DIY GoPro Cable Cam
We set ourselves a new goal to build a smooth, lightweight cable cam that is small enough to fit in your day pack and able to accomodate a GoPro HERO or similar action camera. Here’s a little more how-to instruction if you’re interested in making your own – maiamedia.co.uk/2012/03/how-to-gopro-diy-cable-cam/
Bluebell timelapse and lessons learnt
Patrick and I are currently planning and preparing for our ‘uber film’, which we hope to begin shooting in early summer once our sponsors stump up a bike. It’s a mountain bike film set across all 4 seasons and filmed over 15 months. We’ve chosen such a long period because we want to make the most of the differences in riding conditions, weather and landscapes as the months progress. We’ve been planning this film in our head and on bits of paper for the last two years so it’s exciting to be so close to filming. Another awesome mountain bike film was released towards the end of last year called Life Cycles which makes an impressive use of the changing seasons and is definitely a source of inspiration for our own film.
Kessler Crane review: Mountain bike filmmaking
Our very own 8ft Kessler Crane Lite arrived in the post last week. We’ve made time to play with it so here’s the low down on what we think. Why buy a crane?
The affordability and quality of footage produced by many HDSLR’s has really opened up the filmmaking playing field over the last few years. Back in May 2010 I bought my first Panasonic GH1 and have been a HDSLR convert ever since.
DIY Cable Cam Video
Here’s the footage from our first experiment with a DIY cable cam. Read more on DIY Cable Cam Video…
DIY cable cam….how to.
DIY cable cam, sounds simple doesn’t it? A cable cam is something we’ve been toying with as an idea for shots in our ‘film in development’ currently named ‘State of Flow’. At first I thought it was impossible but increasingly I’ve been coming round to the idea especially if we keep it simple.
Todmorden Cyclocross 2011
The race took place on the 2nd January 2011 and includes the infamous cobbled climb! It was an all new experience for me and my first trip watching a cyclocross event. Shot on my GH1 and testing out my new Manfrotto 561BHDV Monopod.
Cyclocross outing for my Manfrotto 561BHDV Monopod
I wanted to test out my new Christmas present, a Manfrotto 561BHDV Monopod, and what better place to experiment than Todmorden Cyclocross race.
As a videographer that enjoys that enjoys using DSLR’s I wanted a light weight, low fuss, support solution when filming. I haven’t been completely sold on the various shoulder mount options made by the likes of Zacuto and others because whilst they do get some good reviews they are ridiculously expensive and cumbersome. They seem to over compensate for DSLR’s not being standard video cameras and forget about the unique features of DSLR’s themselves. So after a little research on the internet I bought the Manfrotto 561BHDV Monopod and I am chuffed with my decision.
Read more on Cyclocross outing for my Manfrotto 561BHDV Monopod…
Videos from my Raleigh Expedition to India
My Raleigh expedition to India this summer feels like many moons ago but I finally have something to show for it…(other than the amazing memories, friendships and shiny silver earings).
Since I’ve been back I’ve squirrled myself away in the office where I’ve sifted through over 200GB worth of video footage. After throwing out the crap and importing the good into Final Cut Pro, I’ve now have 3 short videos for the Raleigh International marketing department to use as they encourage more volunteers to take up the challenge. This is one of the videos which captures the Adventure Challenge phase down in Kerala. All footage was shot on my Panasonic GH1.
A Mountain Biking Film: Wharncliffe Woods
Our second Team Pickle mountain biking video this time filmed at Wharncliffe Woods near Sheffield. I tried to make the most of the autumn colours, off camber roots and technical rocky sections. It’s filmed on my Lumix GH1 and I also took along my glidetrack. Small colour alterations have been made using Magic Bullet Looks.
Biking and Filming at Wharncliffe Woods
Patrick and I recently decided to make the most of the autumn season and get out on the mountain biking trails to film again. We wanted to capture a forest track with blue skies and crispy autumn leaves so what better place to start than Wharncliffe woods.
