La Tamise

La Tamise
Short film starring Alice Bird wearing a specially made dress by James Hillman.
Filmed in the shaft of the Thames Tunnel at The Brunel Museum
www.brunel-muse...
Graded with Magic Bullet Colorista II and FilmConvert
10% off Colorista II at www.redgiantsoftware.com with code bloom 10
10% off FIlmComnvert at gopb.co/filmconvert with code bloom
Full blog post coming soon
This was shot in early Match 2013 with a very early release Sony F55. Many of the features were not working but the 4K was.
Why did I choose to shoot this film on the Sony F55 in 4K or more precisely why use the F55 for this? What does it bring to the table that other cameras don't?
Well for this film to be honest, other than the fantastic low light sensitivity, very little. There was no need for 4K of course but it has it and I wanted to see what it looked like. Really for me I just wanted to see it being used on a real shoot with all the challenged that comes with...support, lighting, audio, media managing.
The location was very challenging both in lighting, but also it's very dusty down there and damn freezing!
I shot this in 4K internally on the F55 using SxS Pro in XAVC. That was a challenge to. More on that in the blog post.
Lenses used were Zeiss ZF Primes using the MTF services Nikon adaptor and Canon EF lenses using again an adaptor by MTF services, but this one is a powered one for the iris.
Total lights used (but not all at the same time!) 2 X 1K, 1 Daylight Litepanel, 1 Bi-Colour Litepanel, 3 Dedos 150s
Audio was recorder with the Roland R26 and Rode NTG3 microphone (Recorded dual system as I didn't have the XLR box for the camera)
Rig was an amalgam of bits from Shape and Zacuto. Follow focus was by O'Connor
Cut in Premiere CC. 4K version to come!
La Tamise is french for the River Thames. Why use the french? We filmed in the main shaft of Frenchman Marc Brunel's Thames Tunnel. The first tunnel built under a navigable river in 1843. Also the music is by a frenchman, my favourite composer Claude Debussy and is entitled "The girl with the flaxen hair".
I would love to explore what is left of the tunnel one day. It's closed for it's original purpose of being able to walk through it, in fact it closed over 150 years ago. Since then it's been a train tunnel but even that has stopped now. Hopefully I can convince Andrew Wonder to take me down there! I love the fact that halfway down it's just 14 feet below the river bed. Crazy!

[@buyakashaaz]

The use of light, the colors, everything in this video simply perfect.

[@mondeo984]

Mr Bloom you did it once again. This video is just a pice of cinema art. You shot from the right angles and right length, beautifull ligth settings. I love you work, plz don't stop sharing your work with us.

[@jaykadlec]

Fantastically done! I love the emotion that is portrayed, both through the characters and the lighting/shots. Awesome.

[@LadyPenelopeTube]

My opinion is that this video has a mysterious and magic atmosphere that creates strong feelings in the viewer. At first I didn't like the dark shots of the beginning but then there was the light, the dress, the dance and the sound that resonates inside the tunnel and inside the protagonist (and the viewer). Nice touch at the end when we discover that the dancer in reality is the protagonist. It was the twist that elevated the story to a higher level. Always inspiring as ever.

[@wheatskates]

Beautiful Philip! There absolutely is a story here, it is just left open for interpretation.

[@rb5235]

So beautiful and the Sony F55 looks so good in low light. Great job by Alice Bird too and you Philip always inspire me to learn more and do better. Thank You!

[@BadMindfilms]

I love it! The writing is great and the shots/lighting were amazing. The directing was obviously fantastic.

[@Evicine]

Good job!!Cinematography and the atmosphere are amazing !

[@ARickyRodriguez]

Awesome Philip, good job, The look is beautiful...

[@GiuseppeFlandoli]

great photography and lighting. Also loved the color Correction. 2 thumbs up

[@perrymorrisjr]

I was excited about the composition of those shots seemingly composed in almost darkness. I was immediately drawn to the visuals and what she was viewing. Her good acting created a back story for me as I was also surprised to hear that phone ring. Gave me more back story as to what might be going on.Until the story unfolded, I had plenty to work with especially the visuals. Alice Bird is a good actress and I was looking forward to finding out how this fitted into this character's situation.

