I got invited to go with the BBC’s Digital Planet team to SXSW Interactive in Austin Texas. It was a great trip but extremely exhuasting. My main role was as the sound tech / mixing guy but I took a of filming gear with the aim of making the whole experience more multi-platform oriented.
I took with me a brand new Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR, a new JVC HM-100 HD Camcorder, the ever trusty Sony EX-1, a Glidetrack Shooter, Steadicam Merlin and a few other bits and pieces. Everything was edited on Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Pro Tools and Aperture on a Macbook Pro.
I also took as many stills as possible (with the 7D) but found that it’s very difficult to cover an event and get both video and stills in quality with the same camera (ie. the Canon 7D) as the method of working is very different and the camera setup is likewise.
Below are the films I produced as part of the BBC’s ‘Superpower’ season exploring the extra-ordinary power of the internet.
A highlight was interviewing film maker / cinematographer Philim Bloom who has a tremendous reputation in the new genre of ‘DSLR’ filming : using certain models of DSLR camera to shoot what can be just awe inspiringly beautiful pictures.
It’s the work of Philip and others like him with the Canon DSLR’s that inspired me to get hold of a Canon EOS 7D and see what would be possible with it.