Slow Motion Bike Film using Twixtor
Here’s a sweet little slow mo bike film that has used Twixtor to slow the video down to 10% or less. Everything was shot on the Canon 7D in 720p 60fps. Twixtor has had some mixed reviews but this little video is smooth..
Raleigh India Expedition Music Video
I’m still out in India filming on the Raleigh expedition but here’s a little music video which we’ve been creating over the last 6 weeks. Get the mouth was out, gargle and sing along!
Glimpse of worlds 1st professional HD Camera Recorder with Four Thirds optical system
The AG-AF100 is the worlds first professional HD Camera Recorder equipped with the micro Four Thirds optical system used in DSLR’s. It is capable of recording up to 12 hours of video using its two SDXC compatible slots. It offers AVCHD 1080 and 720 video recording in frame rates of 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25 or 23.98p with the top two rates interlaced in 1080 mode. The camcorder also features industry-standard HD SDI and XLR connectors.
Read more on Glimpse of worlds 1st professional HD Camera Recorder with Four Thirds optical system…
Lee Quarry MTB Video Success
We’re chuffed our recent mountain bike video shot at Lee Quarry has been so popular. People clearly loved the footage and after someone posted it up on the Singletrack website we saw a positive boom in the number of views and delightful comments from people who had appreciated our efforts. Not least of all Mr Brant Richands the founder and designer for Ragley who had designed the bike Patrick was riding. When Brant asked me to make a re-edit of the video with Ragley logos I was only happy to oblige.
My Videography Kit List for India
I will very shortly be on my travels to India as a videographer with Raleigh International. I’ll be away over the summer for over 10 weeks and will no doubt face a number of physical, technological and emotional challenges. Eeeeek! It will be monsoon season for a start and I’m not entirely sure what to expect.
My thoughts on the Panasonic Lumix GH1
In May 2010 I finally dug deep into my pockets and purchased the Panasonic Lumix GH1. Panasonic’s reputation for making outstanding video cameras is very well known. I personally got into videography using the Panasonic DVX-100 of which I’m still very fond. However I’ve recently noticed a positive boom in the number of videos created with DSLR’s and I love the depth of field and aesthetics displayed by many of the videos.
A Mountain Bike Film: Lee Quarry
I liked the aesthetics of video with DSLR’s so I recently dug deep into my pockets and purchased a Panasonic Lumix GH1. I now need to practice lots before I head out to India as volunteer videographer for Raleigh International in July. This is my first practice. The video follows Patrick mountain biking at Lee Quarry on his Ragley Mmmbop bike. I also took along my glidetrack. I’m looking forward to lots more DSLR filmming and getting to know the Panasonic GH1 a little better.
Serious Fun Road Trip Video
I’ve been reminiscing a little recently, looking through old photos, and decided I wanted to make a little reminder of our 2004-05 serious fun road trip adventure. I had so many photos sitting on our hard drive I just decided to stitch them all together in chronological order to create a little video of our 9 month trip in 6.30 minutes.
Algonquin Park Photomotion Video
It has taken a while but here is our photo & video trip log from Algonquin Park Canada. The footage is a combination of photographs and video. All taken using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Music is Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim.
Hannah’s Big Bro Gets Married
My Big Bro & the lovely Julie were married on Friday 7th August 2009. This is a little photomotion video of their perfect day. It contains no actual video footage but is made up entirely of photographs. There’s over 2,000 images but i’ve lost count of exactly how many. Music is ’1234′ by Feist
Jiggy with the Skinnies
A short video of Hannah practising her “northshore” skills on the skinny woodwork at Dixon’s Hallow in Dalby Forest. It was our first trip to Dalby Forest and great to find a a reasonable amount of low level woodwork to practice riding on.
Ride in the Park
I bought myself a new glidetrack and wanted to experiment with it. The sun was shining so I convinced Patrick to make a trip to the park and let me film him on his bike. His bike was broken (still is) so he borrowed a friends but forgot to add extra pressure to the forks hence all the falling.
Striding the Edge
My dad has wanted to hike Helvellyn & Striding Edge for as long as he can remember so this bank holiday weekend the weather looked good and we decided to tick it off the list! Two days later and my thighs still ache!
