http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25480/D800.html

Nikon has been kind enough to supply me with two D800 camera bodies with which we will shoot a test scene for my upcoming feature “The Go-Getters”.  The footage will be used for promo material for both the film and Nikon.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118048266

The “Go-Getters” stars J.T. and Damon Alexander and an actor or two that I can’t yet mention! The movie is being directed by the writer of the hit film “Brooklyn’s Finest” Michael C. Martin. Check back in a week or two to see a cut of the scene. I will post a full write up on my experience with the camera, along with production stills and frame grabs a day or two after the shoot.  I look forward to putting this baby through its paces.

International Cinematographers Guild

Several weeks ago, I was invited to join the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600.  I, of course, respectfully accepted.  As of November 1st, I am now part of the ICG Local 600.  Please feel free to contact me with any Union jobs that you may have!  I look forward to the upcoming opportunities that this will present.

Let’s just say the critics opinions are matching up with that of the audiences.  The reviewer has chosen to spotlight his favorite films from the Hollyshorts film festival and he goes as far to say that “My favorite short by far was Pepper.”

I’ll keep you up to date on up coming screenings.  Hope to see you there!

The Telly Awards

A while back I shot a spot for the Addis Creson Agency.  The spot was for Mozilla and their new web browsing application Firefox “Personas.”  You can see the spot here (http://www.johnnyderango.com/commercials.htm)  The 32nd Annual Telly Awards were held in June of this year, and I’m proud to say, the “Personas” spot took home a Silver Telly!  The Silver Telly is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a commercial.

Firefox "Personas" wins Silver Telly

The spot was photographed last year and was shot on a Panasonic HPX-170 with a Redrock M2 Encore adapter.  It was shot in the Mozilla corporate offices and a park down the street.  “Personas” was directed by the very talented Michael Addis (http://michaeladdis.com/) and took place over a single day.

To read more about the Tellys, click here:  http://www.tellyawards.com/

Pepper Official poster

“Pepper” a short film Produced by Johnny Derango, Kim Noonan and Chuck Church will screen at two prestigious LA based short film festivals over the next few weeks.  Pepper will officially premiere at the LA Shorts Fest on July 25th at 10PM.  The screening will be held at:

Laemmle’s Sunset 5

8000 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90046

"Pepper" HollyShorts official selection

Hollyshorts film festival official selection “Pepper”

Come out and say hello to me and my fellow filmmakers.  I look forward to meeting you, or seeing you again!

Over the next few weeks, I will be constantly updating my blog.  I am currently Producing and Shooting a feature film entitled “Lost on Purpose.”  The film will begin principal photography on May 1st, 2011 in Visalia, CA and film through June 5th.   I can’t tell you how excited I am about this film.  The cast that we have attached to the picture is that of a multi-million dollar production and the directors are probably the most talented that I have ever worked with.  Check back soon, and I will let you know who is starring.  I will also be giving you the blow by blow on pre-production and the shoot.

The Babysitter's a Vampire screenshot

I wanted to let you know that one of two music videos I recently shot for internet sensation “FRED” have gone live.  The video, “The Babysitter’s a Vampire,” has gained over 600,000 hits in its first 4 days on YouTube.  Take a look now, but make sure to set the resolution to 720P.

“FRED” “The Babysitter’s a Vampire”

A few months back I had a very unique opportunity to be the FIRST DP in the world to shoot a music video with Redrock Micro’s brand new M3 cinema lens adapter. This video just happened to be for the one and only Jace Hall. You may remember Jace from his World of Warcraft tribute video (http://www.johnnyderango.com/jace-hall-world-of-war-craft-music-video-director-of-photography-johnny-derango.htm) we did last year. That video has gone on to get over 5 million hits on YouTube alone!

I know, that’s not what you want to hear about right now, you are here to hear about the M3! Does it surpass its predecessors? Does it look amazing? Do we really even need another adapter system with the whole HDSLR revolution happening?

Well, here are my thoughts based on my first use along with a link to a completed version of the video.

Jace Hall’s  “Street Fighter” shot by Johnny Derango Director of Photography

Several weeks ago IGN’s Jace Hall and producing partner Todd Roy approached me about shooting Jace’s new Capcom – Street Fighter video. I met Jace and Todd when I photographed the World of Warcraft video “I Play WoW” for them back in February. WoW went viral on YouTube and as of the writing of this article, has gained over 5 million views.

We had photographed “I Play WoW”on the Redrock M2 Encore and the Director and Producer loved the way that it looked. So when it came time to shoot the Street Fighter video the M2 Encore seemed like the logical choice. While prepping we had also tossed around the idea of using my canon 5D mark II HDSLR package but Jace and Todd were set on using the M2 Encore.

I contacted Redrock and with luck and timing, we were able to secure a prerelease of the newM3 cinema lens adapter. Some may ask, why would you choose to use an adapter over the 5D MKII HDSLR? Well, for me, the choice was simple: I like having all of the features that a real high end video camera provides. While the 5D may be a tremendous tool, my HPX-170 teamed with the new M3 provided me with the features I needed to ensure my success. The M3 plus HPX170 has functions the 5D does not provide, including color bars, zebra stripes, wave form monitor, vector scope: tools I consider critical in helping me to determine exposure. The camera/adapter combo also delivers integrated high quality audio and easy methods for plugging in external monitors.

Director of Photography Johnny Derango on set (red shirt)

So, how did it go? Well, I can safely say that the Redrock Micro M3 adapter is the single BEST adapter system I have ever used!

M3 lens adapter in profile

Redrock has made some pretty incredible changes in this incarnation of its 35mm adapter. The first thing I noticed was that Redrock has moved the flip module and achromat inside of the adapter so it’s now a single unit. While this may not sound earth shattering, I quickly realized that with a unibody construction the adapter can now be set up easily and in less than 5 minutes. Gone is the aligning parts and tightening down allen screws. Instead what you now do is thread one PL type mount onto the lens of your video camera, back the adapter up to the lens and twist. Your camera is now ready to set back focus. Just as before you zoom in until the frame is clear of the internal elements and focus on the ground glass. When you finish, tape down the zoom and focus rings and away you go. Not more fidgeting and fussing with temperamental parts.

Steadi-cam operator Scotty Bowman

The internal optical elements on this system are now also enormous. This allows the adapter to lose somewhere in the neighborhood of only ¼ stop. You are no longer limited by the light loss on your adapter. Now it’s only the ISO of your camera that really matters.

While this alone would be enough to sell me on the system, Redrock did not stop there. The battery compartment is now located in a soft rubber flap on the side of the adapter. Accessing the batteries here is a breeze. The batteries are once again rechargeable AA”s, believe me, you’ll be thankful for this! Located along side the battery compartment is a small SD card-sized slot that can be opened to blow dust that may collect out of the adapter. They have also added mounting holes to the bottom of the adapter which makes it much easier to balance out when you add a large lens, or matte box.

All in all I can say using the M3 on Jace Hall’s “Street Fighter” video was an incredible experience. The footage looks amazing, I never had trouble getting the exposures I needed and the setup was a breeze. If you are looking for a way to get an image that rivals that of a HDSLR but retain the features you love and need, I can’t think of a better solution that Redrock’s new M3 adapter. In my opinion, there is no other adapter on the market that can touch the M3!

"Street Fighter" crew hard at work.

Cast & Crew (1st AC Colby Festner, Alicia Marie, Steadi-cam Scotty Bowman)

Best Regards,

Johnny