Discover Pique videos for Satya Twena

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..

Credits:

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

BTS snapshots..

BET - '106 & Park' audition video

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.

VSCO film - Day 3 'Ballerina test'

  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!

VSCO film – B&W test Day 2

  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!

VSCO film - Quick test Day 1

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

Shooting a comedy feature 'Lemon' with the GH2

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.

Comedy web series 'NOT!' I DP'd. Update!

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!

Promo video for NY Real Estate firm 'SPIRE'.

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.

'Muted. Dreams' - a kickstarter.com project

  Lots of new exciting projects lately.. and much more coming up! Among those, a video and photoshoot for entrepreneur, and writer Antonio Brown with his book 'Muted. Dreams' coming out soon. 'Muted. Dreams' is a Memoir about his childhood, depicting his experiences through abuse, molestation & family issues.

Antonio Brown's website is finally ready. Check it out here! www.antonio-brown.com

The video I created will be featured on kickstarter.com to raise funds to publish the book. The kickstarter.com page is currently being completed, and will be published in the following days. Part of the donations will also go to 'protect a child', a foundation created by Antonio Brown to help children victims of abuse. Here is the video. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Some frame grabs from the video..

Frame grab from the Times Square shoot - Timelapse filmed with Nikon D300, Sigma 10-20mm lens.

Frame grab from Wall Street footage - Filmed with Panasonic GH2, Sigma 10-20mm lens.

Frame grab from commentary - Filmed with Panasonic GH2, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G lens.

Frame grab from footage filmed with Nikon D3s, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G lens.

'Muted. Dreams' book cover.

A short video showing how well the new 'Warp Stabilizer' in Adobe After Effects work with stabilizing shaky footage. I used it for several shots on the 'Muted. Dreams' video.

These are some images from the photo shoot.

'Loving you is easy' - music video for Rhett George!

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed shooting Rhett George's music video featuring singer/performer Rhett George and dancer/performer Candice McCall!I had the great honor to work with this extraordinary cast directly from Tony Award winning Broadway musical 'Memphis'.

Here are a few frame grabs from 'Loving you is easy' by Rhett George. You can find out more about him here on his webpage www.rhettgeorgeonline.com . You can also listen to the song by pressing play below. [audio:http://giovanniferlito.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/02-Loving-You-Is-Easy.mp3|titles=Loving you is easy]

©2011 Giovanni Ferlito

Here is the music video 'Loving you is easy'.

Some behind the scenes photos'

More thanks!

Happy 4th of July!

  Great day to see the July 4th fireworks yesterday with my friend Alessandra.. I took my Panasonic GH2 with me and filmed the fireworks from the West Side Highway and 57th Street in Manhattan right by the Hudson River. I wish I was a little further south since there were some trees partially blocking the view. I was amazed of how many different people from various nationalities came to see the fireworks! In the end it has been a great day!

Enjoy the show.. and make sure you watch it FULL screen and HD!

Happy 4th of July!

Music is 'The star spangled banner' performed by Louis Armstrong and The Louis Armstrong Orchestra.

You can find it on iTunes here!

Thanks!

The bubble man

Every single kid walking by gets hypnotized by the bubbles. The same happens to me too.. :) I started filming a bit the other, and put this together. Kishan Mahabir is the 'Bubble magician' from Central Park.

Enjoy!

It was shot on a GH2, Nikon 50mm f/1.4, MFT/NIK Novoflex lens adapter, and tripod. For editing I used Premiere CS5, Magic Bullet Looks, Colorista II.

Music is Humming Chorus (Madame Butterfly) by Giacomo Puccini, and performed by Rome Opera Orchestra & Chorus. You can find it on here on iTunes!

More thanks!      

Moon over Harlem

I was by my front door when I realized what a gorgeous moon there was, I got my camera in my apartment, and filmed a little. I'm so fascinated by those craters on the moon's surface..

Watch it Full Screen!

Filmed on a Panasonic GH2 (in EX mode), Novoflex adapter, and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII. Equivalent to about 1000mm focal length. 1080p, 24fps, speed increased by about 300%, ISO 320. Unsharp mask applied in Premiere Pro CS5.

Music is the main theme from 'Close encounters of the third kind' performed by 'The City of Prague Philarmonc'. You can find it on iTunes!

Note: I uploaded it at 1080p, the resolution is higher. However, you might experience choppy playback based on your computer's resources.

Thanks!

Matteo

I spent most of last Sunday in Brooklyn visiting my friends Emily and Luca who have a beautiful one and a half year old little boy, Matteo. I must say I had a blast hanging out at the playground filming Matteo jumping and playing around. Apparently he fell in love with the playground's little fountain..

