The other day a friend recommended I check out Empire Magazine’s coverage of Christopher Nolan’s Inception and his past filmography. It took me about an hour to get through the whole thing.
One thing to point out is that this man is an excellent at managing PR. He’s also super disciplined and focused. Working on only one movie at a time and that it’s the only way he functions. Too many people do too many things at the same time and don’t do them well.
In business consulting McKinsey emphasize the 80/20 Rule, the Foundation of which is on clarity of objective, focus on prime actions and solid execution.
The difficult part isn’t finding out what to do, rather understanding what NOT to do. Below are just some of the obvious gems on leadership and creativity we can all pull out from the article.
Regardless of planned conditions, always shoot. 99/100 times you’ll end up using it. Never wait for weather. – Christopher Nolan #fb
Belal Khan
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Gary Goldman on Chris Nolan – “He knows what hes looking for. Hes trusting. He trusts youre going to do your homework. Thats a nice feeling”Belal Khan
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Disciplined creativity -Robin Williams on Chris Nolan- “Hes very focused but prepared to try anything. Hes is in control but lets u go wild”Belal Khan
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Working in an environment that you cant control, always have a backup plan. Winds wont always blow in ur favor -Chris Nolan on Batman BeginsBelal Khan
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If you challenge people in and unusual way, you can get incredible results. – Chris Nolan on The PrestigeBelal Khan
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For the record:
This is not a technical review of the features of the camera. There are plenty of those out there. This post is simply an overview of specific benefits this camera may or may not carry based on your level of familiarity with film-making.
If you are looking for a technical review then see the CamorderInfo.com review of the Canon HFS100.
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LET’S START WITH THE BOTTOM LINE
If you’re new to the game and have never purchased a camera before then this camera is NOT for you. I recommend this camera ONLY IF you are looking to upgrade your current system. A camera system usually consists of:
- Camera
- Filters – polarized, UV, etc
- Lens – wide angle, zoom, etc
- XLR Shotgun Microphone
- XLR audio adapter
- Wireless Mic Receiver
- Tripod
- Movement assists – Steadicam, Dolly, tracks, etc
- Lights
- Computer to edit
- Hard Drive – for storing footage
If you’re thinking about putting down $800+ for this camera and you’re missing some of those elements then my recommendation is to not purchase this camera. Rather purchase the Canon HG10 or HF100, both of which you can probably get for under $400.00 USD used from Amazon or eBay.
Spend the money you save on completing your camera system.
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MY REASONS FOR PURCHASING THE CANON VIXIA HFS 100
After spending over two weeks filming Ilm Summit 2009 with my Canon FS100, one thing I came to realize is that editing would be so much faster if I didn’t have to spend so much time cleaning up the images.
My old camera is really no good at filming in low light and you end up with a lot of “visual noise”.
The computer has to spend a lot of time in post-processing to reduce the “visual noise”. The resulting image tends to become very “soft” in nature which doesn’t really scream quality.
I had been experimenting with different HD cameras but none satisfied my desire to be able to shoot well in low light.
One camera I did like was the Canon HG10. I shot Hollywoodland – Browntourage Episode 2 with that camera and was quite satisfied, except in extreme low-light conditions.
When IlmFest 2009 came up I decided to purchase the camera. I figured I’ll have the weekend to really test it out. I took a walk out to NYC to purchase a much needed wide angle lens for the camera which ran me about $300.00 USD.
After the weekend I realized that this camera is great, but it’s not worth the $1,100.00 USD retail sticker price, so took it back to the store and returned it. The guy was nice enough to not charge me a restocking fee.
About a week later I found the same camera on eBay for about $830.00 USD and purchased it for keeps.
THE WINNING FACTOR
The lens it the best part of the camera. The lens is the same lens used on the old Canon GL2 DV cameras.
The images look brilliant and it’s ability to absorb light after sunset is great with the assist of a portable light.
The latest Browntourage episode – Hollywood Again – was shot with this camera.
