Light Tests

We've made 2 orders for lamps; the problem is that, between making the 1st and 2nd order, the manufacturer updated the design and we can no longer source the older style lamp. Looking at them side-by-side, you can see how different the two spectra are; the shadow on the left is being filled by the lamp on the left, which reveals a purplish tint; whereas the other lamp is throwing a greenish tint revealed by the shadow on the right. If all the lamps were the same, this wouldn't be a problem; so it looks like we're making another order!

Not all light is cast the same!

Here you can see the physical difference between the two models (The green card behind is blocking the reflector to mute the camera flash):

Old model (greenish)

New model (purplish)

On the lighter side, we are making a lot of progress with our homemade scrims, and we're learning a lot too. I think most big-name cinematographers would agree: everyone should make their own lighting accessories, it's fun and educational!

Donchu even be hatin' on my pun.

ed. note: fun, educational and CHEEP!
ed. note: Oh, we COULD gel to correct, but what fun would that be? Indeed there will be some variation between bulbs which will require some adjustments, but keeping it simple where possible is a good policy.

IMDb

If you haven't checked out our IMDb page lately...

WHY NOT?!?!?!

...all of the really super-cool kids are doing it!

Brain HUH? What Wash? Who?

Brain Wash, an extremely popular soda in the 90's around LA, has granted us official permission to feature their pop in A Tale of Two Sillies... get your drink ON! and check out the friendly and dedicated soda folks at:

REAL SODA
SODA4U

Skeleteens Sodas

The scourge of white shirts and linoleum floors everywhere!

 

Moviola Crab Dolly

Just after delivery from NYC to COS

We have almost completed servicing our 1950's vintage Moviola crab dolly. We ran into a couple of snags with the hydraulic system, but nothing major. As it turned out, the most serious issue was a misplaced little spring that holds pressure on a tensioner wheel. Once we found it, everything fell right back into place and we are now off to the races. And races it is! The 8 tires on this thing are re-purposed go-cart racing slicks (I couldn't imagine going down a hill at full tilt on the operators seat). 

An awful mess, 50's hydraulics style!

We got this beast from a chap in NYC who was ready to get rid of it. I've seen one other one at the liquidation sale of Kerner Optical in CA. They are pretty hard to come by it seems, though we paid a great price for ours, $500 less than the one in that auction which already seemed pretty cheepo! Shipping was kindof spendy though.

Not quite what we were expecting... huh?!?

The video below is a short clip of how the hydraulic system works... it's actually quite ingenious the way it's designed.

There are several shots in T2S that call for the use of this platform; and they should be pretty easy to get. For closer quarters shots we can use a tripod and spreader with wheels to get the effect we need.

More Wagon Insanity

They said it couldn't be done...

...a camera that once sold for 1/4-million dollars loaded in cases that probably ran in the thousands sitting on the back of four wheels and a slab of grating that we bought for 80-bucks. All in the name of AWESOME.

Tell any Hollywood tycoon to stick that in his pipe and smoke it.

Yee-Haw! Ride 'em!

ETE in the news!

Check out this article about us in the local papers!

A scan of the paper edition

A face only a mother could love...