Last weekend I had the pleasure to film 'Inertia', a short film/music video directed by French Film Director Thomas Aufort. I wanted to share some stills from the scenes we filmed.
The film is currently in post-production, and will be published some time in the next few weeks.
Feel free to leave any feedback!
Actor Jeffrey Vincent Parise and actress/paint artist Caitlin Karolczak
We started production for Ash's new music video back in December. Since then the video concept has evolved and we filmed for two more days from what was supposed to be a one day shoot. Following are some stills from the footage. I temporarirly color graded the images.
The final look will be created once the entire music video is edited.
DAY 2 - Filming at a Cemetery in Queens.
Sony FS7, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 .
DAY 2 - On the Staten Island Ferry
Sony FS7, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G .
DAY 2 - View of Manhattan's financial district
Sony FS7, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G .
DAY 2 - Wall Street
Sony FS7, Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 .
DAY 2 - Dumbo, Brooklyn.
Sony FS7, Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 .
DAY 3 - Brooklyn Apartment.
Sony A7s II, Sony/Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 .
DAY 3 - Brooklyn Apartment.
Sony A7s II, Sony/Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony A7s II, Sony/Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony A7s II, Sony/Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony FS7, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony FS7, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony A7s II, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G .
DAY 3 - Clinton Hills, Brooklyn.
Sony A7s II, Zeiss 25mm f/2 .
Last weekend I filmed a new music video for music artist Ashok Nayak.
Here are a few frames from shooting day 1.
Camera used: Sony FS7
Lenses: Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G
Lighting: 4 Bank Kino Flo and diffused natural window light.
Color grading done in Premiere Pro CC using the Lumetri Color Panel and VisionColor LUTs.
Last Sunday I filmed the remaining shots for Duncan Daniels' new music video 'Will Tomorrow Ever Come'.
As I usually do, here are some stills taken from the footage before the final music video is complete.
The camera I used is a Sony FS7 and switched between the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Color grading was done in Premiere Pro CC using the Lumetri Color Panel, and some curve adjustments.
All shot with available or natural light, running and gunning around Manhattan.
You can click on each image to enlarge it.
Last weekend I filmed 'Proud', Tysu's new music video. Here are some frames I picked from the footage.
You can listen to the song 'Proud' by clicking on the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz69LBJQTSM
Camera used: SONY FS7
Lenses: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Color graded in Premiere CC using the new Lumetri Color panel.
Director, DP, and Editor: Giovanni Ferlito
The video will be up on my site in the next couple of weeks.
Stay tuned!
Last week I came back from Paris where I spent five days filming part of the 'Do you wanna move?', an idea created by CNN producer Matthew Reynard.
The plan for the 'Do you wanna project?' is to make it into a pilot episode and pitch it to TV channels or on-demand internet streaming providers.
Do you dream about moving to another city? What does it take? How difficult is it?
You will find all these answers by watching 'Do you wanna move?'!
We will spend the next few weeks editing, and it should be ready by the end of this year.
These are some frame grabs from the video footage I shot.
Camera used: Sony FS7
Lenses: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 .
Color graded in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with VisionColor LUTs plus some adjustments using the Lumetri Color Panel in Premiere.
Back in 2012 I DP'd a full feature film, the comedy 'Wendell and the Lemon'.
After two long years the film was complete and was submitted to a bunch of film festivals.
Lawrence Krauser who wrote and directed it called me a few days ago with some great news.
The film is nominated for Best Narrative Feature at this year's Slamdance Film Festival!
This is really fantastic news for all the cast, and I'm particularly excited to be part of this as a Director of Photography on my first feature film.
Check out the trailer below!
If you want to see some BTS images about filming 'Wendell and the Lemon', here is my blog post from back in March 2012.
This is from variety.com:
The Slamdance Film Festival, launched as an alternative to Sundance, has unveiled its narrative and documentary competition lineups for the 2015 fest on Jan. 23-29.
The fest — which has included showings of such notable titles as Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity” — will celebrate its 21st anniversary. The fest, which takes place at the Treasure Mountain Inn in Park City, will include 13 world premieres, two North American premieres and three U.S. premieres.