THE KILLER
Canon doesn’t consider XLR audio adapters when they design their camera.
With the BeachTek attached to the HFS100, you can’t open the flash disc slot to eject the SDHC memory card.
It’s a pain considering I’m usually shooting with the Steadicam Merlin. To change the card I have to off load the camera from the Merlin and screw off the BeachTek to eject the memory.
What I end up doing usually is using my Laptop to transfer the video data via USB to a portable HDD. It’s a temporary solution, but it doesn’t give that quick satisfaction of having more recording space available.
The upside to this is you’ll be limited to shoot only 60 mins of video on a 16 GB SDHC card. On a day’s worth of shooting, be sure to make each shot count.
What I might end up doing is cutting up the BeachTek device to allow for the camera to open up the memory slot or get a 32 GB SDHC card instead.
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]]>I got an email today about a recent article written on MuslimMatters.org.
Salaam alaykum all,
I wrote an article on MM about voice only music, my experiences with it, and how I’m personally dealing with the different issues that come up as there are at times unclear answers. I also mention the AlMaghrib trailers because one of them was a turning point in what I did and didn’t listen to.
There’s no condemnation here, simply the going over milestones and how I’ve dealt with them, and looking for feedback from others.
- Siraaj Muhammad
You can check out the article by clicking the image below.
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The issue of beat-boxing, vocal play and a capella in Islamic media has been an issue of some controversy. I think this is mainly due to the confusion on many people’s part as to whether it’s really permissible or not.
You can get the gist by the article linked above.
When I produced the last AlMaghrib promo – the one that features the instructors, student body locations and what AlMaghrib is – a lot of concern came about.
Several months back, Yaser Birjas and I had a talk addressing the concern and the discussions that were taking place. The following points were made:
The objective and purpose of sound in a video is like the objective of a carpet in a room.
It’s suppose to add warmth, pull you in and at the same time bring forth a specific emotion. The carpet enhances the room and increases the overall impact and impression it has on you many folds.
There is of course the potential to choose the wrong carpet for a room and at times putting a carpet in a room where there isn’t suppose to be any.
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Assuming you got the analogy -
What’s the solution to people’s perception of vocal play and beat-boxing being looked upon as music” when in truth, by standards this society – “if its got rhythm then its music”?
Personally I think the solution is branding.
Fact is that the videos don’t use musical instruments and from my understanding its the instruments that are prohibited. Not the rhythm or sounds.
I think market education is a big part of solving the Muslim student’s concerns. Also pushing the bar on professionalism is also key.
A professional sound designer will deliver so long as the framework to work within is made clear.
I know for a fact that some of the non-Muslim film makers and producers I know love the sound scores of the AlMaghrib trailers, and they especially love the fact that it’s made from no musical instruments.
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I think the fact AlMaghrib videos don’t have musical instruments needs to be made more clear.
The only way I think it can be made clearer is in addition to the “No Musical Instruments” screen at the beginning of the videos, add a “no musical instruments were used in this score” as part of the “ending credits” of all future videos.
This way perhaps others who miss the beginning screen can catch it in the end.
Another solution is to teach a seminar about – or include the subject in a seminar of sort. Many people are unclear on the issue.
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As a follow up to Siraaj’s email, there was another email sent today via AlMaghrib’s HQ saying:
Recently our senior shyookhs and management team had this discussion. After going back n forth, we’ve decided that we will not use beat-boxing in our trailers anymore.
More importantly as time permits, we will be editing the past trailers in sha Allah.
It begs me to question, what will the stance be on the use of non beat-boxing sounds that are also non instrumental used in a rhythm? The effect is the same.
I guess time will tell.
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Posts in the past that address this issue:
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]]>Everyone has heard of the 1970s movie by Moustapha Akkad "The Message" -- They are going to be remaking the movie in the near future titled "The Messenger of Peace".
