News of Nikon acquiring RED certainly sent a few shock waves through the photography and cinematography circles last week. Nikon posted a press release on their website. Red President Jarred Land shared the following in a press release on his Facebook page:
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Nikon, melding its rich heritage in professional and consumer imaging with RED’s innovative prowess. Together, Nikon and RED are poised to redefine the professional digital cinema camera market, promising an exciting future of product development that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in film and video production.
Who knows what the future holds for both of these giants of the visual storyteller world. But rest assured that whether you use Nikon or RED camera systems to capture your visual stories, our camera bags carry both!
Our Mountain Series camera bags and backpacks are used by countless visual storytellers around the world. They have been used by various production crews to carry their valuable storytelling tools from location to location while working for major outlets such as Netflix, Disney+, National Geographic and much more!
Whether you are a Nikon shooter or a RED user, we have you covered. Our Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond® and our Shinn 80L DuraDiamond® outdoor adventure camera backpacks are the perfect tool to keep your Nikon and Red systems safe and protected.
We caught up with f-stop Ambassador and friend Nick Leavesley to get his take on the news of Nikon acquiring Red. We also get into his insights into his hybrid Nikon and Red camera setups and why he trusts the Tilopa and Shinn camera bags to keep his gear safe.
Nick had this to say:
Having shot with both Nikon and RED for over 12 years, I’m stoked to see what the two brands can create together. No matter where I go I can guarantee that one or both a Nikon and RED come with me. The Shinn 80 liter is my chosen pack as it allows me to take not only a RED V-Raptor and my RED Monstro in a Master Cine Camera Insert with my chosen lenses, accessories and batteries. However now with DSMC 3 I can compress a stills and video kit in to a single f-stop Tilopa 50 liter and Pro XL Camera Insert.
My rig usually consists of a ‘trinity’ set of lenses for both Nikon Z mount and Canon RF, a Nikon Z9 and a RED V-Raptor, 7” touch screen and GDU accessories and handles for the RED alongside a gimbal and between 4-8 V-Lock mini batteries. Now with the amazing capabilities of N-RAW and RED Code RAW, the Z9 acts as the perfect B-Cam when I have to pack light as the image can be matched perfectly between both cameras. When it comes to shoots that require multiple REDs I reach for my f-stop Shinn as it allows me to pack not only a RED V-Raptor and my RED Monstro but a RED Komodo and RED Komodo-X too, not to mention all the lenses and batteries needed.
Nick Leavesley is a visual storyteller and an f-stop Ambassador. He is the Director of Photography for Beyond Content.
You can check out more of his work and connect with him at the following places:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/beyondnick
IG - https://www.instagram.com/beyondcontent
Website - https://www.beyondcontent.com
Absolutely worth a watch ! Check out our friend’s new series 'Animals Up Close' with Bertie Gregory', now streaming on Disney+.
Join our friend Bertie Gregory as he tracks down killer whales creating waves in Antarctica, pumas in Patagonia, surfing marine iguanas in the Galapagos, wild dogs hunting for their very cute pups in Botswana and even close calls with jungle elephants in the Central African Republic. The team beautifully showcases the challenges facing these species, while celebrating the amazing people working to turn around the human relationship with the natural world.
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
“Bertie Gregory is back, and this time, the adventures are even more epic! Bertie takes us to the most spectacular corners of our planet — from Antarctica to Africa and South America to Asia – tracking down extraordinary animals to capture their daily lives like never before. Armed with drones, state-of-the-art cameras, and underwater tech, he and his team brave subzero seas, climb snow-capped mountains, and sleep suspended 120 feet in the air to reveal the challenges these animals endure, their fierce rivalries, and the threats they face on our changing planet. ANIMALS UP CLOSE WITH BERTIE GREGORY shows all the behind-the-scenes moments he and his team face while adapting to unpredictable wildlife in remote environments where filming rarely goes as planned. There is no script for this unique series, but through it all, Bertie brings the audience with him every step of the way.” - Quote from National Geographic
Step behind the lens of an incredible documentary, feel the relentless passion and dedication that goes into capturing and preserving breathtaking moments and witness the intricate process of storytelling unfold. We are absolutely stoked to be able to create the gear for the needs of adventurers like Bertie and can only say: "Adventure on!"
Bertie Gregory is a 30-year-old British wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer. His career began when a childhood obsession with nature led to winning the title of ‘Youth Outdoor Photographer of the Year’. Then, after graduating in Zoology from the University of Bristol in 2014, he began assisting legendary National Geographic Magazine photographer, Steve Winter.
Since then he has produced and hosted eight projects for National Geographic , such as ‘Leopards at the door’, ‘Jaguar Vs Croc’, ‘Wild_Life’, ‘Resurrection Island’ and ’The Big Freeze’. For 'Resurrection Island' he won Best Television Host at the Jackson Wild Awards 2019: Nature documentary’s equivalent of the Oscars. Alongside his projects for National Geographic, he shoots for landmark BBC David Attenborough Series'.
