On the 9^th of January at 10:46AM PST a red user noticed a very interesting lens at B and H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/665583-REG/DigiOptical_DO_18_50F_DO1850F_18_50mm_T3_PL.html)  This lens was labeled DigiOptical, and in every way, this was an identical lens to the RED 18-50 zoom lens.   Only it was $3999.95 compared to $6500 for the original RED 18-50 Zoom.

Two minutes later on the 9^th of January Jim Jannard announced the RED Pro 17-50 T2.9 zoom lens.  The price is $6000.  They dropped the price of the RED 18-50 Zoom lens to $3995 until supplies run out.  Prices on the used market dropped immediately, running between $2000 and $2800 for a used RED ZOOM.

This zoom lens was used to shoot the “snappy” footage of RED’s resident crustacean.

Since the announcement we have been waiting for more information about the lens.  Originally, slated to ship by RED DAY (February 13^th) the lens is still not yet shipping as of March 7^th.

Some good tidbits about the lens:

-       No i/Data

-       Fit’s Arri Cameras (flange depth is less than the RED Pro Primes)

-       Minium focus is 4” in front of the hood, 11” in front of the plane, and marked 1 foot on the lens

-       Outside ring diameter is 144mm

-       Threads on the inside of that ring at 139mm with 1.0 pitch.

-       Overall length is 129mm.

-       3.2 Pounds.

-      Covers 5K.

[Update] The 17-50 Does cover 5K 2:1 [update]More importantly, many people really want to know if it will cover the full 5K of the Mysterium-X s35 sensor.  This question has not yet been answered. Also, not answered, is the ability to hold focus over the zoom range.   The original 18-50 zoom is used more as a “variable prime” because it does not hold focus over the zoom range.

The release date has come and gone, and still no word on when it will ship.  However things are always moving forward at RED whether or not we see it.  Just the other day, word that EPIC prototypes are booting in 15 seconds was announced.  It’s the “Epic prototypes” comment that is important there.  After the prototypes are working, the Tattoo program will start.  Estimated time on that is currently 4 to 5 weeks from today, March 7^th.

DP review has a press release from Canon indicating new features of 5d mkII firmware. http://www.dpreview.com/news/1003/10030201canoneos5dmkiifirmware.asp

London, 2nd March 2010 – Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24* and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing filmmakers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920×1080 and 640×480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps.

A new histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority (Tv) and aperture-priority (Av) have been added, and exposure modes will also be available in movie mode. Improved audio functionality will allow users to set sound record levels manually using a sound-level meter displayed on the LCD screen. The audio sampling frequency has also been increased from 44.1KHz to 48KHz, providing the optimum audio signal typically required for professional or broadcast material.

RED Digital Cinema held a RED DAY on February 13th of 2010. I was in one of three sessions that day. I attended not as a RED ONE owner, but as someone very interested in the new cameras, specifically the Scarlet S35 model, as well as a fan of the RED ONE camera. It was from this perspective that I actually still wonder what the point of RED DAY was.

The session began with an introduction by Jim Jannard and introduced the last RED reel shown through a new Sony 4K projector. This footage was amazing on the large screen. High production value shots, created by very talented people. They then showed the new MX Reel. This footage was a lot less spectacular, but the shots they showed blew away the image quality of the original reel. The new MX sensor is going to give the Canon dSLR’s a run for their money in terms of low light. Of course, the RAW and image quality are 100 times better already.

Then Michael Cioni of Light Iron Digital gave an overview of the latest build of REDCine-X. Again, this is awesome. Simply amazing the things you can do with REDCine-X, especially if you have a RED ROCKET Card. I’ve used Redcine a fair amount in the past and this version is so much more intuitive and user friendly. You can also set looks now, and put those in the camera. Something that was supposed to be in the camera long time ago now is. Bravo!

But I knew that already. I knew the Mysterium-X sensor was awesome. I knew REDCINE-X was awesome. What I want to know is, when can I get a Scarlet? When? When can I buy this?

The answer to that is sadly still unclear.

What is clear though is the time line is not known, even by RED.
The first thing that will happen is that the Tattoo program will start “in a couple weeks” and there will only be 20 Tattoo cameras made.
From there, Stage 2 through 4 will happen.

Then, only AFTER stage 2 through 4, scarlet Fixed 2/3″ will ship to RED ONE owners. I’m thinking this is in the October time frame. Then they will be released to Non-RED ONE owners, my guess is January of 2011.

Then we’ll get the Scarlet s35, which will probably be around March or April of 2011.

Those are just my guesses based upon what has happened with RED. I had my deposit in on a RED ONE in May of 2008 and when my number came up, it was the October 2008 announcement that Scarlet would change into a whole system including a super35 based model and they would be out in June of 2009. So I canceled my RED ONE order. Then come the October 2009! announcement that not only are the cameras not anywhere close to being ready, if you didn’t have a RED ONE you would not get nearly the benefits.

