EMB Studios films Wineries Around the World

Paul Nordin (Camera Op) and Winter (Location Sound)  are spending most of October filming  “The Maestro – André Tchelistcheff – The Voice of Wine”.   This documentary is being directed by Mark Tchelistcheff, along with German DP Wedigo Von Schultzendorff.  This film is documenting the amazing impact that André Tchelistcheff had on the California, Washington, French, and Italian winemaking during his long life.  Filming is in Napa and Sonoma until mid-October, when Paul, Winter and the production team fly to Europe to film in Alsace, Bordeaux, and Burgundy France, and Tuscany Italy.   We are using our Epic-M and Illumina lenses to capture some of the most picturesqe places on earth!

LumaTech Illumina S35 Prime Lenses!

   EMB Studios has recently taken delivery of a complete set of LumaTech Illumina S35 prime lenses.  These beautiful lenses are a great addition to our Red Epic-M 5k Digital Cinema Package. In addition to being very sharp, the lenses are all rated at the super-fast T/1.3!  They can practically see in the dark. Another advantage is they are compact and balance well with the smaller form factor of Epic.

The new design of these Illuminas are the results of 2+ years of refinements and field testing by well known DPs, use Schott glass (same as Leica), and are manufactured by the venerated LOMO Optical Design Bureau in St.Petersberg, Russia.

Our set is one of the few sets currently in the US so come by and check them out!  They are available now for evaluation or rental.

http://www.lumatechinc.com/S35.html

EMBS Shoots Skilz Commercial at 300FPS in San Diego with Epic-M

EMBS cinematographer Paul Nordin headed to San Diego on August 8th to film a commercial spot for high-end sporting equipment manufacturer Skilz.  The spot was directed by Iain Harris.  EMBS’s new Epic-M camera was used for two main reasons: its high-resolution at 5k allowed for easy re-framing and zooming in during post production, and shooting at ultra slow 300 frames per second allowed the sporting equipment to be beautifully featured.  The shooting was over a two-day period and was primarily performed in a warehouse in downtown San Diego.  Examples will be posted to the EMBS reel page when available.

EMBS Announces Availability of its New Red Epic-M Digital Cinema Camera System!

We are very psyched to announce availability of our new Red Epic-M digital cinema camera kit to the gear we offer in film and video productions.

This amazing tour-de-force of camera technology defines the current state of the art.  In a small 6 pound package it offers full 5k images at capture speeds up to 121 frames per second.  At 2k resolution, it captures an astounding 300 frames per second for ultra slow motion shots.  The camera also has a high-dynamic range mode which allows for shooting with minimal lighting in demanding situations.

In addition to the Epic-M, we have on order a set of LumaTech Illumina S-35 prime lenses.  More on these when they arrive, but they will be a fantastic addition to the Epic-M with their low-light capability and sharp images.

This exciting addition ads high-end capability to our established Canon 5Dmk2 kit and Panasonic HVX200.

For info on hiring our cinematography services with the Epic-M or renting the camera kit, contact info@embstudios.com

EMBS in Production on Feature Film for Salty Dog Studios

Paul Nordin, Cinematographer, and Winter, Location Sound Mixer, are currently working on director Ryan Harper’s latest, as yet untitled, feature film.  The film is being produced by Salty Dog Studios in Berkeley, CA.  Particulars of the story are confidential and cannot be released until the movie is in distribution.  However, we can say that this is an exciting and very thought provoking project.  As usual, Ryan brings a very unique vision to this project.  This is Paul’s 17th feature film working as cinematographer, and his second feature project helmed by Ryan Harper.  Paul is shooting the film on a variety of cameras which also are confidential. Production began in May 2011, and is expected to be completed by October 2011.

For more information please visit the site www.saltydogstudios.net/

The Art Institute Spring Ad Campaign Filmed by Paul Nordin

Director of Photography Paul Nordin was brought on board early in pre-production by the producing/directing duo Eriq Wities & Daniel Yaffe of Open Content TV, to help plan The Art Institute’s complicated commercial, webisode, and print campaign for the second half of 2011 enrollment.

