A Professional Cinematographer

[Ketch Rossi]

After #NAB I posted a BTS photo of a camera set up and got a tone of messages, some kinda of arrogantly trying to shame me for not been a Professional Cinematographer since I could not set up a proper Camera Package and some with genuine inquisition on why I set up the camera with no Camera Bridge Plate or Rods or a Follow Focus system and so on. . .

So here I am posting an other image form a front angle this time with this words: A Professional Cinematographer does NOT need to put all that He/She has mounted on the camera system at all times no matter the needs of the shoot at hand, in fact you only mount on the camera what you need for that particular shoot no more no less!

In this particular case I was TESTING a Production Prototype of the fantastic new Tokina Cinema USA 85mm Prime lens, and the new Blueshape EnergyInside Granite Mini Battery & since I wanted to get a hands on feel for the lens Focusing Gear Smoothness I didn't add a Follow Focus system so that I could focus the lens with my naked hand, this comes from my background in Photography where of course your naked hand on the lens is all that you ever use, also since this lenses are closer to my beloved ARRI ZEISS Camera Lenses Master Primes, I wanted to see how they focused in comparison, and since the Matte Box I used is a Bright Tangerine Misfit ClampOn, there was then absolutely no reason to add a Camera Bridge Plate or Rods, so I mounted the camera strait on to the Miller Camera Support Cineline 70 Plate, the RED Digital Cinema camera itself had the Side Handle and the super small and compact 4.7" LCD Touch screen and it was all I needed, as I wasn't shooting anything else then few still Landscape shots to test the lens.

The lens tested absolutely well beyond my wildest expectations and the images I took back showed how much work Ryan Avery and Team at Tokina put in to this lens, and it was all that I needed to do, so as you can see and hope understand been a Professional Cinematographer means that you need to know what to put on your camera system to get the job done, with absolute no need to over load the camera just so that with so much gear on it it might make you look like you are a real Professional

 

[Jackson Veigel]

Totally agree.

Also, how do you like that Blueshape mini vmount? Have you tried it on a gimbal?

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Totally agree.

Also, how do you like that Blueshape mini vmount? Have you tried it on a gimbal?

Love them Jackson!

They are absolutely a perfect fit for the DSMC & DSMC2 cameras, it will be all that I will use from now on on RED, as for Gimbal use, I think that for some uses they are of course fantastic, but for others you might want to use the RED mini as they are super slim, but only give you a very small wh.

Here is a rear view:

 

[Mike Altino]

Agreed. It's all about what you're shooting.

I for one love minimal setups when needed or when possible.

By the way, I think that setup looks amazing. Will you be able to share some of those tests?

 

[Curtis boggs]

how could you possibly test a lens, .. on a camera, outside, without a 10 ton grip truck and crew of 50+ ????

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Agreed. It's all about what you're shooting.

I for one love minimal setups when needed or when possible.

By the way, I think that setup looks amazing. Will you be able to share some of those tests?

One of the reasons I love the RED so much and especially the new DSMC2 system it's because of its Modularity that is finally where it gives its maximum benefits, so I set up each shoot with the needed camera built no more no less.

This initial tests where to see how the lens handles light, how it focused, how it felt on hand vs Master Primes, the feel and actual attributes of the housing and how it stacks up to the Master Prime, nothing really to share imagery wise at this time, but look forward to the Production set and it will be taken on a long journey with tone to be shared

 

[Ketch Rossi]

how could you possibly test a lens, .. on a camera, outside, without a 10 ton grip truck and crew of 50+ ????

Ha ha, right?

Again, one of the most appreciated aspect of the RED DSMC2 system, (DSMC as well) is that I can almost go back to my Photography days with a package that fits on my Back Pack and shoot all day

 

[Curtis boggs]

Ha ha, right?

