Guess where I've been?

I'm back after two weeks... in Modesto! NO... You guessed it... China.
And now I'm settling in as the Last Emperor of Fee Drive! Seriously... It was an amazing trip as you might guess... And the stories I can now tell. Got to climb The Great Wall... Look over the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi-An. Walk through Tianenmen Square where my picture will hang up there next to Mao's (not). And explore The Forbidden City. But shoot me if I order Chinese food anytime in the next few weeks!

David Benoit at The Studio Center

Five time Grammy nominee, world renown jazz pianist David Benoit was at The Studio Center this week recording a music presentation for PianoDisc. You can't listen to KSSJ Smooth Jazz for more than a hour without hearing one of David's more than 400 recorded titles since he has over 30 albums out there. Also David is the creator of the soundtracks for all the recent "Peanuts" TV specials... and even recorded the bumper for the Weather Channel's "Local On The 8's". I told him that was my personal favorite (He got a big laugh). Here's a picture of David in the studio and with Fred Casanova, our Senior Editor.

Here's a shot from a new exercise video recently produced at The Studio Center by Pascale VanderBrouck. This series of aerobic workouts will eventually be distributed on DVD and available as Web downloads. It was a full day of gettin' sweaty!

Another Great set built by Edward Duffy and Peter VanDyke with gorgeous lighting by Dave Bunge. The pictures from the Sony EX1 High Def camera were just superb. We were recording directly from the camera via the SDI connection to a laptop computer and onto an external hard-drive which then is taken into the edit suite. No transfer waiting time. The output is stunning. Just saw a couple of the spots on broadcast TV and I would be hardpressed to say they weren't shot on film. The EX1 has so many settings and variables you can emulate a film-look right in the camera. It's been one of our best acquisitions.

Political Spots Are Heavy This Year

This has been a very active "Political Season" for The Studio Center this year. We've been fortunate to get some heavy traffic from the political gurus making their TV spots here. Last election was almost non-existent for us. Of course it was an "off year" election where not much money is spent...meaning most of the spots were created in the editing suite (graphics and voice-overs) as opposed to live people on-camera. This year they're pull out the stops again...even to the extent of building expensive sets. Rarely does anyone build sets anymore...Like I said, too expensive. This year they're throwing money at it... Bless them!
The lower pix is a great kitchen set built by Edward Duffy of ArtFab and lit by Dave Bunge of Grip Services... two of Sacramento's top professionals in their craft. The upper photo shows DP Chris Robson shooting the spots with The Studio Center's new High Definition Sony EX1 camera. Naturally, the spots looked great! Coyote Films and director Bill Bayne will be in again next week for another round of these political spots... Did I say "bless them!"

The Studio Center Gets a New Paint Job

Well, it's been nearly twelve years at The Studio Center, and the peeling paint was proving that. Actually, I kinda liked that "old studio" look with all that the peeling paint was providing. You know, like the old 1930s Warner Bros water tower. But alas, a number of my tenants reminded me...hey, it's peeling paint! So this week we're hand chipping off the damaged areas and priming them...Ready for the new paint, AND a new color scheme with a great new sign. But I'll show you pictures of that later. Today, here's how it looks... Just so you can appreciate the work. AND so you can find the place when you're coming by!

What Distributors Want

Ok, Ok...I know I've left you hanging with that last entry. I do have excuses though. This business likes to shut off like a faucet and then after a while it will turn on again. Sometimes for no good reason. The most important thing is simply your ability to last. The business always comes back...but you have to "be there" to get any benefit from that upswing. Most videographers go under in times like these... no staying power.
Back to Home Media Expo and my visit with distributors...................
Almost every one of these people said they wanted more "family" productions. You know, the box cover with the young girl or boy with maybe mom or dad behind them smiling...and of course, the horse, or cute dog ( I want more gerbils! ). I asked, " You mean Disney"... they said you mean "disneyesk... We can use the word Disney". Ok, picky picky. But you get the idea. Something that they can rent or sell to the Family. They just don't have enough G rated product. We're over saturated with horror right now. Comedy is hard. So "heartwarming" is in. That was very understandable. Those big screens are being sold to... Families, and they want something to watch that won't gross half of them out. Sorry if you're planning a horror movie (actually not, you still have a great foreign market).
But here's the bit that blew me away... I would ask a dist.rep. "If you were able to order up a movie genre that you knew you could sell this week...what would it be?" Besides the Family genre, 5 of the 30 said... WESTERNS ! What??? Westerns aren't even on my radar! Westerns have been passe for over 20 years. They said "That's exactly why we want some". I told them you just made a bunch of Reinactor Groups in Sacramento very happy. So what if you would combine genres... the family western? That would be Little House on the Prarie or even Bonanza. It might even be 3:10 To Yuma... a bit about honor and values, not just gun slinging. My head was spinning on that one.

