Phoenix Arizona Video Production
Video Production in the Valley of the Sun - Phoenix, Arizona.
If you're familiar with us, you know we travel, a lot! While we love our two bases of operation in Las Vegas and Long Beach, we are a bit wanderlust. One of our most recent voyages took us to the Valley of the Sun. Like Vegas, Phoenix, Arizona is a melting pot in so many ways, there are visitors and part and full time residents of all ages, races, and points of origin. Similar in climate, and not much older than Las Vegas, Phoenix is quite different in culture. Phoenix and the ever-growing "Sun Belt Corridor" which includes the Phoenix Metro area and Tucson are rich in history and culture. From Hollywood Westerns to the hundreds of golf courses, classic desert landscape to the glitz of Scottsdale, you know Phoenix when you see it.
We teamed up with one of our favorite clients on a project at University Park downtown, to unveil some recent additions. The city utilized a generous donation to add classic games like Four Square, Corn Hole, Tether Ball, and Bocce Ball. Along with a city pool, awesome baseball field, and plenty of open space, this park will continue to serve the community for years to come.
We were so happy to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, and can't wait to get back to Phoenix for the next project.
New shoulder rigs coming soon!
Every once and a while, you get that spark of imagination, the creative juices begin to flow... and suddenly, you have created something totally righteous. That's just what we're doing here at FiveSix Productions. We realize that to expand and improve upon what we can offer to our clients, and to continue to push the limits of what FiveSix Productions is capable of, well, we need to never stop expanding on our gear and skill sets. That's why we're building a pair of sleek, dynamic, and versatile shoulder-rigs that will allow us to push beyond what we've been able to do with our older shoulder rigs.
Now, don't get too excited, we didn't opt for the edition with the sparklers and mini-fridges, but we are pretty sure these will work just as well. Coupled with our new Tilta Nucleus-M follow focus system, and our upgraded power-distribution solution, anything from our Canon C300 Mark II's to our RED Epic Dragon will be set free. We are excited to announce that our new DJI Ronin 2 will also benefit from our Nucleus-M follow focus system, and between that and our shoulder rigs, series of sliders, jibs, and tripods, we've completely set our photography free.
Make sure to ask about our new shoulder rigs and DJI Ronin 2 when booking your next Las Vegas or Long Beach video production project with us.
Ronin 2 - This will revolutionize your video shoot!
The Ronin 2 is here, and it's just as spectacular as it seems!
From the updated software to the significant redesign of the hardware itself, the quality, dependability, and precision are more than evident. DJI simplified the mounting and balancing process on the Ronin 2 by doing away with the lever locks and replacing them with fine-tuning adjustment knobs which are much more accurate and hold securely all day. The mounting base itself has been redesigned to be more stable and simple; included is a secondary, adjustable frame above the camera, adding even more stability and security to your camera and it's placement. The grip is no longer just the three handle system as in the first model; now, there is a full, circular framework for added control and stability, as well as "feet" on the lower, detachable half, allowing you to set the Ronin down easily and securely.
FiveSix Productions had the pleasure of taking the Ronin 2 out for a spin recently, and paired it nicely with the Arri Alexa Mini; the results were more than we could have hoped for. If your next Las Vegas video production finds you needing one or many smooth, moving shots, give FiveSix Productions a call, and we'll be happy to oblige.
The Three Best Cameras for Convention Coverage
Whether you find yourself in one of the expansive convention centers in Long Beach, Los Angeles, or Anaheim, or in one of the gargantuan convention spaces in Las Vegas, the right gear is crucial to getting the best end product. You'll most likely find yourself focusing on a few staples of convention/trade shows, depending on the client. So what are the three best cameras we would recommend for filming conventions?
