to what they actually see — not a blank wall. The technology allows for endless creative potential and is the very epitome of the future of filmmaking.
VIVE's Mars CamTrack in action. VP in itself isn’t new but the technology and quality is getting better and becoming more affordable. This is a game changer for indie filmmakers and small studio creators looking to expand their capabilities, and clients with lots of imagination on a limited budget. Adding to the appeal is that it’s no longer off limits or exclusive to big name studios. In fact, many of those very studios use this particular sound stage, to do just that. You can too — or build your own. Just keep in mind, that while the trackers now start at a more wallet-friendly price point, the LED screens (and manpower to manage them) are what actually blow out the budget. The good news is, you can still use the system with your green screen or cyc until you’re ready to invest in a larger LED setup. So, that puts VP well in reach for those looking to level up their studio game.
A not-so-bright future. In keeping with the futuristic theme, this Apple TV+ original series is one I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch but just finished. Dark Matter is a mind-altering series about a man, played by Joel Edgerton, whose abducted into a parallax reality where he’s an alternative version of himself and is basically trying to get back to where he was abducted from. Or is he? Sci-fi is generally a genre that’s right up my alley, but the trailer to this one had me on the fence at first. I wasn't sure I wanted to invest the time watching it since the more you’re taken down a time-bending rabbit hole — the more these storylines can get convoluted and hard to follow. That seemed to be the case with this series too, so I held off watching when it was released. But as I kept going back, re-watching the trailer and reading some of the reviews, I jumped off the fence — and I’m happy I did. Dark Matter is dark, but much better than I gave it credit for. The story moves, the characters are convincing and the concept is surprisingly fresh. And although there are a few questionable inflection points in later episodes, overall I was engaged and very much invested in the protagonist’s journey — which definitely had quite a few unexpected twists and turns. So, I put this in the category of must see TV.
Lusting for live cinema. I’m currently re-reading Live Cinema And It’s Techniques by Francis Ford Coppola. Released in 2017, it’s still ahead of its time. That’s because the code for executing the successful production and release of an actual live film hasn’t yet been cracked — so to speak. And leave it to Coppola to be the one driven enough to try — over the course of decades. Now there are some films that have come close to the concept as Coppola points out — the movie Birdman for one. More current, I’d say is 1917. But what I like most about Coppola as a director — that is most evident in this book — is his thirst for the extreme. He thrives on taking his ideas beyond what many might say is un-doable in filmmaking. And Live Cinema is about just that. Coppola documents his process and the challenges of attempting to produce a 100-percent live (not just live action) broadcast movie. He details his mistakes and successes, along with how far off the industry might be at accomplishing this feat. The book also gives insight into how the award-winning director came to be who and why he is, in addition to offering teachable techniques to pass on to the next generation of up-and-coming filmmakers. Those he hopes will pick up the mantel and see his process through to fruition in the near future. I’d certainly love to see it in my lifetime.
Peep these. Readers are evolving and I’m here for it, given that I need them to read. And if you’re like me, you’ve likely felt optical options for the far-sighted are anything but appealing. Not anymore, since those in the eyewear business started catering to Gen Xer’s entering our reader phase yet still wanting to maintain a youthful style. Caddis, in particular, is a company known for its line of colorful full frame readers. Yes, full frames. That means goodbye granny specs. And I love that they refer to theirs as “eye appliances.” My longtime, signature gray framed lenses combine to correct both my near— and far— sightedness, so I stick with them most of the time. But when switching to my contacts, I have to add readers on top of them, since they just correct near—sightedness. And oh, how I loathe those teenie tiny, hanging-off-the-nose drug store readers no one is fond of — but have way too many of. Since stumbling on and purchasing these full-frame black Caddis D28’s — and replacing my rotation of reading specs — I can confidently say that I’ve finally found my peepers! With such a vast selection, you’re bound too as well.
Obsessed with ube: It looks a little out of this world but ube seems to be on the menu everywhere. Including at a lunch spot while I was visiting LA. Specifically, ube cheesecake in a jar. Normally, nothing served “in a jar” would appeal to me. But I am a big ube fan and open to experimenting with it in all of its forms — so I dove in. BTW, if you don’t know or haven’t tried ube, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s the ingredient found in many Asian delicacies — similar to but sweeter than a purple yam. It has a distinct, earthy flavor that enhances what it’s in — and also just so happens to be my favorite color. As for the cheesecake. It was decent, not delectable, and still not better than my personal favorite — my own blueberry ube pancakes. A Saturday morning staple every couple of months.
An ube cheesecake find and my own blueberry ube pancakes.
Let this be the future of sustainable giving. A lot of us already donate, rather than ditch gently-worn clothing we want to get rid of or give away. But what about the items deemed unworthy of donating? You know those random socks without their pair, or the old t-shirts used as cleaning rags. The “Take Back Bag” accepts it all — clothes, fabrics and textiles —and recycles rather than throwing them out. They also tout reward incentives if that’s your thing — not mine — but the motto that they’re “the easiest way to responsibly recycle,” I couldn’t agree with more. My summer closet cleaning is literally in the bag — and out of the landfill.
That’s another Auteur Edit. I hope you found something useful. Thanks again for your support. I’d love to hear what you think or might want to add to this week’s list.
Okay den Sis! Good publication…