Hey Charles I've enjoyed your post. Perhaps you have seen some of mine in the mini35 forums. Just found this one. Hope its not too late to get a chance to work with you. I also have a few rare toys that can be nice on set. Heres my contact info/online demo reel:

Brett Erskine
Freelance Cinematographer w/lighting, camera, grip and sound gear
L.A./O.C. Based/Will Travel
Online resume and demo videos available at:

www.CinematographerReels.com


Contact:

Brett Erskine
Premiere Visions
Director of Photography
BErskine@mail.com
(714)329-1520

Is there anyone else out there that knows where to rent such equipment in Western NY??

Currently flying a Hollywood Lite GT Series, but looking into the Steadicam Flyer as soon as I test it out.

Ed:

You'll love the Flyer, she's a high-performance system. My sense is that for anyone who is used to every other rig (including Tiffen's earlier efforts like the Mini), the arm will be a revelation on the order of "oh, THAT's what a Steadicam arm is supposed to feel like! And the monitor is very bright and sunlight viewable, and has good off-axis capability.

Sort of similar to the way I feel having treated myself to my first "adult" car after years of driving s**tboxes, wagons and bland SUV, for hauling the gear around...I got an Audi A6 and am just starting to understand what the concept of enjoyable driving is all about! (kept the bland SUV for the gear, though).

Hi Ed,

What kind of camera are you using on your Stedicam rig ??

Mike M.

I've had one inquiry, but we have had problems hooking up due to my work schedule and time difference.

Currently own a DVX100

Just realized that while I had brought up my desire to work for free in another thread, I never officially announced my availability in this forum. So here goes:

Shooting something on Long Island or in the city, and need an unpaid gopher to get coffee, carry boxes, or other such undesirable work? Shoot me an email (I'm sorry to say I'm the last person on the planet without a cell phone right now; gimme a week or so, and I should have one)! I'm willing to do just about anything you need done, provided I'm able, and like to think of myself as a fast learner. But I could be wrong. Maybe I'm a moron. I don't think I'm qualified to decide that.

What do I ask in return? Experience. Mind you, I'm not gonna refuse to drag cables around on the grounds that it's not "what I'm here to learn", but I'd like to start working toward a career in one of these industries. I'm not sure which industry just yet, though, so I'm up for anything. Film, video, whatever's your bag.

Now, you may ask me, "What can you bring to the table aside from your open minded but annoyingly self-deprecating attitude?", and I'm glad you do. I've yet to make a movie of my own, but I do excel at one thing: spending thousands of dollars on equipment that's too good for me, learning how to use it, and then not using it. I have a VX2000, ME66, Evolution 100 wireless mic setup, assorted cables...nothing fancy, but potentially useful in a pinch.

I also have in my possession a '91 Chevy Extended 1 ton passenger van, courtesy of the University of Maryland (won it in an auction in '02). Formerly used by the marching band to traverse the campus, it's been driven less than sixty thousand miles. Passed inspection and emissions tests a week or two ago, got it registered in my name, and it's ready to go. And with only ONE row of bench seats installed (it's capable of becoming a fourteen person bus, though I don't own the necessary seats), there's more than enough room for any big, heavy, possibly dirty stuff you've got to toss inside. It'll be a pain to park in Manhattan, what with being a van (an extended one, at that), and it's registered as a passenger vehicle, so I can't double park; I could have that changed easily enough, though, if need be. The DMV out here is surprisingly fast.

The van is also air conditioned, for those extra muggy summer days. :)

With regard to my ability to travel: I am not, unfortunately, intimately familiar with the city OR the island, but I do own maps. They're (mostly) current, and laminated so I can mark my route to wherever it is you need me. Not to mention my dad's been living in New York for the last fifty nine years, give or take, and can give me tips and shortcuts should I need them.

Speaking of my father, whom some of you I'm sure have heard me ramble on about at great length, he's a plumber, and I've been working beside him for two and a half/three years now. Should you need plumbing related props, or licensed, insured master plumbers to hook something up, well, I'm your guy. And if you need deals on pipe, or other such material, I can probably swing that too.


