Studio Blog

This week’s Video Spotlight hails from Atlanta, Georgia, courtesy of filmmaker Michael Burton. Michael has been a filmmaker for Demand Studios for the past two years. Click on the image below to take a look at some of his recent work.

What was the most difficult or unexpected challenge of this production?
 It was difficult to plan this production because we used Tony Ingle the head coach at Kennesaw State University.  He is a very busy man.  Trying to get the players and coach of a popular basketball team under one roof with time to spare was definitely a challenge.

What equipment did you use for this shoot, and what methods did you use to attain the smooth action shots of the players? Panasonic AG-HMC150, Glidcam 2000, Indislider Pro. The rest of Handheld with “Smoothcam” filter applied. To obtain the smooth shots, I used a Glidecam 2000 and an Indislider for the lower floor shots.  Even then the shots were not completely steady so I through the “Smoothcam” video filter on them located in Final Cut Pro.  That smoothed them out just right.  “Smoothcam” zooms in just slightly on your footage causing your footage to be slightly less quality than it should be.  The larger the shake, the closer it zooms.  Try to avoid this technique if you have too much shake as it will distort your footage.  

What methods did you use to secure the expert? Whenever I go about trying to book a new expert, I always contact people I know first to find out who they know.  It really helps to break down the time that I will need to spend on the phone.  It’s pretty much delegation.  I delegate others to begin the search for me so that I can continue working on other projects.  I found a friend that knew the coach’s son from church.  I called the coaches home and left a message with his wife.  He returned my phone call almost a week later.  Like I said, he is a busy man. 

What is your favorite part of the production process, and why? My favorite part would have to be the actual filming.  I have already done all the pre-production work and the phone calls to get the shoot.  I am in the moment using my equipment which I love to work with.  I am working with people, which I love to do and I get to direct, which I love to do as well.  I am not even thinking about the editing process yet. 

What attracts you to filmmaking? I love the creation process.  That is why I am a producer.  I want to be with a project from beginning to end.  My favorite part of ANY production is when I get to sit in the same room as the client and watch the expressions on their faces to know that I impressed them and that they are satisfied.  I have been in so many rooms where I have made people cry, in a good way of course.  I have made people cry just from creating a commercial ad that was exactly what they were looking for and they were unsure of my abilities to do so with the budget that they had.  In the end if you know that you have created something special, then it makes all the hours spent on the project worth it.