Then, at RED DAY Februrary 2010, they didn’t even have a prototype s35 Scarlet and that it wouldn’t be released until well after every other camera was out, it’s like a kick to the teeth over and over again. I should have just jumped on the RED ONE when I had the change.

An excellent thing happened. I bought a RED ONE for my work. However, it will not get all the goodies when I hand it back to RED for the Epic. But I couldn’t sit back and not shoot on the RED ONE for a lot of our projects. HD is just not enough anymore.

Netflix is fantastic. Netflix Watch Instantly is a great concept, however finding movies that are interesting is almost impossible on the site. For instance if you want to look at Comedy released in 2009 there is no way to do that. For starters, I suppose there really are not that many movies from 2009 on Watch Instantly.

I have decided to take the task of listing out good movies, or at least movies I thought were worth the 90 minutes to watch, and let you know about them.

I’ll start with where I started:
http://instantwatcher.com/

Instant watcher uses the Netflix API to list out movies in various and awesome ways. Go straight to the year of release. Go to the genre, and then the year. List only movies (still lists stand up) is good for weeding through the TV that you don’t want to watch.

So, with this in mind, I offer these two movies which I recommend.


Gamers: Dorkness Rising. 2008
Synopsis from IMDB

“All Lodge wants is for his gaming group to finish their adventure. Unfortunately, they’re more interested in seducing barmaids, mooning their enemies, and setting random villagers on fire. Desperate to rein in his players, Lodge injects two newbies into the distrust: a non-player character controlled by Lodge, who the power gamers immediately distrust, and the rarest gamer of all — a girl. Can the group overcome their bickering to save the kingdom, or will the evil necromancer Mort Kemnon triumph unopposed? A parody of fantasy films and the adventure gaming community, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising is a hilarious romp through the world of sword and sorcery — in this case, a world of exploding peasants, giant house cats, and undead roast turkeys. Game on! Written by Matt Vancil ”

I happen to own the DVD of this movie. I saw the short film “The Gamers” a while back and have been a fan of Dead Gentlemen Productions ever since. If you are a gamer, you probably have already seen this movie, but for the rest of the world, it’s an intersting tale about role playing gamers and the characters they play. Good production value and a super fantastic performance from Brian Lewis.

Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist

Synopsis

It’s been three weeks, two days, and 23 hours since Tris broke up with Nick. And now here she is at his gig, with a new guy. How could she have moved on so fast? This begins the night of Nick, Norah and Manhattan. The night of stripping nuns, hotel ice rooms, Russian food, psychotic ex-boyfriends and lovingly trashy ex-girlfriends. It’s the night of Julio and Salvatore. The night of holding hands and writing songs and singing in the rain. It’s a night they’ll never forget. Written by Anonymous – IMDB

It’s a good movie. I like Michael Cera. The movie is new, something not easy to find on Netflix Watch Instantly.

It’s awards time! For the second year, NewTeeVee and Tubefilter are sponsoring the Streamy Awards. This is the year of EXIT: Stage Left. There are several categories that I think would fit very well with the streamy awards. Take a moment to watch all of season 1:

To vote please visit the Public Submissions Page at http://www.streamys.org/submit/public-submissions-people/

Might I suggest a few:

Best Cinematography in a Web Series
Thomas A. Koch

Best Directing in a Comedy Web Series
Sinohui Hinojosa

Best Male Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Michael Navarra

Best Male Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Steve Budd

Best Male Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Matthew Bridges

Best Female Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Annamarie MacLeod

Best Female Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Giovannie Espiritu

Best Female Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Terri J. Freeman

Best Female Actor in a Comedy in a Web Series
Ilea Matthews

Best Original Music in a Web Series
Joel H Hinojosa

Best Editing in a Web Series
Joel H Hinojosa

Best Writing in a Web Series
Sinohui Hinojosa, David Hokenga

Best Guest Star in a Web Series
Derrick O’Connor

This blog is reposted from http://www.amypuzia.com/blog

At first after hearing that the 7D is official I was disappointed. I recently bought a 5D Mark II and I felt Canon betrayed us by releasing a cheaper, better camera. The 7D has some great features at a good price. The body only is $1699. It has a full frame viewer, 18 megapixels, shoots 8 frames per second and the video now has the option of 24 fps at 1080p. This product is an upgrade for the 50D users and covers some needed middle ground between the 50D and the 5D cameras. You still have the 1.6 crop factor like the 50D but the 2 processors get’s you the 8 frames per second. This is ideal for someone who shoots sports. The megapixels on the 7D is an upgrade from the 50D’s 15 MP to the 7D’s 18 MP. There is also a new feature on the 7D the flash is also a wireless control. You can slave up to 3 groups of 4 flashes without an external wireless control. For comprehensive specs I like to visit www.dpreview.com. The 5D Mark II is still a great camera but I’m a little jealous of the new 7D.