So there you have it! Here I am, ready to work and learn, and give everything I can to your film or video production. Should I fit the bill for your project, feel free to contact me via email at bob@mail.gyroshot.com to schedule something. I may need a day or two's advance notice (a bit more if you need my father's services), though, to prepare--remember, I've never done this before--so try and let me know as soon as possible.

Other than that, your whim is my command.

I would do it for you, but just do yourself a favor and buy DVFilm Maker. It's cheap and will do the job. You can even download a trial version to test it for yourself. Good luck.

Where in WNY, what are the specific dates, and do you need camera PA's?

Premiere Visions is looking for a freelance videographer for various PAID projects from films to special events.

See some of our past work here:
www.CinematographerReels.com

Prospective videographers MUST have the following:
1)Demo Reel or Past Work on DVD, MiniDV or Online
2)Live with in 50 miles of Orange County, CA
3)Fun to work with and passionately creative
4)Professional - reliable, timely and organized
5)Have their own video equipment

Preferance will be given to videographers that own and shoot on a DVX100/DVX100a or other 24p camera.

This is a PAID freelance/per job position. Payment will be negotiated on a per job basis with skill and experience in consideration.

Please include a link to your online demo reel or send a copy on DVD or MiniDV to:

Premiere Visions
120 San Luis Way
Placentia, CA 92870

Email:
BErskine@mail.com

Premiere Visions is looking for a freelance video editor for various PAID projects from films to special events.

See some of our past work here:
www.CinematographerReels.com

Prospective editors MUST have the following:
1)Demo Reel or Past Work on DVD, MiniDV or Online
2)Live with in 50 miles of Orange County, CA
3)Fun to work with and passionately creative
4)Professional - reliable, timely and organized

Preferance will be given to editors that regularly cut on Sony/Sonic Foundry Vegas software.

This is a PAID freelance/per job position. Payment will be negotiated on a per job basis with skill and experience in consideration.

Please include a link to your online demo reel or send a copy on DVD or MiniDV to:

Premiere Visions
120 San Luis Way
Placentia, CA 92870

Email:
BErskine@mail.com

FILMCREW NEEDED

DE LEO PRODUCTIONS INC. is currently in the process of recruiting a full cast and crew for their first DV feature film project called PROS & CONS.

Positions that need to be filled are as follows: Producer, Director Of Photography, Sound Man and Boom Operator, Gaffer, Best Boy, Grip, Script Continuity, Casting, and Lighting.

For all questions regarding the project and all those interested are required to submit a resume via email to:
prosandcons@deleoproductions.com

or contact Joseph E. De Leo at (647)224-1144

I worked on a movie also called Pros and Cons (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199975/combined) about 6 years ago, no relation I'm quite sure...!

I'm looking for the following team members to join my short film that i'll be shooting in the last weekend of August, in locations around London:

- Assistant Producer
- Dop
- Camera Assistant
- Make Up Artist
- Art Director
- Wardrobe
- Continuity
- Runner
- Set Designer/Builder

However, if you're interested in the project and you want to collaborate, I'm more than happy to hear from you!
Just check the website (http://www.milliwaysmovies.com) to read the script or contact olafek@mac.com for more information.
The commitment involves few pre-production meetings in some nice pub somewhere in London, just to know each other and decide what's the best way to work together!

I will (very probably) shooting on Canon Xl1 with the Mini35 adapter, with 35mm lenses.
One day in a studio with a green screen, and two days outside (locations to be confirmed).

The Story: in the city of Sourwater nobody dies anymore. People get hurt, but they don't die. Only Roland, a gunslinger, knows the truth. And he wants to find Adam Mortimer, his old employer, who seems to be connected with whatever is happening in the town, and who stole his dying girlfriend...

It is a self-funded project and the positions are on an unpaid collaborative basis, but I offer to pay the expenses plus food and a copy of the short on DVD. I can agree on a small fee if you have your own gear and you want to use it.
Enthusiasm and energy essential :)

trying to find the almost totality of a cinema crew one month before the start of the film seems pretty.... optimistic ?
too bad i am too far, i would join with pleasure.

