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, National Academy of the Moving Image (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 #21
March 16, 2001


There's been a great deal of excitement, feedback and questions - all of which are critical to the proper development and growth of the A-Minima which is available from the SMS Rental Dept.

Power Options

Aaton has provided a number of choices to power A-Minima in order to maximize flexibility and minimize size.

The camera can operate on four tiny 3V lithium cells (CR123A) located in a compartment within the camera. These cells can be purchased in any photographic store and should run about 11 magazines without video assist or other accessories. The lithiums are intended to run the camera from 1 to 32 fps.

If you want to run up to 50 fps, or prefer to use a rechargeable battery or power supply, the A-Minima can be powered through its Lemo6 accessory connector using a Lemo6/XLR4 power cable. Any 12V source can be used to power the camera in this fashion.

There's also a cleverly designed Powerbase that provides two additional Lemo6 accessory connectors and an XLR4 power connector, and serves as a platform for all camera accessories requiring 15mm support rods. In addition, the unit contains a Lemo2 for camera on/off from the Aaton handgrip, and multi-tasks as a film/video synchronizer (equipped with BNC) to boot!

When using both the camera's Lemo6 power output and the Powerbase, it is important to remember to connect only one external 12V source to the camera at any time.

Loading A-Minima In Quicktime

A-Minima's unique design concept centers around the daylight-friendly magazine. It's simple and easy to load, but it's like nothing you've ever seen before in its approach. For this reason, we recommend that you go over the loading procedure with our people prior to shooting.

An Overview Of The Video Assist

The low-cost black/white CCD unit measures only 1.75" x 1.75" x 2.5" and is designed to connect to the camera and receive 12V power through a side optical port.

The CCD Assist, which features a manual iris and BNC signal output, can be run with or without the Powerbase and can be powered from either the camera's internal lithium cells or an external power source. The unit draws only 150mA.

Abel CineTech in NY reported the following -

Chris Paul of 40 oz Films is a New York City based operator who owns his own XTRprod. Over the past few months, he has had several opportunities to work with the A-Minima through Abel's NY rental department. Recently, Chris used the A-Minima for B camera footage on a commercial shoot for Don't Look Motion Pictures in Daytona Florida.

"The products we were shooting were remote control cars," Chris explained. "The A-Minima was perfectly suited to get down on the level of these fast moving toys and really interact with them."

For certain shots, Chris mounted the A-Minima, equipped with a 8mm or 9.5mm lens to the end of a grip arm using the 3/8" thread on the top of the body. For power, he opted to use the camera's internal lithium cells.

This simple solution saved Chris' production setup time and money. Before the A-Minima was an option, productions like this would likely have had to choose between a more expensive setup (like Steadicam) or a potential sacrifice in image quality (by implementing small DV cameras).

When asked about the unique loading of the A-Minima, and how that affected his process, Chris noted, "While the Prod (also available from SMS) is incredibly simple to reload, we found that the A-Minima didn't require much more time to turn over after the initial learning curve... I could float back and forth between it and the Prod effortlessly, without thought - it's a great tool to have in the toolbox."

"Everyone was thrilled with the quality of the image from the A-Minima in the telecine session; it will intercut beautifully with the footage from the Prod. These results helped to seal the relationship between myself and the client."

SMS acknowledges Abel Cine Tech for the above stated info.

IFP/Midwest and The National Academy of the Moving Image Present

From Concept to Film Festival:
A Series On The Business of Independent Film Production

Please Note New Location for Part 4!!
Due to the necessity for more space, the 4th part of the IFP/NAMI Legal Series has had a change of location. Please note the new location -
5th floor conference room
Old State of Illinois Building
160 N LaSalle Street, Chicago
(northwest corner of Randolph and LaSalle Streets)

Thursday, March 29, 2001:
Part 4 - "Finding An Audience: Distributing Your Project"

Distribution And Film Festival Issues

Topics:

• Is Your Film Really Finished?
• Film Festivals: Plotting A Strategy
• Errors And Omissions Insurance
• Selling Your Film: Producer's Reps and Other Sales Agents
• The Negative Pick-Up Deal
• Delivery Requirements: Costs You Didn't Budget For
• Finding The Right Distributor
• Net Profits: Who Is That Monkey?
• Is a Theatrical Release Necessary?
• How Revenue Is Shared Between Producer and Distributor
• Taking Care Of Your Investors
• The Back End: Profit Distributions, Deferred Compensation and Guild Residuals

Seminar Location: 5th floor conference room
Old State of Illinois Building
160 N LaSalle Street, Chicago
(northwest corner of Randolph and LaSalle Streets)
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: $5 Members IFP/Midwest, $10 Non-Members.

To RSVP or to register by credit card, please call IFP/Midwest at 312-435-1825 or email them at infoifpmw@aol.com
--OR--
Call SMS Productions at 312-440-8963 or email us at smsprod@sbcglobal.net

Independent Feature Project/Midwest (IFP/Midwest), a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1987 in response to the needs of a growing number of people in the Midwest who are making careers in the feature film business. Based in Chicago, IFP/Midwest is dedicated to education and helping move the region's film community to the cutting edge. Members include writers, directors, producers, technicians, distributors, investors, students, and organizations involved in the discipline of filmmaking.

The National Academy of the Moving Image (NAMI) is a not-for-profit organization offering hands-on 'post-film school' film experience that can help launch or enhance your career. NAMI's faculty-mentors are among the most successful film and videotape professionals in Chicago. Their diverse backgrounds and rich experience include directing, lighting, sound, camera and even law. Their careers span from Hollywood to Chicago with resumes that include major feature films, TV programs and national commercials. NAMI classes and seminars are designed to provide a "hands-on" experience.

SMS Lens Test Chart
Do you own a film, video or digital camera and want to shoot a feature length film? Then you need our new lens test chart!
Designed by a cinematographer and lens technician with over 35 years experience.

• Sharpness
• Accurate Framing
• Zoom Tracking
• Front and Back Focusing
• Ground Glass
• Standard Aperture (l:33)
• TV Safe
• Super 16 (1:66)
• 35 mm Format (1:85)
• HDTV (16:9)
• Masking
• Registration

All of the above can be tested with this chart.

Call 312-440-8963 or email smsprod@sbcglobal.net for further details.

You can have the email version of this newsletter delivered right to your InBox. Visit our sign-up page to subscribe.

Back Issues of our Online Newsletter:

• Back Issues Archive