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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

ABC's " THE GATES"

Curran Giddens said:
My new favorite show!
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Glad you're enjoying it. It actually had it's highest ratings yet for this past Tuesday's episode, a good sign given that USA Network has already picked up three shows with lesser numbers ;-)

Covert Affairs shoots with Red as their "A" camera, but there is rather liberal use of Canons as well. They're used primarily for additional coverage, but there have also been some scenes for which they provided primary coverage.
And essentially all stock shots and background plates for composites are done with them (almost all of the in-car work is done with green screens). The Gates, on the other hand, is almost exclusively Red. In fact, other than some stock shots, I can't recall a shot done on another camera on that show.

FYI: I'm the colorist on both shows.
 
Just caught this last week for the first time..."The Gates" seems to be a pretty good show, but - when I looked it up, it seemed that it might be on the verge on cancellation - did this happen, or not? anyone know?
 
Evin Grant said:
All the survailence cam stuff for "The Gates" is shot on a 7D.
Everything else is MX.
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That's true, of course. I forgot about that because to my recollection that's only been used a few times in the first 10 episodes, at least in terms of playing full screen.

If I'm not using the original footage, it doesn't really count :laugh:
 
Michelle (the wife) really likes Covert Affairs. I am partial to it, I like it, but it isn't my type of show. And I admit I enjoy its light-hearted aspect very much. That is also something we are in great need of at the moment, so I am not surprised in the least to hear about the ratings. Good for them.

Michelle also liked Coyote Ugly (2000) lead by Piper Perabo, who brings the same quality to Covert Affairs but perhaps in a more suitable climate. Kari Matchett and Christopher Gorham are great in it too.

Anyone else find the red Golf car chances a funny? xP I like all the CIA offices stuff the best. It looks great. Hope the show does great!


About The Gates, I actually enjoy the concept a lot! Like many, at first I thought it sounded really bad, but it creates great situations for the characters! My love of American suburbia, gated communities included, might be at play here. I do wish it were captured a bit more thoroughly, or maybe just differently.

I am not head over heels about the look of the show though. I know it isn't just you Mike, and there isn't anything wrong with it, it is just not the look I would have chosen. Only one guys personal taste though and it doesn't mean it isn't well executed.

Paul Blackthorne is great, and it looks like his part is gonna get much bigger soon.
 
I can spend hours watching Piper Parabo on screen. She owns every scene she is in. Plus the writing isn't bad either. I also like White Collar and Burn Notice. I would never have dreamed that the once lowly USA network would become one of my favorites.
 
Joe Carney said:
I can spend hours watching Piper Parabo on screen. She owns every scene she is in. Plus the writing isn't bad either. I also like White Collar and Burn Notice. I would never have dreamed that the once lowly USA network would become one of my favorites.
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Same here. Tuesday night on USA.
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
I re-worded my post a bit. I don't think it read as I intended. Shouldn't post after happy hour. xP
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You don't have to apologize to me. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Besides, I'm not the production designer, cinematographer, or producer. A colorist's job, at least on a television series, is to properly interpret the cinematographer's work with a sensitivity to what the executive producers (the ultimate decision makers in television) like and don't like. That's sometimes a balancing act, but when done correctly, all of the creative forces are hopefully served and the result is what the creators intend it to be. When they all seem to be relatively happy, the colorist's job is properly done. As far as I've been told, on The Gates, they are happy :closedeyes:
 
Oh, I knew you didn't take it personally. And to be clear, nothing of what I am saying is negative. It is just not my favorite type of show that's all... but I have to admit that the more I watch CA the more I am getting hooked. :) But shhhh! Don't tell Michelle, pls!!

I really like the set design grade for the CIA interiors. Those scenes always stand out, and they look great. I definitely like the Covert look better than Gates.

Maybe I just don't like the abrupt jump from dark shadows to bright mid-tones... which I guess it is a necessity to make it bright-living-room friendly?
 
A few episodes of CA later...

...I am hooked! :blush5:

It is a great escape, and very smart on the network for putting it out. Nothing better than "spies saving the world" in a pretty light fashion. Hope they don't change it! How are the ratings? Michelle says it got renewed! :beer:
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
A few episodes of CA later...

...I am hooked! :blush5:

It is a great escape, and very smart on the network for putting it out. Nothing better than "spies saving the world" in a pretty light fashion. Hope they don't change it! How are the ratings? Michelle says it got renewed! :beer:
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The ratings are quite good. It is the 2nd or 3rd (depending on the week) highest rated program on USA Network, behind Burn Notice and, on some weeks, Royal Pains. The numbers for "Covert" have gotten higher each week that it has been on the air, and it was officially picked up for a 2nd season this past week.
 
I find it amusing that people with 3 P.A. credits feel entitled to comment on "choosing" a look for a show, clearly without any understanding of the many masters (network, studio, showrunner, episode director, budget and schedule) that a DP must serve doing network television. Try sitting in the driver's seat sometime.
 
Arthur Albert said:
I find it amusing that people with 3 P.A. credits feel entitled to comment on "choosing" a look for a show, clearly without any understanding of the many masters (network, studio, showrunner, episode director, budget and schedule) that a DP must serve doing network television. Try sitting in the driver's seat sometime.
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Welcome to the forum Arthur. I was simply trying to post feedback, with no entitlement whatsoever. I am pretty sure that was added in the read.

Keep in mind that I am not a DP, nor do I aspire to become one. But I would apologize for posting carelessly on an open forum, if I had done that. I am pretty sure all I did was discuss my personal taste...

I have spoken with Mike a few times before, we have all read his posts, and I felt confident he knew what I was saying. But I actually followed up with him on PM, and he didn't seem to have taken it bad at all.

You might realize however, if you read the posts again, that I already mentioned that situation you are speaking of. No, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. I do understand how difficult it is, I see it all the time, and I admire artists with resilience. I hope one day I can look back and see a long list of my own work. Keep in mind that Imdb is not all, and that you misread that as well, I only have one PA credit. And many of the best Directors have been there, are proud of it.

I am still hooked on Gates, good work, and all the best to you....
 
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