The dynamic range GOAT is this camera, & you don't even know why. I do.

I believe one of the most important aspects of any camera is its dynamic range. To be able to capture as much of an image as you possibly can, all the highlights, the shadows, the full spectrum of colors, I mean, after all, the image is the thing. All the rest is just convenience, but in the end, we want our story to look beautiful so that it can come across exactly how we want it to, communicating exactly what we want to share. Dynamic range is kind of an extension of a life, actually, because the better you feel about your process of making the art that you are making, the better your life feels. In any case... The Manhattan Film Festival came to a close after a fantastic week, filled with great stories, from shorts to features, all on a legendary screen in that iconic NYC movie house called Cinema Village. Proud to say, my film, This is the End for Me won a Best Feature Film award, which is incredibly humbling, but at the same time, a great acknowledgement and something to feel good about and to build upon. I speak about it here in this video, I hope you enjoy it. I am grateful to be able to document this moment in my life. Truth is, I almost didn't make it.
Music by Steve Peckman: / stevepeckman_music4films
Luc Forsyth channel: / @lucforsyth
My ongoing GoFundMe for my film, This is the End for Me:
gofund.me/d458...
My Patreon link:
www.patreon.co....
Please watch my first film, shot entirely on my LG V40 smartphone, all alone, by myself, during the pandemic, called The Center of Distance, at: tubitv.com/mov....
All my info:
My cameras: Panasonic Lumix S5, Panasonic Lumix GH5
My lenses: Sigma 28-70 f/2.8, Minolta Telesor 28mm f/2.8, Minolta MC Rokkor PG 50mm f/1.4, Minolta MC W Rokkor HG 35mm f/2.8, Helios 44-2 58mm f/2, Sirui 35mm f/1.8 anamorphic, Sirui 75mm f/1.8 anamorphic, Ttartisans 17mm f/1.4 micro 4/3, Meike 35mm f/1.4 micro 4/3.
My gimbals: Zhiyun Weebill S, and Hohem iSteadyX
My lavalier mic: Purple Panda
Shotgun mic: Boya MM1
Audio recorder: Zoom H1n (the red one)
Wireless audio: Hollyland Lark Max
My phones, used for both video and audio: LG V20, V30, V40 and V60. iPhone SE 2020
My lights: Pixel RGB (2), and AMZdeal light wand (a stick light)
My tripods: K&F Concept T254A8, Neewer 75" for my Pixel RGB light, Mactrem 62.5" and Victiv 72", PGYTECH Mantispod
ND filters: K&F variable filters for my lenses, and a 37mm variable for my phone, and Neewer ND2, ND4 and ND8 and variable ND2-400 (all 37mm for my phone),
UKCOCO 37mm CPL filter with clip for my smartphone
Desktop computer: Mac M2 Studio, (upgraded graphics and SSD), Glyph external thunderbolt ssd's in multitudes, Samsung 2TB T7, LG 27UL650 monitor
Laptop: Dell XPS 13 7590 laptop
Davinci Resolve studio version for editing on my computers
Kinemaster for editing on my phone
I make my own music, or I reach out to friends from my former life in the music business.
Brooklyn Quartet mini series, winner of Best Filmed Theatre at the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival:
Episode 1: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 2: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 3: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 4: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
If you'd like to learn more about me and all my creative work, head over to: www.rockwilk.com (you can reach me there)
#Filmmaker #Theatre #SoloArtist #SoloTheater #TheCenterOfDistance #Adoption #FosterCare #LouiseWise #Activism #Artivism #BROKEWIDEOPEN #BrooklynQuartet #TheRedPlaidSuitcase #ThisIsTheEndForMe #PanasonicLumixS5 #LGV40 #LGV20 #LGV30 #Smartphonefilmmaking #Poetry #SpokenWord #SeanBell #Racism #Gentrification #Poughkeepsie #HudsonValleyNY #TheBronx #NYC #Peace #Empathy #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #StoriesIn4K #StoriesIn4kRock

[@RamonLinares]

Congratulations Rock! I can only imagine how fulfilling must be to receive that recognition.