Again, one of the most appreciated aspect of the RED DSMC2 system, (DSMC as well) is that I can almost go back to my Photography days with a package that fits on my Back Pack and shoot all day

I can really relate to that, .. stills guy for many years myself. Spent a few doing adventure scuba travel
stories for Rodale's Scuba diving, Scuba Times etc. Dragging gear in a back pack all over the Caribbean.
Same reason I Love the Red system too!

Cheers

 

[Brody_B]

Theres no need to explain yourself Ketch. The people who criticize your picture follow a common misunderstanding that a fully suited setup is the only way professionals work. I would assume they are less experienced as I think we all learn this in the early stages, (most the time when we actually get our first heavy kit with all the bells and whistles), that it simply doesn't make your films that much better, it helps yes, but its not an underlying factor for a professional. Shit, someone is more of a professional if they are able to make great films without all that extra stuff. Nice Mini v-lock btw, I hope you really like them, got 8 showing up tomorrow and cant wait to use them! :sifone:

 

[Kwan Khan]

some kinda of arrogantly trying to shame me for not been a Professional Cinematographer since I could not set up a proper Camera Package and some with genuine inquisition on why I set up the camera with no Camera Bridge Plate or Rods or a Follow Focus system and so on. . .

If the shoe fits and comfy, wear it.... ignore them ignorant,.
I look most like myself... when I do things according to my vision (with nerdy engineering glasses - lol).

 

[Uros Zuraj]

i dont know but to me this just sounds like an ad for all your sponsors... even if that wasnt your intention, there is no useful info about any of the gear parts other then "they are great" and just to explain yourself and your setup you didnt really need to open a new topic, you have a few of them already and could easily post this in your "Ketch Rossi" topic
why I think its an ad? because you mention every part of the gear where it could easily be "i have this setup as I wanted to test this lens and I used clip-on mattebox and just put it straight on the tripod"
you see no brands mentioned and getting to the same point

 

[Will Kalla]

A lot of readers could be curious of what stuff he was using.
Not only full fledged pros read this site, newbies like me read it too.

I see almost in every thread where pics appear that gear is mentioned or if it is not someone asks for it soon enough.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Ultimately, it's the work that matters. The rest is window dressing.

Christopher Doyle straps pillows to his chest and gets great results - in the end, that's all anyone remembers.

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

i dont know but to me this just sounds like an ad for all your sponsors... even if that wasnt your intention, there is no useful info about any of the gear parts other then "they are great" and just to explain yourself and your setup you didnt really need to open a new topic, you have a few of them already and could easily post this in your "Ketch Rossi" topic
why I think its an ad? because you mention every part of the gear where it could easily be "i have this setup as I wanted to test this lens and I used clip-on mattebox and just put it straight on the tripod"
you see no brands mentioned and getting to the same point

Lets just say..Im just waiting for the very detailed Ronin 1 revew that is suppose to be ...any time now ....zzzzz...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I can really relate to that, .. stills guy for many years myself. Spent a few doing adventure scuba travel
stories for Rodale's Scuba diving, Scuba Times etc. Dragging gear in a back pack all over the Caribbean.
Same reason I Love the Red system too!

Cheers

Yeah Camera Scuba gear get real heavy fast too.

Theres no need to explain yourself Ketch. The people who criticize your picture follow a common misunderstanding that a fully suited setup is the only way professionals work. I would assume they are less experienced as I think we all learn this in the early stages, (most the time when we actually get our first heavy kit with all the bells and whistles), that it simply doesn't make your films that much better, it helps yes, but its not an underlying factor for a professional. Shit, someone is more of a professional if they are able to make great films without all that extra stuff. Nice Mini v-lock btw, I hope you really like them, got 8 showing up tomorrow and cant wait to use them! :sifone:

Thanks Brody, and you are right!

I love the Blueshape Mini, they are just perfect in so many ways. Enjoy yours!

If the shoe fits and comfy, wear it.... ignore them ignorant,.
I look most like myself... when I do things according to my vision (with nerdy engineering glasses - lol).

