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Cybel Martin's Blog - April 20th/2007Cybel Martin: Its All About Timing I remember when I first started as a DP, I was often filled with envy (and I must say some anger) when I watched some DPs reels, especially those who shot commercials and music videos. At the time, I was shooting no-budget films without the money or resources to do a supervised timing for the tape transfer. This meant that the copy I used for my reel was a second or third generation Beta tape. However, DPs who shoot commercials and music videos always had a supervised transfer that made their footage even more visually dynamic and original. Thankfully, I got wise and befriended a number of Post Production people and simultaneously started shooting films with a post budget. One of my absolute favorites is Eric at Moving Images. He’s technically gifted but also hunts for that glint of magic, like I do. This past week, I met with him and one of my favorite directors to discuss two of her projects that I shot (a short & doc). This wasn’t the actual timing session, just an opportunity to go over the footage and wax philosophically about our aesthetic (I love that). We talked about what colors I wanted to augment, some lighting shifts and the overall tone we wanted to convey. I will do my best to make sure that my upcoming features go through Eric. Cybel Martin: Always in Production Mode After going to Moving Images, I met a friend (producer friend from PBS) for sushi. If you like Chirashi, I highly recommend people try Hana on 7th avenue and around 23rd street. Anyway, we met for lunch and to discuss our best friend’s upcoming baby shower. My friend had a schedule, call times, “equipment” pick-up (think: flowers, champagne, balloons etc). He just finished pledge a few weeks ago. We also discussed a film we are going to shoot in Mexico later this year and a fundraiser/art exhibit we have planned for September. I remarked, “are we always in production?” You will never have a more resourceful friend than a film producer or crew person. When another one of my dearest friends got married a few years ago, I and a producer friend were bridesmaids. I remember when we had a last minute location problem and music issue. She and I immediately spring into action. Film people rule! Cybel Martin: Meets Her Godfather I went to the Henri Cartier Bresson exhibit at the International Center of Photography. Words can’t express how moving and powerful it was. I must admit I had tears in my eyes. You’ve heard stories of how when black people first go to Africa that they have this overwhelming sense of returning home and knowing themselves? That’s how this felt. Putting it in words lessens the truth of the impact, but let’s just say, I met the origins of my artistic self.
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