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much. Exciting and incredibly grateful. And never taking any of it for granted. Appreciate you.

[@LKO-Ekawami]

Congratulations Rock for your win and your commitment to not giving up on finding out why you are here, and what you're suppose to do in this life! Your passion and perseverance is gigantically influencing!! I've lost count on how many times I said to myself," I wish I was never born." I think at one point or another we have all thought about ending it. Maybe not all, but I sure as shit have. Thanks to God and my family, I have not said or thought those words to myself in many, many years. Very curious when and where can I watch it?? P.S. I purchased the Helios 44-2 Lens, E-mount, adapter, it gets here next Friday. You convinced me. Thanks Loren

[@RockWILK]

@@LKO-Ekawami first of all, thanks so much for the kind words, and also for this candid comment, I know it’s not easy to put stuff out into the universe like this, and I receive it with all the respect and compassion. You should watch my first film, the center of distance, there’s a link in the description of this video, that is the first part to the movie that I just finished. I think you would find it something that you would be interested in. I’m not sure, but just from your message I think you would. My new film isn’t available yet because it’s navigating through the festival circuit, but I will definitely keep everybody posted here and at my website. You can watch the trailer to the new film at my website. It’s also here at KZbin. The name of the new film is This is the End for Me. thanks again, I really appreciate this, mostly for your open heart and spirit. And good luck with the Helios, I think you’ll love it! Have a beautiful day.

[@LKO-Ekawami]

@@RockWILK I have watched your first film. That's why I'm here. I'm the guy who you gave your honest opinion about one of my songs recently. Your honesty and passion for teaching, creating and telling a story truly shines though like a magnet for me and I'm sure for every one of your subscribers. Remember what you say, "It does not matter if you own the most expensive equipment, just take the leap and start creating and learning on what ever the equipment is that you own. So I say to you Sir, Thank you for your large dose of inspirational love. Loren

[@RockWILK]

@@LKO-Ekawami ahh, that’s right, sorry, it’s hard to keep track of everybody’s KZbin name. :-) Send me a message through my website, and I’m gonna send you a link to something.

[@Altcine]

Such a good video and I totally relate. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Congratulations on your win.

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I really appreciate that, and thank you so much for coming through. Means a lot to me. And never forget that there is something beautiful around all the time, in every day, no matter the struggle. That’s what gets me through all the time, and my art. Thanks again.

[@Altcine]

@@RockWILK perfect outlook on life, I love your deep understanding of what's important and to mix it in with cinematography made for a great watch.

[@RockWILK]

@@Altcine thanks so much, I really do appreciate that.

[@mrtinacrispoti]

I understand what you mean about watching our own movie in a theater with an audience. It happend to me once. It's like viewing it objectively, as if someone else made it. You can truly see the work you've put into it. It's an amazing feeling! Congratulations!

[@RockWILK]

Yes! And I guess I was a bit nervous because I had never seen it on a screen like that, so I was afraid it might be pixelated or just wouldn’t look as good as I had hoped, but it actually looks so much better than I had ever imagined. I was blown away, and it really made me Realize that movies are made to be seen in theaters. I mean, the story comes across no matter where you watch, even on the phone, even if you have a watch, but to see it in a big theater with a community of people is everything. it was really a great experience, and thank you so much for the good energy, I really appreciate you.

[@mrtinacrispoti]

@@RockWILK Cheers,

[@WRPugsley]

Congratulations! Fantastic! So happy people got to see your film. I thought it was extremely cuttingly moving. Hope this opens up new opportunities for you.

[@RockWILK]

Thank you so much exclamation point it was really amazing seeing it as it's supposed to be seen. I'm so grateful. I hope your project is moving along! I look forward to seeing what you do. ;)

[@farshaxan]

"Even though this story is about you, its not good until its about all of us". Just wow, I stumbled upon your video randomly and was hit with that quote, great story telling mate, and wishing you the best on your film!

[@RockWILK]

Greatest bit of knowledge ever dropped on me. So glad that you heard it, I think the more people that hear that, the more artists that work that way, the more chance we have of surviving. Thanks so much for coming through, and for taking the time to comment, I so greatly appreciate that. Have a beautiful day.

