One way to tower over any production problem.
D.W. Leitner’s writing—whether his in-depth camera reviews, wide-ranging NAB surveys, or complex production stories–remains one of my favorite reads in millimeter. While we have both written for the magazine for many years, I’ve got to be honest, it’s David who has gained a following for his writing, featuring as it does his unique blend of technical know-how, a love and knowledge of movie history, and a deep understanding of the complete production process, all wrapped up in strong, clean prose that’s all too rare in our industry…well, you get the idea, he just always seems to deliver fascinating writing.
Well, there’s a new version of that smart package if you tune into his own, recently launched weekly blog on millimeter’s site, Leitner’s Cinematography Corner.
You’re in Leitner World, so don’t expect just another digital naval-gazing cool-tool-of-the-week approach. He says it straight and plain in his inaugural blog: “The Cinematography Corner will be my ongoing effort to steer discussion of new technology away from starry-eyed worship of all things digital and back to established filmmaking practices.”
All the more reason to turn into his most recent column, EX3 x 2 = DIY 3D, a title that becomes less mysterious when you read about the success of two New Jersey filmmakers in creating a significant 3D production for the Newark Museum via their home-brew setup of a pair of Sony PMW-EX3s. Besides technical details, you see today’s results balanced out against the historical significance of Sheeler and Strand’s pioneering Manhatta (1921), a silent black-and-white song-of-the-city.
Vintage Leitner.