Back From HomeMedia Expo

Just returned from a few days in Las Vegas at the Home Media Expo where I had a chance to meet and greet a number of film distributors. The Home Media Expo (sponsored by Home Media Magazine, one of the two top trade mags to the DVD marketing business) produces the convention with the primary purpose of bringing together distributors and video store owners. Along the way they also want to talk to "content providers"...that's us filmmakers. We're not the primary attraction here, but we're a little more than tolerated. The big guys ( Paramount, Fox, Universal, Sony, Warner, etc.) are pushing their product, but they're also buyers (acquisition) of our product... Along with a host of smaller players, who probably are more important to you and me as small independent filmmakers.
I had a chance to meet with about 30 of them over the 3 days of the Expo...distributors like Image Entertainment, Allumination Films, Vanguard, Echo Bridge, Vivendi, Monterey Media, Porchlight Films, Peach Arch Films, etc. They both produce their own movies and they buy movies from other producers.
HomeMedia Expo did have one session I wasn't going to miss: It was a two hour pitch session between Indy Filmmakers and some distributors (unfortunately, many didn't show)...but it was a great learning time to observe the session with those who were in attendance. You got to see exactly what it's like to pitch a distributor and question why they do what they do. Most of these people (distributor acquisition people) are young, in they're late 20s or early 30s. They're in a high pressure job...They have to find product for their company to sell or the company doesn't make any money... BUT they can't choose the wrong product that costs their company wasted dollars. Do that wrong a number of times and there won't be a company left. One guy said his days were spent in front of three screens at his desk: Two were computer screens, one for emails, one for other programs, and the third was a video screen where the prospective screeners were playing. He said he continually glances back and forth to all three. Each movie will get about 30 minutes of his very divided attention...and if nothing attracts more of his attention, he'll toss the movie.
A guy from LA was pitching 15 horror movies he had made. All low budget, no name. The Distrib Guy asked who produced most of them. The LA filmmaker said he did out of his own pocket. You could see the Distrib Guy look him up and down coming to the conclusion he didn't look wealthy, and then asked what the budgets of each movie were. The LA Guy says "about 10 to 15 thousand". Immediately the Distrib Guy says he's not interested and walks away. The LA Filmmaker was crestfallen. I take pity on him and pull him aside telling him you never ever tell a Distrib Guy what your budgets were. First of all, it's none of their business, and secondly, you are immediately Pigeon Holed as was this case. Some of the movies could have been good, but the Distrib Guy didn't want to be bothered once he heard how low the budgets were (although he was probably right). If you divulge the budget and do get a distribution offer, most likely the amount of your budget will be the highest offer you ever get. Your response to the question of "how much did it cost to make your movie?" ought to be Dov S.S.Simon's suggested "Somewhere under a million!". Then they will smile, knowing they are talking to someone who has an inkling of how to play the game.
Next up...What genres the Distribs said they'd like to see more of... what they want to buy. The answer almost blew me away!!!

KXTV News10 Doing White Set Spot

A News10 crew was in also doing a "White Set" spot for Schools Credit Union. Directed by Senior Commercial Producer Rebecca Connell and shot by Landon Lee with a Sony XDCAM F350. Every since the famous Apple computer spots using the "horizonless" white background, there's been a great demand for creating the same look for many other clients. The 35 foot coved white wall achieves this look, especially with our Videssence lighting.