Notable titles include Brander Kramer’s “Ratter,” starring Ashley Benson, Matt McGorry, Rebecca Naomi Jones, John Anderson and Kaili Vernoff in the story of a young woman watched by a stalker who has hacked into all of her personal technology; and “Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang,” directed by Colin Offland in an intimate behind the scenes look at Dennis Rodman’s unlikely friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and the staging of the most controversial game of basketball the world has never seen.
Besides Peli, the best-known Slamdance alumni include Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster, Jared Hess, Lena Dunham, Benh Zeitlin, Seth Gordon and Lynn Shelton. Significant titles that debuted at Slamdance include “Mad Hot Ballroom” and Gordon’s “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.”
The Slamdance feature competition is limited to films made with budgets under $1 million and made by first-time directors.
“Our success in showcasing emerging artists is most obviously linked with American talent, but increasingly at Slamdance, we want to also support new international talent,” said Co-founder and President, Peter Baxter.
Fernando Frias De La Parra’s romance “Rezeta” won the narrative feature award at Slamdance in January and Matthew Bauckman and Jaret Belliveau’s “Elliot” won the documentary prize.
Nominated for BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
Wendell and the Lemon – Director & Screenwriter: Lawrence Krauser
(USA)
A young man finds a lemon on the sidewalk, takes it home, and becomes inordinately fond of it. Complications ensue.
Cast: Todd d’Amour, Rebecca Hart, Jay Smith, Lia Aprile, Danton Stone
I'm back updating my blog! I'm not a blogger, but will hopefully be more consistent from now on posting at least some images, and footage about shoots, and new projects.
I had the pleasure to be the Director of Photography for 'Killing Fidel', a comedy written and directed by Ramon Estevanell.
Last Friday, we just shot three pages of the script at a beautiful location on the Hudson River not far from Westchester, NY. The shoot was a 'test' for the eventual full film.
Here is a raw clip shot with the Panasonic GH3 on a Glidecam and armor vest kit.
A couple of frame grabs from the footage I shot.
Actress Tracy McMullan as character Gina
Actor Frank Robles playing character Paco
Some behind the scenes photos. (Photo credit: Albina Ahmadi Bikinova)
Early meet up in Manhattan. Coffee and donuts waiting for us!
Discussing the logistics for the shoot with sound guy Gavin Borden.
Filming the first scene with actress Tracy McMullan
Scary scene apparently.. (??)
Getting ready for the tracking shot. Left to right: Gonzalo Rojas (PA), my self, Tracy McMullan (actress), Ramon Estevanell (director, writer).
A big thank you to the whole crew!
Ramon Estevanell, Director
Katti Wachs, AD
Tracy McMullan, Actress
Frank Robles, Actor
Mira Veikley, Art Director
Lindsey Jones, Make up Artist
Gavin Borden, Sound
Albina Bikinova, Script
Gonzalo Rojas, PA
Johann Albarracin, PA
Jordan Theodore, PA
5Pointz is wiped clean overnight, and will soon no longer exist. The graffiti mecca for street artists from around the world will apparently turned into luxury apartments, and is scheduled for demolition by the end of the year.
Everything gets replaced in New York by the new, and more profitable.
Old goes, new comes, and so we lose part of our artistic and cultural heritage.
This is a real shame.
I wish I had photographed and filmed more of it.
Here is a small project I worked on at 5Pointz.
Behind the scenes here.
The first video of a series coming out every two weeks is ready and published on fashion designer Satya Twena's Discover Pique Blog. If you're into fishnets, hosiery, and want to find out about the latest trends, and styles make sure you subscribe on her website (www.discoverpique.com) and to her new YouTube channel.
The video was shot on a hacked GH2 camera, Novoflex adapter, and Nikon 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. Edited in Premiere Pro CS6, and After Effects CS6. Audio recorded with a Rode NTG-3, and H4n Zoom recorder.
Here is the first video. More coming in the next weeks..
Filmed and edited Giovanni Ferlito
Assistant Sam Tuthill
Model Germaine DeNegris
Satya Twena's assistants
Michelle Damore,
Sara Taves,
Jenna Mulberry
Makeup Alex Almeida
Photographer Matt Tischler
Here is finally 'Blindly in Love', the music video created for music artist Duncan Daniels for his new song. Make sure you follow him on twitter @Dunkishrock! The music video was shot over two days, one day for story, and a second day for the band scene.
