Back to the Drawing...errr...Storyboard

Once again, it's time to get productive. While I have some downtime between the wrap of my 48 Hour Film Project and the start of fall videography jobs, I figured I would get some screenwriting and pre-production pumped out. While I'm not entirely sold on which story idea will get developed into a shooting script, I plan on working out the details of over half a dozen ideas that I have compiled, in hopes that the strongest script will stand out. From that point on...well...one step at a time.

I previously said that I would have a short film ready for production by August. Obviously, that's not going to happen. Between work, job transitioning, and freelance gigs, it seems as though time is limited to whatever I can scrounge up, especially in the next couple of weeks. For the time being, bear with me and know that I am working hard to bring something to life.

Itching to do this again.

Also, if you have any ideas that you would like assistance in bringing to life or would like to assist me in my own work, feel free to contact me. All of my contact information is at www.secroner.com, along with any updates on projects. And, as always, keep checking back here for a more in-depth look at any project updates. Cheers!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Review

This week, I decided to revisit some previous equipment and write a new review on an oldie lens: the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens. Revisiting this lens, I'm surprised about how well this affordable consumer-grade lens holds up in comparison to more expensive lenses from Canon. The quality looks great and even holds its own against my Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L. Of course, a lens this cheap isn't without its downfalls. Let's break down the details of this little guy.

When I bought this lens last year, I paid a little over $100. Looking at just the price, you might think that you’re getting what you pay for. I thought the same thing. However, after reading some of the reviews, I was convinced that this was something beyond what the price was telling me. Amazon currently lists the lens at $95.00, which is cheaper still. With a f-stop that opens to 1.8, compact design, and quick-response auto-focus, you’re getting a powerful prime lens that is targeted for both beginning professionals and casual users. In fact, I’m still using this as one of my main lenses until I feel it’s time to make the upgrade to an L series lens.

Like I mentioned before, this is one case where you’re actually getting more than what you pay for. If you’re a beginner who is a little too attached to the convenience of a zoom lens and wants to try a prime, but is afraid to pay too much, then this is where you start. This compact little guy is great for travel shooting/filming, and its wide range of aperture settings and balanced depth of field provides a variety of options for any situation.

Very compact and light.

Looking at the physical aspects, the lens itself is about 2 inches long and 2 ½ inches in diameter, making it very compact and great for travel. It is compatible with all Canon EOS models and doesn't weigh down even the lightest models.

The auto-focus quickly adjusts to any target object in the frame. Even in dark settings, the autofocus seems to work better than most Canon lenses in this price range.

Speaking of dark settings, the lens handles very well in low light situations, with its very wide aperture. In this regard, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II beats out some of the lower end L series lenses that Canon has to offer. Once again, this lens proves its worth beyond its price.

Test shot from the EF 50mm f/1.8 II

With its wide aperture, you can get some amazingly shallow shots, in terms of depth of field. The shots come out looking beautiful, bringing out the details in the focal points and producing some very effective bokeh for areas out of focus. This lens really covers all of the essentials for beginners, while still providing excellent shots for even the most seasoned photographer.

Krillin took a little tumble.

On the downside, a 50mm prime lens provides very little flexibility, in terms of spacing and framing. Of course, its important to note that this is a disadvantage for any prime lens. They are all designed for a specific type of shooting. If used otherwise, you’re going to develop a need to invest in a wider/narrower angle lens.

This is the main reason why zoom lenses have become so popular, because they cover multiple angles of shooting. This means that the photographer/videographer has to invest in one or two zoom lenses, as opposed to multiple prime lenses, which are close to the same price range. However, the benefits of a prime lens greatly outweighs those of a zoom lenses, but that’s a lesson for another day. For now, skeptics of the prime lens should give this cheap model a try and they’ll quickly realize what they've been missing from their zoom lens.

Once again, every lens is made with a specific use in mind, so obviously every lens is going to have benefits and drawbacks. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is just a great starting point for those looking to get a little extra depth in their photos and video footage and is a great stepping stone for those looking to start their prime lens collection. Open your horizons and see what you've been missing!

First Look: 48 Hour Film Project - Pittsburgh

It’s been a few weeks since the 48 Hour Film Project in Pittsburgh ended. I was hoping to get some previews out sooner, but as I mentioned before, I have been very busy with some repair work and have been limited with the resources available to me.

For a first look, I decided to share some screenshots that crept their way onto Facebook. As you can see, we are all very hard at work on the project.

For all of you not familiar with the project, the idea is to produce a short 5-7 minute film and have it completed and edited within 48 hours. We select the genre at random and immediately begin writing the script on the first night, meaning that we have to go into this project with a completely open mind.These kinds of constraints can be challenging, but also provide the opportunity to explore the extents of your filmmaking background and education.

For our project, we selected horror as our genre. For those of you that know me, I’m not too crazy about the horror genre. Thankfully, I had close friends and colleagues to help me with that. Overall, the project turned out looking awesome. I can’t wait to release some promotional stills in the near future!

Currently, we are working on a Director’s Cut, which is in the final stages of editing. More information will come in the future. Thanks for all of your support! Cheers!

Repair Man-man-man-man!