Haven Falls Productions doing video for Schools

This past week, Haven Falls Motion Pictures out of Davis was in the studio shooting a video for the San Juan School District. Mark Holman produced with Chris Terry directing and Chris Robson as DP. Also assisting the actors was Casting Director and Acting Coach, Sally Forcier.

In the scene here, the microphones will be digitally removed in post /editing for the final picture.

Our "Horizonless White" stage (with the built-in cove... or "Hard Cyc") has not been getting as much use as our GreenScreen stage, so it was nice to see the great pictures Chris Robson was getting for this production.

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"Doing Time" finished it's 3rd shooting day last week, with lots more to go for this full length feature directed by Joyce Glover and DP'd by me with our new Sony EX1 high definition camera.

"Doing Time" Second Day

Shooting has begun on "Doing Time" as you can see at the right. Behind me are Boom Operator Swayne Cates and Production Assistant James Thornton. This is actually the 2nd day of shooting and it was 102 degrees by the time we wrapped for the day at 2pm. Of course we chose the hottest day ever (record breaker) in May to shoot a scene that is supposed to me in December! Things are going great with a great crew, superb cast, super preperation... and Joyce Glover (Writer-Producer-Director) is really power schmoozing. She's finding support for this project all over the halls of power... and people finding further funding for us. It really helps being on a shoestring to begin with...any infusion of funds seems like a windfall. But Joyce has a great script that may be opening doors because it seems to be coming at the right time in the right places... Timing is everything!

On another note: I've changed the blog perameters to allow anyone to post a comment. Before you had to be a registered user, but that wasn't made clear... so be nice and you can comment!

The Studio Center set to produce "Doing Time"

Writer/Director Joyce Glover is about to commence production on her new full-length movie "Doing Time". As all of Joyce's scripts, this one is a very intense, in-depth look at family dynamics and relationships that are particular to the African-American community...yet have profound messages for us all. I directed two of Joyce's first movies: "The Mile In Her Shoes" and "The 9th". Joyce went on to write and direct a third movie and this will be her fourth. Originally this was to be a short movie, but then it just grew and grew. At that point her initial crew realized they may be in over their heads, so that's when Joyce called me and asked if I would consider producing and shooting the feature for her. How could I say no?... Not to mention I believe in Joyce's writing and projects. Obviously I think this one has great potential.

In addition to all that, I want to open the doors to those that would like to get some real movie making experience. I rarely work with interns or trainees. But this time I want to start to develop a crew pool for future productions. I will take on a few interns for this project who will have to the opportunity to not only work with us, but it will be treated as a serious learning experience. I will tell you what I'm doing, and more importantly why. Why I make the choices I do... What's the look I'm trying to achieve and why...etc. If you're interested, drop me an email at Frank@TheStudioCenter.com and I'll fill you in on the projected shooting schedule.

Learning the Sony EX1

Whew, What a Camera! This thing is amazing. I'm not going to review it here since there is plenty out there on the web. Just a note...When I check out the DVX User chat lines, which were pretty much dedicated to the Panasonic HVS-200, many posters are asking how they can sell their Panasonics and get the EX1. That alone should tell ya something. It's obviously no contest when you look at the specs. That's what tipped the scale for us to buy one. You gotta be careful when you pick your equipment purchase points when you're in business for yourself. You can't always go out and buy the latest and greatest just because it's the latest and greatest. You have to ask: Is there a market supported for this in the town where I make my living? Will it make any difference to my clients? Are they willing to pay more for it? Or will I actually lose business if I don't have it? For most of High Definition the answers were a NO. We were going to buy the Sony F-330 for $40,000, but then I came to the conclusion that's nuts! I won't be able to charge any more even with that camera...and the monthly payments will be over $1,000 per month. What will it be like when business bottoms out?... Like NOW! So when you look at the fantastic specs of the EX1...and you can get it for under $7,000! That tipped the scale. Why do we even need HD? Actually we don't. No way to deliver it anyway. But I will admit, even as bad a resolution as web video is, the HD camera original footage looks better than our DVCAM originated footage... that's why we bought it. Oh and did I mention it will be a great camera for shooting feature movies on... That's the secret reason we got one!

