michael-morlan.net - newsletter for independent filmmakers

information . education . tools for the Indie filmmaker

Vol 3 - March, 2005 

Howdy!

An Introduction

To those of you receiving this newsletter for the first time, my name is Michael Morlan.  I am an independent writer, director, and D.P in Austin, Texas.  This is my occasional newsletter to producers, directors, cinematographers, and all creators of Central Texas independent narrative projects.  As an Indie film creator myself, I like to keep in touch, share philosophy and insight, and yes, even promote opportunities to shoot projects for others.  :)  Ultimately, this newsletter is about networking, being a part of the Indie film scene, and giving a little something back.

In each issue of this newsletter, you may find news, views, and muses about;

  • writing
  • pre-production
  • directing
  • cinematography/videography
  • editing
  • image manipulation
  • visual effects

If you don't know me yet (heck, even if you do know me) take a moment to scan my web site at michael-morlan.net.  There you'll find;

  • animated and live short films
  • short film scripts
  • seminars, tutorials, and technical know-how
  • lighting, camera, and audio rentals

Vol 3 - March, 2005

In this volume:

Writer's Journey

  • A Brief Exploration of the Stages of Grief in "Stairway to Heaven"

D.P. Diversions

  • Choosing a Light for your Set (Using Illumination Tables)

Gear Rentals

  • $25,000 Gear Rental Expansion!
  • Losmandy Porta-jib Traveller

Quote of the Moment - imagery from our literary lexicon


"It was full evening, and the sun within an hour of its setting, the air much warmer now and the light mellow with a powdery gold..." - Hilaire Belloc
 

Writer's Journey - capturing emotional truth in films
 
A Brief Exploration of the Stages of Grief in "Stairway to Heaven"

In her 1969 book, “On Death and Dying,” Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, an activist for the bereaved and dying, defined the process of grieving a loss as occurring in five stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.  While Dr. Kübler -Ross’ focus was on coming to terms with death, her five stages of grief have been and may be applied to any situation in which a person has to cope with a change in their reality that requires a shift in imagination - including discovering that one is going to hell.

Read more about the Stages of Grief in "Stairway to Heaven" here.

  


 

D.P. Diversions - cinematography
 

Choosing a Light for your Set (Using Illumination Tables)

After I have been lighting for a specific camera or film stock for awhile, selecting instruments to light my scenes becomes second nature.  I have a sense memory of their look, feel, and illumination characteristics that gets me ninety percent through my lighting setup.  After that, I can use my meters and/or video monitoring to fine tune the scene.

But what if you are new to lighting a set?  Or, what if you are considering a light you have never used?  How do you select the right light for the job?  Visual character aside, how do you assure there will be enough light to properly expose the film emulsion or video chip?

Read more about Choosing a Light here.
 

  

Gear Rentals - equipping the set

What's in a Name?

Brand Identity, that's what!

Please welcome the founding of

Austin Film Tools
information . education . tools for the Indie filmmaker

I have separated the rental business from my personal identity as an actor, director, and cinematographer in order to more clearly represent both myself and the rental of my production gear in the Austin scene.

$25,000 Gear Inventory Expansion Complete!

Expansion of my production gear inventory is complete!  I added $25,000 of new tools including:

Kino Flo Gaffer Kit with 2 4-Bank Select Lights

Porta-jib Traveller jib-arm

dolly systems

camera car mount systems

PhotoFlex soft boxes

Audio-technica wireless & wired lavs

Rosco 1700 fog machine

5850watt FAY light

Losmandy Porta-jib Traveller

Designed for videographers and 16mm cinematographers who need to travel light. Weighing only 29 pounds, the Porta-jib Traveller supports 40 pounds of camera and fluid head. So compact, it folds up with no loose parts and fits into a baby tripod case. Its unique telescopic design allows it to work in constricted areas and also to unfold to create a dramatic 7.5 foot lift.

features:
o supports up to 40 pounds
o telescopic design for constricted areas
o boom and pan friction controls
o 100mm bowl for camera head
o center column mounts to 100mm bowl or Mitchell plate
o bubble levels on center column and camera plate
o sliding counterweight for balance fine-tuning
o weight 29 lbs. / folds to 31" / in wheeled flight-case
o fits easily in a car trunk

Read more about the Porta-jib Traveller at austinfilmtools.com.

  


delivers 7.5 feet of vertical movement
folds to 31"

Kino Flo Gaffer Kit w/two 4' 4BANK Select lights

An incredibly popular soft-light equally suited for tight locations and studio alike.  The lamps can also operate independent of the fixture allowing them to be built into sets or custom soft boxes or hand held as a single tube for an eye-light.

features:
o soft, flicker-free daylight- or tungsten-balanced light
o low-heat output
o eggcrate and barndoors control spill
o operates underwater
o bulbs can be positioned outside the fixture
o safety coated lamps contain glass fragments and dust if broken

Read more about the Kino Flo 4BANK at austinfilmtools.com.

 

  

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michael-morlan.net & austinfilmtools.com
film . video . cg . rentals 

 

Cel:
Web site:

512.791.4121
http://michael-morlan.net