<<<-- Originally posted by Giroud Francois : trying to find the almost totality of a cinema crew one month before the start of the film seems pretty.... optimistic ?
too bad i am too far, i would join with pleasure. -->>>

I was unlucky. I had people working with me, but for some reason or another, they couldn't help me anymore. Well, shit happens, they say :)

I post this ad in some UK mailing list, and so far I was quite surprised by the amount of people that answered me in just 24hr!
London is a city full of people that want to be part of some film/video projects, and, due to the personal nature of this project, I don't mind working with people just out of movie schools or without much experience. I'm more than happy to see the project finished!

Lol..there is no relation, I assure you.

Joseph

Position filled, thanks for those who showed interest.

Guess you don't need the help anymore? I am available if you do, and you pass along the shoot info early enough. Thx

Were you able to de-interlace your footage? If not, I can still help out.

Okay, well I was originally planning to go to Full Sail this year, but now I cant afford it. So I'm planning on going to a local news station and applying for a job to learn the ropes and eventually work my way up to either an editor or camera op (I know this takes years so I'm ready for it). But I'm not exactly sure how the system works...when I go, should I apply for Production Assistant? What are the chances of getting hired with no experience? Has anyone done the same thing before? Thanks in advance.

Are you in a large city, or a small town? When I was considering this route, I was always told I'd have to move somewhere relatively small (I'm in Houston), and work there for like 2-3 years doing whatever it is I like (camerawork, for instance), and then, when you're good, you come back to the big city. Really, really, tough to start in the big city in those positions, editor and camera op. It's been done, but you have to be persistent like a sonofabitch to do it.

I know the position most young'uns (are you a young'un?) get hired in is called AP, (I think it stands for associate producer, or something like that). This position entails pulling scripts from the printer machine for the anchors to read on air, operating the teleprompter, and maybe a little writing? The thing is, according to my friend who did this for at least a year at our local CBS affiliate, that position is designed to groom you into being a new producer. You don't want to be a news producer, so this probably isn't for you. On the other hand, say you took this gig, and stayed after your shift was over, and came on weekends, whatever, and played on their NLEs and with their cameras, building up a reel of material, and kept applying for every opening in the departments where your interests lie, it could happen. Happened to another young'un at our Fox affiliate. He came in while he was in high school, on weekends and stuff, and played and played on the NLEs, and was eventually asked to fill in when someone else was sick or something, and parlayed that into a full-time job there.

Something else I just thought of, is community colleges. If they have a media department, or a TV station (for instance, in Houston, we now have HCCTV, HOuston Community College Television), they might hire you on on a freelance basis, start you operating the camera on multi-cam shoots, and let you work your way up to field shooting and editing packages. I was on this route 'til they cut their budget. Places like that'll hire less experienced, possibly even INEXPERIENCED people.

Good luck, hope some of this information is correct.

Thanks Josh.

I'm 18 years old and I live in Ft. Myers Florida wich isnt a small town, but its also not a huge city, if you catch my drift.

No problem. Also consider an internship, if they'll have you. Good way to do what i was talking about before. . .play with all their crap and learn how to do what they do. Could lead to a job, as well, though it's no guarantee.

Josh's advice is mostly correct. I must add however, on a personal note, that I started in Television as a cameraman at Channel 39 in Houston, which at the time, was the largest independent TV station in the nation. We also had the largest studios in Houston. I was 18, and in College full time. I worked full time as a cameraman as well (4pm to midnite).

Yeah, it was a hell of a load and very intense. This was in 1974/75

How did I get the job?

I asked for it. Well... to be honest, I wanted to be newsman. (I was majoring in photojournalism... photography ) I wrote a nice letter to the news director, and asked for a job. They told me they had a positon open for "Trainee Cameraman" and I took it.

To shorten my long and checkered job history... I moved from cameraman to audio to directing to on-air voice overs eventually leaving TV and going into Radio (also at a major market station here in Houston).

