Theory of Noise – Cradle – Official Music Video

We recently had a chance to talk with Chris McGuinness about a recent project he shot using the Cineslider, Oracle & Hercules Head. Here is what he had to say.

Kessler University (KU): Tell me a little about yourself.

Chris McGuinness (CM): I’ve been working in the video film industry for over a decade. I moved out to Los Angeles after graduating from UMBC with a degree in visual arts. I had handled a camera quite a bit, but hadn’t done much lighting, so I was looking to learn bout lighting and work as a DP and do some Directing. I’m just as passionate about making images as directing, so I don’t mind working as just a DP on a project, in fact I really enjoy it. I kinda got side tracked for a bit after a car accident caused 3 herniated disks in my back. During the 2 years of recovery and PT, I became a feature film editor and I kinda got type cast as such… After the birth of our daughter, I decided I wanted to move back to Maryland so she could grow up knowing her Grandparents and family, something I never had… It’s then that I decided the fresh start would let me get back into my passion for making images. I realize that I have a lot of growth to do as a Director and a Cinematographer, but I love them both and look forward to the continued journey. I own the company PulseCinema, Inc. I also have a website for just myself as a DP (www.chrismcguinnessdp.com), I have this because I really love working as just the cinematographer and don’t want some people to feel threatened by the fact that I do more… I also hope that it shows a commitment that I want to work collaboratively in the roll of just the DP with another Director and not step on toes. I shoot TV commercials, I do some promo commercial work with partners of Discovery, I shoot feature films and documentaries, and of course Music Videos, when there is enough budget and talent to make them worth our time

KU: What was it like shooting with Kessler Gear?

CM: I think the great thing about Kessler and I am speaking about the Cineslider with the motion control Oracle systems is they are so small yet create such big and I mean production wise motion. They are very easy to set up and use and incredibly sturdy. It’s kind of a funny thing, I actually convinced a friend to buy a Cineslider and he bought the Cineslider with the Oracle system. Now I just had the Cineslider with Hercules head, and after I tried the Oracle system on a Miller Commercial and a Hospital Commercial, I started borrowing it on every shoot that I would use the Cineslider. It was only a couple more usages, when I just bought the Oracle system to go with my Cineslider. Honestly, at that point I could not imaging not having it. I am definitely looking forward to trying other Kessler products in the future.

Loved the shot of the clock. You mentioned you used the cineslider in a unique way. Can you elaborate?

CM: Like other artists, I am always looking to think outside the box. I love the way time-lapses look when the light shift inside a building, so I thought to myself, what if I put a light on the Cineslider and program it to travel over an extended period of time. So I set up the clock shot, I put the Cineslider in a position that I could have the motion of the Cineslider travel casting the shadow of the chain and watch lid over the clock. The time set was 30 minutes, although a shorter segment was used in the music video.

KU: What’s next from you?

CM: Well, I’m currently working with a graphic novel artist on a story I’ve written, we are developing it for the iPad and will give the first episode for free, it may not be motion picture work, but those certainly are end goals. I’m in negotiations with another cool band for a music video. I am expecting another busy year as my company has been growing well every year since rebooting in Maryland. I hoping to meet and working with cool people, as well as continue working with repeat clients. Did I mention I am definitely going to NAB 2012 this year, I can’t believe all the cool stuff this year.