Category Archives: DSLR Video

HDSLR Training Week

Samy’s Camera HDSLR Training Week started off with a bang.  Cinematographer Roy Wagner gave his presentation about shooting with small cameras in Hollywood to a full house in the EDU seminar room.  We had over 50 people come and hear his talk and look at the HDSLR gear that Mark Bender showcased.  We sent a lot of people to the store interested in the new Konova Slider (selling this week for $349) and their inexpensive skate dolly ($150).  You can see the slider in action on their Vimeo site.

Next up is my Intro to DSLR Video seminar Tuesday from 7-9PM at Fairfax EDU.  I’ll be going over how to set up Canon DSLR’s for film like video and what accessories solve the camera’s limitations.  All employees are invited for free and any customer who purchases more than $500 worth of HDSLR accessories can be comped in by emailing me their name, address, phone number, and ticket number.

On Tuesday Samy’s own Keith Payson is presenting Micro-Budgeting Class for the HDSLR Director/Producer – August 10th at Samy’s Camera in Culver City.
Learn from a Directors Guild of America Unit Production Manager with 25 years experience in TV commercial, corporate and feature film production. Keith will tell you how to analyze and breakdown storyboards, create an accurate budget along with a well-designed shooting schedule.

Wednesday is a big day with Saturday Night Live DP Alex Buono speaking about how he uses Canon DSLR’s to shoot live action sequences for SNL.  If you have never heard Alex speak you are in for a treat.  He’s a great guy who is willing to share his secrets including the high tech way he uses Google Earth to scout locations.  Not sure what his speech is about this time but he’s always at the cutting edge.  This seminar is free to everyone courtesy of Canon USA and Mike Monezis who made it happen at the last minute. 7-9PM at the Fairfax EDU – Register here.

Introduction to Final Cut Pro X with Frank Romer is also on Wednesday night for those photographer filmmakers who want to see what the new app is like.  Frank is an Apple Authorized Trainer and he has a new Final Cut X training DVD coming out.  Fairfax EDU 7-9PM.

Thursday brings us DSLR Audio Master Class with Ric Viers – August 11th at Samy’s Camera in Los Angeles.
Come and learn the fundamentals of sound recording for DSLR video and take your work to the next level. Suitable for DSLR film makers from beginner to advanced levels, the DSLR Audio Master Class hosted by Ric Viers, author of The Sound Effects Bible, will show you all of the tips and techniques to record audio to match your footage quality, with solutions to suit all budgets. Register here.

Of Course Saturday brings us the much talked about and anticipated Sony Backlot Event
Learn to shoot Sony HDSLR cameras on a studio backlot complete with Fairies, lunch and all the HDSLR accessories you can eat (or shoot with) from Redrock Micro, Cinevate and Genus; Manfrotto Fluid heads; Sony external battery powered monitors; microphones and audio gear from Zoom.  Here is more information about the Fairies from a previous blog entryRegister here This event is $100 or free if you purchased a Sony camera or camcorder at Samy’s. As an EDU blog reader you can contact me and I will put you on a waiting list to get in free if there are seats available.

Also on Saturday in Santa Ana Mike Walker is leading his Digital Filmmaking Bootcamp.
It’s an all day intensive workshop providing storytellers the tools needed to see an idea through to fruition. Register here.

Click here for a complete list of all seminars, workshops and store demos for the week.

Sony Backlot HDSLR Video Event

On August 13th, Samy’s Camera and Sony Electronics proudly present the Sony Backlot HDSLR Video Academy. This event will take place in Culver City at the historic Sony Entertainment backlot. Participants will have the opportunity to learn pro filmmaking video techniques while on an actual Backlot set. Come see the video-capable Sony DLSRs, the new large chip Sony VG10 video camera, and the exciting NEX line of cameras.

Station 1 will focus on setting up the menus and settings on Sony HDSLR cameras to get the best video results. At this station, attendees will also take a look at using the VG10 video camera and the Sony NEX system cameras for video.