Long story short, I have worked professionally in "The Media" for all of my life. Moving back and forth between TV, Radio, Film, and Theatre depending on what opportunites arose. Basically my philosphy is "The more you can do, the more you WILL do." Listen to Josh - Take advantage of EVERY opportunity to learn new skills. Lighting, switching, editing, still photography, computer graphics. Because a company will hire someone with multiple talents over someone with limited talents. Besides, if someone is sick or missing, you will be ready to jump over, and "up" the food chain.

Good luck.

see? There you go.

Mark - I'm in Erie, PA, an hour and a half out of Buffalo. I might
be able to help you out if you have no luck, I have a XL1 and an
XL1S.

Hello Myron,

I will be shooting a shortfilm in the next few months. If you are interested, send me an email at sac@sacmars.com

Thanks

Arthur

Available in these areas on weekends. Want to help/learn on
any kind of project. Have a Canon XL1s & XL1.

Can't wait for The Dark Tower to get made? If I was in London I would show up -- sadly I am in California.

Nice story Olaf. If I ever get across the pond, I'd love to help out.

We have a succesful wedding video/photography business and are looking for a Canon Xl1s owner in the Derbyshire area of UK to help out on the odd occasion as an extra camera operator for some of our bigger weddings and to cover for holidays, obviously a good working knowledge of the camera is required and preferably some experience at weddings. You must also be well presented as we aim for the higher end of the market. If you are interested then please contact me by email. I will require a showreel of your work for consideration.

Production: Good Cookin (Short film)
Employer: Auraseer Entertainment
Location: Toronto

Duration: 3 day shoot, tentatively scheduled for September.
Auraseer Entertainment Corporation is currently seeking crew for a commercial short film (comedy) entitled “Good Cookin,” which will be shooting early fall 2004 (tentatively scheduled for September, 3 day shoot). Good Cookin is the story of a young man who must save his mother’s life when an ex-convict breaks into their apartment and threatens to kill her.

Positions Required: Director, Cinematographer/DOP, Assistant Director (AD), Script Clerk/Continuity Director, Gaffer/Electrician, Sound Person, Location Manager, Costume Designer/Wardrobe, Prop person, Makeup, a few Production Assistants. Passion, dedication and previous experience a must. Indicate if you have any production equipment available for use.

We’re looking for the right people to join our team. This opportunity may lead to future paid projects. Great experience, great exposure. This short will be aggressively marketed online, to film festivals, and key players in the entertainment industry.

Payment is on a lo/no/deferred basis.

Send your cover letter, resume and demo reel to sac@sacmars.com, or you can mail it to

Creditview Postal Outlet
Auraseer Entertainment Corporation
P.O. Box 12013
Mississauga, ON L5C 4R7

I am looking for an F/X artist (not CGI) in the NJ/NY area. Email at gcgipsonNOSPAM@yahoo.com (remove NOSPAM)

I am shooting this weekend...

we are going to be shooting Saturday morning at 5am-1pm(roughly)

if you are interested let me know

716.816.6290

interested. I will be sending my info tomorrow

You are offering no pay but want experienced people only.......

hmm...

I'd love to give it a shot, but I guess I don't qualify.

Mark did you get my Demo?

I'll be producing an Every 15 Minute video for Dixon High School and the California Highway Patrol sometime in the Spring of 2005.

This is a video that is taped in the morning and shown at a school assembly the next morning.

An automobile wreck is staged in which a student dies, two are seriously injured and the driver is arrested for drunk driving. During the rescue operation, the automobile is normally cut apart and reduced to scrap. Each student has very realistic looking wounds applied by makeup artists.

The deceased student is toe-tagged, placed in a body-bag, into the coroner;s hearse and taken to the morgue where they are wheeled into the chiller.

The driver is placed in the police car and taken to jail and locked in after processing.

One injured student is placed in a helicopter and flown to Sacramento where the student dies on the table. The students parents come into the OR after the student dies and enact the expected scenario. The one less seriously injured student is transported to Sacramento by ambulance.

