CinematixHD - Cinematic Video Production

11/03/2025

One of the biggest ways to save time on set is to plan BEFORE you shoot. But on for-fun stuff and passion projects, or 48 Hour Film challenges you often don't HAVE anytime. So here's what I do. This is one of my Filmmaking tips from a few years ago shot by fellow filmmaker Homero Santos.

Do you plan intricately ahead for your shots on your project or just wing it? Well, it depends! Cinematographer Jim Ross advises you that it depends on the s...

08/10/2025

Saturday we were on a sound stage with an LED wall for some serious high end visual effects on a reasonable budget. Technology is making high end effects affordable for everyone.

05/09/2025

Here's some advice to avoid the most common scam that production people fall for. Remember - if it sounds too good to be true - IT'S A SCAM!

In this tip Jim Ross shows you how to spot the most common production scam in the business. Once you see the red flags you'll know to steer clear of these di...

10/25/2024

https://youtu.be/9OZKSIzYDII

When a young man’s dream of becoming a wrestler comes true, he lets fame go to his head. After a run in with the law, can his new found friendship with a hos...

10/20/2024

As you can see things are going smoothly at the Grip truck as I try to pull the water pump.

09/27/2024

Feel the need to throw this in here as I have seen multiple posts for Interns in these groups:
INTERN LAW 101:
If hiring an Intern is saving you from paying someone to do the same job. It is not an internship. An Intern cannot displace a paid worker, It is illegal. PERIOD. There is no such thing as free training in exchange for labor in the US.
Technically, an Intern should COST you money because you should be training them. This is US and State Law. Stop asking for interns when what you really want is free labor in exchange for experience. It is unethical and illegal.
What CAN you do if they are taking an employee's position? You can PAY your interns. When I had a studio 15 years ago I paid interns $15 an hour. It was such good pay at the time I had graduates and experienced people wanting to work for me. Pay your people and don't be a scumbag.

09/09/2024

BTS of a lighting set up I did for an in-camera VFX shot a few months back. Director and DP wanted a creepy hell-like background coming from behind our actress. As often is the case we were short on time and budget so we needed something fast and effective.

I got out a roll of Lee 216 Full white diffusion and extended on a c-stand to block the doorway. I then back lit the gel with a Nova 300 on a fire effect. Inside the set is lit with a 750 watt ETC Source 4 with double CTB from above to emulate moonlight. Director is Kalev Carrow.