--
Read more about this on:
Reuters: Movie planned on life of Prophet Mohammad
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]]>Remember my invitation to come to Los Angeles with me in the post titled, "Be My Classmate” about the internet marketing for filmmakers seminar being taught in UCLA? The instructor for the course Marc Rosenbush was interviewed by Movie Maker Magazine.
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Click the link below to read the interview article:
Marc Rosenbush’s Internet Marketing for Filmmakers
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The demand for mobile phones is increasing day by day, the demand for camera mobiles also have no exception. The introduction of camera mobiles has caused rapid increase in sales of these phones all over the world. Along with the widely accepted demand for the camera phones it also created some controversy because of the improper use of the camera mobile. There is no problem in having fun with your camera mobile, but you have to make sure that you are not exceeding the limits.
The following article throws light on some of the etiquettes that every one has to follow while using camera mobiles.
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Respect others privacy
This is the basic thing that has to be kept in mind by a person using camera mobile. It is not advisable to snap pictures of others without their consent. This will be considered as a serious offense. So it’s better to avoid trouble by respecting others privacy.
Never use camera mobiles in banned places
The use of camera Phones is banned in some places. The use of such phones should be avoided in those banned areas. In the same way the use of camera mobile is restricted in certain areas, in such areas its better to ask the authorities regarding the extent of restriction.
Keep away from mass mailing
In the resent past the habit of circulating pictures of other people without their permission has increased at an alarming rate. Taking pictures, morphing them on your PC and circulating is also highly unadvisable. This will be treated as a serious criminal offense and will result in severe punishment in many countries.
Shut the camera lens when not in use
Always try to shut the lens of your camera mobile when not in use. This helps a lot in avoiding problems. This has to be followed properly because there are people who might get offended even if a camera is pointed at them.
Just use your common sense
Always use your brain to realize that not every one will like to receive MMS messages, just for the simple reason that most of the networks will charge the recipient for downloading the MMS messages.
Turn off camera’s flash wherever applicable
Its better to turn off your camera’s flash wherever applicable. For example if you are snapping pictures in a zoo the flash light can be distractive.
By following the simple steps mentioned above it’s possible for every one to keep out of the basic mistakes that may occur while using camera mobile. So have fun with your camera mobile, but within limits. And you can get more camera phone reviews from http://www.icameraphones.com
Author Descrpition
http://www.icameraphones.com is a site that is designed for camera mobile phones. The site provides extensive information on camera phone reviews, buying guides, imaging tips etc.
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Yesterday I had an interview with IslamOnline.net. You can check it out here:
http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=9t3PNc
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New York times has an article about the producers of some of the top viral videos that have made it online and seen by millions of viewers.
Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam’s Face: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/us/08video.html
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What is this writer strike really all about?
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11 — As Hollywood digs in for a second week of a strike, the screenwriters might want to send a few angry picketers over to Will Smith’s place. Or Steven Spielberg’s. And maybe the studio executives should think about joining them on the line. As it turns out, the pot of money that the producers and writers are fighting over may have already been pocketed by the entertainment industry’s biggest talent.
That is the conclusion of a surprisingly bleak new assessment of financial dynamics in the movie industry titled “Do Movies Make Money?” The researchers’ answer: not any more.
The New York Times has the full story: Hollywood on Strike
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Here is a video to summarize what its all about:
Click here to view the embedded video.
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CONVENT, La. – This was not how Cindy Cole pictured her life at 26: living in a mobile home park called Sugar Hill, wedged amid the refineries and cane fields of tiny St. James Parish, 18 miles from the nearest supermarket. Sustaining three small children on nothing but food stamps, with no playground, no security guards and nowhere to go.
No, Ms. Cole was supposed to be paying $275 a month for a two-bedroom house in the Lower Ninth Ward – next door to her mother, across the street from her aunt, with a child care network that extended the length and breadth of her large New Orleans family. With her house destroyed and no job or savings, however, her chances of recreating that old reality are slim.
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Read the full New York Times article here: Road to New Life After Katrina Is Closed to Many
If you want to learn more about the struggle people are going through, just type “Katrina” in the NYT search.