Kessler Crane Testimonial By Steven Dempsey On ExposureRoom

Comments

Glenn Thomas

November 19, 2008 02:32 AM

Hi Steven, I'm curious to learn more about these cranes. I just had a quick look at their website. Is it one of the KC-8 kits you're using? I'm surprised they only take 5 minutes to set up.

Also, I'm assuming you would probably be using a wide angle lens for most crane shots?

Steven Dempsey

November 19, 2008 11:33 AM

Glenn, I am using the KC-8 basic kit. It is a tool-less setup and really does only take five minutes to be up and running.

Regarding what lenses to use, it really depends on the shot and the movement of the camera. Most people see cranes as having limited application but, as demonstrated in the video, it's possible to use it for all different kinds of moves, including short steadicam-style movement.

For the big wide shots, I use a 24mm Nikon lens and I usually set the focus to whatever I want highlighted in the shot. It's not always necessarily set to infinity.

The bottom line is that if you are willing to take the time to experiment, you can find new ways to use this device and really up the production value of your footage. Okay, now I sound like a sales guy and I'm really not trying to be, this is just based on my own actual experience. :)

Willem Van den Broeck

November 19, 2008 01:58 PM

I love the Kessler crane. Does anyone know how this one compares to the MicroDolly jib?

Will Mahoney

November 19, 2008 02:37 PM

But where's the crane?

Stephen,
I enjoy all of your films and this one is just as good. Though, I really would have liked to see the crane somewhere in your video. Maybe in the background while you're talking, or even a nice image of it to display with your voice-over. But maybe that's just the product video guy in me...

Also, I really liked the lighting/color of this video. It's very dark, with black and grey as the primary colors, with maybe a slight bluish cast - very industrial. Looks and feels very professional, like you really know what you are talking about (which is the point.) Man, the whole scene was nice actually. The monitors in the background, the leather chair. Nice.

Steven Dempsey

November 19, 2008 07:26 PM

I totally agree with you Will but I have to be honest and tell you I had a tiny window of time to do this and I chose to spend more time setting up the lights. The other thing that was tricky was getting the focus right on the Ultimate because I did the entire thing myself. So with all of that in mind, I didn't want to deal with anything else or I wouldn't have gotten the thing done at all :)

Oleg Kalyan

November 21, 2008 11:02 AM

tasteful work, enjoued it, the crane helped a lot in creating the feel..

Simon Wilkinson

November 26, 2008 09:02 PM

Great footage Steven - your shots look really impressive.

Dave Morrison

December 28, 2008 07:49 PM

Always a treat to see your footage, Steven. I too was hoping/praying that you'd have a clip in there somewhere of you assembling or setting up the crane. Even a timelapse of it would have been cool but I understand not having much time to make this.

Home

Content

Now Playing

Showcase

Filmmakers

News

Help/FAQ

Search

Kessler Crane Testimonial

Comments

But where's the crane?

Credits & Tags

Asset Information

Share

Download

Bio

Specializations