Firewerkz Films Singapore

It has been a quiet year for Sony with the last few mths of Canon Vs RED war.. with just a few weeks to go to NAB 12 (biggest broadcast show in da world), Sony announces 3 new cameras!! The NEX FS700 S35 4k capable (upgrade) camera, the PWM100 50Mbps 422 1/3″ EXMOR cam and the NX30. So how does this impact the wedding boys? Well I do not think by much. The FS700 does sound good (at 35% lesser $$ than the C300) for the stuff you get (inc 120fps slow mo@ 1080p). Sounds like quite a steal but it is after all a USD10k camera. It is a great camera to use at banquets but it might be challenging for AD weddings with the form factor. Canon’s C300 digs with the form factor (like a DSLR) but the price doesn’t unfortunately.

That said Canon has done the wedding crowd a favour by releasing the awesome 5D Mk III which packs a punch with the new CODEC and lovely ISO capabilities at a modest SGD4200 ish range. I would foresee the local scene to continue to hang on to DSLRs, especially those that have invested a great deal in accessories and lens. For the event boys the PWM100 is a great B cam for the EX1R. Where does the FS700 fit? Probably in the independant film makers range. The slow mo function is very handy and  the reality is SG is still not even Full HD unlike Korea.  So the upgradable path to 4K is nice, but not neccessary. The 5D2 has lasted us almost 4years now and done a great job. 4K is going to take a long time to reach households so whats the point? As long as the low light capability is great and 1080p is supported, you got us.

Well if you are very tempted (especially the non DSLR folks) you better HANG ON. I can only tell you there is more to come in the next 2 weeks =)

WCG presents ” Mayad Academy SINGAPORE 2011″. Since my last trip to the Phillipines last year,  friendship have strengthen and it is a great pleasure to be part of the activities. The event is a lot bigger this time (more slots) while remaining focused on sharing the Mayad Way. We would be seeing more international selection of speakers this year for the event to give a variety of flavours. Need some inspiration? Come join us!

Registration Link
http://www.mayadstudios.com/blog/workshop

NOW this sexy baby is what all weddings should be shot on… ok just kidding. I mean for the price of our weddings, i think Firewerkz would be the only ones crazy enuf to do it. What is so cool about this? This baby can shoot stuff that can look sharp on LIDO cineplex.. imagine watching your wedding video in that size!!! Ok I’m nuts but i would really love to own one to shoot a pre wed video in 4K resolution. It has this HDRx feature which enhances the dynamic range to 18 stops!! (that means the tones would be more detail. You know, like the different shades of blacks in the hair can be seen clearly?) Whats the damage? I think its around SGD30-40k. Not something we could ever afford but i could dream about it at least!

With a bat of an eyelid, 2010 is over. It has been a BLAST.
WE:
1. Transited to DSLR fully (comfortably but heavy $$$$)
2. Developed our Pre Wed and Condensed Pre Wed video approach
3. Met and shot with the greatest fello wedding cinematographers from all over ASIA
4. Attended Mayad Academy in PH
5. Shot our 1st overseas pre wed in HK
6. Sorted out the music copyright mess
7. Presented for Canon and Expandore events
8. Completed professional Steadicam Training in US
9. Made even more friends from the photography world and customers
10. Had new additions to our families!!!

2011 would be another interesting year for the industry. Technology is evolving and better cameras would be out this year, pushing the industry to gear up towards better quality videos. It is a trend to see more production values in wedding videos (means u get to see more variety in a typical wed video). Although Singapore has been slower to catch up, we are slowly getting there. Do expect prices going up since more gear and manpower is required for good work.

Business wise 2011 is really positive. Gone with the TIGER in comes the RABBIT and BOOMZ!! Hotels are fully booked and loads will get married this year. What are we up to? Hmm we will see. Having new additions to the families means more time is needed at home for all of us. We remain committed to deliver top notch videos and our philosophy to limit the number of weddings to ensure quality remains the same.

A big THANK YOU to all the couples that supported us in 2010. It has been an honour to have been entrusted to cover your big day. We look forward to “Capturing more sparkles” this year.

Sony finally announces their solution to the entry level 35mm market… the NXCAM at 35mm. Means that this baby is going to do 24Mbps stuff with the awesomeness of 35mm. Interesting! Now we have Panasonic and Sony with their solutions. I wonder why Sony has placed the F3 so high up the food chain?? I think this NXCAM is going to be SGD8-10k  range against the AF100. The game is getting hotter.. with NAB2011 in 5mths time, what will the other 2 players offer?? Word of advice for those wating to upgrade… WAIT. Those already on HD do not worry, your lens and EX1, XF300 will still be needed with the new wave. You really cannot afford to have shallow DOF all the time =)

This is pure AWESOMENESS… finally something from the mainstream manufacters vs the Epic RED cameras. Full 35mm sensor with PL mount, nice 35Mbps Mpeg2 codec and great audio. No more crop factor that will make your wide lens look tele.

This camera will bring the coverted film look closer to indies. Unfortunately i am almost certain it would not appear in the wedding industry here. USD17,000 without lens.. thaz a whopping SGD22k!!! Dream on… dream away.. expandore pls get me a chance to caress it at least will ya?

Great write up by Paul Joy
http://www.pauljoy.com/2010/11/sony-announces-the-pmw-f3k-pmw-f3l/