Ten Questions with Randall Dark

As a new on-going series for the Maxell blog, we’ll be speaking with professionals throughout the pro media industry, asking Ten Questions for everyone to learn from.

First up is Randall Dark, HD maven, president and CEO of Randall Dark Productions.

1. Where do you work and what is your title?

I am president and CEO of Randall Dark Productions.

2. How did you get interested in cinematography?

I started at a young age with a camera and darkroom to develop film. My degree is in theater. I wanted to be a film director many years ago, and I found the best way to become a good film director is to take theater, so I have an HBA in that. At that point, I started writing, directing and producing live, theatrical productions. In 1986, I stumbled on High Definition (HD) video. I saw the images that the original big, heavy and primitive “user hostile” cameras were able to make, and at that moment I decided I wanted to learn everything I could possibly learn about HD. That’s when I officially decided I wanted to be a cinematographer / director using this technology.

3. What products do you currently use and which formats/res. do you currently shoot in?

I shoot with the Sony F900 and 700A cameras, which are all HD Cam based cameras, and I use Maxell Professional HDCAM tapes. I also use some hard drive based cameras including the RED camera, and for certain “making of” and “behind the scenes,” content, I’ve been using the Canon XLH1S.

The majority of what I shoot is 4K and 2K with the high end cameras, and 1080x1920 30p or 24p with the other HD cameras.

4. What trends are you currently seeing in the pro video industry?

I see the industry moving in two directions. People are embracing really high end image making, as we’ve seen an increase in the amount of filmmakers shooting with 4k image sensors, creating amazing images. Then, on the other hand, you have the advent of new, cost effective alternative solutions; whether it’s the 7D from Canon, or new HDV cameras. So there seems to be this big split, which has created a really interesting dynamic in the industry right now.

5. What is your prediction regarding the maturation of 3-D?

Today, HD is almost like Kleenex; everyone has it, and everyone is using it. The next big trend is without a doubt 3D. An extensive amount of work has been done in this niche lately, combined with the monumental success of Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, it is set up for big things in the future. Manufacturers are working around the clock to develop new products for image capture, post and especially image display.

I personally plan to shoot two or three projects in 3D this year, as well as the “making of” my next movie, Page Hill Battle.

6. What was the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

The most interesting project is always my next project. It’s this mindset that keeps me young at heart and full of energy. I’ve been asked to shoot some amazing destinations, including the top resorts in Fiji and Mexico, and my five favorite cities in Europe. Still, my “next project” is always what I’m looking forward to.

7. What was the most challenging project you’ve worked on?

I say this all the time; I feel that I have never worked a day in my life and that I’m blessed to do what I do for a living. I’ve never considered my work a “challenge,” simply because I can’t think of anything in life that I enjoy more. If I wasn’t working, I’d be shooting and collecting HD images anyway, so to be paid for doing what I love is a blessing.

8. What product would you love to see made that has not yet been developed?

For someone like myself, I need very portable solid state hard drives with huge storage capability. When in the field, a cost effective portable hard drive with massive capability is critical. When I was shooting with the RED, I was unloading 2 terabytes of information during a fairly short amount of shooting! So really, any high capacity type drive would be a huge benefit.

9. Do you have any expectations for products/technologies that will be introduced in Pro Video that will be launched in 2010?

Effective, cost efficient imaging and post production for 3D. There’s going to be giant demand for it. It’s complicated, but needs to happen. In early HD, it took a while before broadcasting and displays found their way into most homes, but all of a sudden, it happened. However, it seems people aren’t willing to wait as long for 3D content; they want it immediately. Because of that, I expect to see a push for educating filmmakers, and the development of cost effective tools for shooting and working with 3D.