This little dude was just a few inches not a long time ago.. They grow so fast!

I shot everything hand held with a GH2, Nikon 50mm f/1.4, Novoflex MFT/NIK adapter, and Genus Vari ND filter. Edited in Premiere CS5, and graded with Magic Bullet Looks.

Music is 'Sheriff' and 'L'ultimo Valzer' by Oliver Onions. You can find it on iTunes!

Feel free to leave any comment, I would appreciate that very much. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!  

Thanks!
    

Times Square timelapsing..

I have been shooting more than usual lately.. I'm just trying to play around and experiment ideas, new things, and trying to figure out how to use my new Panasonic GH2 at its best. Here is a quick timelapse I did with the Nikon D3s, after I spent a couple of hours testing the GH2 in Times Square.

For this timelapse I used a Nikon D3s, with a Sigma 10-20mm, and simply mounted it on Gorillapod.  

Thanks for reading!
    

Reena + Ajay

A couple of weeks ago I went to Pennsylvania to photograph Reena and Ajay's Indian engagement party.I had a great time, also thanks to their whole family who made me feel completely at ease.

Lots of colored costumes , spiced delicacies, and exotic scents..

Here are a few photos from that day.

Since there was a two and a half hour drive to get there I decided to make a little timelapse out of it.

Here it is..

A big thank you goes to Oscar Leon, who assisted me all day long. You can take a look at his website here.

Thanks for reading..

Interview with rapper Flavor Flav!

I had a chance to work with show host and producer Leah Guy from ‘A Girl Named Guy Productions’ who interviewed rapper Flavor Flav, one of the founding members of legendary rap group Public Enemy.

 
Here is the interview I shot at the Hue-Man bookstore in Harlem on 125th Street.

It was shot with a Nikon D3s, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens, and Zoom H4n for audio.
I used Magic Bullet Looks, and PluralEyes for syncing the audio.

 
More thanks!

My Panasonic GH2 has arrived!

 The Panasonic GH2 I ordered almost two months ago has finally arrived! I actually got it a couple of days ago, but was busy editing an interview I filmed with producer and show host Leah Guy from 'A Girl Named Guy Productions' interviewing iconic rapper Flavor Flav from legendary Public Enemy. I'll have a post about it soon..

So, yesterday I headed out to the park, and played a little bit with the GH2. Keep watching the short film I posted, there is a surprise, as it was a surprise to me when I saw it..

This was a quick test of about using the GH2 for the first time. Most of the footage was shot between 2000-3200 ISO. You'll see some noise in the darker clips. For editing I used Premiere Pro CS5.5, and Magic Bullet for color grading.
 

This little camera is great, and I'm looking forward to using it for some cool film projects.
 

Thanks for reading!
 

Montauk Point Lighthouse

 
My original plan was to rent a car, head North to Upstate New York, and shoot something interesting.. When I got up yesterday morning I started thinking of Long Island, and its beaches. Cool! 'That's where I'm going!', I thought.

Got my Zipcar, and headed East - Destination: Somewhere cool in Long Island!

Here is my car for the day.

I wanted to have a convertible car on purpose to document the road-trip with a timelapse, and have a better view since it's cabriolet.
 
Here is a little video I made of the drive to Montauk, Long Island.

 
This is the setup I used to film the timelapse from inside the car. Nikon D300 with 10-20mm lens mounted on a Delkin Dual-suction Camera Mount.
 

 
When I got to Montauk Point It got incredibly foggy.. The Lighthouse looked great! I felt as If I was in some scary movie.. Speaking about scary! The day after my trip to Montauk, my friend Sabrina sent me a link to this wiki page about the so-called Montauk Monster. What the hell! Look at where I spent almost 3 hours alone in the dark!! Sabrina could have warned me!! What If one of those things jumped out of the dark..?? That's it.. Finito! Muerto!
 
Here is something I put together to show the Lighthouse in the fog.

 
Since I had limited access, I shot this using only one angle, and then zoomed in in post. Music is 'It's deserted' by James Newton Howard from the movie King Kong. You can find it here on iTunes !

In the end I'm alive, and had a fantastic day..

I have to go back to this place!

More thanks!

Pluie

Hi!

Just shooting a quick line about a little test I did the other day while it was raining..

I played with the rain on my apartment's windows, and created a short timelapse.

I color corrected the footage in Premiere, After Effects CS5, and Magic Bullet Looks, and think it could be a cool addition to any future film or video I will work on.

Feel free to leave a comment..
 
Thanks!