Exactly Kwan!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

i dont know but to me this just sounds like an ad for all your sponsors... even if that wasnt your intention, there is no useful info about any of the gear parts other then "they are great" and just to explain yourself and your setup you didnt really need to open a new topic, you have a few of them already and could easily post this in your "Ketch Rossi" topic
why I think its an ad? because you mention every part of the gear where it could easily be "i have this setup as I wanted to test this lens and I used clip-on mattebox and just put it straight on the tripod"
you see no brands mentioned and getting to the same point

I guess you simply understood little to nothing of what I wrote, and that is ok

As for the Gear been mentioned by name of manufacturer, I guess you still haven't understood what I "ALSO" do and whom I do it for and that is ok too

As for posting on my "Ketch Rossi" thread, I guess you haven't noticed that I had that particular thread closed a LONG time ago, since selling M8, and since that thread exist in the M owners, would make no sense to continue to post DSMC2 related material there.

But just so you know for the next time you might see a post of mine, (which you will soon start seen a TONE of them on a NEW thread. . .

As I also Teach part time, when I can for FREE, to do that I get Sponsored Gear which in turn allows more of my own money to be spent traveling to locations where I can give FREE workshops and Teach the Arts to those that can't afford a Film School, so mentioning their Company name when possible is the list I can do to thank them in turn of their generosity and support, additionally to that, more then you know, always ask what gear is that or that, and for this I also mentioned strait on the post so that I don't have to go back and answer the same question over and over via PM or DM, hope this clears it up for you.

A lot of readers could be curious of what stuff he was using.
Not only full fledged pros read this site, newbies like me read it too.

I see almost in every thread where pics appear that gear is mentioned or if it is not someone asks for it soon enough.

EXACTLY Will, you got it spot on

Ultimately, it's the work that matters. The rest is window dressing. C

Christopher Doyle straps pillows to his chest and gets great results - in the end, that's all that matters.

Well said Nick!

Lets just say..Im just waiting for the very detailed Ronin 1 revew that is suppose to be ...any time now ....zzzzz...

Ha ha. . . I guess on that one I do deserve what ever you can trow at me, and since time passed it just become redundant to even think about doing one, so I never did for more then one reason. Yet that also tough me a good lesson on how to go about accepting Beta Testing equipment and committing to Reviews before having truly had time to use the gear and assess if it was worth my time to begin with.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Haters going to hate!

There's days I shoot even more bare-bones then that setup, compared to a normal rig with all the bells and whistles I typically use. You build your camera depending on the needs of your shoot! You'd expect a "professional cinematographer" to understand that

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Haters going to hate!

There's days I shoot even more bare-bones then that setup, compared to a normal rig with all the bells and whistles I typically use. You build your camera depending on the needs of your shoot! You'd expect a "professional cinematographer" to understand that

Very true, and I have learned that much in the past decade of Internet use But hey at list they have helped me get a thicker skin

And yes, we go back to been a Reduser for a reason with the advantages of Modularity, but also of course this days can be directed at just any other system, it would be like your girlfriend wearing her entire Jules collection not only at a Black Tie event or New Years Party, but every time She goes to the Gym or to walk the dog

Yeah, I don't think so, let's try and teach our younger aspiring Filmmakers that it is absolutely ok to fly as light weight as possible if it gets the job done for that particular situation.

 

[M.Halsell]

Ketch "Haters Gonna Hate". I'm personally mad that I can't live your jetset lifestyle.:furious3: Keep giving us the good stuff.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch "Haters Gonna Hate". I'm personally mad that I can't live your jetset lifestyle.:furious3: Keep giving us the good stuff.

Ha ha, funny thing is that I am actually looking forward to the day in which the school finally opens so that I can settle down and stop traveling the globe so much. . .

But yes, indeed "Haters Gonna Hate" it's just sad, and I for one won't stand for it, if not for me for all of those that follow me and might read the absurdity of what such "Haters\bullies" write, as it is important that aspiring filmmakers understand.

And don't worry, I haven't even started yet, despite a decade of doing this, the good stuff it's just about to start rolling for real