VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES

+ Film Directing

Sam works with directors who undertstand the conventions of Hollywood film directing. They know how to translate the best of those practices for independent productions and smaller screens. For many brands and nonprofit organizations Sam will step in as a video director himself. They key is knowing when to scale, who to hire and how to delegate.

The techniques employed in film directing now span across many visual media and genres. Today, independent film directors and commercial directors are also working as virtual reality directors, music video directors, documentary directors and corporate video directors.

+ Cinematography

A Cinematographer (also know as a Director of photography or DOP) oversees the lighting and camera crew. The DP paints with light, composing the frame with the Director and determining how camera movement may be introduced into the shot. Sam carefully selects DP's with a particular cinematography style to complement the aesthetic that you're aiming for with your video or 360 video. The DP works hand-in-hand with other department heads to put together the equipment inventory as well as camera, grip & electric team that will be necessary to achieve the desired look.

+ Videography

Videography has overlaps with cinematogaphy. Many of the skillsets are similar. In fact many cinematographers are also videographers and vice versa. The main difference is that in videography, the camera operator is often functioning in a fast-paced environment with fewer support crew. Videographers are resourceful. They make use of available light, think quick and improvise on the fly. Sam has worked as a Videographer on countless shoots and enjoys collaborating with a global network of talented video journalist and nonfiction filmmakers. The equipment utilized by videographers are chosen with portability, durability and ergonomics in mind.

+ Multi-Camera Shooting

A multiple-camera shoot utilizes at least two cameras to shoot a scene from different angles and with a variety of focal lengths. Multi-Camera Shoots are especially important for live event coverage. They're also occasionally used to "cover" scenes from more than one position in film & TV productions in order to reduce the number of times actors must perform a scene. The Multi-Camera Shooting technique is also commonly employed for "talking head" interviews in order to offer two perspectives of the subject as well as to help cover verbal gaffs in the edit.

Multi-camera Shooting can cause a budget to increase with the additional gear and crew required or it can reduce a budget by the amount fo time it saves. Sam takes into account these variables when determining the shooting approach for your video or film production.

+ Cinema Lighting

Cinema Lighting is the art of arranging lights, flags and diffusion materials in a way that correspond with the conditions of the environment (interior or exterior) and the settings in the camera.

There are several types of film lighting, and though the techniques may vary slightly, when it comes to cinema lighting, setting up your lights is one of the most time-consuming tasks in filming. However, it makes an enormous difference in the quality and mood of the shoot.

Sam employs crews with seasoned, resourceful gaffers who know the tricks of the trade to manipulating light just right with the tools at hand.

+ Sound Recording

More often than not, an audience may be forgiving of some minor flaws in the image, but when it comes to video sound, the audio production must be crystal clear.

Professional video sound recording, reproduction and, mastering of digital sound waves is a highly skilled area of expertise.

These days, when doing DIY videos for YouTube or Social media, some may be able to get away with an in-camera mic or a sound recording app. However, for your porduction we advise hirimng a professional location sound mixer or at least utilizing professional audio recording gear to capture sound on independent channels for each speaker. Sam ensures high fidelity audio by collaborating with sound mixers who kow how to mitigate ambient noise and by recoring interviews & dialogue with more than one microphone simultaneously whenever possible as well as by implementing a practice of dual channel recording.

+ 180 Video

The experience of viewing VR 180-degree video is just as immersive as 360 Virtual Reality video, but with half the field of view. This means the audience can't turn around to see what's behind them. However, the techniques, equipment and narrative reasons for producing 180 VR video may be quite different.

VR 180 cameras offer some of the best optics of any virtual reality cameras on the market. These cameras can be used more like traditional 2D video & film cameras. Other filmmaking tools such as stabilizers, lights and boom microphones can be more easily incorporated into the capture of a scene than with 360 video which records everything in the room.

The streaming capacity at high resolutions for VR 180 content is higher than 360 video becuase there is less data to transmit. This means higher quaklity at faster speeds.

Narratively, it is not important for the audience to look around at every angle of a scene at all times. By intentionally limiting the field of view to 180 degrees the director is able to focus the gaze of the audience so that attnention is where it should be.

+ 360 Video

360 Video (also known as virtual reality video or VR video) utilizes mutliple lenses recording at once to create a spherical video that can be played back in a virtual reality headset, allowing the audience to look all around them.

The audience feels a sense of immersion in a 360 video scene that cannot be replicated through traditional video. There are no peripheral distractions - everything within the field of view is the "frame" and the proportion of elements within the frame feel more life-like than when viewing on a traditional screen.

Sam Baumel has been shooting, directing, producing, stitching and editing 360 VR Video since 2014. He knows what gear to get, how to use it and who to hire for successful results.

+ Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the art of computing measurements from pictures. Photogrammetry image capture techniques are used in tandem with special software to create 3D models of objects including topographical features, replications of products and lifelike depictions of human subjects. These 3D models can then be incorporated into computer-rendered scenes to be deployed in Virtual reality experiences, augmented reality applications or traditional video.

Sam works with professionals who are developing cutting edge photogrammetry methodology. Whether a project requires a professional photogrammetry studio or a custom DIY solution, Sam will assemble the team required to do the job.

+ Ambisonic Sound

Ambisonic audio is a 360-degree surround sound recording and playback format which covers all sound sources completely around the listener. Ambisonic Sound is particularly effective for heightening the immersive quality of virtual reality experiences. Sam works with equipment and specialists who are not only experienced in ambisonic sound recordinfg and mixing, but are also at the forefront of the creeative application for the technology in storytelling.

+ Binaural Audio

Binaural recording is a method in which two microphones are used to record audio as it would sound to two human ears, hence the word “bi”. The microphones are arranged in position similar to ears on a human head, with the intention of creating a lifelike 3D stereo sensation.

