The Blackout: Just Wrapped Feature with XLH1

Robert Sanders · March 26th, 2008, 01:29 PM

Hey Alain - for the time being I don't have much more than the teaser trailer. We just locked the cut and we're handing it off to the composer this week. We're beginning to tackle the 221 visual effects shots now. With a little luck we'll be done in a couple months.

I'm also working on another teaser trailer and a full-length trailer. But I can't guarantee when those will hit. It's tough doing all the post-production work pretty much solo.

Alain Mayo · March 27th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Sanders

Hey Alain - for the time being I don't have much more than the teaser trailer. We just locked the cut and we're handing it off to the composer this week. We're beginning to tackle the 221 visual effects shots now. With a little luck we'll be done in a couple months.

I'm also working on another teaser trailer and a full-length trailer. But I can't guarantee when those will hit. It's tough doing all the post-production work pretty much solo.

Thanks for the info and good luck with the production.

Robert Sanders · October 28th, 2008, 02:20 PM

I've just posted a new trailer for our film THE BLACKOUT. It is a more traditional theatrical trailer.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

You can also download a 480p and a 720p version.

Carl Ny · October 29th, 2008, 12:33 AM

Looking really good Robert!
Nice to still have the XLH1; it rocks.

Good luck

Carl

Nick Hiltgen · October 29th, 2008, 02:58 AM

That looks really good robert. I'll be excited to see it when it comes out.

Robert Sanders · October 29th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Thanks Carl, thanks Nick.

We're in discussions with distributors now. Which is a relief considering that it took a year to get this sucker through post-production. One thing for sure, I'm finding out that bypassing HDV and going straight to hard disk is turning out to be a blessing. I'm finding out that distributors are increasingly weary of accepting projects originated on HDV and will not accept anything on MiniDV. In their opinion (erroneous as it is) HDV is not "true" HD. All we said was, "We shot straight to disk like Fincher did on Zodiac" and they responded, "Fantastic."

I think HD-SDI to IOHD ProRes (or equivalent full raster codec) is the "safest" workflow for smaller 1/3" and 1/2" cameras.

Robert Sanders · November 23rd, 2008, 03:30 AM

We have tickets available for the premiere at The Landmark in West. L.A. if you're interested in attending.

Oleg Kalyan · November 23rd, 2008, 03:58 AM

The trailer looks great, too bad not showing in Moscow, Russia!

John Brinks · December 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM

Awesome trailer, and great music... is the score in the preview an original piece or stock music?

Robert Sanders · December 16th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Brinks

Awesome trailer, and great music... is the score in the preview an original piece or stock music?

Most of the music in the trailer is from the library. However, the score for the movie was done by Justin R. Durban. He did an amazing score for the movie.

Garrett Low · December 19th, 2008, 11:47 AM

Robert,

I'm totally impressed with the trailer on your site. I'm awaiting my XL H1a which comes in on the 23rd and can only hope to some day create something that awsome looking.

The lighting created an intense feel. I shoot with an XH A1 now and had no idea it could produce that clean of an image at low light.

Garrett

Robert Sanders · December 19th, 2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Low

Robert,

I'm totally impressed with the trailer on your site. I'm awaiting my XL H1a which comes in on the 23rd and can only hope to some day create something that awsome looking.

The lighting created an intense feel. I shoot with an XH A1 now and had no idea it could produce that clean of an image at low light.

Garrett

And it looks amazing projected 2.35:1 on a theater screen! ;)

John Richard · December 20th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Low

Robert,

I'm totally impressed with the trailer on your site. I'm awaiting my XL H1a which comes in on the 23rd and can only hope to some day create something that awsome looking.

The lighting created an intense feel. I shoot with an XH A1 now and had no idea it could produce that clean of an image at low light.

Garrett

Garrett, keep in mind that I believe Mr. Sanders used a workflow that incorporated the data stream out of the HD-SDI connected to the HD-SDI input port of a capture card and recorded near uncompressed to a computer hard-drive or raid array. That being said, the well lit HDV out of the H1a and A1 can look pretty darn good in many situations.

