Danny Lopez
Job: Stuntman, Actor, Stunt Coordinator, Second Unit Director
www.www.hdproguide.com/network/profile-177
WORK:
I started my career as a stuntman. As my career as a fighter came to a close with two world titles as a kick boxer and being ranked #14 in the world as a boxer, I made my move when martial arts films were big. I’ve worked on Mortal Kombat, Walker Texas Ranger as well as countless other films as well as TV shows.
CHANGES IN HD TECHNOLOGIES:
I started off as a stuntman but made my way to stunt coordinator then to second unit director. And as technology moves forward the major difference in the workflow of HD is boom boom boom, not having to stop and check the gates or tell an actor to keep up that same energy while we reload the film – a huge step forward.
EFFECTS OF HD WORKFLOW:
Well as a stuntman if you’re doing a fight scene and the energy level is high you don’t want to stop. How do you tell someone we’re changing the film cartridge we will have to set you on fire a second time? You can’t stop a pipe ramp for anything and that’s what so great about shooting on HD. But don’t get me wrong I do love shooting on film as well.
CAMERAS:
Yes, I started shooting way back in the day when Hi8 came on the scene from that I shot with MiniDV on a Canon XL1. Then when the Panasonic came out with the DVX100 I was in heaven with the real 24p capability. Man I know I wasn’t the only independent filmmaker jumping for joy. The only drawback was trying to get that widescreen look out of 4/3 aspect ratio.
PANASONIC AG-AF100 WORKFLOW:
Most people with a working knowledge of a 35mm photo camera won’t have too much trouble with it. That drawback of most of the home video filmmakers got complacent with the camera doing most of the guesswork for them. But I love the ability to shoot at the pace that I’m shooting now – once you know the camera you’re on your way.
CAMERAS USED IN Inside the Cage:
I generally shoot with the AG-AF100, but on occasion I shoot with my Canon 7D when I feel the need to run and gun.
GREENSCREEN AND VFX FOR Inside the Cage:
Yes I do and let me tell you, I love Adobe After Effects. It is a game changer for a small production company like ours.
POST PRODUCTION PROCESS:
For the two shows that we are trying to shoot (Covert Ops and Inside the Cage), I do most of the editing. It is rare that I call an outside source but if I need to, I call Valle Vista Productions. Don Fish Jr. and I worked together on quite a few projects over the years and he is my go-to guy when I find myself in a bind.
HD TIPS: (1) Light it right.
(2) Make sure your audio levels are correct while in production, no fix it in post.
(3) Make sure you have your bases covered – get that B-roll.
CURRENT PROJECTS AND HD TECHNOLOGIES:
Well like I said, Covert Ops is one and as a stuntman our motto is “Screw the dialogue, let’s blow something up” and also Inside the Cage, that’s more of a show on MMA. And for those shows I edit either on Final Cut Pro 7 or Adobe Premiere CS6 and After Effects CS6. I use various software from Digital Juice, and for music Sonicfire Pro and for some VFX, Video Copilot.
Check out Danny’s work on the HDProGuide.com Network.
www.www.hdproguide.com/network/profile-177/video
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