[@camerawalk]

Fantastic work, Phillip. Look forward seeing 4K version.

[@tptrsn]

Amazing! That low light performance is remarkable, huh? Crazygood film!!! :)

[@FreedomMediaTV]

Very very nice! I hope to get up to this level one day!

[@JBHMEDIA]

Awesome Cinematography as usual!

[@BlackFeatherProject]

This is fantastic. Great imagery. I thought it was going to be a horror short at first. The boxer short was my favourite that I've seen you do but this has just topped it.

[@BurnsFilm]

These videos are the best

[@philipbloom]

Continued... Why does being me being English (well am actually English/ French but lets not quibble!) have to do with anything. This is a film without words that tells a story. If you didn't like it that is fine and hopefully you will like my next film better :)

[@philipbloom]

From the location. It was recorded there!

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Beautiful lighting from the start, there doesn't seem to be any noise in the dark shots!

[@Sonia94537]

great video, great choice of music

[@PostColorGear]

Philip, I love the re-upload of this!!! I noticed the grain in the first one, but I wasn't sure if that was what you were going for :) Regardless, I really like this piece. The cinematography, grading....everything.

[@larrymax4982]

And also My dear Michael, Inspiration comes by analyzing other's work. I loved what Bloom did in Portrait of Boxer, in Ponte Tower or in my favorite Great Wooden Boats because when i see them i think about the frame, the sound, the editing etc and how he managed to put it all together to tell his story. I loved them and I'm free to not like this one if I fell so. That's how you learn, by seeing other's work and criticize it in a good or bad way.

[@philipbloom]

Paid work is rarely like this. That's why you do these! :)

[@ScottyRealty]

Awesome low light! Would love to see a behind the scenes video!

[@philipbloom]

no this is just a passion piece.

[@philipbloom]

As this is a comment on the director's page that's a really cutting harsh comment! Ouch! How was it not directed well? What would you differently?

[@RyanDroegeUltralife]

Well done!

[@johnnyViDeO]

okay......did you intend for some close up shots to be out of focus? good low-light performance from the Sony

[@philipbloom]

i was aiming for to be all out of focus but accidentally got some in focus. Damn.

[@philipbloom]

Hi Larry. Not sure what the Hitchcock analogy is about and quite how you bring hm up in as criticsm of this is bewildering and flattering! "No story or it is not well told". I think it's a very simple story very simply told and what you is what you get, it's a 3 minute short and how you interpret who she is or what she is s down to you, the viewer.withhout explaining everything with a long speech I leave it open for interpretation. Continued....

[@larrymax4982]

I didn't say you have to tell your story in one shot, I took an example of one the greatest directors of our time that layed the foundations of his long feature film in one shot. It's the narrative efficiency. 3 minutes is too short you say? Remember this short with a guy that drawn graffiti on the wall and at the end you see he did it for his little sister who is at the hospital? Or the one with a man and a woman that communicate with drawing, they work in two different towers, they're cool

[@ctrout_studio]

Agreed! I hope you get the chance to do more like this! They're awesome. Reminds of Ezra Pounds "In a Station of the Metro" The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough. - Ezra Pound

[@larrymax4982]

In "Rear Window" you understand in less than a minute and in one shot who James Stewart is, a photographer who broke his leg at a car race and who is forced to stay in his flat looking at his neighbors, then you understand his goal and the obstacles he will have to pass to get what he wants. What I meant when I said there's no story, I don't see the goal of your character and the obstacles she has to pass to get what she wants. It's just my opinion, You're still my fav' DP with Darius Khondji.

[@Montreal1920x1080]

I like it !

[@SalahDemeer007]

Beautiful

[@BensleyH]

Intriguing!

[@philipbloom]

why Larry? Why do i have to tell the whole story in one shot? It's moving images, not a photograph. The story, and yes there is a strong but simple story, is revealed gradually...but not everything. I don't want to tell people everything, I want people to make up their own backstory. PLEASE understand this is a 3 minute short, what do you expect? A deep character study or a sensual, mysterious, beautiful little story. I honestly don't know what else to say....continued...

