Production Diaries:
June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
September 2004
October 2004
Recent Entries:
HUNDREDS GATHER TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MAKO IWAMATSU IN CAGES!
Wed, 14 Nov 2007
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE SCREENING OF MAKO!
Tue, 16 Oct 2007
Perles Acquires Cages Distribution!
Wed, 01 Aug 2007
"CAGES" RUNS 4TH WEEK IN THEATRES!
Fri, 13 Apr 2007
IT'S MY TURN TO FLY!
Mon, 09 Apr 2007
"CAGES" SURPRISES MANY AS IT ENTERS THIRD WEEKEND IN THEATRES!
Fri, 06 Apr 2007
"CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Tue, 03 Apr 2007
LOYAL FOLLOWING TO THANK, AS "CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Mon, 02 Apr 2007
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Camera Test
08/06/04
On Tuesday we shot a full day of Camera Tests on location here in Singapore for the film.
The first real test for our team as an 'on set' operation in production mode... Well I'm pleased to report that they are a solid bunch powered by a spirit of warmth, humour, focus and professionalism... a 'can do' attitude (which is a must on any set), came through loud and clear today which makes me feel confident that we'll be flying into a 7 week shoot of goodness and teamwork... I just pray that the Gods are on our side... as someone said in a meeting the other day, we don't exactly have a Hollywood budget (Graham left it at home in his drawer! :) So we need all the cosmic forces behind us, judging by today, I think they are... touch wood!
Tuesday's camera tests were as much about look and style as they were technical. The look and style of our interiors particularly, that have been so carefully, attentively and beautifully crafted by wonderful Designer Sammie Sng and her team of boys... (only two I might add!) who have been working tirelessly for weeks now.
Stylistically, I'm really excited about where we're heading, when all the elements come together its looking great, so I'm really looking forward to the journey as we bring Graham's vision to life over the next two months of shooting.
In terms of the technical side, we're shooting on the Panasonic HD Varicam, which is a pretty cool little machine. Having been designed by a DP (Director of Photography) itself means that it’s geared up to work in the way that I'd normally work when shooting on film.
It’s a brilliant and exciting technological evolution that has totally removed my previous cynicism about digital motion image capture. Now that’s saying something because I've always been a film purist!
Of course I still love film, but the beauty of this puppy is that I can treat it with the integrity of film and expose it, as if it was film... and to my surprise it responds accordingly! I'm well impressed, and that makes for a happy and excited DP :) Many Thanks to Teo Gim Loo from Panasonic who has dedicated many hours of his time to ensure I understand this animal and how its brain works.
My main concern now is how these images we see on the HD monitor will translate to the big screen. We tested all sorts of extremes, burning out highlights and deep dark shadows, with everything in between. Extreme wide shots of the Singapore skyline to extreme close ups of the sun itself, as well as the skyline at night. The brightest and the lowest of light levels.
All this footage will soon be output to 35mm film using the Arri Laser recorder in both Sydney and India in comparative tests that will allow us to assess the process and its capabilities, what it can and can't handle, and the surprises that may occur along the way.
I'm led to believe it will be a beautiful thing... So fingers crossed, 'the proof’s in the pudding' as they say. We'll see very soon.
All the best, Lappy.
Mark Lapwood
Director of Photography
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