The season is upon us … again.
And we are being asked, ‘What do you want for Christmas?’
Assuming that the people who ask are not willing to drop $1G, we have to tell
them something specific. Since they know
we’re into film, it would make them feel good knowing that they are buying
something that interests us.
We also have to buy gifts for our film friends.
What to buy that is affordable? (Emphasis on affordable.)
So here is the first annual Capilano blog Christmas gift
list for under $50.
MovieSlate for $25
This digital version
of the classic movie slate is also a clapper board, shot log, and notepad. The
shot log is searchable, and the app can be remotely controlled via another iOS
device. Simple iTunes card will do it.
Coffee Mug Lens
Your photographer friends will gasp in
horror when they catch sight of this quirky Camera Lens Mug. At first glance it
might seem that you've ripped apart a perfectly good telephoto lens, then
filled it with your hot beverage of choice. Of course this type of heinous
disregard for expensive photography equipment would be sacrilege... to a cup of
good coffee. Available everywhere.
Kogeto Dot Panoramic Video Accessory for Iphone 4/4S camera adapter.
Along
with the Dot add-on lens, the Looker iPhone
app is needed to shoot, de-warp and upload videos to Facebook,
Twitter, and Kogeto.com.
The
Dot shoots in panoramic mode, but the video looks like a swirling black hole
until you de-warp it. Processing the video into watchable video takes a couple
minutes. Dot shoots in 360 degrees but has a bit of an audio lag. Available at
the Apple Store for approx $79 with the Looker app free to download. Okay, a little over the $50 budget.
Who would like this: Experimental filmmakers who like to try new styles of
visual to enhance their stories.
+/OR
A Telescope 8x Zoom Telephoto lens and
legs for an Iphone.
FILMMAKER
Magazine Subscription
This great quarterly magazine is on sale
until Xmas — get one year for $10 or two years for $18. The digital
subscription is just $6, which is a ridiculous bargain, especially considering
magazine subscriptions make for great gifts: every time an issue shows up the
recipient thinks of you. Plus the first 200 subscribers get a free copy of one
of the other gifts on this list, and everyone’s entered into a drawing for
other bonuses as well. FILMMAKER is an indispensable part of my life, and if
you’re in (or want to be in) independent film it should be part of yours too. $6/$10/$18.
Memory Cards.
You can
never have too many memory cards. Sometimes you just get lazy. Stay within the 8GB to 16GB range. For video, Class 10
is recommended, though Class 6 will be OK if you want to save money. Get
as big a card as fits your budget.
Gorillapod
Video Tripod
Allows you to attach small cameras to almost anything
using the flexible but strong legs, but it has a pan/tilt head with a handle. $20.
Lens brush and pen.
Modestly priced at $8. Anybody on the receiving end of this gift is bound
to get their money’s worth. With a brush at one end and a carbon fiber
tip at the other, it’s a powerful lens cleaning
tool crammed into a handy pen size container.
Perfect for lenses and also any delicate
glass like filters, monitors, and more. You could even buy two to have one as a
backup.
Itunes gift cards.
Make a T-shirt or Business cards.
"The Converstaions” Walter Murch and the
Art of Editing Film
The Conversations is a
treasure, essential for any lover or student of film, and a rare, intimate
glimpse into the worlds of two accomplished artists who share a great passion
for film and storytelling, and whose knowledge and love of the crafts of
writing and film shine through.