A Sony NEX-FS100 was rented for the two day shoot, as well as a Porta-Jib for some shots. I used all Nikon lenses with a Novoflex lens adapter. Editing, and color grading was done in Premiere Pro CS6, and After Effects CS6.
A big THANK YOU to the entire crew for the fun shoot!
Here is also a quick BTS video created by Duncan Daniels during the two day shoot. BTS photos as well!
Band playing scene in Jersey City, NJ - What a view of Downtown Manhattan!
Sir Duncan Daniels smiling at the camera.. :)
Make up artist Sherry working on Katherine's blood.
The soldier who arrives first at the accident scene.
Sony NEX-FS100 with Zacuto EVF on the Porta-Jib.
Hi there! Just put behind me a pretty busy week planning, and shooting 'Blindly in Love', Duncan Daniels' upcoming music video.
After wrapping up day 1, shooting 10 hours on Saturday, I left jib, slider, and lens kit at home, grabbed the Sony FS100 and one lens, and headed to Times Square. I wanted to shoot as much as possible while having the camera.
Here is what I put together. Great camera! Too bad I had to return it to the rental house..
All footage was shot on a Sony NEX-FS100 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Edited, color corrected, and graded with Premiere Pro CS6, and After Effects CS6.
Music is 'The Blue Danube' by Johann Strauss, and performed by 'The Waltz Symphony Orchestra'. You can find it on iTunes!
Music video 'Blindly in Love' coming soon..
Yesterday I shot a new video for entrepreneur, and author Antonio Brown, which I had the pleasure to work with before (see 'Muted. Dreams'). He's submitting the video to tv show 'BET - 106 & Park' to become the next host of the popular show.
We filmed in 5 Pointz in Long Island City, considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the globe paint their art on the walls of the old factory buildings.
Here follows the video. I filmed, and edited everything in 24 hours to make it for the '106 & Park' deadline. Wish Antonio good luck with the show!
Last but not least… A big thanks to the crew!
Here are some BTS iPhone pics from the shoot.
This is the third blog post about VSCO film, and thought to use it with some images of the talented and beautiful ballerina Michele Moreno which I had the pleasure to photograph. I think that in order to get more out of the VSCO film presets, and an overall better result, it's important to use light, natural or artificial, with a pretty close vision to what you want the final image to look like. I really like how Jeremy Cowart processes his images using VSCO. Check out his work! I absolutely recommend it.
Well, this is all for today. More coming soon..
Thanks!
I must say I'm really enjoying VSCO film. Headed out today around Soho to get a few shots, and converted them later to B&W with VSCO film. I think this is by far the closest you can get to that film feel. All images were taken with a Nikon D300. As usual, feedback is always very appreciated. Thanks!
I just started exploring VSCO film, and here are some images that were sitting around my hard drives that I used for that. VSCO simulates the different film looks, from Kodak Portra to Fuji film, Kodak Tri-X, T-MAX 3200, and more. All presets are customizable by adding/subtracting grain, fading, and adjust levels, etc. Guess what! It works for video as well!
All these images were shot with my Nikon D3s, which I sadly just sold. :( The reason is that I haven't used it that much for work, since most of what I do now is video work. I could have kept it, but felt like it was often a pain carrying it around. It's a fat DSLR camera! That is why I love to take photos with my iPhone. It's on you all the time. You see something that catches your interest, and voilà, photo!
I own different great cameras that I can use for my photography gigs, however, I've been really mouth-watering for the new Fuji X-Pro 1!! So hot and sexy! Kidding aside.. I like the smaller form factor, and the old vintage, Rangefinder camera look that the X-Pro 1 has. I heard some great things about its dynamic range, color rendering, and low capabilities. Mmm.. My birthday is coming up. Just saying.. ;) Hey who's on Pinterest? I just started.. Check it out here.
I'll post more images using VSCO film in the next coming days.. Feedback is appreciated! Thanks
Today is the second day resting after filming for 6 days, and with very long hours! We continue tomorrow, and will be filming for another 12 days. 'Lemon' is written by Lawrence Krauser who is also directing the film, a comedy and a love story between Wendell and his lemon.