Garrett Low · December 20th, 2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Richard

Garrett, keep in mind that I believe Mr. Sanders used a workflow that incorporated the data stream out of the HD-SDI connected to the HD-SDI input port of a capture card and recorded near uncompressed to a computer hard-drive or raid array. That being said, the well lit HDV out of the H1a and A1 can look pretty darn good in many situations.

Yeah, that was one of the things I wrestled with in getting the H1a, but after long analysis I figured I would not be lugging a computer or deck that could take an HD-SDI feed. I've gotten some pretty good results with my A1 in low light but seeing what Robert was able to capture just shows how good the CCD's in the XL/XH series Canons are.

Garrett

Harry Bromley-Davenport · December 20th, 2008, 11:58 PM

Robert,

Can you tell us a little about sales of the picture? Domestic? International? I'm sure everyone who supports you on this board wants to know how the picture fared in the marketplace, given how difficult the current climate is for independent movies.

Can you tell us with what territories you have sold or got distribution deals? And what problems you have encountered?

Best wishes to you and your cast and crew.

Harry

March 26th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#31
Robert Sanders Starway Pictures Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Studio City Posts: 581	Hey Alain - for the time being I don't have much more than the teaser trailer. We just locked the cut and we're handing it off to the composer this week. We're beginning to tackle the 221 visual effects shots now. With a little luck we'll be done in a couple months. I'm also working on another teaser trailer and a full-length trailer. But I can't guarantee when those will hit. It's tough doing all the post-production work pretty much solo. __________________ http://www.starwaypictures.com http://starwaypictures.blogspot.com/

October 28th, 2008, 02:20 PM	#33
Robert Sanders Starway Pictures Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Studio City Posts: 581	I've just posted a new trailer for our film THE BLACKOUT. It is a more traditional theatrical trailer. WATCH THE TRAILER HERE You can also download a 480p and a 720p version. __________________ http://www.starwaypictures.com http://starwaypictures.blogspot.com/

October 29th, 2008, 02:58 AM	#35
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	That looks really good robert. I'll be excited to see it when it comes out. __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

October 29th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#36
Robert Sanders Starway Pictures Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Studio City Posts: 581	Thanks Carl, thanks Nick. We're in discussions with distributors now. Which is a relief considering that it took a year to get this sucker through post-production. One thing for sure, I'm finding out that bypassing HDV and going straight to hard disk is turning out to be a blessing. I'm finding out that distributors are increasingly weary of accepting projects originated on HDV and will not accept anything on MiniDV. In their opinion (erroneous as it is) HDV is not "true" HD. All we said was, "We shot straight to disk like Fincher did on Zodiac" and they responded, "Fantastic." I think HD-SDI to IOHD ProRes (or equivalent full raster codec) is the "safest" workflow for smaller 1/3" and 1/2" cameras. __________________ http://www.starwaypictures.com http://starwaypictures.blogspot.com/

November 23rd, 2008, 03:30 AM	#37
Robert Sanders Starway Pictures Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Studio City Posts: 581	We have tickets available for the premiere at The Landmark in West. L.A. if you're interested in attending. __________________ http://www.starwaypictures.com http://starwaypictures.blogspot.com/

October 29th, 2008, 12:33 AM	#34
Carl Ny Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: World wide Posts: 77	Looking really good Robert! Nice to still have the XLH1; it rocks. Good luck Carl

November 23rd, 2008, 03:58 AM	#38
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	The trailer looks great, too bad not showing in Moscow, Russia!

December 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM	#39
John Brinks Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Phoenix Az Posts: 69	Awesome trailer, and great music... is the score in the preview an original piece or stock music?

December 19th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#41
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Robert, I'm totally impressed with the trailer on your site. I'm awaiting my XL H1a which comes in on the 23rd and can only hope to some day create something that awsome looking. The lighting created an intense feel. I shoot with an XH A1 now and had no idea it could produce that clean of an image at low light. Garrett

December 20th, 2008, 11:58 PM	#45
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	Question for Robert Robert, Can you tell us a little about sales of the picture? Domestic? International? I'm sure everyone who supports you on this board wants to know how the picture fared in the marketplace, given how difficult the current climate is for independent movies. Can you tell us with what territories you have sold or got distribution deals? And what problems you have encountered? Best wishes to you and your cast and crew. Harry