[@c8vegas]

Very cool video

[@guguemichaels]

I'm a pro director / cinematographer with 5 features and few awards under my belt. So I know a little when I say, there's nothing wrong with this short. If you truly viewed it, you'll see he left it open to viewers own interpretation. Meaning, you take way from it your own meaning. Now my dear Larry, there's a difference between nit picking and constructive criticism. With all that being said. I would like to see some of your work and see what you are bringing to the table. Cheers!

[@eddieJFwoolley]

soooooooooooooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooooooooooood :)

[@TONYLOUIS100]

Great quality audio

[@philosolist4007]

Nice short movie ...do you get the camera equipment 4 free?

[@Norbert.Gardonyi]

I think he has no idea what he's talking about, or -probably- he's missing a deeper story. It was definitely well-directed, and if your plan was just a make a really short, but beautiful film about a dream of a woman, well, then you completed it.

[@john3Lee]

I would like to know where you get the audio of the foreboding ambience at the start ?

[@quanah]

very nice

[@philipbloom]

...continued...You statement "I don't see the goal of your character and the obstacles she has to pass to get what she wants?" I am all for opinions but this simply makes no sense. 3 minutes. 3 minutes! I simply think you missed the whole point. That's fine but please don't expect deep character studies with backgrounds, journeys and obstacles overcame, in three minutes! That's an impossible ask for just about anyone in that time. Impossible to be anything than superficial. No time to develop.

[@john3Lee]

Nice work..... btw. :D

[@khanianos]

awesome vids man I subscribed

[@MrSamwright1991]

When is Phillip going to be asked to direct a Dr Who episode!!!

[@johnnyViDeO]

A good monitor would help. Also try the autofocus button. ;)

[@jonathankaitazoff]

Wait, First i have to say it. im a great fun of you! i bought all your 7D, 5D tutorials. You gave me the first tools! Thats whay i follow you and im suscribed to your channel. I said "cinematically poor" only because there are some shots that are there just to look good. (or maybe its me i didnt get it) And there could have been some others which helped to connect with the characher. But its not directed bad at all! its your vision of the story and is beautiful anyways.

[@larrymax4982]

I love what you do M Bloom but with all due respect even if ithis short is well shot, there is no story or it s not well told..You are english, don t forget Hitchcock and the way he is able to set a clear situation in 1 shot in less than a minute (rear window)

[@jonathankaitazoff]

i just realized that my comment looks so mean! haha sorry. What i would like to watch is a feature made by you. i cant imagine 90-110 min of only great shots!

[@buckethead777]

I still think you should've gotten KZbin to correct your lighting :)

[@TONYLOUIS100]

me too

[@guguemichaels]

The thing I hate the most are people that just sit behind their computers and criticize everything and everybody else but hasn't done jack sh*t! My goodness, if you think you can do better, why not shot something and let's see what you can do "Larry" Anyways, Philip, nice image as usual. Question, I'm about to buy that camera... well, the younger brother (F5) Any tips? I want to make sure it will last me at least the next 5-6 years. Is the F5 as good in low lights as the F55?

[@philipbloom]

I am glad you deleted that last comment. This is ridiculous. It's just a simple 3 minute film. More important things to get worked up about

[@philipbloom]

why but why but why are you even comparing this to htichcock? if you really don't like this short that's fine but your arguments are so flawed Larry. You give two examples. Both superficial. You don't get to know any of the characters. Just one thing, a motivation Nothing else. You make no sense. You have a problem with the short not giving you depth. Perfect! It's a reaction. That's all i want. I am sorry but I have nothing more to say on the matter. Best wishes

[@jonathankaitazoff]

looks beautiful. But cinematically is kind of poor. If you shoot with a good director, and have a good story damn it would be amazing!

[@TONYLOUIS100]

Poor??? You are crazy. This video grabbed my attention and is awesome. You must have had your eyes closed and blocked your ears. Next time open you eyes and unblock your ears lol