SoftScreen--A Nifty Idea
 

Here's a nifty idea. Wish I'd thought of it!

http://softscreen.us/

It's expensive... and also it will limit your work a lot !!! and it is hard to move make real DOF... make an Agus 35 !!!!


:)

...and that limitation is close up shots. More suitable for interviews. Otherwise, a good incentive on the part of the inventor.

There is a vast difference between something that will "limit your work," which it does not, and something that has "limited use." After all, as is stated on the site, it is simply "just another tool" to achieve a predetermined end (or look) in limited shooting situations, just like the items listed above.

Jay, Agus did have a smiley in his post and I think the post was
meant to be a little fun poke at the product. As you said, it can
be "another" tool in the toolbox indeed. Thanks for pointing that
out.

I don't know of anyone who tried it out... yet.

Yes, Rob, I saw the smiley and took it for exactly what it was. Thanks.

I saw this not long ago and I agree with Jay...it could come in handy in some situations.

Pretty pricey, though...wonder if they have some of this type of plastic in rolls at Home Depot...

Well the price is really high !! i personally think that use vs price here is really stupid.. sorry i cant imaging another word, i didtn meant to insult, i cant imaging moving a big screen to make shoots when you can actually built a SLR lens adapter with half the price, and you get open to a new world of optics with real DOF...

Rob Lohman, i think i should used another word besides stupid, but well... thats my opinion.

"Well the price is really high . . ."

LOL, name one mass produced tool used in videography or cinematography that isn't expensive.

". . . i cant imaging moving a big screen to make shoots . . ."

Well, Agus, that being the case, one must presumes that you can't imagine using a bounce card or a scrim, either.

The tools of the trade, whatever they may be, expand the artist's palette, they do not limit it.

Kinda expensive.
Looks like a sheet of GamFusion 10-20 diffusion from GamColor CineFilters.
They have free sample books at some stage parts places here in LA.
Fun Stuff.
-Les

Oh enough already.

It's an interesting idea for the soft look. I do think the price is out of the question and it is true, seems everything in this godforsaken industry is over priced because they can.

If one can afford it and want this in their 'lil bag o tricks', then good for them.

And now it's affordable, cause you can get a sheet of the stuff, GamFusion 10-20 or maybe the lighter GamFusion 10-10 for about $20.
I let the cat out of the bag.
-Les

Hmmmm Les,

Interesting thought, if you are correct about using GamFusion gel to blur a background. Iv'e seen a couple production crews do this before, although that was years ago and it was not clear exactly what type of gel they were using. Another interesting note, the LEE equivalent for GamFusion 10-10 is called "251 Quarter White Diffusion", "258 Eighth Hamshire Frost" and "452 Sixteenth White Diffusion". I wonder how close these equivalents are.

Let's see, you can buy a 48" x 25' roll of GamFusion 10-10 or 10-20 for around $129. You can most likely buy a couple 48" x 48" sheets from any professional Lighting & Grip rental house for much cheaper, probably no more than $30 per sheet.

Now, for around $70 you can buy a 48" x 48" aluminum gel frame with attached grip stud for mounting http://www.advantagegrip.com/gel.htm. To mount the gel to the gel frame, you would need a roll of Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape, commonly referred to as "Snot Tape", about $5 http://store.yahoo.com/cinemasupplies/34scotatgtap.html

Hmmmmmmmm... Should it be named the "LesScreen" or the "AgusScreen"? ;-)

- don

Don:

I've used 251 and Hampshire frost extensively on lights and would consider both of them too dense to be used for this application, especially the 251. I haven't used 258 so maybe that would work. Certainly it would be tricky to use gel on a frame in an exterior situation if there was any wind. I'm curious how the Softscreen mounts or if it offers more protection against rippling than a gel would.

Sometimes a double or single net is wielded outside windows if a Translite or painted background is in use which helps add some "atmosphere" and slight diffusion to the view.

Charles, the SoftScreen is "a special acrylic optical panel that diffuses light." From the pictures on the site, it looks like some sort of plexiglass-like material.

Hey Charles,

It was nice seeing you at the DV Expo West, was going to talk to you some more and watch your DVD, but as you may have noticed, we were swamped in the Canon booth. I had no idea we would be that busy! Still, it was nice to see you. Next time I am in LA (not too long from now), we will have to kidnap you and buy you some drinks on top of the Standard. hehe

I haven't used a softscreen myself, so I wouldn't know exactly what material is used. I would say that it wouldn't be too difficult to get that material from a Gel manufacturer, be it Gam or Lee or Rosco. Your'e right about using one outside in the wind. Or perhaps even indoors with a ceiling AC vent - like some of the studios I have worked in.

About the frame, if you look closely at the picture, I do think that you will notice some woodgrain action there. Hmmmmmmm...

- don

<,the SoftScreen is "a special acrylic optical panel that diffuses light." From the pictures on the site, it looks like some sort of plexiglass-like material.>>

Dig it. Well there we are then. The cat seems to have crawled back into the bag, eh?

Of course, it might be possible to affix a gel to a panel of Lexan (and build a frame, and add 5/8" studs, etc etc) to achieve a similar effect.

The point is (and this is aimed at an earlier poster here): there's nothing new about copying someone else's smart idea, and it costing a lot less if you refuse to place a value on your own time as well as the R&D involved in creating the design you are knocking off (and the advertising and overhead that made it possible for you to hear about it in the first place). It's just bad taste to crow about the whole thing. In my opinion.

I've seen a few people (in the Steadicam world, for instance) make a cheaper mousetrap by knocking off and cutting corners. Sometimes they are pretty proud of themselves and thumb their noses at the "establishment" and their ridiculous prices. A few years down the road, someone comes along and undercuts them, and now they are the "establishment"--suddenly they are singing a whole different song.

Diatribe over...hi Don, nice to chat with you too. You guys were damn busy at the booth. Nice little show.