The most challenging aspects were around the four 30-second spots that are being nationally broadcast.  These live-action animations each feature a star graduate of the AI, and move with them through scenic and popular spots in San Francisco as animated sets unfold.  ”This was a very ambitious project”, said Paul.  “We had one day with each of the actors, and to get a 30-second spot accomplished in the 10 hours available (due to daylight) we had to average one frame every 40 seconds with a 30 minute break for lunch.  That resulted in over 260 setups per day”!   To pull that off, Paul and his team (Gaffer Hector Aranda and Key Grip Joe Mullen) constructed a rolling camera/lighting rig that was completely self contained and could roll down the streets, paths, and sidewalks targeted for the shoot.  Since these were animated shots, Paul used a Canon 5Dmk2 camera and created the spots one-frame-exposure at a time.  After each exposure, the entire production (camera, lights, art, talent) would quickly move down the street 12feet, make animation adjustments and lighting changes, and following a fast and careful scan of monitor Director Eriq Wites would call action.  Then one frame would be exposed and the whole process continued.

While Paul and the rest of the production team was marching down the streets of San Francisco, gaffer Hector Aranda was lighting the hallways and main room where the final segment of each spot would end.

Thanks go to Eriq and Daniel for developing such an original concept, and to Hector, Joe, Jessica Fisher my AC/DIT, and the rest of the team for pulling off a minor miracle and making some cool spots for AI!

Zombie/Western Movie “The Dead and The Damned” Goes Global

Filmed by cinematographer Paul Nordin, and audio-posted by the EMB Studio team, the genre blending feature film The Dead and the Damned has been released to all major outlets in the USA and in Europe by distributor Mainline.  The movie, directed by Rene Perez and produced by Mattia Borrani, will be screened on Saturday night at Spain’s Almeria Western Film Festival, one of the top festivals in the world that focus on Western themed movies.

“Blending Horror and Western genres has made for a darned fun movie.  And working in the beautiful Sierra foothills near Sonora, California, made for a visually beautiful backdrop for the story. ” says Paul Nordin.

When Winter and Sharon, who head up EMB Studio’s audio post production team, saw Paul’s footage, they put in a bid with Mattia to do the audio work.  “Its was so much fun coming up with zombie/monster sounds and squishy body slams” said Foley Artist Sharon!

Sundance & HBO: “Hot Coffee” with EMB Studios Soundtrack

According to director Susan Saladoff, “Hot Coffee made its Sundance debut at the beautiful Temple Theater in Park City, Utah in February. The premiere screening was sold out, the wait list long, and everyone in line was buzzing about what they supposedly did and did not know about the U.S. civil justice system and the infamous McDonald’s hot coffee case.”

Hot Coffee’s premiere on HBO ”caps a magical few months (…) with major press coverage, including The New York Times, and Washington Post. We’ve traveled to Film Festivals from Boston to Toronto to San Francisco to Little Rock to L.A. to Washington D.C., and beyond, for dozens of sold-out screenings and lively Q&As,” says director Susan Saladoff.  Hot Coffee was awarded the 2011 SIFF Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary.

Production Sound Mixer Winter’s immersive soundtrack helped Susan’s story connect with audiences around the world.

“Pool Pirates” Sails to Number One with EMB Studios

When comedian and first-time filmmaker Erikka Innes approached Paul Nordin with a script for a comedy about a band of pirates that invade people’s suburban pools, he immediately fell in love with it.  “Erikka wrote such an engaging and funny script, I decided then that I would help her in any way possible to bring the film to fruition”, says Paul Nordin.  Paul signed on immediately to be the cinematographer, lined up a small but excellent crew, and donated EMBS equipment to help make the production a success.  After the film was edited, Sharon and Winter of EMB Studios laughed so hard watching the rough cut, they also signed on to do the audio post work.

Following their efforts and Paul’s final color correction, Pool Pirates was screened to much mirth at the Skyfest Film Competition, where it earned Erikka an award for #1 Short Film.  Congratulations Erikka, we had a blast helping you make your film!

EMB Studios Films Spots for Sephora Cosmetics

Over the last several months Paul Nordin has been Director of Photography for a series of how-to videos for cosmetic maven Sephora.  They are targeted for web distribution.  Winter also helped by capturing the on-set location sound.

Thanks to producers Ehren Koepf and Rick Bosner for bringing us on board!