EyeDirect 16x9 direct eyeline tool - any experience?

[Piers McGrail]

Hi guys, I'm working on a shoot next week where the director wants to use the EyeDirect tool [which overlays a reflection of the interviewer in front of the lens]. Just wondering if anyone here has used it before? Any advice on using it? I will of course be testing it prior to the shoot but would be interested to hear of any on set experience. Things like can it be used outside, how many stops to I lose... would be good to know.

Cheers,

Piers

 

[ericyoung]

Interesting device! Look forward to more technical information about it too.

 

[emil tanem]

I just got one of these. Thus I don´t have much to share yet as I´m also testing, but without having measured I think it takes about 2/3 of a stop.
Apparently, one trick to make it more functional is to pay some attention to how the director is being lit. Having him against a black backdrop will make it easier for the subject to see him.

I´m very keen on hearing your experiences on this device as well!

 

[Jean Heguy]

I'm currently shooting a doc with one of these. It eats about 1/2 to 2/3 of a stop and I use a dedo to light the director /interviewer for him to be seen better.

 

[Bob Gundu]

http://philipbloom.net/2011/01/27/eyedirect/

Philip Blooms review.

 

[Paul Russell]

I love it.
Recently shot this with it, converting total amateurs into confident speakers to camera in minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8kdaF2WQBc

I'll be dragging it all over the philippines during April for a similar project for an oil company.
It's good to use a matte box with it so that no light goes on the camera through the glass. And get the camera as close as possible to it as the arm can flex.

You'll need the larger version for the Red.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Another alternative is to use a teleprompter with video Skype on the reflected screen.

 

[Paul Russell]

I've just come back from the 2nd leg of a 12 interview project. 6 in the Philippines, 6 in Malaysia, all with the Eye Direct.
Interviewees and client very happy with using this device. We got some very truthful, relaxed on camera performances. including the guy in pic 2, who was a serious career politician until he started getting into the gas station business.