So, when I started this series of Tech Talk blog posts, I did so on the basis that there is a dearth of good information on the internet regarding my craft. What I’ve started to discover to my delight is that there’s more information than I first thought. Here’s a few of the resources I’ve discovered and why I love them.
Video Resources
The magnificent Jasin Boland talking about his favourite gear and the joys of working alongside a talented DoP. Jasin is an amazingly engaging speaker, really knows his stuff and creates sensational movie stills. Jasin works predominantly on action films so talks about how lucky he is to often shoot without a blimp on film shoots. This interview was recorded during the making of Aeon Flux.
Baz Lurhmann and his on set photographer, James Fisher talk about the importance of the role of a photographer on a film shoot, in particular about the making of Baz’s epic feature film Australia.
Blog Articles and web sites
Then here’s a series of blog articles relevant to shooting stills on and marketing of films. In particular check out Karen Ballard’s article on shooting stills for Stephen Spielberg on Munich shows a master director really understanding the value of the role of the stills photographer.
I also think its very important for any aspiring unit stills photographer to have at least a basic appreciation and understanding of the role of the unit publicist and the practices of film marketing and publicity teams. As a photographer, you’re going to be hired again and again by delivering images that will seamlessly drop into Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) and other film marketing strategies. Here’s some great links that I think reflect best practice for a movie stills photographer:
- Alex Bailey – Behind the Curtain PLINK’s 45 minute podcast Interview
- Alex Bailey – Movie Stills Blog Film set photographer and author of “Movie Photos”
- Alex Bailey – Nikon Europe Interview Alex Bailey on life as a Nikon shooting stills photographer
- Angus Young – Want to work in TV Interview with Angus Young on shooting publicity stills in TV
- Brian Hamill – State University interview the joys of shooting stills for the likes of Woody Allen, Barry Levinson, Martin Scorsese and Sydney Pollack
- Chris Large – Digital Animate Interviews an in depth interview with th Canada-based film stills photograher
- Hanneby.com – IATSE photographer Job description and expected salary range for an IATSE (US/Canadian union member) unit stills photographer
- Hollywood Still Photography – Shutterbug Shutterbug magazine feature on production stills (US perspective)
- Hopper Stone – Nik Radio Interview LA based unit photographer talks through his career from photojournalism in war zones to on set photojournalism
- Hopper Stone: Adorama Interview On IATSE Union shooting in the USA and life as a stills photographer
- Jack English – Fuji Film Exposure Interview On being discovered and recommmended by Gary Oldman and working on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Fifth Element, The Transporter and many others
- Karen Ballard – The Digital Journalist Unit Stills Photographer on Stephen Speilberg’s “Munich” recounts her experience
- Kevin L Powers – Associated Content 5 elements to being a good on set photographer
- Larry D.Horricks – interviewed by Junsui Films On working on Coriolanus and trying to bring art and points of difference to unit stills work.
- Leah Gallo – Mizzou Mag Interview on joining the family. Working with Tim Burton on Alice in Wonderland and Sweeney Todd
- Murray Close – UK Professional Photographer Interview On working with Stanley Kubrik, sound blimps and sensitive actors
- Q&A – Cineformation Film Publicity & Photography Q&A with David Appleby & Susan d’Arcy
- The role of the Stills Photographer – Skillset thorough article on the role of the stills photographer
- The second most important photographer on set – Photopreneur On Set Photography article
- Van Redin – Digital Apple Overview of the role of s stills photographer
- Want to work in TV? Shu Richmond’s excellent great career advice blog
Tech Talk – The musings of me
Finally, don’t forget about my continued musings on the art of shooting publicity stills on film sets:
- TT 01 Why you need to have a stills photographer on a film shoot
- TT 02 5 crucial on set relationships for a Production Stills Photographer
- TT 03 5 Mistakes made by on set photographers
- TT 04 Copyright and the Production Stills photographer
- TT 05 Three Important Publicity Shots for a Production Stills Photographer
- TT 06 Call Sheets. Why I love them, and why you should too
- TT 07 Delivering production stills to the people who need them
- TT 08 5 tips for working with actors
- TT 09 The best movie stills resources for the on set photographer
- TT 10 Film set jargon for unit stills photographers
- TT 11 Make the crew look good!
- TT 12 Getting work as a stills photographer
- TT 13 Q&A on shooting film stills
- TT 14 Choosing your projects
- TT 15 Sound blimp round up
- TT 16 3 More crucial on set relationships for stills photographers
- TT 17 After the show is done – after care for unit stills photographers
- TT 18 5 Great ways to spend your on set down time productively
- TT 19 Making yourself useful on set.
- TT 20 Inspirational Movie Stills
- TT 21 Film marketing pitfalls and great examples of productions avoiding them
- TT 22 Film marketing and publicity links
- TT 23 Book review: “Movie Photos” by Alex Bailey
- TT 24 tips for actors to get the best working with a stills phographer
- TT 25 Innovative use of stills in movie marketing
- TT 26 Camera Sound Blimps – An update
- TT 27 Run a film and TV “Specials Shoot” – Part 1, Planning
- TT 28 Run a film and TV “Specials Shoot” – Part 2, The shoot
- TT 29 Hollywood Unit Publicist Ernie Malik interview
Think I’m missing topics or great resources? Then drop me a line and tell me about them! You can share this link easily by clicking on the icons below.
If you love it, show it!
Film publicity and marketing resources
Production Stills TECH TALK
no comments