Great article Mr. Mullen!

[Shawn Nelson]

In this month's Student Filmmakers our very own David Mullen, ASC writes the cover article about his experience shooting Solstice.

Without exaggeration, it's easily the most helpful article I've yet read in the magazine. I especially enjoyed how you actually put in there useful tips. So thanks!

Oh, and when the magazine came in I hollered to my wife "that guy posts on Reduser!!!", I'm not sure her eye rolling showed she understood :-).

[Ralph Oshiro]

Anyone interested in the daily life of a cinematographer should read the ENTIRE "Astronaut Farmer," week-by-week, online diary written by David Mullen, ASC, over at cinematography.com. It's an EXCELLENT read! I''ve read the entire series . . . well worth it! (Beware: reading this series of threads will turn you into a David Mullen fanboy).

[David Mullen ASC]

Thanks. That was a particular tough shoot (though the director, Daniel Myrick, was one of the most enjoyable people I have ever worked with).

I like to write about the real problems of shooting because too many articles make it seem like movies turn out exactly as planned and nothing ever went wrong, etc. I hate those bland puff-pieces you often see as behind-the-scenes documentaries on DVD's, although I don't blame the people who made the doc, just the studio that insisted that only the positive stuff gets included. I don't want to see petty arguments either, just something that gives you a realistic flavor of the production.

Of course, I tend to center on the cinematography aspects when I write...

I wanted to blog about shooting the HBO series "Big Love" but I couldn't get approval from HBO (before you shoot anything these days, you have to sign a non-disclosure statement, etc.) Now that it's finished, I may write an article about the shoot.

[Ralph Oshiro]

I wanted to blog about shooting the HBO series "Big Love" but I couldn't get approval from HBO (before you shoot anything these days, you have to sign a non-disclosure statement, etc.) Now that it's finished, I may write an article about the shoot.
Really look forward to it, David! Your writing style so perfectly fits these kinds of production diaries. Fascinating reads for anyone interested in how movies and television is really made. I actually did a set visit on D.E.B.S. (the Ambassador Hotel location) and must have walked right by you 20 times. Obviously, I didn't realize you were the DP at the time. Really loved how D.E.B.S. looked by the way. And how hot were the leads in THAT movie?!?!?! Would actually love to read an entire diary on the shooting of D.E.B.S. as well!

[David Mullen ASC]

Jordana Brewster in "D.E.B.S." may still hold the record for being the most beautiful actress I have ever gotten to photograph...

[Steven Parker]

Where's the diary for 'Northfork' posted?

[dalemccready]

Jordana Brewster in "D.E.B.S." may still hold the record for being the most beautiful actress I have ever gotten to photograph...

Skinny though!

[Matthew Rogers]

In this month's Student Filmmakers our very own David Mullen, ASC writes the cover article about his experience shooting Solstice.

Without exaggeration, it's easily the most helpful article I've yet read in the magazine. I especially enjoyed how you actually put in there useful tips. So thanks!

Oh, and when the magazine came in I hollered to my wife "that guy posts on Reduser!!!", I'm not sure her eye rolling showed she understood :-).

Seriously, this is by far the best article I have ever read in a filmmaking magazine. To understand how you work really helps me in my work (especially when I don't have 18k HMI's to work with.) In fact, Student Filmmakers magazine is by far the best filmmaking magazine I get. It's far more useful than DV, Studio, or Videography because the articles are about practical things. If there's anything I've ever learned, it's that you never stop learning.

Look forward to hearing about more of your shoots David.

Matthew

[Finner]

edit: oooop's

[David Mullen ASC]

Where's the diary for 'Northfork' posted?

Took a bit of looking -- the site is not searchable that far back. It's here:
http://www.siteforums.com:8081/~cinematography2002/guests

Look under "35mm only" and scroll down (click on "next" arrow) until you find "Northfork Week One", "Northfork Week Two", etc.

[Steven Parker]

great, thanks!