If you're shooting with an exhibitor/vendor who has a booth and reps there, you'll most likely be filming their booth, showing off how amazing and unique it is, spotlighting any new products and cool demonstrations they have, filming any special guests, and helping to create online marketing content. You'll no doubt be interviewing sales associates, managers, and various other company employees; you'll also be trying to get man-on-the-street style interviews and soundbites with attendees. With this kind of shoot, you're more likely to be able to have a "base of operations", so you don't have to be so run-and-gun with your gear. Here, I'd recommend the Canon C300 Mark II, you have the ability to shoot all the way up to true-4K, for a really beautiful, functional image. While carrying multiple lenses can be cumbersome, the quality of glass, functionality, and variety will really expand your creativity and range. This is an exceptional camera that provides versatility, functionality, and world-class imagery.
Let's say you find yourself shooting for a client that may be exhibiting, or maybe they're from a trade publication of sorts, and your mission is to get general coverage of the show, and to interview and showcase other companies that may be friends and associates. The name of the game at that point is: RUN AND GUN! You need to be mobile, light weight, and all encompassing. If you've ever been to Times Square, Disneyland in the summer, or any Starbucks when I'm running late to work, you'll have an idea of what it's like at shows such as CES, SEMA, and NAB. Despite science, you have less space to exist in than the area your mass occupies. So, add a camera and hopefully tripod to that, and... well... godspeed. Here, I'd recommend the trusty Sony PMW300. As long as you don't need to shoot 4K, you'll get a great 1920x1080 image that'll look great online, and is easy to work with in post. The camera isn't heavy, it's menu is easy to navigate, and the best part, you have a zoom lens and servo. This camera does have a small plate that extends to give you a bit of a shoulder mount, but it's recommended to have a compact tripod or proper hand held rig.
Lastly: maybe you're a lone-wolf. Let's say you have a blog about something great, and Trade-Show X comes into town, and you just have to go check it out, and get some great video coverage. You don't want to lug around a big camera, you don't want to spend all your beer money on gear, and you really only need some highlights. Here, I have three, low-cost, light weight, compact options that'll do the trick. The Canon 5D Mark II or Sony a7S with a good zoom lens would do great for video and photos! You can also opt for the DJI Osmo which will give you a great, HD image, smooth moves, and won't get you chased out by grumpy exhibitors, because you'll look like every other attendee.
There you have it, the best of the best. If you have an upcoming shoot, reach out to the fellas over at f11 Rentals, and they'll get you set up with the perfect gear for your upcoming shoot. Or, if you'd prefer to have us take care of your Las Vegas video production or Long Beach video production, we're glad to help too!
FiveSix Productions Uses Protection
Don't be a fool, wrap your tools: great advice that we here at FiveSix Productions take seriously. We utilize a number of great products to store and transport our various tools and pieces of gear; from Cinebags for our cameras, to Pelican and SKB for our tripods, Dana Dolly, and DJI products. One of our favorites for custom designed cases is Jason Cases in Durham, North Carolina. Jason Cases utilizes only the best products, and while they have predesigned cases, they are the best at customizing any case to fit your exact needs. We are huge fans of this for our kits that have a lot of separate pieces that can get lost, or pieces that are fragile. Their quick turnaround time ensures even if you're a Las Vegas video production company like us, you'll have your order very quickly. So, next time you need a durable, custom case, reach out to Jason Cases, and they'll get you set up.
Nailed It!
Well, well. Look what we have here... As none of you will remember, a while back, I made a point that DJI should develop a dedicated device- a universal controller if you will, to take the place of your phone or iPad when using the Osmo and drone. Yet! Some people thought that was crazy talk. Some folks said that I needed to talk to ol' Siggy Freud about my "wild ideas". I simply asked "How are we going to holla' at all the shorties, when our phone is making smooth Hollywood moves with a gimbal device!?" Mocked, I was! Basically ran out of town on a rail.... Until now.
I give you: CRYSTAL SKY!!! The ultra fast, ultra bright, completely Inspire-dedicated, 4G LTE device is lightweight, sleek, and made just for the DJI Inspire 2. The CrystalSky, and I quote: "removes unnecessary Android apps and services and is resistant to viruses and junk software"- you don't want emails and texts from your hommies coming in, disrupting your dope pans and tilts. Further more: "Its embedded DJI GO app provides full access to all DJI GO features including aircraft parameter adjustment, camera control, footage management, and playback. Using offline maps, maps can be kept available even if going out of Wi-Fi reach." You need all the monthly data you can get, for left and right swiping.
