The Topping Group

03/26/2020

Funny clip. Years ago I was working from the back of a Missouri Department of Conservation truck, and the assignment was to capture scenes of some bison. I hopped out of the truck, and changed camera ground camera positions a time or two. My conservation escort/agent said to me "I would probably not get any closer to the bison if I were you." So I asked him "Are bison aggressive?" He responded "They are not aggressive. But they are unpredictable." That was good enough for me. I hu**ed it back to the truck bed, although a little more methodically than our friend in this clip.
https://www.kmov.com/news/funny-montana-reporter-ain-t-messing-with-bison-at-yellowstone/article_5cfe87ba-6f52-11ea-b0b7-cf46d4657a2a.html?fbclid=IwAR02bmhi0CnOPrPiXcAPzdSq1fzONKDIeoDB5xZJ07DR8HxLD5mcdvWPyAE

A video from a reporter in Montana has gone viral after the reporter spots a herd of bison coming toward him while setting up for his shot.

12/31/2019

One of my Director of Photography friends once asked me, "Can you make a shot? Or do you merely find shots?" Good question. I must admit I more or less "found" this one. I totally did not design the light playing on the this woman's face. But it happened. Sometimes you get lucky.

12/03/2019

A truism for any video editor: you need a montage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I_5Bw1U4s4

Team America World Police (Trey Parker, 2004) A humorous example of how montage can be used to convey the passage of time. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section...

09/05/2019

“Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you. In this way, you might discover who you are, and with a little luck, you might discover something much larger than yourself.”
RIP Peter Lindbergh.

08/14/2019

07/27/2019

Good, Fast, Cheap. Pick two.

05/29/2019

I watched the original Mad Max recently, for what must have been the tenth time. The sequencing still puts me at the edge of my seat. The film had a tiny budget, but at one point held the Guinness record for the most profitable film ever. Why? Because some guys came together with a vision. Never doubt the power of a vision, a camera, and an edit suite.

12/20/2018

Arri manufactures some really versatile and easy to use LED lighting. Dial in your preferred color temperature, or create many interesting effects with the on board menu. Note grip glove in the lovely shade of Arri blue.

10/16/2018

Jeff Bridges met his wife Susan while filming Rancho Deluxe, 1975. She worked at the local diner and he asked her out. She politely declined, saying maybe I’ll see you around town— which she did at the wrap party. Still married. Never doubt the power of a good wrap party!

03/28/2018

"That's a wrap." Three beautiful words. Or four depending on how you count.

02/08/2018

Today we are editing a series of demonstration clips for an exercise kiosk. Big project, fun work, but it can be a little repetitious. One upside: there is no audio involved, so it's a rare treat to listen to the Allman Brothers while editing video.

01/04/2018

We shot some scenes pretty much across the street from my high school. (Fox High, Arnold MO.) NatGeo takes a look at the economic factors at work in the Mobile Home park industry.

As low-income families struggle to find affordable housing, some people are turning a profit by investing in poverty. Billie Mintz investigates the booming business of mobile home parks.

12/13/2017

Some nice work by NFL films. Happy that my crew was chosen to contribute.

"The Timeline: Greatest Show on Turf" chronicles the 1999-2001 St. Louis Rams. Led by Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, and Marshall Faulk the "Greatest Show on Tu...

10/06/2017

This clearly illustrates the importance of securing the proper permits before filming begins.

Not surprisingly, the incident was caught on video. 

07/21/2017

Some nice coverage by the St. Louis Post Dispatch

05/17/2017

It was a pleasure working with Skip and the gang at Pappy's. They definitely know their stuff.

"Great American Food Fight: Ribs Edition," airs May 18, pits St. Louis favorite against Memphis' Rendezvous.

12/09/2016

Clif came to speak at my high school back in the 1970's when Electronic News Gathering traded in 16mm film, complete with mag stripe. He got me thinking that a career in television (or perhaps communication) could be a fun way to make a living. He was right. Rest in peace Clif

12/08/2016

If you want to get the most out of your crew, here are two tips: 1) Schedule mealtimes. 2) Give the guys a pat on the back here and there. Today my team got some very nice words from a local client:
"We really enjoyed working with you guys on the last project. Thought I’d pass that long."

Just a few nice words can mean a lot.