Station 2 will showcase HDSLR accessories that will help you achieve pro results when shooting video. Gear covered will include support rigging from companies like Redrock Micro, Cinevate and Genus; Manfrotto Fluid heads; Sony external battery powered monitors; microphones and audio gear.

Station 3 is for hands on shooting. Attendees will get to see and participate in the filming of a live action scene with actors just like they do in the movies.

This 5 hour event is a bargain at $100 per ticket but it’s even better if you bought an HDSLR Sony camera or Vg10 video camera from Samy’s, then it’s free. Imagine getting to shoot on the Sony Studios backlot with your new camera with top HDSLR instructors and Sony technical reps along with all the gear you need and actors ready to perform.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about digital filmmaking on the historic Sony Entertainment backlot.  If you purchased a Sony camera in the last 6 months, send your name, email address, phone number and mailing address to [email protected] and we will comp you into this event.

Time Lapse Workshop with Blue Fier

Don’t miss this great new workshop about Time Lapse Photography. This urban adventure will start with classroom instruction on Friday evening 7-10PM and then continue on location for a Saturday morning shoot where you’ll implement what you’ve learned. After lunch, the class will return to the EDU computer classroom to work on the time lapse videos. To register or for more info click here.

Palm Springs Photo Festival March 27 – April 1

The Palm Springs Photo Festival is only about a week away. Jeff Dunas puts on a top notch week for photographers that includes some great workshops and seminars.

Samy’s will be there providing gear and support for the workshops as well as selling photo gear (at tradeshow prices). I will be teaching a workshop on Thursday March 31st about how to shoot DSLR video with Lou Lesko, my writing partner from our PhotoCineNews blog and the upcoming DSLR video book “Filmmaking for Photographers”.

PSPF always has great people, great content, and great food and wine which leads to some legendary after-parties. If you need any further enticement, you can’t beat the weather in Palm Springs this time of year. So don’t miss this amazing event! See you there.

Continuous Light Vs Electronic Flash

Continuous Light Vs Electronic Flash is a great overall lighting workshop but it’s especially relevant to photographers who are new to shooting video with their DSLRs.

From the course description:

Join portrait/beauty photographer and filmmaker Richard Radstone as he shares a few of his lighting and directing techniques. This 6-hour seminar is designed to get both your technical and creative gears Continue reading

New Classroom Opens with a Bang Zoom

We opened the new lecture classroom today with a great audio for HDSLR class from filmmaker Jeremy Thomas. The paint was still drying in the room and the amazing new Leica D-1200 projector had to sit on a table instead of hanging from the ceiling but what a great first day! Seeing Jeremy’s film Chrysalis on this projector was a real treat. A shout out thank you to Samy for providing the education department with a projector that Hollywood DP’s will be proud to show their films on.

The class went over great with the attendees and one lucky guy won the new Q3HD recorder which you can check out on the third floor of Samy’s Fairfax. Watch this blog and the class list for more exciting HDSLR classes.

DSLR Video: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

I’m very excited to announce another new DSLR video workshop here at Samy’s Camera. It’s called DSLR Video: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know. This class is for anyone who is interested in knowing more about shooting video with their DSLR camera. It’s only $25 on Tuesday March 22 from 7-10 PM in the EDU building at the Samy’s Camera Fairfax location.

The HDSLR revolution has happened here in Hollywood where television shows and feature films are being shot using still cameras that have HD video capability like the Canon 5D MKII. Come find out what all the excitement is about and learn the pro’s and con’s of using a DSLR to shoot video. This 3 hour class is a great overview for anyone who wants to take their DSLR cameras to the next level. Instructor Loren Simons will walk students through everything about setting up the camera for video including shutter speed (180° shutter rule), frames per second, optimal ISO’s, depth of field/focusing techniques, audio recording, monitoring, and stabilization accessories. This class will also discuss tripods (fluid head VS. friction head), continuous lighting gear, and camera movement using sliders and steadicam.