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FALL 2011

One client has kept me busy producing a series of videos for their new website.  All the "interviews" are shot with my Panasonic HPX500 for ease of audio recording and all the b-roll is captured with DSLR's, including my new Canon 60D.  One of the new tools I've bought is a little slider which is able to fit into places I'd never be able to put a full size dolly and it takes only seconds to set up.  It's amazing how a little movement adds so much production value!

I really enjoy shooting these General spots, such as this one shot in a comedy club.  The "club" was four flats, a few tables and 20 extras shot on stage.  We've also used this same stage to be a judo dojo and a salsa club, among other things. It's always fun to work with this director and the same crew we've used for all the spots and isn't that what it's supposed to be all about?  Click to watch the General Comedy Club Spot on YouTube

A Beatles tribute band needed a video showcasing each era of the band, from Moptops to Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road to Let It Be.  I wanted a different lighting set-up to reflect each period but we didn't have a big budget to go out and do a bunch of sub-rentals.  I have to give Todd Nielsen and Wagon Wheel grip for being so creative and having everything we needed right on the truck.  He built truss out of speed rail and carries a dimmer board so we could give John, Paul, George and Ringo a real rock show!

SUMMER 2011

It's alsways gratifying to see a national commercial I've shot on TV but it's even more exciting to see my stills turned into an ad for an internationally advertised hotel chain. 

This particular shot was taken at the Conrad in downtown Indianapolis.  We weren't able to stop pedestrian traffic so I exclusively used battery powered LED lights so there were no cables runnning across the busy sidewalk.  See other images from this shoot on the Still Photography page.

Speaking of national commercials, we shot a couple of General Auto Insurance spots over the summer.  I say we because I was again working with gaffer (and some time stand in) Todd Nielsen and Wagon Wheel Grip.  In the background is the cardboard cutout we use to represent where the General will be placed in post.  To see how it all works take a look at the completed spot "The General's Penguin as a Financial Advisor".  That's at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBNVZsCKN5A

I want to remind you that I also just run camera, like this 87x long lens at this event at Petco Park.  No matter what kind of camera you're using on your production, if it makes a picture, I've probably operated it so if you're looking for an experieced cam op please give me a call.

SPRING 2011

Spring started with a 3 camera shoot at the Melon in Washington, DC.  I used my Sony F900 on the jib with two 5D’s picking up alternative angles.  It was raining on the shoot day, the auditorium was just plain dark and it took every light on the truck but it turned out great!

Hilton also sent me on trips to Rome, Paris, Miami Beach, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, London.  This time it was interviews exclusively using the 5D’s.  We picked up crew were we could but sometimes it was just me using a Zoom H4N.

We shot another Discover Orange County, this time at the Santa Ana Zoo where I got up close and personal with the animals.  The HPX500 is perfect for this kind of shooting.  I also edit the show and you’ll see the new episode on KOCE-TV and the OC Channel this summer. 

I’ve also been shooting a new series of Cash Call commercials with the F900.  We tried double shooting one spot with the 5D but because of the higher quality and ease of post flow we’re still using the trusty F900.  It is the gold standard!

WINTER 2011  

It's January so it must be time to shoot Betty White again.  Last year it was for the SAG awards, this time it was for AARP.  Here’s the Magliner loaded with my Sony F900 on the set of Hot In Baltimore.  I used Chimeras to key, Litepanels to kick and set bounce for fill.  As you can see, it all fits on a single, fast to move cart.

“This is my HPX500.  There are many like it but this one is mine.”  And you can tell it’s mine because it has that sweet Fuji 10x5.  This was part of a multiple day, multiple camera shoot for an automaker. I have another HPX500 owner/operator I work with and between us we can supply you with everything you need no matter what you’re shooting.

Hilton sent me to Spain for a week to shoot both video and stills with the 5D.  Check out the Still Photography page to see some of the images from that shoot.

FALL 2011

So, how many days did I spend on the road shooting video and still for Hilton in 2010?  The grand total was 110 days and 15 countries! But I don't just shoot hotel shots.  I still had plenty of time for commercials, infomercials and corporate jobs.

Here's a shot of the exercise video I lit using Todd Nielsen's Wagon Wheel Grip Truck.  Good job, Todd and all the guys!  That turned out to be a tough shoot because the pre-light day turned into the first shoot day and the boys really had to put it into high gear to get 'er done.  Check out Todd's Truck at http://www.wagonwheelgrip.com/

Todd works with me on the commercials, too.  Here's a spot we did for the General.  You can check out the finished spot on youtube athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSM9j81X0g4

And did I mention the blog?  I'm always getting production type stuff emailed to me which I passed on friends and co-workers and decided it would be simpler just to start a blog.  Check it out at http://www.dandonley.blogspot.com/

SPRING/SUMMER 2010

I spent the last few months literally flying around the world 4 times shooting with the Canon 5D.  Locations included Hong Kong, Singapore, Istanbul, Rome, Puerto Rico, Bali, Tokyo, Frankfort, Cairo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, Bangkok, Mainz, Liverpool, Dublin plus Florida and Arizona.  So far, that's 104 days on the road, with so far being the operative words!

In between all these trips, I've still had time to work on a variety of projects such as the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, gaming videos, PBS TV shows, plus a bunch of the General insurance spots.  Add in the time I spent getting SHELLTER into four more festivals and I've been a busy boy!

And if you want to see more of what I've done in the past, please check out the Newsletter Archive. 

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