Shooting at Skywalker ranch for Lucasfilm with the 5DmkII and 7D at DVinfo.net

Phil Bloom · December 11th, 2009, 09:31 PM

Read all about my adventure here:

The tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Red Tails, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs | Philip Bloom

the blog details all gear used including lenses.

Chris Barcellos · December 11th, 2009, 09:51 PM

Another nice job Phil...and thanks for showing these guys what the camera can do. I have been kind of tired of people dogging the camera, say it cant' be true HD, and its got low resolution, blah, blah, blah,,,,,,I am glad to hear the big boys are looking at it and liked it.

Steve Nelson · December 11th, 2009, 10:02 PM

What a fantastic opportunity Phil! We are at a pivotal crossroad in cinematography technology and you've had the great fortune to have a front row seat. Excellent imagery as always. I was just discussing this crossroad with a friend today who was lamenting the pros and cons of his 5D. I told him all we need now is to take the best of the EX-1 and the 5D for a price under $10k and watch them fly off the shelves. The Scarlet looks great but I think we could get there for less. Your work here obviously shows we're nearly there now. Good stuff!

Alvin Ang Teng Cheong · December 11th, 2009, 10:25 PM

Congratulations! Nice work and it must've been totally mind-blowing visiting Skywalker Ranch. I'm so impressed with what an experienced shooter and the 5Dmkii & 7D can do.

It's a little surreal but my only idea (until now) of Skywalker Ranch comes from the movie Fanboys (Fanboys (2008)). hahahaha

Keep up the good work Phil!

Jerry Porter · December 11th, 2009, 10:30 PM

WOW!!!!! What a fantastic moment in your life!!! Way to bring the good stuff when it was on the line!! So, to all the people that say the camera is junk or not a real video camera.... Ummmmm the guy who kinda started ALL of this... Thinks it's pretty cool when someone as talented as PB is behind the lens. Now I'm sure he could also do this with a flip cam, but the fact that he did it with a 7D gives me hope for my own lost creative soul....

Dutch Rall · December 11th, 2009, 10:42 PM

A wonderful story wonderfully told.

And your video is all the proof anyone should need.

Congratulations.

Jeffrey Butler · December 11th, 2009, 11:28 PM

Well done! The video was gorgeous. What an amazing place. You helped me make some gear purchases, too. While I have the IndieSlider, it's big. And heavy. And while longer, for lots of shots that "mini-track" seems to be enough.

Charles W. Hull · December 11th, 2009, 11:30 PM

Wonderful! My God I'd like to see that on the 40 foot screen.

The 5DII has an incredible advantage in the cockpit; it's a natural for the "Red Tails" shots.

Perrone Ford · December 12th, 2009, 12:00 AM

Lovely work as well Phil. And timely as well as this is the kind of thing I hope to be shooting by this time next year on the 7D.

I'd curious if you could comment on what lenses you shot with on this project.

And of course the $64k question. Given the potential for these folks to pull Canon into the fold, any thoughts on what they might like to see? We saw a Panavised F900, and I'm sure they will want to mount some serious glass on the Canons too. Not to mention seeing a little more bit rate for the in-cockpit action. I wonder if they might be able to light a fire...

Jon Fairhurst · December 12th, 2009, 01:22 AM

Beautiful footage - and one heck of a cool experience.

The fog is simply magical. One morning, about three months ago, my wife and I were driving along the Columbia River towards the coast just after sunrise on a clear day. The fog was hanging over the various wetlands, and the morning light made everything sparkle. Add in the rustic buildings and you've got the picture. We've taken that drive a number of times, but only once did we have those conditions. And, of course, my son had the camera a couple hundred miles away. I so wanted my camera, a couple of free hours, and some hip waders!

Anyway, the fog in your piece reminded me of that day. It was awesome that you were able to be there when the conditions were just right. Heck, it was awesome that you were invited to be there at all!

Phil Bloom · December 12th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Butler

Well done! The video was gorgeous. What an amazing place. You helped me make some gear purchases, too. While I have the IndieSlider, it's big. And heavy. And while longer, for lots of shots that "mini-track" seems to be enough.

indieslider do a small version too i believe. i have the big one and its too big and heavy. never use it!

Andy Tejral · December 12th, 2009, 08:49 AM

The video is beautiful but man oh man, those star timelapses are truly spectacular.

David Chapman · December 12th, 2009, 08:55 AM

Holy cow, Phil you lucky duck! HA! That's amazing, and of course, who else would they call about the 7D/5D/Ex1?

Awesome film! Super jealous, but awesome film. It is very inspiring as usual and makes me want to go out now and shoot, but alas, I am designing print pieces all day for Lakewood. Maybe tomorrow...

Pat Reddy · December 12th, 2009, 11:01 AM

Congratulations! Once again you have inspired and energized everyone who owns or is thinking of owning one of these cameras.

Pat

Shawn Wright · December 12th, 2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks so much for sharing this.

It was inspirational. I would be giddy as a child in a toy store, I imagine that is how you felt.

I get my 7D on Tuesday and am considering buying your DVD. Does the special Star Wars offer come off of the $135 price?

How big is the download?

Thanks again for all you do to help others learn these skills.

