I really need some advice here.

[Blue Squizz]

I am quite new to photography & have been doing portrait stuff in a home studio. Here's some of my stuff:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/bluesquizz

One of the guys I shot has asked me to do some stills on a film set tomorrow. I've agreed but it would be a first for me & i dont really know what settings I should be using.

Its a cage fighting film and they want stills of the fights & will be in daytime in a cage fighting gym.

I really feel its an opportunity not to turn down, but I really am out of my depth.
i'd really appreciate any advice.

In anticipation.

Jason

 

[asphotographymk]

So if you make a balls up of this what is the outcome. Can it be reshot or is this a one time only thing? Also are they paying you? And what are the images being used for? Are you going to be shooting during the filming?

My general rule is if you dont no how to shoot it pass it on to someone who does... then you can maybe ask to still tag along and shoot for your own use or to assist the photographer. That of course does not count if the whole thing is just for fun but if they are expecting results from the shoot that they can really use then the risk could be to high.

Without knowing the setup, lighting, Layout, look of the shots, control you have over the light and all the other aspects its impossible to tell you the settings your going to need. As for th location, as with anything all mma gyms will be different but the chances are there may not be lots of natural light.

I have a fair bit of experience in the mma world and have shot a fair few live events and promos for a couple of gyms so feel free to drop me a call if you need any advice with a bit more detail. Numbers on www.as-photography.co.uk

 

[Blue Squizz]

Thanks for the reply.

It's a low budget film and we are there for 6 hours - i will get more details later. I'm not getting paid.

I suspect they are wanting to use the images for promotional purposes, although I am sure they can back up what I use with actual stills from the filming they will be doing.

half of me wants to do it & half agrees I should back down & let somebody else do it. but I suspect in 6 hours I can take enough images to please them. if i keep reviewing what i have along the way.

i have a strobe light set, external flash & there will obviously be lighting for the filming. i'll set up a backdrop too - to do some portrait stuff too, when they email me the details i wil email them a caveat about my level of experience.

I'd would love to speak to you later if that is ok?

 

[asphotographymk]

Thanks for the reply.

It's a low budget film and we are there for 6 hours - i will get more details later. I'm not getting paid.

I suspect they are wanting to use the images for promotional purposes, although I am sure they can back up what I use with actual stills from the filming they will be doing.

half of me wants to do it & half agrees I should back down & let somebody else do it. but I suspect in 6 hours I can take enough images to please them. if i keep reviewing what i have along the way.

i have a strobe light set, external flash & there will obviously be lighting for the filming. i'll set up a backdrop too - to do some portrait stuff too, when they email me the details i wil email them a caveat about my level of experience.

I'd would love to speak to you later if that is ok?

If you are shooting during the filming flash is going to be out to the question for most of it. Is there no way you can spend an hour with your own set and your own lighting setup?

Live shots of filming are great for a behind the scenes type feel but not really for promo use. I wouldn't bother with a backdrop either as you really want more of a atmosphere rather than simple portraits.

I would be honest this is one of them shoots thats well worth getting right. Even a low budget film may have high needs or expectations for the promos. Stills from the filming just are not the same.
The thing is if they have no budget for this you will find they will only go to someone else less experienced anyway so you may aswell do it i guess.

Give me a call. I will however be out after 4 for pretty much the night.

 

[akcron]

Hello.
I have done a few stills for amateur films.

The main problem i have is taking the shots during the actual take is the sound boom can pick up a mouse farting from 20 paces and the sound man does not like hearing the camera on his sound track, so not having spent £1000 on a sound blimp for my camera i try to take most of the shots during the run through just before the actual take this seems to work ok. Also most directors will do several rehearsals before the take so this will let u set up for the conditions on set.

Get on good terms with the cameraman then it wont bug him when you stand next to him to get your shots.

If it is a cage fight scene you might have a crowd shouting so sound should not be a problem, and at cage fights you may get the crowd using flash photography so again you may get away with flash.

Usually the set is well lit unless it is a moody scene, night scene etc, then you may need to use a fast lens to get your shot and kick the iso up, i also shoot RAW as i don't then have to worry about white balance.

You need to take shots of the action, shots of the individual actors, group shots and behind the scene shots, and plenty of candids also make sure you ask the director exactly what type of shots he wants.

I am no expert and have only done a few but i think you will love it its great fun.