URSA Cine 12K LF Specs, Media & Workflow
Blackmagic Design has a history of shaking things up. From democratizing color grading with DaVinci Resolve to putting RAW recording in compact cameras, they've consistently challenged the status quo. Now, with the URSA Cine 12K LF, they're stepping firmly into the high-end cinema arena, aiming not just…

NAB 2025: Shane Hurlbut, ASC Live Lighting & Camera Demos
Heading to Las Vegas for the NAB Show 2025? Get ready to step beyond the endless booths and into an unforgettable educational experience! Filmmakers Academy is bringing the insights and techniques from our masterclasses directly to the show floor, featuring live, in-person demonstrations led by none…

Negative Space: Film Composition Guide
As filmmakers, we're often obsessed with the subject — the actor, the action, the key prop. We meticulously light it, frame it, focus on it. But what about the space around the subject? That seemingly "empty" area, often overlooked, is what we call negative space, and it's one of the most powerful,…

GREEN: Movie Color Palettes
Green. The color of life, growth, and renewal. Of lush forests and rolling hills. But in the hands of a skilled filmmaker, green becomes so much more than a simple representation of nature. It can be a symbol of envy, greed, and decay. It can evoke feelings of tranquility, unease, or even the otherworldly.…
Inside HBO Max’s The Pitt: Cinematography & Production
Inside HBO Max's The Pitt: Cinematography & Production
In the high-stakes world of medical dramas, authenticity is key. But how do you create a visual language that captures both the frenetic energy of an emergency room and the internal lives of the doctors and patients who inhabit it? That…

What Does a Petzval Lens Do?
Imagine a lens that bends reality, that swirls the world around your subject, drawing you into a dream. This isn't science fiction; it's the Petzval lens, a piece of photographic history dating back to 1840. Forget clinical perfection. This lens is about character, about a unique "swirly bokeh" that…

YELLOW: Movie Color Palettes
Get ready to bask in the glow of cinematic YELLOW! In the world of filmmaking, color is far more than just a visual element; it's a powerful storytelling tool. We've explored the passionate intensity of red and the cool depths of blue. Now, we turn our attention to yellow — a color bursting with energy,…
Deconstructing The Brutalist: Cinematography & Production Design
BLUE: Movie Color Palettes
In the vibrant tapestry of cinematic storytelling, color plays a role far more significant than mere aesthetics. It's a language, a powerful tool that filmmakers wield to evoke emotions, establish mood, and shape our understanding of characters and their worlds. Last time, we explored the fiery intensity…

GRIP TALK: THE LANGUAGE OF CONDOR RIGGING
Ever felt lost in a conversation with a grip crew? The world of film rigging has its own specialized vocabulary, a shorthand that allows grips to communicate quickly and precisely about complex setups. In this excerpt from our Film Production Rigging: Condor Boom Lifts course, we'll demystify some of…
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Shane Hurlbut, ASC
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Shane Hurlbut, ASC2025-02-19 21:17:512025-02-19 23:26:26Rigging a Condor Boom Lift: Weight, Safety & Strategy
Is the Hollyland Cosmo C2 the Best Budget Wireless Video System?
Let's be honest. Wireless video transmission can be a nightmare. We've all been there. You're on a multi-camera shoot, juggling cables, fighting interference, and praying that your feeds don't drop at the worst possible moment. It's stressful, time-consuming, and can seriously impact your production…

Cinematic Light Quality: Batten Lights (Unlocked Lesson)
Welcome to this in-depth exploration of batten lights, a surprisingly versatile and often underutilized tool in the cinematographer's arsenal. I'm Shane Hurlbut, ASC, and throughout my career, I've learned that mastering cinematic lighting isn't just about knowing what lights to use, but how to use them…
RED: Movie Color Palettes
Color is more than just visual in filmmaking. It's a powerful storytelling tool. It's an unspoken language that conveys emotions. It foreshadows events and shapes our perception of characters and their worlds. Among the spectrum of hues, red stands out. Red is a particularly potent force. It's the color…

Filmmakers Academy vs MasterClass Review: Which is Best for Filmmakers?
More filmmakers than ever before are turning to online resources to learn from the masters. But what platform delivers the most comprehensive experience with real-world techniques and knowledge?
Both platforms include instructors that are leaders in the film industry. MasterClass, for example, furnishes…

HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE POST-PRODUCTION EDIT BAY
I sat down with Filmmakers Academy mentor Joaquin Elizondo for episode 35 of his Hollywood Editing Mentor Podcast. Post-production is full of its own unique challenges separate from production. But let’s face it, sometimes they get overshadowed compared to some of the harrowing stories we hear from…