[@alexanderpietrzak3733]

My ears listen to your soul through your wonderful pictures and through your mind talking. I am just watching and listening, I am just there and here. Inspirational and calming in one take. You remind me of myself. You have eyes for the world, the angel of your "eyes" are beautiful, the spirits in the shots, the magic ear to the every-day-ordinary-life, which is a part of our daily existence, which is loud when you are "inside" and calming if you just watch from the "outside". Art was/is always the biggest topic in my life, music and pictures. I was very happy because I was able to paint my own ideas and use my own talent. I was traveling the whole world, I was meeting other creators, who were "brothers"- a mirror of all what I love. I was always working hard for my "knowledge" reading, listening, watching- like a curious sponge. 4 years ago I got sick and I was not able to walk any more. My spine is broken 5 times. There are different kinds of pain, first the "simple" pain of your every-day- body-work but than also the pain inside your soul because my world is not so big any more like it was. Am I trapped? A kind of- and yes I am also sad but I am also happy in the same moment because as a perfectionist I am not perfect any more. My dreams are just to walk without pain again, not being "disturbed" in my ideas and creational approaches. My focus have changed. I also love my Panasonic G9 and my sweet 3 lenses. Its time to walk again. Thank you for your inspiration and help. I can not wait to watch the whole movie, to lean back and listen. This is not the end for me, I am sure about that. Thank you.

[@RockWILK]

Wow. First of all, thank you for this, for even taking the time to write all this, I really appreciate it. I wish for you complete healing, and it sounds like you are well on your way. I don’t think perfection can be achieved, ever, but life can be the journey to try. And we are always just one step at a time, remaining willing to take the next step, and that is a life well lived. This comment really makes me think about what I constantly say in my videos, that art heals. It sounds trite and cliché when I read a comment like this, but I actually do believe it. And so all I can say is just keep going. I’m positive anyone who reads this will be inspired, and obviously you were chosen to be that light. Thanks so much for the reminder to never take even one breath for granted.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Congrats, Rock!

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much!!

[@RetiredSubmariner.and.VanLifer]

@RockWILK - Great Message, Great cinematography, I love your Candor and Honesty. I am amazed that you don’t have more subscribers. Your work is truly inspiring. I have always wanted to write my own screenplay for my own little movie and fill it with music from musicians that inspire me. I am unconventional in thought and don’t always want to follow “The Rules” of screenwriting and cinematography. You have inspired me to do just that. Many blessings to you and your continued success. Great message! Michael

[@RockWILK]

It’s funny, people look at me as somebody who can never deal with any rules, but I don’t look at myself in that way. Quite the opposite, I create rules for myself all the time, I just don’t think anybody else, at least with regards to my art, should have any say in what I do, or how I do it. I think that really stops you from being an artist, from expressing yourself, honestly, but I create rules for myself all the time. I really appreciate what you’re saying here, I think it would be so awesome for you to just make that movie, in exactly the way you wanna make it because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that there are absolutely no barriers, no obstacles too difficult or too challenging to be able to stop you from doing what you want to do creatively. Sometimes the challenge is to just get started and do it, and not think about how hard it might be, or how you don’t have what you might think you need, when if you just begin, you’ll find that you have everything right there for you waiting to get into the process of telling your story. Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate them and I don’t take them for granted, and thank you so much for coming through here and taking the time to even comment,means a lot to me. Thanks again and have a beautiful day.

[@RetiredSubmariner.and.VanLifer]

@@RockWILK - thanks so much for your inspiring response. Not many content creators actually take the time to respond to me. I find that reading and responding to comments can actually spark a lot of creative ideas that I would not have otherwise thought of, if I had not first commented on a video. It is artistic creators like yourself who give me the most inspiration, especially those that “think outside the box”, so to speak. You have inspired me beyond words to go forth and tell stories. Thanks again.