Sacramento Film Festival Workshop

The Sacramento Film Festival ( www.sacramentofilmfestival.com ) begins soon...at the end of this month. In case you didn't know, the Festival does more than showcase movies. There are also many great workshops by movie people from far and wide. These are some very good deals for $20. One in particular coming up Thursday, April 3rd, I will be one of two panel members for "Film School 101-- Feature Films at Shorts Prices".
We're going to talk about making movies on the cheap...but they don't have to look cheap. I've made over 8 short movies in the past 5 years or so...most all award winners... and we didn't spend more than a couple hundred dollars on any of them. I've also shot a full length feature in the past few years... The budget there was maybe $10,000...and it looked darned good, if I do say so myself. That's related to what I'll be talking about. But wait...There's more!
I'm going to actually be giving the attendees some of my actual projected budgets for two or three new full length features The Studio Center will be producing. This is information I rarely share except with investors... I'll tell you how you can make a good looking movie for very little dollars. So see you at Film School 101 at 2:00 p.m Thursday April 3rd @ the 24th st Green Room.

We Made The Business Journals Top 25 List

Take a look at today's (3-21-08) issue of the Sacramento Business Journal... We came in as the 8th largest video production company in town. I must admit I looked at the list with a bit of a chuckle... OK, outright laughter in many cases. I haven't seen so much fibbing since the last Bush speech! If you believe most of those numbers, I've got a slightly used bridge over the American River I can make you a real good deal on. Especially #1 KVIE Media... They put the numbers for the whole station in, not the dollar amount generated by KVIE Media. And oh yeah, KVIE Media employs 60 people... How about 1 or 2 is more like it. My only regret is that I didn't lie enough! The challenge The Business Journal had was trying to figure out some way to rank video production companies. They went to their only formula which is Gross Dollars & Employees. But I don't think you can rank video production companies realistically that way. But granted, another formula (like number & type of productions) would take way too much time for the paper to do. So I guess the message is: If I want to move up the list next year... Lie Bigger!

Chromakey over the Web

Big trend these days (in case you didn't notice) is chomakey video over the web. Just in this week was Bob Murray and Tonya Rizzo from Trapeze,LTD. doing segments for a really cool bit for SureWest for a web presentation. Can't wait to see how the composite will look.
That's why we've recently purchased the new Sony EX1... because it gives a superb picture when doing web chromakeys. Fred Casanova, our ace editor, has perfected the chromakey process for the web... which is a mixture of technology, art, and voodoo. Unfortunately, it's not a "one button" process. We use different chromakey programs (FCP Keyers, After Effects, DV Matte Blast, Primatte, and Apple's Shake) for different camera framings and compositions since each has it's strengths and weaknesses. Maybe we can get Fred to talk about this... once we can get him to stop playing with the voodoo chicken bones.

How'd Ya Like That Spam?

Yes, I did spam a bunch of you. But it was in the interest of getting you here once in awhile. It actually worked. I had the opportunity to be contacted by a bunch of you I haven't been in touch with for quite a while. That was great!

Even people like director Rusty Nelson, who is still living in LA, and recently directed a project with Corbin Bernsen. I hated to tell him that Corbin and I go way back (You can see my hair was darker in the photo on the left).

Corbin was at The Studio Center a few years back doing an industrial and he and I had lunch on the back dock dining al fresco.

So Rusty, be sure and send my hello's to ole Corbby for me will ya?

First In A Long Series...Hopefully!

Well...Isn't this special! Frank's first blog. I guess we'll light a candle on the cake...or in a church...whatever! As I get better at this, I'll be posting my observations, questions, solutions...and of course, Opinions!... regarding the Video and Movie goings-on in the Sacramento Area.
As many of you know, I've been a video & film professional for nearly 40 years, and making a full time living at it for the past20 years here in Sacramento. The Studio Center will celebrate it's 11th anniversary this summer . Wow, does time fly when you're havin' fun!
So I hope you can check back often to find out "what the heck is he talking about now?"...