Recently he became one of BAFTA’s youngest cinematography winners for his work on ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’. His latest series' are both now streaming on Disney+ titled 'Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory' and ‘Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory’.
GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING AIRS "VIEW FINDERS"
f-stop Ambassador, Chris Greer, and his partner Jason Clemmons, host a program about photography and photographers - Renewed for a Second Season!
Chris Greer is a new f-stop ambassador and part of our Pathfinder Collective. Chris owns Chris Greer Photography, and you can find his work on Instagram, too. We met Chris about a year and a half ago as he was in the process of developing an idea which turned in to television program – View Finders. The show is about outdoor photography at little known, but beautiful places, in Georgia. The show is also about the photographers on those adventures, and this type of content is rare on broadcast TV. Chris agreed to answer a few questions and tell us more about his work and the Georgia Public Broadcasting TV show.
Q. Tell us a little about your passion for photography?
A. My love for photography stems from my desire to get out and explore locations near and far in search of beauty. I love hiking and being outside, and I think landscape photography is a perfect activity that can motivate someone to get up early, stay out late, and take the road less traveled in search of a unique composition or a tucked away location that few have seen. While I have traveled the world and experienced some truly incredible places, I also appreciate the simplicity of just getting out and finding locations near my home that I never knew about, and that offer tremendous potential. It is calming, peaceful, and a fantastic way to decompress from the stresses of everyday life.
Q. What got you started as a photographer?
A. When I was 12, my dad handed me a Pentax K1000 with a few rolls of film. This started my photographic journey and forced me to learn things like aperture values, shutter speeds, ISO ratings for film, and so much more. I think shooting film really made me appreciate the small nuances of compositions and forced me to be much more deliberate with my photography. All those images were going to cost money, and so I really thought about each click of the shutter. Now I am strictly digital and can enjoy the luxury of unlimited captures, but my roots are in film, and I think it made me a better photographer.
Story continued below.
Q. Tell us about View Finders Television? What inspired the concept for View Finders?
A. Here in Georgia, there is a TV show called “Georgia Outdoors” that takes viewers to locations all over the state and educates them in some way. I was watching it one day and thought, “My friend and I could do something like this, but with a very different approach.” I had a contact at Georgia Public Broadcasting (“GPB”) which is the PBS affiliate for Georgia. I set up a meeting to pitch the idea to the station. The concept is to tell the story about two photographers who were in search of beautiful locations to photograph. Along the way they would meet with experts who would talk about why these places need to be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. The team at GPB loved the idea and told us to bring them 5 episodes for the first season, and that is the genesis of “View Finders.” Soon after, we had REI, Troncalli Subaru, Explore Georgia, and Terrapin Beer Company all signed on as sponsors, which gave us the funding to make the show great. It was a very exciting whirlwind couple of months. GPB has been very encouraging about the project from the start, and they are excited about developing the show even further which means there will be a season 2.
Q. You are preparing for season two, so can you tell us a little about some season one highlights?
A. Season one was very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. I don’t have a background in TV production, much less hosting a show. The good news is that my buddy Jason was with me the whole time, and he served as a fantastic co-host (and is an outstanding photographer). We get along very well, and so I think the audience feels that connection in each of the episodes. From trekking all over Cumberland Island to paddling across the Okefenokee Swamp in search of a camping platform, we had a lot of outdoor adventures and plenty of fun as well. We joke around with each other a lot and so the audience gets to see our personalities as well as our love for photography. I think that it really created a strong connection throughout season 1. A few memorable moments included camping in the middle of a swamp surrounded by 15,000 alligators and hiking all the way to the top of a mountain to find the Chattahoochee River headwaters, which is truly just a small bubbling spring coming out of the ground.
Q. How does View Finders fit into your photography mission or vision?
A. I love to take photos, and I want others to see and appreciate my work. I strive to get better every day, and I am always pushing myself to try new things or step outside my comfort zone to try to improve my photography. Also, I want to just put myself into the position to take a great image, which means getting out into the landscape often and searching for great light and great compositions. View Finders fits into that perfectly, because the entire show is driven by the desire to take great photographs, and it also exposes my work to a large audience. It has been a tremendous project and I am very hopeful about where it might lead over the coming years.
Q. How can readers watch season one?
A. Readers can watch the entire first season by visiting View Finders
Watch the entire Episode 5 - Okefenokee Swamp https://www.pbs.org/video/okefenokee-swamp-b759q9/
“Scars” premiered last week on short film curator Omeleto’s YouTube page to their 3.5 million (and change) subscribers. This public launch was a long time coming for a project that began at the start of 2018. But after navigating the many pitfalls that come standard with any short film and mixing in a global pandemic, the film’s transmedia campaign - a multifaceted media blitz that aims to provide viewers with a variety of ways to engage with a story - needed to become just as nimble as the filmmakers themselves.
