On Friday I was working a VIP Super Bowl party for Rolling Stone magazine. I’m stationed on the RED carpet with other press (video and photography and VR). Next to me is this guy that I overhear is working for the PR firm. They ask him if he is shooting video with that (gesture to iPhone on osmo mobile gimbal). He says yes, it is 4K. Later there was some confusing about whether he got an interview of someone that they could use. He wasn’t using any microphones, just the iPhone.
So I’m there hired by Rolling Stone through a production company to basically do the same thing. Film b-roll and grab a few interviews with our guy. I’m using a fully loaded Sony Fs7 with an Easyrig. And we’re not shooting in 4K because it is all going to web and social. I bet his back wasn’t feeling it later.
First time out with the RED Epic W yesterday. A fine camera as it goes. From an operating standpoint it was really no different than using the original EPIC. It all comes down to what accessories you add to it to make it useable in your configuration. I was using the Gratical Eye from Zacuto in addition to the RED monitor bolted to the top. Most of the day was Hand-held so I was using an EASYRIG to take some of the load off. The handle was prone to slipping off the clamp because of the front heavy arrangement using the Sigma Cine zoom and Wooden Camera matte box.
I will say the fan noise was much reduced over that of the original EPIC. I still find the menus and setup of the camera to be cumbersome. A few more quick access buttons and an easy way to configure the ones that do exist?
I didn’t have much time to examine the footage before turning it over to the client but it was much better looking than it looked on the tiny screen on camera. 🙂
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