Blackmagic Design announced that director, producer and Academy Award-winning writer John Ridley (“12 Years a Slave”) is using the URSA Mini 4K digital film camera on several television and film projects, including the TV miniseries “Guerrilla” currently filming in London.
Ridley often has a spontaneous shooting style for which the URSA Mini 4K comes in handy. “My experience thus far with the URSA Mini 4K has been exceptional,” he said. “It is an amazingly versatile piece of equipment that allows me to not only use it in every phase of production, but to do so in a variety of ways.”
Using the URSA Mini 4K for previsualization (previz), Ridley notes that the camera’s efficient user interface allows him to “run and gun” with his thoughts focused on the scenes that he is building, rather than the complexities of filming. “I’m a freak for shooting before shooting, but I have found historically there were few, if any, offerings that had the durability of professional equipment, but that were also intuitive enough creatively so as not to collide with spontaneity,” he explained. “Importantly, I didn’t want a piece of kit I had to lug around in hopes I might need it. With an emphasis on the ‘Mini,’ the URSA Mini’s form factor allows it to be ever present. Even the tools that facilitate the greatest creativity can’t be of use when they are not at hand.”
In his role as director on various film and television projects, Ridley is known to grab a camera himself to capture additional footage. “The URSA Mini 4K’s ability to grab and go has also allowed me to use it as a fill-in B camera that I’ve self-operated during production,” he said. “With the camera in hand, I’ve been able to record additional footage on the move without impacting our principle photography.”
Ridley added, “On days when a true second unit proves to be as financially prohibitive as the workload is demanding, the option of using the URSA Mini 4K has proved to be invaluable. Though camera operating isn’t my primary skill set, with the URSA Mini 4K, I’ve gotten the shots I’ve needed and done so with broadcast quality that has cut seamlessly into our project.”
As a self-taught camera operator, Ridley appreciates the URSA Mini’s ease of use, but is quick to note that the camera suffers no loss in ability when he has handed it off to well-seasoned camera technicians. “The camera is remarkably adept and ‘tweakable,’ allowing it to capture the best images in a variety of lighting conditions, from harsh to lowlight,” he said. “In post, as well, the workflow is as basic or demanding as the user wishes it to be. I have turned shot footage around in minutes to use in previz, and I have also put it through a post gauntlet that has had to pass international QC. In all instances, I have not been disappointed.”
Ridley concluded, “The URSA Mini 4K is a serious cinema camera with serious capabilities, and in less than a year, it has become an integral part of my creative process. I look forward to further exploring the camera and testing its seemingly endless potential.”
Stadium Signs Director Henry Behel For U.S. Commercial Representation
Stadium has added director Henry Behel to its U.S. commercial roster. Behel has directed campaigns for global brands such as Apple, Jeep, GMC, Ford, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and many more.
Behel is an experienced backcountry pilot whose aviation background helps him reinvent the way the camera can move in three dimensions. As an accomplished documentarian, Behel has turned out award-winning films which have unlocked a unique point of view of planes and automobiles. His latest film, 26,000 days, has won multiple film festivals and was recently featured in the Directors Library. Prior to joining Stadium, Behel had most recently been repped in the ad market by Picture North. He is also an alum of SHOOT’s 2021 New Directors Showcase.
“Henry’s mastery of storytelling supplements an exciting dimension of our roster, bringing a fresh perspective that perfectly complements our existing talent and pushes creative boundaries,” said Tracie Norfleet, executive producer at Stadium. “Henry’s experience as a pilot allows him to place the camera in unique, unexpected places, creating perspectives that bring an entirely new dimension to his work. Alongside his technical prowess, he has an exceptional ability to cultivate authentic human performances and cast talent whose presence feels genuine and impactful.”
“Henry’s innovative approach to storytelling sets him apart in this industry,” said Tyler Sgueglia, exec producer and head of production at Stadium. “His passion for creating visually arresting, emotionally impactful work perfectly aligns with Stadium’s mission to produce content that resonates and inspires. We’re excited to welcome him to the roster and look forward to the exceptional projects he will... Read More