Video teams follow each student except the team covering the trauma hospital is already in-place to tape everything from arrival to parent's reactions. Each video team then interviews the student(s) afterwards to get their reactions and what they learned.

One camera team will be at the UC Davis trauma hospital in Sacramento, one team will start at the accident site and follow the arrestee to the Dixon police department, one team will follow the fatality to the County Morgue and two teams will stay at the high school to follow all the action.

Anyone who is interested in making some money (it isn't a large budget affair but it will be worth your while) contact me in the next 90 days or so.

Requirements: Experienced in shooting/recording events that cannot be repeated and are fast-moving. Clear video and sound are important in a documentary style.

You can shoot with your camera or mine. I use PD-150's and other tools.

Hospital, Morgue, and PD are away from the school and will be handled by a 2-person team . . . camera person and sound person.

Dixon is about 22 miles South of Sacramento on Interstate 80.

To work for me you will have to register with my temp employer so you will be covered by insurance. That won't cost you anything (although they do deduct taxes) but it takes an hour or two as you have to appear at one of their offices to prove that you have the right to work in the US.

You will be working for about 4 hours. Pay depends on position and experience and whether you are using your equipment or mine. You will also receive a copy of the finished video.

email me at mike.dvi@byvideo.com

Just kicking this idea out there. I think it would be fantastic if anyone wanted some help in the writing department. Got an idea for a short but not enough time or patience to hack out the pages? Need to shoot a test scene with your new camera? Think it's time to shoot something written by someone other than yourself?

Well, I'm your man. I'm craving some experience in working with people outside my inner circle. All pro bono, of course. Valuable lessons to be learned, and like that.

Don't hesitate to send an email if interested.

If I where you I would describe what you are looking for a bit
better. Is this SFX or VFX? SFX is practicals with things like
explosions or sparks etc. VFX can be anything but is these
days nearly always "computer generated", whether it is a digital
matte painting or lasers or color correction or computer models.

Does anyone know where I can contact a freelance graphic designer? I need a 3d graphic/model to be incorporated into video footage. I would also appreciate any information on working with such media, such as importing it into After Effects and make the whole thing work.

Got one to do in Cleveland this weekend but thanks for responding - Good luck!

I might be interested in helping.
I can handle most typical 3D-for-video requiremenst (including modelling, texturing, compositing and motion tracking), but if for some reason your particular needs are more complex than I can produce myself, I also know many other 3d freelancers and may be able to refer some one.
Can you provide more details about the project?

If email works better for you, remove the CAPS from this address to contact me:
QWERTYnick@techvatics.com

Ok here is the deal.

I have a scene where there is a blimp flying slowly accross the sky in a video shot with houses and trees in the foreground. The blimp displays the words Some-Patch. Now, I mainly need just the blimp model with the texture and the words. I could try to figure it out on how to compoite it into the video, but if you have any guidance it would be great. I know there are sites that would sell the blimp model for aprox $50, but they don't have the words. Please let me know if this is something we can work on, and how much it would cost.

P.S I tried your email address with no CAPS, it didn't work.

Here is mine

alain.aguilar@sungard.com

Jeff,

Feel free to send me your info. No one should feel that I've set the bar too high. You must have some experience filming, a student film, experimental home video.

Either way, no final decisions have been made yet, and we have different positions available. We are looking for interested people to help out.

Thanks for replying!

Arthur

I live in north hampshire roughly an hour away by train.

If you can't find anybody, and are willing to pay for travel expenses I could possibly make it... But can only do weekends.

Shoot me an e-mail: ejjsproductions@yahoo.co.uk.

I sent an email to you earlier today, but just wanted to post here to make sure you did receive it. The correct email address is DELETEnick@techvantics.com

Sorry about the typo in my first message.

I'm in the Canton Area (obviously under my name) and am also willing to dive in with my XL1s to help those that need it. I want some experience. Currently, I've only one production under my belt, a music video with segments from a party on Memorial Day 2004, nothing big, but my girlfriend and I both worked very hard on it. Willing to work for the experience...my XL1s is signed by Bruce Campbell...and if that doesnt help picture kwalty, I don't know what will! :)