[@RockWILK]

@@RetiredSubmariner.and.VanLifer I look at KZbin as a great place to have an exchange and learn. Even after my live performances, I always do Q&A's with the audience because it's all about community and sharing, and so, I try and always take advantage of meaningful conversations. Of course, there are plenty of as*holes out here as well, but I avoid them. Block and goodbye, but otherwise, I love the back and forth and really appreciate it, and by the way, if my work actually inspires you to get out and tell your stories, that's a real honor for me and something never to be taken for granted. That we can lift one another. That's a good life. Thank you!

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Congratulations! So happy for you. I'm writing this at work, so I made sure to bookmark your film, "The Center of Distance", so I can watch it later today. Please let us know when, "This Is the End for Me", can be seen online or in LA. I really appreciate your sharing your experiences with us. It really makes a difference more than you may know.

[@RockWILK]

Thank you I appreciate that. I’m actually submitting to a few festivals in LA, so I’m hoping to be able to show it in a theater out there as well. I will definitely keep you posted, and thanks again, I don’t take any of the good energy for granted. Means a lot.

[@marianozisa]

Wonderfull color grading and music

[@RockWILK]

Thank you so much! I worked pretty hard on the grading of this video. And of course the music of Steve peckman is always remarkable. Thanks again, and have a beautiful day

[@enekotartun]

Congratulations!!!

[@RockWILK]

Thank you!! And thanks so much for coming through, I really appreciate that.

[@PH-0046]

Congratulation on the win - well done! 🙂 And a huge shout-out to your skilled composer Steve Peckman. Scoring music is such an important part of setting the feeling of a scene/movie, - even more important for the movie than choice of lenses, imho. - Sadly these hardworking composers seldom gets the credit they deserve, so its really nice to see your friend Steve getting a recognition from you at the festival (and you should Suggest MFF to start giving prices for scoring, - its a the very heart of filmmaking), Again, congrats and godspeed!

[@RockWILK]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and I totally agree with you. Steve's contribution has been so fundamental for both of my films. And I always make sure he gets all the credit he deserves, because at the moment, that's about all I can give him. ;)

[@stevepeckman3564]

❤

[@QualityAntics]

Cool video man! you have the link for that stool? haha thanks

[@RockWILK]

@@QualityAntics here you go… and thanks for the kind words, and for coming through. Much appreciated. VOLIXOD Foldable Telescoping Stool Portable, Retractable Stool for Adults, Upgraded Collapsible Folding Seats with Load Capacity 550lbs, Camping Stools for Adults a.co/d/j8o38P3

[@QualityAntics]

@@RockWILK Thanks!! Gah cant ship to NZ! thanks anyway

[@RockWILK]

@@QualityAntics damn.

[@spacelord1913]

Loving your channel, only found it couple weeks back. Congrats on the prize. Man I used to catch that train too when I lived in the states (back in aus now).

[@RockWILK]

Thanks for the kind words, and welcome! And I love the trains. I grew up on the subways, and now I ride these other trains, and there's just something very special about traveling in that way. :-) thanks for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@DroseMr]

ROCK in Show.🎉.Thank You

[@RockWILK]

Thank you, Yo. Appreciate you.

[@DroseMr]

Fuhgeddaboud it🔥🤪

[@RockWILK]

@@DroseMr lol

[@DroseMr]

Had no idea i wasnt the only one that got home w footage and well i knew better. I just shot 3 days of raw last week to find updating the Ninja reset adio frame delay or better yet 4000 iso w vnd stopped down inside dojo after being outside w recorder monitor brightness maxed in the sun. No wonder my zebras wasnt regisering right🤷accept the footage in post was black and raw at native 4000 in S5iix wasnt worth bumping in raw settings😂Fuhgeddaboudit

[@filipmichalsaffray441]

Hi it is not the train on Hudson river from NYC to poogkeepsie ?

[@RockWILK]

Yes sir! Poughkeepsie to Grand Central and everything in between. A beautiful ride.

[@filipmichalsaffray441]

@@RockWILK exactly 10 years ago I did take the train To Bard college...and from what I see nothing changed ,😁😁😁

[@RockWILK]

@@filipmichalsaffray441 oh, I love it up there by Bard. Rhinebeck is a beautiful place, Red Hook is amazing, it's a really beautiful area.