Various TOTEM posts 2001 - 2003

Alexander McLeod · January 24th, 2003, 10:29 AM

I'm heading for Hong Kong next Tuesday with my GL2 to see the Chinese New Year's celebrations. I've been to Hong Kong many times over the past 35 years but never at this time of year. I'm sure it will be both colorful and loud. I've rarely shot video there, only 35mm stills; any suggestions about special locations and the like?

Incidentally, I'm staying at the Harbour Plaza which has a very interesting bar. It is done in Formula One motif with photos of drivers and cars all over the walls and replicas of Ferraris in the inside bar section. The waitresses wear very much modified pit stop outfits and even the urinals are F1 inspired.

The whole trip should be very interesting.

Sandy

Rob Lohman · January 24th, 2003, 11:09 AM

Have fun overthere! Be sure to bring a receipt with you from your
camera, so you can get it back with you as well without paying
import taxes etc.

Derrick Begin · January 29th, 2003, 10:32 AM

Writing collaboration, to work, to sale - - > to more work...

New York based writer/director and seeks an active writing collaboration for independent production. Actively seeking a writer for current project and future work. (NYC location preferable.)

Experience in the North East fishing / Lobster industry a definite plus, however, not necessary.

Include a sample of your writing and a letter about yourself.

Please send to:

D.P. BEGIN
962 Saint Nicholas AVE, No. 4B
New York, New York 10032

Jeff Donald · February 9th, 2003, 07:59 AM

I'm looking for user comments and experinces using the Zaurus SL5500.

Matt Stahley · February 9th, 2003, 05:11 PM

For the most part i really can't stand MTV but if u like to see cams in action watch the docu on street ball championship. there was a 150 and XL1s in almost everyshot as it would cut back to the other cams angle as well as a 150 on one of the tortoise rig backpack suspension systems.

Kenn Jolemore · February 12th, 2003, 09:06 AM

I was just looking at atomfilms.com I believe is the name of the site and watched a 12 min. short called "The last of the Cowboys"(If I remember correctly) with B.B.Thornton and was supprised by the amount of name recognisable actors who are useing this type outlet and how good this short was..
What other sites have you all checked out that are worth recomending and what shorts in particular did you enjoy at these sites?

Christopher Hughes · February 14th, 2003, 05:49 PM

Any Palm or PDA users amongs us know of any good camera sites, or one with latest news in camera\camcorder techno that work under Avantgo? Sp you can hotsync all the lastest news in media world direct onto palm as u can with avantgo???

Michael Wisniewski · February 14th, 2003, 07:57 PM

Just saw a really neat trick on the Lord of the Rings Ext DVD set -

They put Peter Jackson (the Director/Writer) in a pair of VR eyeglasses so that he could go "on location"to any computer generated locations or characters in Middle Earth.

The neat part was that they gave him a wooden camera with sensors that he used to "film" the computer generated world as he walked around - quite interesting to see him "filming" while walking around a grid

Most of the shots of the computer generated Stone Troll in Balin's Tomb/Moria were all "hand-held" using the VR camera

Imran Zaidi · February 15th, 2003, 01:53 PM

I just saw the film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. It has one of the most unique looks I've seen in recent history. It seems almost like it has the texture of film, but the feel of Digital, if that makes any sense.

I'm sure it's probably just film and then digitized and wacked up in post, but does anyone have any info on how they did this film? Could it be HD?

Rob Lohman · February 16th, 2003, 01:12 PM

Can you point me to the exact location where this is at on the 4
disc extended DVD set? I've seen to have missed that piece!

Thanks!

Richard Alvarez · February 18th, 2003, 01:26 PM

Anyone see the story today about the long-lost Marilyn Monroe home movie? A fourteen year old kid followed her around Manhattan back in '55, shooting her with his regualar 8 camera.
The film was "lost" untill recently, and the images are superb.

I was reminded again of the quality of small guage film, as I transfered some regualr eight footage this last week of old home movies from the 50's and early sixties. The kodachrome looks GREAT after more than 40 years, which is more than I can say about old vhs tapes I shot of my son in '84!

