I’ve just returned from seeing Apollo 18 at the theater and I have to say that I really loved it. It was creepy, intense and filled with interesting twists and turns right up until the end. Apollo 18 takes the found footage sub-genre to the moon and explains why Apollo 18 was NASA’s last trip there. Producer Timur Bekmambetov and newcomer director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego managed to create a tense, claustrophobic film with enough atmosphere and surprises to choke an extraterrestrial life form.
This Sunday on Classics Corner, we showcase Cloverfield. I was not a huge fan of this movie because of the wild camera work. I prefer to call this film, “I don’t feel so bluuugggh!(vomiting sounds)” Yes, I understand the camera is supposed to be held by a non-camera person and they’re running for their lives….but that doesn’t make it any less nausea inducing. Other than that I was cool with the movie. I guess this is why I liked Diary of the Dead better.
Cloverfield came out in 2008 (as you probably noticed in the title) and was directed by Matt Reeves. Matt Reeves also directed “Let Me In” in 2010. Cloverfield was written by Drew Goddard who also a writer and co-executive producer on “Lost,” “Lost: Missing Pieces” and “Alias.” He also wrote on “Angel” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV series. Cloverfield stars Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas and Lizzy Caplan.
Below are some trailers, clips, reviews, etc… Enjoy!
If you’re like me, you’re probably not a big fan of shakey camera work. A little is cool, but not “Cloverfield” style (at least not for me). One thing that the studios use is the steadicam. Of course if you’re shooting with low or no budget, you can’t afford one of these big pimpin’ Steadicams like the one in the pic. You can however make something that does a decent job with some time and a little money. When shooting “C for Chaos” we made a simple Steadicam to use with the Cannon GL-1. The new Panasonic DIVX-100B is heavier so I’ve been looking for something different to try.
These links all go to video tutorials. Each sort of has their own build type. Some are straight out counter balances some are more complex. Check ‘em out and let me know what you think!
This first video is a tutorial for how we built the steadicam we used. It’s a good tutorial that shows how to build a steadicam with some pipe and fittings. Very easy DIY project!
Build a pro level steadicam for $14 |► Steadicam is important in filmmaking and can help you get the perfect shot. If you are a budding filmmaker and don’t have the cash to shell out for a professionally made model, check out this …
I have completed my in-house small project building the Steadicam from scratch. This is the 2nd try. 1st one was not so very successful or better say stable. 1st try was based on very small u-joint. I kept the old one: …
Josh, thanks for the great tutorial. It was probably the easiest one to build on Youtube. It works pretty well when perfectly balanced, and that’s where the problem lies. DIY steadicams take a long time to fine tune. …
This one looks pretty Awesome, but not so easy to build. Plus not as cheap.
The Jaybilizer 3000 started out as a DIY Merlin-type Steadicam project. I wanted something that was better than the barbell on a stick type of camera stabilizer but not as expensive as a Steadicam Merlin or even a GlideCam 1000. I assembled a couple …
This video demonstrates a steadicam rig that I designed and built for about $12. It utilizes a unique “point-pivot” which eliminates the need for mechanical gimbals, reducing costs and maintaining a full range of motion. Shoot me a message if you are…
I hope this helps to have several styles of steadicams to build in one spot. Please let me know if you’ve built any of these or if you have a video walking people through how to build a steadicam. I’ll check it out and possibly add it.
Thanks!
Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 11:03 pm. Add a comment
Hop over to Youtube and take a look at Italian Maestro Mario Bava’s amazing science fiction effort that went on to inspire later works such as Ridley Scott’s Alien and The X-Men movie.
missclassics00 writes -
“Ok and now for My first film uploaded on this new channel I bring everyone a classic Italian Sci-Fi Horror film from 1965 intitled (Terrore nello spazio) or as it became known in America as (Planet of the Vampires).
This film is a true classic and aside from all the goofs and cheese of that era, one must respect it for it’s wonderfully creepy atmosphere and the great use of fog and camera work that makes the low budget effects seem not so horrible.
The plot I must say for 65 in a movie of this genre was pretty tightly contructed and is free of alot of the cliches common to that era of filmmaking.
So now please enjoy this Mario Bava directed classic and more info and facts to be included in later portions of this film.”
Posted 2 years, 5 months ago at 11:33 pm. Add a comment
ALL ABOARD THE MUTANTVILLE MOTHERSHIP!
Welcome to Mutantville Productions MVP Blog. Join Streebo, Brento, Geo & the rest of the Mutantville Players as they set sail on the high seas of guerrilla filmmaking in their ongoing quest to bring you the finest in genre entertainment.
I’ve just returned from seeing Apollo 18 at the theater and I have to say that I really loved it. It was creepy, intense and filled with interesting twists and turns right up until the end. Apollo 18 takes the found footage sub-genre to the moon and explains why Apollo 18 was NASA’s last trip there. Producer Timur Bekmambetov and newcomer director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego managed to create a tense, claustrophobic film with enough atmosphere and surprises to choke an extraterrestrial life form.