Shawn

December 11th, 2009, 09:31 PM	#1
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Shooting at Skywalker ranch for Lucasfilm with the 5DmkII and 7D Read all about my adventure here: The tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Red Tails, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs \| Philip Bloom the blog details all gear used including lenses. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net Last edited by Phil Bloom; December 12th, 2009 at 08:10 AM.

December 11th, 2009, 09:51 PM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Another nice job Phil...and thanks for showing these guys what the camera can do. I have been kind of tired of people dogging the camera, say it cant' be true HD, and its got low resolution, blah, blah, blah,,,,,,I am glad to hear the big boys are looking at it and liked it. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 11th, 2009, 10:42 PM	#6
Dutch Rall Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 50	A wonderful story wonderfully told. And your video is all the proof anyone should need. Congratulations. __________________ http://www.dutchrall.com

December 11th, 2009, 11:28 PM	#7
Jeffrey Butler Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virgina, USA Posts: 276	Sweet. Well done! The video was gorgeous. What an amazing place. You helped me make some gear purchases, too. While I have the IndieSlider, it's big. And heavy. And while longer, for lots of shots that "mini-track" seems to be enough. __________________ Jeff Butler Butler Films

December 12th, 2009, 12:00 AM	#9
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	Lovely work as well Phil. And timely as well as this is the kind of thing I hope to be shooting by this time next year on the 7D. I'd curious if you could comment on what lenses you shot with on this project. And of course the $64k question. Given the potential for these folks to pull Canon into the fold, any thoughts on what they might like to see? We saw a Panavised F900, and I'm sure they will want to mount some serious glass on the Canons too. Not to mention seeing a little more bit rate for the in-cockpit action. I wonder if they might be able to light a fire... __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

December 11th, 2009, 10:02 PM	#3
Steve Nelson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Monument, CO Posts: 109	What a fantastic opportunity Phil! We are at a pivotal crossroad in cinematography technology and you've had the great fortune to have a front row seat. Excellent imagery as always. I was just discussing this crossroad with a friend today who was lamenting the pros and cons of his 5D. I told him all we need now is to take the best of the EX-1 and the 5D for a price under $10k and watch them fly off the shelves. The Scarlet looks great but I think we could get there for less. Your work here obviously shows we're nearly there now. Good stuff!

December 11th, 2009, 10:25 PM	#4
Alvin Ang Teng Cheong Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 39	Congratulations! Nice work and it must've been totally mind-blowing visiting Skywalker Ranch. I'm so impressed with what an experienced shooter and the 5Dmkii & 7D can do. It's a little surreal but my only idea (until now) of Skywalker Ranch comes from the movie Fanboys (Fanboys (2008)). hahahaha Keep up the good work Phil!

December 11th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#5
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	WOW!!!!! What a fantastic moment in your life!!! Way to bring the good stuff when it was on the line!! So, to all the people that say the camera is junk or not a real video camera.... Ummmmm the guy who kinda started ALL of this... Thinks it's pretty cool when someone as talented as PB is behind the lens. Now I'm sure he could also do this with a flip cam, but the fact that he did it with a 7D gives me hope for my own lost creative soul....

December 11th, 2009, 11:30 PM	#8
Charles W. Hull Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 445	Wonderful! My God I'd like to see that on the 40 foot screen. The 5DII has an incredible advantage in the cockpit; it's a natural for the "Red Tails" shots.

December 12th, 2009, 01:22 AM	#10
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Beautiful footage - and one heck of a cool experience. The fog is simply magical. One morning, about three months ago, my wife and I were driving along the Columbia River towards the coast just after sunrise on a clear day. The fog was hanging over the various wetlands, and the morning light made everything sparkle. Add in the rustic buildings and you've got the picture. We've taken that drive a number of times, but only once did we have those conditions. And, of course, my son had the camera a couple hundred miles away. I so wanted my camera, a couple of free hours, and some hip waders! Anyway, the fog in your piece reminded me of that day. It was awesome that you were able to be there when the conditions were just right. Heck, it was awesome that you were invited to be there at all! __________________ Jon Fairhurst

December 12th, 2009, 08:49 AM	#12
Andy Tejral Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 523	The video is beautiful but man oh man, those star timelapses are truly spectacular. __________________ Andy Tejral Railroad Videographer

December 12th, 2009, 08:55 AM	#13
David Chapman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 346	Holy cow, Phil you lucky duck! HA! That's amazing, and of course, who else would they call about the 7D/5D/Ex1? Awesome film! Super jealous, but awesome film. It is very inspiring as usual and makes me want to go out now and shoot, but alas, I am designing print pieces all day for Lakewood. Maybe tomorrow... __________________ David Chapman www.davechapfilms.com

December 12th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#14
Pat Reddy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 288	Congratulations! Once again you have inspired and energized everyone who owns or is thinking of owning one of these cameras. Pat

December 12th, 2009, 02:59 PM	#15
Shawn Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana Posts: 50	Thanks so much for sharing this. It was inspirational. I would be giddy as a child in a toy store, I imagine that is how you felt. I get my 7D on Tuesday and am considering buying your DVD. Does the special Star Wars offer come off of the $135 price? How big is the download? Thanks again for all you do to help others learn these skills. Shawn