American Cinematographer - August 2010 - 84

we used to do, and to look forward and explore how to do it now, well and profitably.” For additional information, visit www.visualeffectssociety.com/productionsummit-2010. Sharp Focus from Redrock Micro Redrock Micro has introduced the MicroRemote Focus System, an affordable, high-performance, wireless/wired focuscontrol system designed for use with any camera.

Designed for professionals and amateurs alike, the system includes a wireless/wired controller, a base station/receiver, motors and a range finder. The controller features an iPhone/iPod Touch interface for graphic display of focus information to aid precise focusing. The system is compatible with both still photo and cine lenses, and it Kodak Expands Vision3 Line Kodak has added two films to its Vision3 family of motion-picture products: Vision3 200T 5213/7213, a medium-speed color-negative camera film, and Vision3 Color Digital Intermediate Film 5254/2254. 5213/7213 features extended latitude, enabling cinematographers to record more details in highlights, and delivers finer grain for naturallooking images in the darkest areas. The emulsion is designed for shooting in both controlled interiors and challenging high-contrast exteriors, and is available in all formats (65mm, 35mm, Super 16mm and Super 8mm). ASC President Michael Goi, who had the opportunity to test 5213, notes that the stock “is a significant improvement over the already excellent Vision2 5217. Reds in skin tones have a noticeably more natural balance, and I felt I could almost touch the high-resolution results in texture.” M. David

can be used with third-party motors or with Redrock Torque motors. The MicroRemote also boasts modular functionality, allowing additional components to extend the system for multiple motors, multiple cameras and more. The handheld controller features 2.4ghz production-quality wireless radio, with the option for a tethered connection via an integrated connection port. The controller also boasts an integrated rechargeable battery that concurrently powers an attached iPhone/iPod Touch, plus a D-tap power connection. The ergonomic design fits comfortably in the user’s hand, and the controller accommodates both left- and right-hand orientations. The system can be used to control focus, zoom and iris settings, and the controller also offers users camera start/stop functionality. The MicroRemote iPhone/iPod Touch software, which requires an iPhone or iPod Touch running OS 3.0 or later, offers real-time graphic and numeric display of focus distance and focus scale as well as real-time display of the MicroTape sonar range finder distance. The visual display Mullen, ASC, who also tested the stock, adds, “This new film has an even finer grain structure with deeper black tones and richer color saturation, especially in the reds and flesh tones. The images were slightly sharper … and more consistent in overexposed areas. The white tones were cleaner after

also shows depth-of-field information based on the lens and settings, plus an “auto focus” setting enabling the MicroTape to directly control focus. The MicroTape real-time range finder offers accurate distance-to-subject display with a 25' range. The metric or imperial distance scale appears on both sides of the MicroTape in high-contrast blue. The MicroTape can be used on its own or in conjunction with the wireless remote, and it is configurable for use off-camera. Supporting both wireless and wired control of the motors, the MicroRemote base station enables both automatic and manual lens calibration and incorporates a universal power port. Additionally, a wired finger controller offers precision singlefinger focus adjustment with smooth rotary operation, and it easily attaches to a handgrip for ENG-style operation. For additional information, visit www.redrockmicro.com. 5254/2254 is designed for use with contemporary film recorders. The imaging characteristics of this new intermediate film enhance the speed and efficiency of DI postproduction while rendering noticeably sharper images that more faithfully represent the intentions of filmmakers. The film provides an improved bridge between Kodak negative films and Kodak print films. “These new Vision3 films are the tangible results of our ongoing commitment to filmmakers,” says Kim Snyder, vice president of the Eastman Kodak Company and president of the Entertainment Imaging Division. “They were designed based on our customers’ suggestions and with the goal of increasing creative freedom and efficiencies in production and postproduction.” For additional information, visit www.kodak.com/go/motion.

the film was scanned and converted to digital files. There is also a tighter grain structure … especially when it is used for daylight exterior scenes.”

August 2010

American Cinematographer

http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/production-summit-2010 http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/production-summit-2010 http://www.redrockmicro.com http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

American Cinematographer - August 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - August 2010