The 7D may also give Canon a leg up on Nikon. Both cameras are in the same price range but compared to the Nikon D300s Canon has it where is counts. Canon beats Nikon’s 12 MP. It also shoots video at 1080p instead of Nikon’s 720p.

It’s a great combination of the 5D Mark II and the 50D. Now all I can do is continue to request a 24 fps video firmware upgrade for the Mark II for Canon.

EDIT: Canon has announced that they will release a firmware in 2010 to add 24p to the camera. This is what happens when there is a popular uprising and we demand change.

Just read the great blog at 93 studios about web series acting.

Great article.
http://ninetythrees.com/screenings/10-things-web-series-actors-should-know/

Okay, so up until 10 minutes ago I hadn’t seen “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.”  As a web series producer, I suspect that is some sort of faux pas seeing as, next to “The Guild” it’s the most recognizable web series.

After seeing it, straight through on Hulu, I have to wonder; is it really a web series?  I mean, come on.  3 episodes!  3 Acts!  42 minutes!  THAT IS A SINGLE EPISODE OF A TV SHOW.  That’s not a series.  Just because a character looks into a webcam and pines about their life, does not make it a “web series.”  Sure, that technique unfortunately is part of most successful ones, it’s not the defining characteristic.  The defining characteristic, should be that it’s a series.  A series on the web.  Three, a series does not make, to paraphrase Yoda.

As someone who has produced 13 episodes of a web series, I think I could spot that little inconsistency.  As I write episodes of Beer15, I’m writing episodes.  individual story lines that develop in 7 minutes  Beginning-middle-end.  Sure, when put into 3’s they just happen to make a 22 minutes story, and YES, the end result is a feature length story with a beginning middle and end.  But THREE?  Really?

What really is it?  An Experiment?  A short?  Half a feature?  Is it really anything other than a story that Joss Whedon decided to make.  He even calls it what it is, “ONE WEEK ONLY! AN INTERNET MINISERIES EVENT!” on his own website.  I suppose, if a regular web series is 90 minutes spread over 7 to 12 episodes, then 3 would indeed be a “mini-series”.

Why then, did it win all those Streamy Awards? Shouldn’t it have competed in the mini-series category and not the full fledged series category?  Looking to the future of the web series, I sure hope recognition comes for all those people out there making full fledged web series, not just short 3-episode wannabees.

By the way.  If you haven’t seen “Dr Horrible,” you should.  It’s freaking awesome.  It’s so well done, it puts a lot of web video to shame, and honestly just solidifies how completely cool NPH really is.

Argh.  Seriously?  WTF.  As an owner of a Canon 5DmkII I have been stoked to shoot awesome 21 Megapixel stills and decent 30P video.  But as a filmmaker, I NEED 24P.  Canon just delivered that to another camera.  So I’m stuck.  This video puts it nicely in perspective:

I contacted Canon Tech Support and was told basically that there we no plans to introduce 24P to the 5DmkII. That sucks and sucks big time.

Please Canon, release a firmware for the 5DmkII with 24P.

WHAT WE NEED:
Beer 15, the new web series from Webasodic Productions in association with Emerging Artist Productions is currently seeking fiscal sponsorship for the 13 episode season. The story features the power of beer to bring people together and then humiliate them. Our perfect sponsor is a brewery or beer company looking to reach the college-aged market. To discuss the sponsorship opportunity please contact us at info@beer15.com

BEER FIFTEEN – Internet Series Synopsis

Beer Fifteen is the story of Mike Jacobus and his best friend Ty Bodeman. Mike is a Junior in college at San Jose Sate University, and rhythm guitar player for the band Beer Fifteen. The band plays comedic songs similar to Spinal Tap, Pat McCurdy, Flight of the Concords, Tenacious D, etc. Ty is his lifelong best friend, roommate, and perennial shenanigans maker. The Beer Fifteen web series is ultimately the story of how Mike meets his girlfriend, Stephanie as told through the hi-jinks of the two campus celebrities. This small scale, “entourage-esque” show is character driven in it’s comedy. The story begins as Mike and the band set up for a late summer barbeque. At the barbeque Mike and Stephanie meet, only to have their first contact result in a mysterious rash. The first few episodes feature Mike, Ty and friends hunting down the source of the rash and clearing Mike’s reputation.

Throughout the rest of the series we see Mike’s life as he dates Stephanie and the havoc their relationship has on Ty and the band.

Beer Fifteen is a college comedy series, much like Todd Phillips’ “Old School” and “Road Trip.”

BEER FIFTEEN – The Producers

Beer Fifteen is produced by Webasodic Productions in association with Emerging Artists Productions, producers of the hit web series, “EXIT: Stage Left.”

Thomas A. Koch – Producer, Writer, Director, Series Creator – Webasodic Productions.
Sinohui Hinojosa – Producer, Emerging Artist Productions
Bernard Fok – Producer, Emerging Artist Productions