Watch the full movie at the end of this article!
Originally written as a response to a writing prompt on reddit, the short story was shared globally on social media and was read by over 1 million people. Director Jonny Zeller and producer Tim Frazier gained permission from the author to develop it into a short film, and from there began to build a massive cinematic universe.
The story (and film) takes place in a world where every lie a person tells leaves a permanent mark on their body. When one cadet discovers a single, massive scar across the back of her new commanding officer, everyone on base begins to wonder what terrible lie could have created something so gruesome.
Quality IP, talented actors, and high production value are mandatory components of any successful film. Having found the story, the filmmakers secured actors Toni Trucks, Meg DeLacy, and other top-tier talent. DP Alex Jacobs used his Alexa Mini along with a set of Cooke Anamorphics and a Steadicam to help maximize production value. Then, Zeller and Frazier leaned into their advertising background, planning a sweat-equity transmedia approach to get the word out.
f-stop was proud to help where and how we could. We love unique ways of storytelling, and the more we learned about “Scars,” the more we wanted to support it. In fact, sharp-eyed fans might notice our Kalamaja bag from the Urban Series featured once or twice…
Zeller and Frazier devised a complex set of deliverables designed to augment their reach while remaining true to their source material (and checkbook). Fake ads based on fictional in-world products, Snapchat and Instagram filters to accompany festival screenings, and an easter egg blog site written as one of the main characters are just a few of the creative avenues utilized to garner attention for the piece. Appropriate, perhaps, for a film that was based on a short story discovered on an internet message board. While the effects of these nodes may be difficult to measure on a project of this size, each serves as a viable entry point for new and existing fans. And that, after all, is the true objective of any transmedia campaign.
Over the last two years, the evolution of media hit fast forward and content creators of all shapes and sizes have needed to adapt accordingly. Now that these campaigns have ended and the film is finally launching publicly, what’s next?
Undoubtedly the film’s performance on Omeleto will help to determine its future. However, the filmmakers behind “Scars” are already discussing a feature film and a series of online novellas, amongst other less traditional distribution opportunities.
They say that as the content landscape continues to change, they plan to do the same.
You can see “Scars,” starring Toni Trucks, Jeremy Shada, Meg DeLacy, Avy Shamala, Adam Kang, Ted Larkin Jr., Terry Virts, and Adi Shankar, and learn more about the film at the links below:
CREDITS
Starring:
Toni Trucks, Jeremy Shada, Meg DeLacy, Avy Shamala, Adam Kang, Ted Larkin Jr., Terry Virts, Adi Shankar.
Directed By:
Jonny Zeller
Produced By:
Tim Frazier, Jackson Rathbone, Davey Johnson
Production Company:
Tapestry Films, MacHouse Productions, Digital Giant
Created By:
Guild26
Supported By:
f-stop Gear, 5.11 Tactical, The Camera Division, LiteGear, AirsoftGI, Tac City, MVMT, Revolver PR
f-stop gear used in this story:
Kalamaja - Urban Camera 7L Shoulder Bag
On the 28th of December-2019, f-stop Street Crew member Juan Pablo Bassi had the chance to lead the first f-stop Photo Crawl in Argentina. Juan Pablo Bassi is an outdoor and adventure photographer from Rosario. In the past years, he worked with specific clients of the outdoor industry and also has been published in magazines like Nat Geo Traveler - Latin America and some local and international climbing magazines. He is also photography teacher at a local school call Mucha Escuela, teaching about street photography, documental and adventure photography.
This past December 28th I had the chance to host the first f-stop photocrawl made in Rosario. For those who don’t know it, Rosario is one of the most important cities in Argentina. Located at approximately 300km from Buenos Aires, it´s famous for being the cradle of our national flag, the passion of its inhabitants for football (soccer) and for the “carlito” (a kind of toast sandwich with ketchup).
On that hot afternoon of December, we gathered to spend a couple of hours walking around the city, taking some street photos and testing some photography gear. Assistants got the chance to see and try some of the f-stop products such as the Dalston, as well as some ICU and other accessories. Regarding the photo crawl, we’ve made many shoots stops especially around the area of San Luis street where it’s full of graffiti. They had had the chance to meet other photographers and to talk about photography techniques as the hours went by. Later on, we’ve made a stop to drink some sodas and rest for a bit. We finish the walk at the National Flag Monument, where the participants were able to get to the top of the monument and get a spectacular view of the city.
Juan Pablo Bassi 
Everyone was excited about the chance to see and try the f-stop products. As for me, hosting this event for a brand like f-stop was challenging, but ended up being something great. I’m really happy that the assistants enjoyed the event and everything was as planned.Thank you very much to the whole crew of f-stop, I’m sure that during 2020 we will organize more events like this one.
You can find out more about Juan Pablo Bassi on his Instagram and Facebook.