Lawrence contacted me, and asked me if I wanted to come on board as the DP. I saw his work, his drawings, read the script, and said yes. He has a very unique vision for this film, reflected in the story, and the esthetics.
Here are some editorial reviews:
"Armed with a sense of humor that could cut a tomato paper thin after hacking an aluminum can in half." -- Staff Recommendation, University Bookstore, Seattle
"Digressions, asides, and interruptions abound, with disquisitions on Handel's Messiah, Cameron's Titanic, and the lemon's history in still life painting." -- Seattle Weekly
"His prose is immaculate; his premise, patently ridiculous...like a drawing on a Ping-Pong ball." -- The New York Times Book Review
"His terse, economic prose is reminiscent of Samuel Beckett's novels as well as Raymond Carver's short stories." -- Time Out New York, Dec. 14-28, 2000
"In the long term, Lemon could appeal (sorry) far beyond the confines of a cult audience." -- mindjack.com
"The perfect marriage of stunning intellect, a soaring sense of humor, and an intimate understanding of the absurd." -- greenapplebooks.com
From the Publisher "A strange and beautiful book."
You can find the book on Amazon! I will update this blog post as we film in the next days. In the meantime I'll share some snapshots and frame grabs from the past days on set.
On set. Coocoo party going on..
Director Lawrence Krauser checking the shot.
The book 'Lemon' by Lawrence Krauser.
Actor Todd D'Amour as Wendell and Producer Josh Wick with the slate.
From the left actor Jay Smith, Todd D'Amour, and Director Lawrence Krauser.
Todd D'Amour and Jay Smith rehearsing on set.
Getting ready for a new scene with actor Jay Smith.
Setting up the Panasonic GH2, on tripod with slider, and Zacuto EVF at an Art store in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
I'm sure everybody loves chocolate, candies, and cookies! Well, here we go! My friend Anna is a very talented Pastry Chef, and teaches with some of the best Chefs in the world at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. Luscious dark chocolate ganache, apricot jam Linzer cookies, and delicious real fruit flavored marshmallows are just some of the mouthwatering creations she creates with great passion. Anna didn't have a website, so she asked me if I would take some photos of her desserts, and create a simple webpage and blog to display her work to offer a chance to anyone interested to find out more about what she does, and place an order! Enough with me talking! Go check out Anna's new website 'Candy for friends' at candyforfriends.com. Please, feel free to leave a comment on her blog page, and follow her! Next time you plan a party, have a wedding, or want to thank someone with a sweet gift, think of Anna's 'Candy for friends'! Here are some suggestive images..
Last Summer I shot four episodes of a comedy web series.NOT! is a Web Series about dating and other sexual misadventures.
"There are bad dates, disastrous dates, revolting dates. And then there are the NOT! Dates. The worst of the worst. These are the profile pictures too good to be true, and weren’t. The men you should not have had coffee with, never mind sex. The women you should never have let into your life."
Written and directed by Tim Devitt, 'NOT!', now at the second season, has been awarded at the LA Webfest, Accolades, NexTV, and more. Here is one of the episodes I DP'd.
Please, make sure you watch it in HD!
The other three episodes are almost finished and will be soon on www.notshow.net, and on this updated blog post.
If you want to find out more visit the official website www.notshow.net . And please support the show through its Facebook fan page!
Here are a few frames from the four episodes I filmed.
'NOT!' - Episode: 'CULTURE CLASH'
'NOT!' - Episode: 'GREEN MONSTER'
'NOT!' - Episode: 'CLOSE SHAVE'
'NOT!' - Episode: 'UP ON THE ROOF'
It's been great, and It's been wonderful meeting so many talented people.
I'll keep you posted!
A few weeks ago I shot a promotional video for NY Real Estate firm called 'SPIRE'.We filmed over two days using a Panasonic GH2 camera, with Nikon 24mm f/2.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.4, and Sigma 10-20mm lenses. I used one Westcott TD6 for lighting, and an H4n Zoom with two wireless Sennheiser mics for audio. Everything was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5. The time lapses where filmed with a Nikon D3s camera from the Top of the Rock, and in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, and edited in After Effects.
I also like this image that I took with my iPhone using the Instagram App.
