Professional Motion Picture Equipment
Rental - Sales - Service
The latest technological updates and industry news delivered to your Inbox! For information on updates to all these product lines, special promotions and sales, frequently asked questions and answers, Chicago Academy of Visual Arts (NAMI) classes and more, you can now subscribe to the SMS Productions, Inc. electronic newsletter. To subscribe, or read more about this service, click here to subscribe. |
SMS PRODUCTIONS, INC.
&
National Academy of the Moving Image
SMS Newsletter
Online Issue #9
October 28, 1999
The Halloween spirit is definitely alive and well. Everywhere I go, houses are decorated more elaborately than I remember from past years and I constantly see people in the grocery loading up on candy. Even I'm guilty on that number. I loaded up with candy for the big day and, of course, used it as an excuse to buy a little extra for myself. (O.K., so chocolate is my downfall!)
Actually, Halloween is the entry into a full quarter of holidays. We will move rapidly to Thanksgiving and then into the major holidays and New Year's Eve. Which brings me to my next point. As I make out my gift list, I would like to remind everyone to fit the person to his or her needs. If the recipient on your gift list is in the film industry (or video), he or she would appreciate a new light meter, light, changing bag, gray card, lens, filters, light or camera case, etc. to a new shirt or sweater. When I plan and shop, I try to think about the things the person enjoys and make the gift match. Last year one of our clients sent his brother in NY a wish list and even listed our address as the place to purchase the items. Both parties came out ahead. The recipient received exactly what he wanted for Christmas and the giver had less stress and made his brother a very happy person.
Speaking about time moving ahead. It's time to start planning your trip to Las Vegas for the NAB convention. Exhibits are open April 10-13th and the seminars start on April 8 and run through the 13th. This is an excellent show and we do try to attend. Of course, being that it is in Las Vegas doesn't hurt any.
Casting Notices: Two Features
The Darwin Project: Seeking an exotic Latina Actress, preferably mid to late 20's for lead in action adventure film set in Chicago and Puerto Rico to start filming early 2000. Must speak good English.
Boy With A Suitcase: An intensely dramatic Roman a Clef about life and death in a small mid-western town in the 60's. The film has strong gay content and biracial themes and will be directed by Alessandro de Gaetano. It will go into production in March, 2000 in Indiana. Need two 18 year olds.
Massimo, 17, sensitive, VERY Italian looking, not pretty, but Italian, must know music, science and be able to sing, play piano and have an interest in photography. Prefer someone with classical background in music and literature. "Nudity"
Larry, 17, high school quarterback type, but SMALL - not a hulk, this guy is maybe 5'10' at the MOST, slightly hard edge, but genuine and open, blond mid-west type, not necessarily handsome.
- Send resumes and photo to:
- The Darwin Project or Boy with a Suitcase
c/o SMS Productions, Inc.
1327 W. Washington Blvd. #103
Chicago, Illinois 60610NO CALLS OR DROP-INS, PLEASE!
If you noticed the latest issue of American Cinematographer, the back cover shows Vilmos Zsigmond talking about Tiffen filters, especially the UltraPol Filter. This filter provides the best polarizer effect available in the motion picture and television industry today. In addition to the UltraPol, the Pro Mist filters are still a major seller.
The Steady Stick, used by major TV networks (especially in N.Y.), is gaining more and more popularity. Therefore, they have introduced the newest addition to the Steady Stick line, the Compact Steady Stick. This new unit is for all makes and models of Mini DV, Hi 8, 8mm and VHS cameras with a standard 1/4 -20 tripod socket. It offers the same components and benefits of the Professional Steady Stick, except for the camera plate, which is specifically designed for the above mentioned cameras. At the recent IBC show in Amsterdam, people buying the Steady Sticks nicknamed them the "The Back Savers". It takes the strain off their neck, shoulders and back. The elastic strap makes the camera easier to maneuver and decreases camera bounce. It's a real shock absorber. Whether you're using the Professional Steady Stick for heavier cameras or the new Compact Steady Stick, you're bound to notice the difference it makes on your body.
Video and ENG Shooters - The Professional Steady Sticks take the weight off your shoulders relieving back and shoulder stress, steadies your shot for smooth shooting, and is easy to use.
The Professional Steady Stick holds cameras up to 30 lbs and comes with a 10 year warranty.
The Compact Steady Stick holds Mini DV, Hi 8, 8mm and VHS cameras.
Either way you go, you gain complete mobility while shooting.
It's A Bargain If You Can Use It!
Series 9 Tiffen Filters - In Stock Inventory Only (New)
- Low Contrast 2 - $40.00
- Low Contrast 4 - $40.00
- Coral 3 - $40.00
- Coral 4 - $40.00
- Coral 5 - $40.00
Hope you all have a great Halloween weekend.
You can have the email version of this newsletter delivered right to your InBox. Visit our sign-up page to subscribe.
More Back Issues of our Online Newsletter:
