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Hollywood Cinematography At The Tip Of Your Iphone

      Portable Cinema


The smartphone is modern man’s new appendage. If you’ve ever left it charging on the counter, as you enter the realm of rush hour traffic, you’ve likely felt handicapped, as if someone chopped off your dominant hand for the day. Smartphones are also the fastest growing, most widely absorbed form of technology in history according to this MIT Study, so it’s no surprise that there is an entire industry devoted to making the phone an extension of the consumer.


This evolutionary climate change has infiltrated the landscape of guerilla cinematography. The quality of viral movies is surging in proportion to their popularity. Check out this short film made entirely on the Iphone.

While smartphone cameras still have their limits, the Olloclip lens kit for the iPhone is the latest tool to bring a professional edge to mobile videos. It connects to your iPhone 4/4S within seconds, and with a simple flip, you can shuffle between fisheye, wide angle, and macro lenses. It will add unique variety to the often stagnant compositions available on most phones, and it fits in the palm of your hand. The storage bag is made of a micro fiber material that doubles as a lens cleaner.

The Ollokit is the perfect companion for anyone who uses the iPhone to chronicle his/her daily escapades, but it’s also a step in the right direction for amateur photographers and videographers who use their creative innovation to compensate for small budgets. At just under seventy dollars, it’s a third of the cost of similar products, and a fraction of the cost of the phone itself!

It’s also an indication of the integrative trend of mobile technology. The future is about efficiency, portability, and customization. Check out some sample videos below.

An intro to the lens system:

http://youtu.be/74HP-_2_nD0

Check out the Micro Lens in action

This is the Fisheye 

http://youtu.be/YxWtqJy5hEg

Filmed At M3: Rick Ross – “High Definition” Music Video

Maybach Music Group Boss, Rick Ross shot the “High Definition” music video off of his Rick Forever street album at M3 Studios.

The music video features some great cameos by music industry heavyweights Pharrell Williams & Timbaland who visited the studio to appear in the music video. The music video opted for a simplistic performance driven video relying heavily on Rick Ross strong on screen presence. Which seems to work for the track.

M3 Studios state of the art facility, accommodations, infrastructure, amenities, support areas and with its knowledgeable staff its no wonder its become the top destination for brands, ad agencies, film productions, tv networks, record labels, and world class artist number one choice as the go to place for their production needs.

Another satisfied client and another successful production shot exclusively at M3 Studios Miami.

 

Movie Monday Review: The Avengers

If you went to the movies this weekend, the odds are nine to one that you saw The Avengers. Marvel’s latest hymn of adrenaline serenaded the hearts of nerds and casual fans alike, smashing opening weekend records along the way, as if the Incredible Hulk himself spiked the box office during a touchdown dance.

It became the fastest film in history to gross 200 million domestically (twelve days), set single day records for Saturday (69 million) and Sunday (50 million), and cashed a combined international check of 640 million dollars. To put it in perspective, only eleven films in history have joined the billionaire’s club. The Avengers will likely be the twelfth by month’s end. It will enter the one percent of cinema royalty where it will mingle with such monumental films as Avatar, The Dark Knight, and The Return of the King.

There were an insurmountable number of variables that went into the film’s production. A few of the more intriguing components are as follows:

The Set Pieces

The “Helicarrier” is a giant aircraft carrier with flight capabilities and a half-mile waistline. It’s iconic to the comics; so it was important to memorably highlight it on film. S.H.I.E.L.D’s floating fortress filled two of Albuquerque Studios’ soundstages (the whole production took six of eight), was as wide as half a football field, and took five months to build.

The Cameras

The film was shot using cameras on two ends of the financial spectrum. It was Seamus McGarvey’s (cinematographer) first venture into the world of digital video and he chose the Alexa by Arri. With its tonal range, clarity, and resolution, the Alexa is praised for bridging the gap between the film and digital shooting formats. It has been featured in a plethora of feature projects since its release in 2010. McGarvey used a 1.85:1 aspect ratio to account for the varying heights of the characters and the Manhattan Skyline.

With its 220 million dollar budget, splurging on elaborate set pieces, an all-star cast, and top end equipment is to be expected, but some of the film’s more intimate shots were filmed using Canon’s EOS 5D Mark 3 DSLR. With an ISO range as low as 50(L) and as high as 102400(H2), compact portability, and pristine HD quality, the Mark 3 proves that quality doesn’t require Tony Stark’s credit limit. It has also been featured in Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The First Avenger.

The Marketing

Marvel’s financial success blossomed from one of the more fertile  product placement seeds in recent memory. Who among us didn’t gasp at the sight of Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer) as it crashed into the Earth after Iron Man 2? Tony Stark may have nonchalantly used  Captain America’s iconic shield as a prop, but it enchanted the audience because it foreshadowed the origins of Steve Rogers. The Avengers has already grossed more revenue than Thor, Captain America, and the two Hulk films did throughout their theatrical runs. Its presence radiated throughout the public subconscious years before its debut, and every Easter egg, and post credits scene left the audience foaming at the mouth like Pavlov’s dogs.

Filmed At M3: YMCMB Tyga’s “Rack City” Remix Music Video

Young Money Cash Money artist Tyga shot the remix to his hit song “Rack City” directed by Alex Nazari at M3 Studios.

The music video which has garnered over 3 million plays since its release, features a who’s who of hip hop, with Wale, Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Meek Mill, & Ti all adding verses to the record. The set design was crazy for this music video, from the indivual set-ups for each of the artist verses to the gladiator throne looking chair my hat goes off to the Art Director Gogo Manny for pulling off some great custom sets in a shot time span.

For productions shooting at M3 Studios we maintain a large network of relationships with film industry professionals which can assist in providing everything our clients need to produce their project. From choreography, art directions, costume, audio synching, post production, make-up and hair stylist and more our resources can assist your team. Visit our services page to learn more.

Another satisfied client and another successful production shot exclusively at M3 Studios Miami.

Filmed At M3: TV Commercial For AT&T U-Verse Featuring Mexican Pop Group Reik

AT&T shot their most recent commercial of their Latin AD campaign for AT&T U-Verse at M3 Studios, Stage C.

The tv spot features Mexican Latin Grammy Winning pop group Reik, and has recently hit the airwaves, check out the final results below!

Another satisfied client, and another successful production shot exclusively at M3 Studios Miami.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5SFyJFYKyE

South Florida Film Festivals

This Spring we have some exciting South Florida Film Festivals, that we thought should be on your radar.

The Miami International Film Festival produced and presented by Miami Dade College will occur March 2-11, 2012. Several events to consider for this festival include:

  • Cafe Noir Opening Night Party (3.2.12)
  • A Night of Art, Music, Film and Fashion (3.8.12)
  • How To Turn Small Movies Into Big Box Office Success (3.10.12)
  • Ultimate Social Life Audit Awards Night Party (3.10.12)

 
April Film Festivals:

  • Sicilian Film Festival – April 11-17, 2012
  • The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – April 24-May 3, 2012

 
May Film Festivals:

  • University of Miami – Canes Film Festival – May 4-6, 2012

M3 Studios is more proud than ever…

M3 Studios is more proud than ever to call Miami, Florida home.
Back in the days of Miami Vice and Bad Boys, Miami was the hottest city in the States.
After hitting what some in the local entertainment industry called a lull, Miami is back on its grind, quickly becoming one the most coveted spots to shoot music videos, television shows, and films (we believe it may have something to do with Ocean Ave., 80 degree Januarys, and world-class mojitos).
As production picks up, with Florida tax incentives urging industry pros to move their sets to the Southeast, M3 Studios is dedicated to making a knock-out impression to further prove Miami can go toe-to-toe with Hollywood.

We would love to work with you and your crew, please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments to help us better serve you.

“Movies are art and the spirit of the movie depends on the creators.”
–Lloyd Kaufman

2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards

The 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards show last night had all of Hollywood a bustle, as actors award fellow actors for their Most Outstanding Performance by a Cast went to the “The Help,” lead by blossoming starlet Emma Stone, and with ground shattering performances by new-on-the-scene Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer.

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer each took home another award, however, with Most Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role and Supporting Role, respectively. Though “The Help” was riding a winning wave at the SAG awards, the race to the Oscars is still well under way with no one too sure about where the awards are going this year.

Below see the rest of the 2012 SAG Award winners! Let us, here at M3 Studios, know what you think.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

“The Help”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Jean Dujardin for “The Artist”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Viola Davis for “The Help”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Christopher Plummer for “Beginners”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Octavia Spencer for “The Help”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

“Modern Family”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin for “30 Rock”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Betty White for “Hot in Cleveland”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Steve Buscemi for “Boardwalk Empire”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Jessica Lange for “American Horror Story”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Paul Giamatti for “Too Big to Fail”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Kate Winslet for “Mildred Pierce”

2012 Oscar nominations finally revealed

January 24th is the new December 25th. Or at least it was for industry pros such as Alexander Payne, director of “The Descendents,” and Viola Davis, from “The Help”. On Tuesday, the 2012 Oscar nominations were finally revealed to eager movie aficionados and Oscar contendees alike.

The 84th Annual Oscars is set for February 26th, and is to be hosted by the always fabulous Billy Crystal.

Below is a list of the 2012 Oscar Nominations. Tell us your predictions below!

Best Picture
“The Artist”
“The Tree of Life”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“The Help”
“War Horse”
“Moneyball”
“The Descendants”

Best Actor
Demian Bichir, “A Better Life”
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Best Actress
Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, “My Week With Marilyn”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte, “Warrior”
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Max Von Sydow, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”

Best Director
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Terrence Malick, “The Tree of Life”
Alexander Payne, “The Descendants”
Martin Scorsese, “Hugo”

Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
JC Chandor, “Margin Call”
Asghar Farhadi, “A Separation”
Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, “Bridesmaids”

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, “The Descendants”
John Logan, “Hugo”
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, “The Ides of March”
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, “Moneyball”
Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughn, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

Best Animated Feature
“A Cat In Paris”
“Chico & Rita”
“Kung Fu Panda 2”
“Puss in Boots”
“Rango”

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)

Original Score
“The Adventures of Tintin,” John Williams
“The Artist,” Ludovic Bource
“Hugo,” Howard Shore
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” Alberto Iglesias
“War Horse,” John Williams

Best Original Song
“Man or Muppet,” The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio,” Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Achievement in Art Direction
“The Artist”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“War Horse”

Best Achievement in Cinematography
“The Artist”
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“The Tree of Life”
“War Horse”

Best Achievement in Costume Design
“Anonymous”
“The Artist”
“Hugo”
“Jane Eyre”
“W.E.”

Best Documentary Feature
“Hell and Back Again”
“If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front”
“Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory”
“Pina”
“Undefeated”

Best Documentary Short Subject
“The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?”
“God Is the Bigger Elvis”
“Incident in New Baghdad”
“Saving Face”
“The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom”

Best Achievement in Film Editing
“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“Moneyball”

Best Achievement in Makeup
“Albert Nobbs”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“The Iron Lady”

Best Animated Short Film
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Best Live Action Short Film
“Pentecost”
“Raju”
“The Shore”
“Time Freak”
“Tuba Atlantic”

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
“Drive”
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”
“War Horse”

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
“Hugo”
“Moneyball”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”
“War Horse”

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
“Hugo”
“Real Steel”
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

Welcome to M3 Studios

M3 Studios welcomes you to our weekly blog!
As the Hollywood of Miami, let M3 Studios be your source for the latest in entertainment news. No matter how busy we are at M3 Studios; shooting a music video, tv show, full length feature film you name it—we like to keep up to date on the latest happenings of the industry, from local events to releases around the world, we will keep you up-to-date on all the movie magic.

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