Wednesday, April 28, 2010

We're busy working here at the TLA Productions headquaters. It's been really hectic over the last two weeks as we've got a big and complicated music video shoot coming up this weekend of May 1st. The whole video is basickly one giant special effect. All the live action elements are shot on a blue screen and will later be composited and edited with CG element.

I'm real excited about the concept for the video, and should also give me a chance to show you guys a lot of behind the scenes and new tutorials on shooting special effects sequences. Stayed tooned for more next week!

Labels: , , ,

Friday, April 23, 2010

New Tutorial - Ring Lights !

Today is a great day if you've been waiting for another TUTORIAL. Go to my tutorials page to check out the latest video.

In the latest tutorial I talk about the most common use of RING LIGHTS and how to do a setup with one for a music video performance. What's even better, I use a DIY home built ringlight... AND I explain how I built it. Sp get ready not just for another filmmaking tutorial but a little construction workshop. (Warning: Built at your own risk!)

Here's a list of materials you'll need:
4'x2' plywood (1/2 inch thick) - $8
12 lightbulbs (40watt) - $20
12 lightbulb sockets - $18
Dimmer Switch (600watt) - $8
Switch Tray - $2
Box of Screws - $3
10-15 ft of 12 gauge wire - $3
Outlet Plug - $2
Total = $64

Tools you'll need:
Drill
Screwdriver
Saw (jigsaw is better)
Pencil
YOUR HANDS! (best tools out there :)

First you start off by drawing a circle on the plywood as big as you can fit. I added a little extra since I knew I wanted to attach a 1"x1" thick aluminum tube so that I can then mount my whole ring light on my old light stand. Then cut out the shape with your saw.

Then inside that big circle, cut out a smaller one. Make sure you leave enough space so you can screw in your lightbulb sockets.

Then layout all your lightbulb sockets around the ring, and mark off the position of each with a pencil. Then drill a 1/2" wide hole in the middle of where each of your lightbulb sockets will go. Now you're ready to start feeding the 12 gauge wire through all the holes. Then you connect all the lightbulb sockets to the wires. Plus to plus, minus to minus, and the ground wire you just feed all the way through to the end.

After that's done you're ready to connect the wire to the dimmer switch (follow the instruction that come with your dimmer switch) then mount the connected dimmer switch inside the switch tray, and screw all of that somewhere to your ring light. Last step is to connect the outlet plug to the dimmer switch. Again plus to plus and minus to minus etc. Now you're ready to screw in your lightbulbs and start lighting your scene. (TIP: when first testing out your ring light, it's a good idea to only screw in one lightbulb, and plug your ringlight to a powerbar that has a trip breaker. This way if you connected the wires incorrectly you won't blow your fuses in your house).

Email me or leave comments with any questions!

Now go watch Tutorial 8 - Cinematography / Ring Lights

Labels: , , , , ,

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Dinner Date - new short film

Great News! My latest film will premiere at the CFC World Wide Short Film Festival. The festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®. Films at the WSFF are eligible for consideration for Academy Award® nomination. This year the festival will take place June 1 - 6 in Toronto, Canada.

Here's a trailer - enjoy!

Labels: , , , , ,


Copyright Tom Antos © 2010. All rights reserved.
The content of this website is for personal use only.
Publication and redistribution is prohibited without prior written consent.