Big Pictures Media

🎬 What's a slate and why do we use them? A long long time ago, film camera systems and sound recording systems were completely separate, so a slate was used to sync them up*. The editor would align the exact moment the clapper closed with the sound that it makes, thus perfectly syncing the visuals with the audio. This had to be done for each take. Today most post production systems can do this automatically, and/or the sound is recorded on the camera during the shot, or at least a reference track. Also, see the timecode bit below... So why do we use slates now? Because it looks really cool! I mean kinda, but it's also used as a visual reference for each shot - the scene number, the take number, the date, the crew, and with modern slates the timecode which the sound person generates so that his audio recordings match the timecode of the camera. Then everything can be aligned with timecode in post. Also, it helps establish a rhythm for the production. First everyone rolls, then the assistant says "marker!" and GENTLY* closes the slate, freeing up the director to whisper (or yell) ACTION! Then all the fun stuff happens until CUT, and we do it all over again. Take after take. It should be said that we don't always use slates. Often times it's overkill for a smaller crew or smaller production. But for me it's part of the magic of being on set, and I kinda love them! * Gently is the way to go here because not only is a loud clap unnecessary, it startles the actors and makes the Sound Mixer with his or her headphones on jump out of their skin! #film #production #setlife #slates #action

BTS from our recent shoot at a wine bar - ironically encouraging people to drink less 🥂 #Commercial #director #healthcare #video #production

In this week's episode of "Kids Play with Expensive Cameras" we find ourselves working with this talented (and very patient) group of ~10 year old soccer players while we get them to dribble, pass and score over and over (and over) again for our cameras. This footage will ultimately be used as a background plate for a commercial we're producing for a chain of eye care clinics in Arizona, Texas and Colorado. More soon! A big THANK YOU to our players, coach Logan, and the Colorado Rush! And Brian De Herrera-Schnering for the connections 😊 #healthcare #videoproduction #commercial #directing #soccer

🎥 In our ongoing series "Kids Playing with Expensive Cameras", our young actor takes his turn behind the lens from our DP Ryan. Sometimes the best performance takes a bit of bribery beyond edible treats: "If you don't look at the camera now, you can look through it later!"

This was such an epic project for Horizon Organic - filming farmer stories in beautiful Vermont back in 2019. We had an amazing production team, and wonderful support from the farmers, and the folks at Danone. And the cows were pretty cooperative. Kind of. Most of the time. 🐄 #cows #organic #farm #TBT #commercial #directing #videoproduction Teri Miller Loretta Polizzi

Fun hanging out with some OG Colorado production friends unencumbered by cameras and cables. Thanks Drew Levinson for getting us all together!

Three years ago we got a call from ESPN asking us if we could do this top secret project at a top secret location in Denver helping to figure out where Peyton Manning might launch a new show. It would be an experiment where he and his brother Ely would sort of narrate Monday Night Football games. We needed to evaluate this really cool garage filled with like a billion dollars worth of antique cars, a giant man cave really, and do some tests with our crew, and brainstorm some ideas. So we did. And they liked it! Well long story short, it looks like the experiment worked. Manningcast is now a wildly popular show about to launch its 3rd season. Looking forward to seeing what these guys do this year! National Football League (NFL) #NFL #Mondaynightfootball #denverbroncos #videoproduction #director