+ Art Direction

Art Direction and Production Design in film and video requires the ability to conceive of, convert communicate and supervise the visual components of the script.

Sam enjoys collaborating with resourceful Production Designers and Art Directorsa who are happy to brainstorm ideas, envision visual moods, and sketch concepts to create a cohesive visual language for the production. These individuals often function as department heads with their own budgets and teams consisting of a Prop Master, Set Decorator and various fabricators.

Even on a smaller project it's important to consider Art Direction. The establishment of a color palette and the addition or subtraction of nuanced prop elements within a frame can make a world of a difference.

+ Hair and Makeup

The medium of Hair and Makeup Artistry is the human body. It's critical to the success of a video that the look of the on-screen subjects in the video look as intended - whether that's beautiful, natural or altered for FX.

Hair and Makeup Artists are trained and licensed for applying makeup, doing any hair care and treatments, and prosthetics. Hair and makeup artists are also usually trained to apply special effects makeup. The considerations for makeup on a film and video shoot are different than the considerations for theater as the lights and lenses will cause the look of the subject to be different for the camera than they'd appear on stage or in-person.

+ BTS Videography

Behind The Scenes (BTS) Videography and photography refers to video that attempts to capture the candid making-of scene as it unfolds, recording every possible moment, including the actors on set or in the greenroom as well as the crew behind the camera.

Audiences are now more accustomed than ever to catching a glimpse behind the scenes. It's expected that a production will promote BTS photos and video on social media. Sam works with BTS photographjers and BTS videographers who know how to get the shot without interrupting the flow of the production. These professionals are not simply documenting events without discretion. They, too, apply artistry to their craft and possess a noteworthy knack for turning around quick, quality edits.

+ Live Streaming

Live stream refers to online streaming media simultaneously recorded and transmitted in real time. Livestream technology transmits live video, virtual reality video and audio over the internet. This can be done with a dedicated satellite truck or as simply as via a smartphone data network.

+ Green Screen

Green screen filming, in conjunction with chroma keying in post-production, allows video and photos of actors and objects to be shot against a completely green (and sometimes, blue background) which can then be replaced by another background, video footage, or special effects. Sam has experience producing green screen studio shoots as well as with portabkle setups on location and in the field.

+ Timelapse Video

Timelapse video production is a technique where the progression of video frames at set intervals is sped up over time, such as clouds moving, a sunset or traffic. It creates the illusion that everything is happening significantly faster than it is in actuality.

Sam's productions have maade use of timelapse video and 360 virtual reality video captured with a variety of equipment, like intervalometers and motion-control rigs and techniques such as bracketed exposure and long exposure.

+ Slow Motion

Slow motion video (slo-mo) is an effect commonly seen in movies where it appears that time has slowed down. Slow motion is acheived by shooting a scene with a higher number of frames per second than will be played back in the finished video. This effect is used to add a dramatic effect in films or to add visual stability to moments where there was much camera movement.

Sam carefully selects cameras that possess proper feature sets to achieve variable frame rate recording while also balancing the exposure, ISO and crop factor compromises that may resulkt from shooting higher frame rates.

+ Stop Motion Video

Stop Motion video is a technique used in animated filmmaking and in which cameras are repeatedly stopped and started so as to give the impression of movement to the animated figures.

Stop motion animation and stop motion photography is now used with great effect on many social media videos, including from a tabletop perseoctive - commonly seen in cooking tutorials and how-to videos. Sam has worked with stop motion photographers, animators and motion graphics specialists to implement a stop motion aesthetic that is emplouyed in order to give a video scene a more playful look and feel.

+ Underwater Filming

Underwater filmmakers and photographers specialize in capturing footage and images while submerged. Scuba and snorkelling equipment is used along with specialized underwater video camera equipment. Underwater filmmaking has been used for decades in documentaries and has become popular recently in virtual reality video as well.

Sam has hired cinematographers with the equipment and know-how required to shoot underwater scenes including synchronized swimmers. In some cases, it's necessary to make a swimming pool appear like a natural body of water such as a lake or ocean. Sam is familiar with the water texturing and lighting techniques required to achieve this look.

+ DIT Services

The Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) is the crew member who manages data, makes backups, quality checks footage, prevents file corruption, applies initial color grades, prepares dailies and some times even rough cuts.

Perhaps the most overlooked component of a production is the management of digital assets. Without carefulk stewardship of footage over the ourse of a production, there is no video in the end. Sam works with professional DIT's who own top notch systems and software for data management. Often, having a DIT on set is critical for turning around a rush edit.

+ Script Supervisor

The Script Supervisor is a member of a film crew responsible for overseeing compliance with the script while on set. The Script Supervisor will may also take notes regarding continuity, recording everything from props, wardrobe, hair, makeup, set dressing and the actions of the actors during a scene so that they will be consistent across shoots that may span long periods of time.

+ Teleprompter Operator

A teleprompter operator controls a screen with text of a script for an actor or documentary subject. to read n actor’s script or someone’s speech in front of or below a professional video camera. The screen is placed in front of the camera lens and the words on the screen are positioned so that the person's eyes appear to llook directly at the camera, giving the illusion that they have memorized the lines.

Sam occasionally incporporates use of a telemprompter in order to ensure that the speaker stays on message. He works with subjects to deliver lines in a way that feels natural even while reading a script.

+ Studio Shoots

Studio Shoots are produced in a photo or film studio outfitted with backdrops, lighting grids, and sound. Depending on the size and scope of the project, some studio shoots may also include additional equipment such as cranes, props, greenscreens and more.

Sam Baumel has experience producing dozens of projects utilizing NYC studio photography location as well as studio shoots for film in New York City.