All you drone videographers go check out the amazing CrystalSky and 58mph flying DJI Inspire 2! Once this takes off, I'm sure a cool device will come out for the Osmo. Good day to you all.
FiveSix Productions at the Lucky Dragon
FiveSix Productions had the pleasure of seeing the shiny, new Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino here in Las Vegas last week, the day before it opened to the public. Along with our pals over at Jib Tek, we were able to highlight some of the new toys that patrons will be able to enjoy. We had a great time utilizing our DJI Ronin and the fan favorite Dana Dolly, coupled with our Sony a7S and Canon C300 Mark II (respectively). Make sure to swing by this new joint, which features many authentic Chinese table games and restaurants, and certainly didn't disappoint our crew. Whatever your Las Vegas video production needs, make sure to give us a shout, and we'll be happy to help.
DJI Universal Controller
FiveSix Productions employs the use of a variety of DJI tools, including the Ronin, the Inspire 1, and the Osmo. While we love them all, and appreciate all that they do to add to our production, we do have a suggestion for the wonderful folks at DJI:
To use the Osmo and the Inspire 1 areal drone, simply download and utilize the DJI app on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, easy enough; this is great for ease of use and access, but is a killer of phone batteries. How are we supposed to holler at all the sweet honeys while flying drones over the Delaware river, if our phone is quickly dying on the Inspire remote? (Real example.) We have what we believe is a great suggestion for a wonderful solution. DJI should develop and sell a phone sized device that exclusively works with DJI tools. The device would be about the size of an iPhone 6 or Galaxy S7, so the screen is nice and big, but not so large it can't fit in the provided holster. The device would be Bluetooth compatible, of course connect to the internet so as to download the latest updates, and would come factory ready to all the applications and software needed to run the parade of dope DJI products. Best of all, with only the task of running your DJI items, there can be plenty of space for a big, long-lasting battery, and it would run super fast because it has just one purpose in life. We can only speculate that if this device cost just a couple hundred bucks, they would sell like hotcakes!
We're not software or hardware manufacturers, and simply are thinking out loud, but hey, dreaming is what dreamers to best. So, DJI folks, there's just one of our many dreams that we wanted to share with you as if we were sitting on your therapy couch. Thanks, friends.
San Diego - Taking Flight
David and I took a recent opportunity to travel to San Diego, CA. While our days were spent filming different locations around the town. We took some time in the afternoon to have some fun. For us that means cracking out the drone. We wanted to test out our updated X5 camera during sunset. With the X5 having an updated micro 4/3rds sensor we were anxious to test out the camera's low light capabilities.
We were pleasantly surprised with how the footage held up compared to our older X3 camera. Shot at ISO 100, the shot really held the detail in the water. The artifacting in the blacks, that we had come to expect in the X3, was greatly reduced. We did some shots with the D-log and ended up setting the camera to no picture profile. We were happy with the results but will need some more testing in the resolve bay to figure out the best workflow for our team.
Here is a quick H264 proxy from my phone. Looking good!
The Osmo Has Landed
The amazing, and totally righteous DJI Osmo handheld stabilization unit has arrived- and boy are we pumped! As I told you before, the Osmo takes handheld video production to a whole new level. With a 3-axis stabilization system for a 4K camera, you can be sure to get brilliant, smooth video, walking, running, driving on a bumpy road, wherever. While the DJI Ronin is useful and game-changing in it's own right, the Osmo gives you smoothness and stability in a much more compact and easy-to-use, easy to operate device that can fit inside your pocket (if you have big pockets).
The camera is the same camera that comes on the DJI Inspire drone, and it's been nothing but wonderful and has impressed us with each use. We can't wait to get it on set and continue to broaden our horizons. Hi ho Silver, away!