It’s been a fairly long period of time since I went dark. A combination of working and filming has caused me to put a majority of my writing on hold. On top of all that, I acquired a few computer parts to complete a PC that is meant to perform extremely well with non-linear editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro (and possibly some graphically demanding gaming on the side).

Well, to my surprise, I ran into some hardware issues and found myself switching hats for the past couple of weeks. Suddenly, I was troubleshooting hardware like I owned an IT solutions shop.

And the problems didn't stop there. Around the same, my Nexus 7 tablet decided to cough and sputter and keel over on me, AND my laptop screen cracked (that one was probably my fault...I need to stop placing fragile/expensive things on the floor beside my bed). Luckily, I had an external monitor, and a great wealth of knowledge to help repair some of those issues.

As of this moment, I installed a replacement screen for my laptop, have my PC’s motherboard on its way back to the repair shop, and have the tablet prepared to send back. Thankfully, it’s all with minimal charge and great, responsive customer service. You can’t beat that!

Anyway, I promise I’ll cut all the boring technical jumbo and get back to posting about film and equipment updates, including some updates on the progress of my 48 Hour Film! Stay tuned!

Batteries Included

I really lost track of time! It's hard to believe that we're well on our way through the summer. I've been working hard the past couple of weeks and haven't had the chance to post a couple of updates.

First and foremost, I have begun assisting on a narrative web series called Shepard. The series is produced by a local indie company called Grimm Sleeper Productions. The series began shooting this past week, and from what I've been told, will continue to shoot well into October. This exciting project has a lot of local talent backing it, making it something to really keep an eye on. Although I don't have many details for you at the moment, I'll make sure to post any information that is made public. Until then, keep checking back for more!

In the middle of performing AC duties on set. Intentionally doesn't reveal much.

Next up, I was able to upload some more photos onto my Flickr account. These stills are part of a nature photography collection, most of which were taken at Mammoth Park. 

More photos are to come, including ones taken by my recent investment, the Canon EOS 6D. Those shots will be up later this week.

And since this post is covering recent updates, don’t forget to check out my website, which has now moved to www.secroner.com. The old link still works as well. This URL is just easier to remember and provides a more personal feel to the website.

There are a few updates to the website, but most of them are just refinements. I’m currently in the process of getting rid of some older content to make space for anything in the future. I’m still awaiting the green light to use several film projects in my reel and release any further information. Keep checking back for more information.

And while we’re on the subject of projects, I’d like to announce that I am currently in the process of getting my LLC up and running. I decided that it would be in my best interest and the interest of my clients to place all my personal work and contract work under an official banner. While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, I plan on having some major updates very soon.

Yesterday, I was actually working on the first draft of the logo:

As you can see, these designs are far from perfect. The design may look familiar to some of you. Eventually, I decided to scrap the idea and choose to go a different direction with the next draft. My InDesign skills are a little rusty, but I think I’ll have a better outcome with the next design. What is it that I’m aiming for? Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out.

A Call to Band Together

Summer is here and the Pittsburgh filmmaking scene is in full bloom once again. A variety of new projects are popping up and the creative juices are flowing stronger than ever. It's unfortunate that the Pennsylvania film tax credit cap and predetermined union crews cripple the aspiring local artists. Over the past year, I have seen some talent and work ethic that is truly Hollywood worthy. But while big budget films overlook the little guy, the little guy can still grab some attention with his own small budget projects.

While many others are preparing film screenings in the later months, I’d like to take this opportunity to announce that I will be preparing my own short film in the coming months. While I have yet decide on which script is best suited for production, I have a few ideas in mind. I will be working hard in June to iron out the details of the production. If anyone would be interested in helping, please email me at secroner@gmail.com. I am currently looking to fill all crew positions. Casting will also come later this month. More details will be coming in the following weeks.

Speaking of local film productions, the 48 Hour Film Project will be coming to Pittsburgh on July 12th. I am currently planning to participate and I encourage others in the area to do the same. The cost to enter is $140 until June 17th. It’s a great way to show our passion for film in the local community. Click the above link for more details.

And more from The Paradisus Transit will be released at the end of this week. I am still working on developing some of the writing, but I do have ideas for accompanying images that I will release as teasers. It won’t be too long before the story begins to take shape.

I’ll see you all again this weekend for more details on upcoming projects.

A Week, In Review

Last week, I didn't get a chance to post any new content, officially throwing off my blog schedule. That included both this blog and my multimedia story project over at paradisustransit.blogspot.com. This is my formal apology to those of you who have been checking in on my blogs. I know you've been visiting frequently (thanks to Blogger traffic reports), and I'm sorry that there wasn't anything new for your viewing pleasure.

This week, I'll be back on track, thanks to a flexible schedule and more time to work from home. I have some hardware updates and reviews, including a few Canon lenses and the Canon EOS 6D, which I have recently had a chance to test out. I will also be posting more photos onto my portfolio over at Flickr.

More creative projects are on the way, so expect some digital content to be posted on my website. The website acts as a central hub, linking together of my projects and content, so keep checking back for any updates.

Finally, there’s a new article that I wrote for GameHuddle last week. If you’re into the latest gaming news, it’s worth the read. You can find the article here.

Check back again tomorrow (June 4, 2013) for another blog update!