Site Archive
FiLMiC Pro transforms iPhone into sweet and respectable video cameraWritten by David Tames on February 23, 2013
Filed Under Camera, Documentary, Featured, Filmmaking, Mobile devices, Tools, Video on the Web, Video Production
The iPhone is capable of producing surprising good video and as a result, quite a few documentary makers are using their iPhones as their go-to B camera and in some cases even as their primary camera. In order to get the best video... Continue Reading...
Principles of Interaction Design for Interactive Documentary MakersWritten by David Tames on February 13, 2013
Filed Under Books, Design, Documentary, Featured, Filmmaking, Media Literacy, Mobile devices, New Media, Web
Content production methodologies are converging with the strategies and tactics of interaction design. The latest mobile phones and tablets provide a wonderful platform for delivering intimate interactive documentary experiences. Where... Continue Reading...
Pearls of wisdomWritten by David Tames on April 23, 2010
Filed Under Art, Books, Design, Reviews
Back in February I attended a conference “Who’s Afraid of New Media” held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Wendy Richmond, who has recently published a book, Art Without Compromise* (Allworth Press, 2009), was... Continue Reading...
The Cambridge Introduction to NarrativeWritten by David Tames on February 12, 2010
Filed Under Books, Narrative, Reviews
I recently finished reading The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative by H. Porter Abbott (Cambridge University Press, 2nd. edition, 2008). This book is by far the best introduction to narrative currently available, encompassing the... Continue Reading...
Metropath(ologies): ecstasy of communication or ambivalence of information?Written by David Tames on May 23, 2009
Filed Under Art, New Media, Reviews
Judith Donath recently spoke at MassArt. In anticipation of her talk I went to see the Connections exhibition of works by Donath and her Sociable Media Group at the MIT Media Lab. I was particularly taken by Metropath(ologies), an... Continue Reading...
Fans, friends, and followersWritten by David Tames on April 2, 2009
Filed Under Books, Distribution, Filmmaking, Reviews, The Media
This week I had a chance to read Scott Kirsner’s new book, Fans, Friends & Followers, which provides a fresh guide to building an audience in the new media landscape. The book starts out by painting with broad brush strokes... Continue Reading...
Canon HG20 camcorder provides stunning price/performanceWritten by David Tames on February 13, 2009
Filed Under Camera, Final Cut Pro, High Definition
Canon HG20 I recently taught a class at MassArt, Documentary Video Boot Camp, and one of my students, Adam Weiss, used his new Canon VIXIA HG20 camcorder in the class. As a result of seeing the video Adam shot for his assignments,... Continue Reading...
Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder: first impressionsWritten by David Tames on July 4, 2008
Filed Under Camera, High Definition, Media Technology, Tools
A friend recently loaned me his Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder for a few days so I had a chance to take this fascinating new camera for a spin. In this post I’ll share my first impressions. I’ll be taking the camera out... Continue Reading...
Operation Filmmaker offers crisp angle on subject-filmmaker relationshipWritten by David Tames on June 14, 2008
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmaking, Reviews
I recently watched Nina Davnport’s new film, Operation Filmmaker at the ICA in Boston. Not since watching Shadow of the House last year have I enjoyed watching a documentary so much. This is one of those films that started out... Continue Reading...
IntimidadWritten by David Tames on April 27, 2008
Filed Under Documentary, Events & Screenings
Intimidad is a documentary film that weaves together a mix of home movie, cinema verite, and informal interview footage to present a portrait of Cecy and Camilo Ramirez, and their daughter Loida, a hard-working, young family living... Continue Reading...