It's always good to remember in this digital world, that "small guage" filmmaking should not be left behind, especially since the moder NLE's make sound sync, foley and music so easy.

It's a good way to get that "film look" that people are always looking for.

Regards,
Bill

Michael Wisniewski · February 19th, 2003, 05:09 PM

Rats, I returned it to Blockbuster - but I know it's on the 2nd Appendices disk. There's a video there called "Cameras" or something like that.

Chris Hurd · February 25th, 2003, 03:05 PM

Very interesting overview of CD-R media quality. Enjoy.

Dan Holly · February 26th, 2003, 01:04 PM

All,
I picked up the new game Apex yesterday and was playing it last night after I pried the controller from my oldest boys hand.
(Since he recently turned 18 and is a senior in high school it's kind of hard to tell him "OK time for bed" =)

In the game you have a shop to build prototype cars. In the shop there are shelves where you edit your game settings/save/load/etc.

On the top shelf there is a Canon XL1s sitting there as part of your gear !

They (infrogames) did a really good job of detailing the camera.
I was actually surprised at the details. It's a stock XL1s with the stock 16X lens.

I just wanted to pass it on to the group for the sake of nostalgia.

Here is a link to the game for those of you that have an Xbox and like racing sim type games.

http://www.apex-game.com/flash.html

Robert Knecht Schmidt · February 28th, 2003, 08:21 PM

What sort of camera do you suppose the final videotape recovered from the Columbia orbiter was shot on?

I remember that a few years back NASA selected the XL1 to serve as the official mission camera, but the way the camera moves it looks to be a smaller handheld MiniDV cam, perhaps Laurel Clark's personal camera?

The only thing I can find about it is that "The video was shot with a small onboard camera"... I'm just wondering if it was a consumer device or something custom built for the shuttle.

Why was this, the final tape to be shot, the only one to survive? Was it because it was still in the recording deck?

January 24th, 2003, 10:29 AM	#46
Alexander McLeod Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 90	Heading for Hong Kong I'm heading for Hong Kong next Tuesday with my GL2 to see the Chinese New Year's celebrations. I've been to Hong Kong many times over the past 35 years but never at this time of year. I'm sure it will be both colorful and loud. I've rarely shot video there, only 35mm stills; any suggestions about special locations and the like? Incidentally, I'm staying at the Harbour Plaza which has a very interesting bar. It is done in Formula One motif with photos of drivers and cars all over the walls and replicas of Ferraris in the inside bar section. The waitresses wear very much modified pit stop outfits and even the urinals are F1 inspired. The whole trip should be very interesting. Sandy

January 24th, 2003, 11:09 AM	#47
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Have fun overthere! Be sure to bring a receipt with you from your camera, so you can get it back with you as well without paying import taxes etc. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 29th, 2003, 10:32 AM	#48
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Collaboration - - Present/future Writing collaboration, to work, to sale - - > to more work... New York based writer/director and seeks an active writing collaboration for independent production. Actively seeking a writer for current project and future work. (NYC location preferable.) Experience in the North East fishing / Lobster industry a definite plus, however, not necessary. Include a sample of your writing and a letter about yourself. Please send to: D.P. BEGIN 962 Saint Nicholas AVE, No. 4B New York, New York 10032

February 9th, 2003, 07:59 AM	#49
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Anyone using a Sharp Zaurus SL 5500 PDA? I'm looking for user comments and experinces using the Zaurus SL5500. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 9th, 2003, 05:11 PM	#50
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	MTV Harlem Hoops doc For the most part i really can't stand MTV but if u like to see cams in action watch the docu on street ball championship. there was a 150 and XL1s in almost everyshot as it would cut back to the other cams angle as well as a 150 on one of the tortoise rig backpack suspension systems.

February 12th, 2003, 09:06 AM	#51
Kenn Jolemore Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: norfolk Va. Posts: 124	on-line sites I was just looking at atomfilms.com I believe is the name of the site and watched a 12 min. short called "The last of the Cowboys"(If I remember correctly) with B.B.Thornton and was supprised by the amount of name recognisable actors who are useing this type outlet and how good this short was.. What other sites have you all checked out that are worth recomending and what shorts in particular did you enjoy at these sites? __________________ KennJ

February 14th, 2003, 05:49 PM	#52
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	Any PDA or PALM users??? Any Palm or PDA users amongs us know of any good camera sites, or one with latest news in camera\camcorder techno that work under Avantgo? Sp you can hotsync all the lastest news in media world direct onto palm as u can with avantgo???

February 14th, 2003, 07:57 PM	#53
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Cool VR camera trick Just saw a really neat trick on the Lord of the Rings Ext DVD set - They put Peter Jackson (the Director/Writer) in a pair of VR eyeglasses so that he could go "on location"to any computer generated locations or characters in Middle Earth. The neat part was that they gave him a wooden camera with sensors that he used to "film" the computer generated world as he walked around - quite interesting to see him "filming" while walking around a grid Most of the shots of the computer generated Stone Troll in Balin's Tomb/Moria were all "hand-held" using the VR camera

February 15th, 2003, 01:53 PM	#54
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	Confessions of a Dangerous Mind I just saw the film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. It has one of the most unique looks I've seen in recent history. It seems almost like it has the texture of film, but the feel of Digital, if that makes any sense. I'm sure it's probably just film and then digitized and wacked up in post, but does anyone have any info on how they did this film? Could it be HD?

February 16th, 2003, 01:12 PM	#55
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Can you point me to the exact location where this is at on the 4 disc extended DVD set? I've seen to have missed that piece! Thanks! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 18th, 2003, 01:26 PM	#56
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Marilyn Monroe home movie Anyone see the story today about the long-lost Marilyn Monroe home movie? A fourteen year old kid followed her around Manhattan back in '55, shooting her with his regualar 8 camera. The film was "lost" untill recently, and the images are superb. I was reminded again of the quality of small guage film, as I transfered some regualr eight footage this last week of old home movies from the 50's and early sixties. The kodachrome looks GREAT after more than 40 years, which is more than I can say about old vhs tapes I shot of my son in '84! It's always good to remember in this digital world, that "small guage" filmmaking should not be left behind, especially since the moder NLE's make sound sync, foley and music so easy. It's a good way to get that "film look" that people are always looking for. Regards, Bill

February 19th, 2003, 05:09 PM	#57
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Rats, I returned it to Blockbuster - but I know it's on the 2nd Appendices disk. There's a video there called "Cameras" or something like that.

February 25th, 2003, 03:05 PM	#58
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Hunk of Burning. Love? CD-R quality explained! Very interesting overview of CD-R media quality. Enjoy. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 26th, 2003, 01:04 PM	#59
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	XL1s, Xbox, and the game Apex racing All, I picked up the new game Apex yesterday and was playing it last night after I pried the controller from my oldest boys hand. (Since he recently turned 18 and is a senior in high school it's kind of hard to tell him "OK time for bed" =) In the game you have a shop to build prototype cars. In the shop there are shelves where you edit your game settings/save/load/etc. On the top shelf there is a Canon XL1s sitting there as part of your gear ! They (infrogames) did a really good job of detailing the camera. I was actually surprised at the details. It's a stock XL1s with the stock 16X lens. I just wanted to pass it on to the group for the sake of nostalgia. Here is a link to the game for those of you that have an Xbox and like racing sim type games. http://www.apex-game.com/flash.html __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska

February 28th, 2003, 08:21 PM	#60
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	That last Columbia tape What sort of camera do you suppose the final videotape recovered from the Columbia orbiter was shot on? I remember that a few years back NASA selected the XL1 to serve as the official mission camera, but the way the camera moves it looks to be a smaller handheld MiniDV cam, perhaps Laurel Clark's personal camera? The only thing I can find about it is that "The video was shot with a small onboard camera"... I'm just wondering if it was a consumer device or something custom built for the shuttle. Why was this, the final tape to be shot, the only one to survive? Was it because it was still in the recording deck? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors