Big Sur

[Graeme Nattress]

From what I've seen of David's work on Big Sur so far, I'd chip in to get a 4k DI done!
Graeme

 

[Stacey Spears]

Would be interesting to see if Kickstarter would work for something like this. I would be willing to pitch in for 4k too.

 

[Dane Brehm]

4K or DI

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Some frames from our little pick-up shoot. We shot in an abandoned hospital in Boyle Heights for a dream sequence where Jack Kerouac imagines a community of "Vulturemen" and sees an image of the Cross. I basically had three lights (1.2K HMI PAR, Source-4 HMI, and a Kinoflo) and we used house power, and a lot of available light as well. We used a Red One, 4K 2:1, recorded to CF cards. 800 ASA to 1600 ASA, 3600K setting, 50% desaturation. I mostly alternated between a 16mm UltraPrime and my Lensbaby. I used a #1/4 Double Fog filter -- and I sprinkled some water on the filter before every take, flicked it on with my fingers.

The RAW files show more highlight detail but I was aiming for a lot of blown-out detail and added a lot of contrast to the stills, plus additional diffusion:

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Some more:

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Beautiful... I was going to say that it reminded me of Northfork before you posted the frames.

4k isn't as prohibitive as it sounds, even for certain types of VFX. I sure hope Big Sur is released in 4k.
The number of large 4k screens keeps growing, and growing. Soon enough it will be paying for itself.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

I'd add that a lot of these shots were handheld and moving, making it very hard to operate AND pull focus myself on the Lensbaby, which requires one hand to be squeezing the lens in and out to bring things into focus.

 

[Daniel Reichenbach]

You're really painting with light, beautiful as always.

 

[Christian Munoz D]

Beautiful David! Not sure what is about the dream sequence with the vultures, but the vulture man put in my mind the near to extinction California Condor.

I am all for chip in to make this movie finish in 4K!!

 

[Geoff McLeod]

Appreciate you posting this stuff David. I'm amazed how good they look even though the equipment you use is limited to a few lights and a filter. Just goes to show, it's not the equipment or camera, it's the gifted eye of the person that makes all the difference. Tell me, did you choose a fog filter because it has a particular look, or would you normally use a smoke machine? I'm guessing the fog filter gives you a particular look that's different from using a machine.

 

[AnthonyFlores]

Wow, David -- I never cease to be amazed. Thanks for posting this and I too would love to see this in 4k. If your producer and director okay'd it ... maybe Jim could arrange a special 4k screening in Red Studios when it's all done?

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Appreciate you posting this stuff David. I'm amazed how good they look even though the equipment you use is limited to a few lights and a filter. Just goes to show, it's not the equipment or camera, it's the gifted eye of the person that makes all the difference. Tell me, did you choose a fog filter because it has a particular look, or would you normally use a smoke machine? I'm guessing the fog filter gives you a particular look that's different from using a machine.

I used a smoke machine as well. I used the filter just because I wanted the glowing windows and the softening. I had a 4x5 #1/4 Double-Fog on the Ultra Primes, but when I used my Lensbaby, I had to tape some of my old 52mm screw-in filters from my still camera kit (actually they are all leftover from my Super-8 filmmaking days back in the 1980's) and the closest thing I had to the Double-Fog was a #1 Regular Fog.

 

[PaulClements]

Another thank you from me David. Without doubt one of the most interesting threads I've read in a long while. Good luck with the film, it's looking brilliant.
Bravo
Paul

 

[paul engstrom]

Fantastic -- thanks for these great images and info.

 

[Antony M]

David,

Any update on the film?

Thanks,
Antony

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Seems stuck in editing...

 

[Rob Ruffo]

Thanks... but I don't want any compensation -- how can I be generous if I'm being compensated? Then it's like work. The fact that some people will find what I say useful to them in some manner is enough compensation for me. The greatest gift is to know that my accumulation of knowledge has practical value for others.

I can tell you that you have actually made me a better DP - I owe a world of debt to you.

 

[Mark Toia]

And this is Why you have ASC behind your name. Nice work David.

 

[BRANDON JAMESON]

These images are nothing short of stellar, Sir David!

 

[Nick Morrison]

I've spent all night reading this thread. One of my favorites EVER on REDUSER. Thanks so much Mr.Mullen for sharing!!! I feel like a bug on the wall at a GREAT indie set.