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ABC’s “Castaways,” which was shot and produced by Nomad Entertainment using VariCam LT 4K cinema camcorders, is a revolutionary series testing the hu-man need for companionship under extreme circumstances as each individual learns there are other castaways out there but are unaware of how many, their locations or when they will be res-cued. This visually stunning, new reality series follows 12 diverse individuals as they’re dropped alone throughout various islets in Indonesia and challenged to survive among washed-up luggage, scattered resources and abandoned structures. “Castaways” premieres TUESDAY, AUG. 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

The only way to leave the remote islands is to persevere long enough to be rescued or to quit. As dramatic situations unfold on an expanse of islands in the South Pacific, the series flashes back to the real lives of each participant in documentary fashion, demonstrating haunting parallels to the lives they left behind. Grant Kahler serves as showrunner. The series is produced by Nomad Entertainment.



The contemporary action in the series was shot in a remote part of Indonesia, with the “home re-call” documentary segments shot in New York, Nashville, Alabama, North Carolina, Los Angeles, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, Las Vegas, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

Director of Photography Neil Moore supervised multiple teams of camera operators who shot the mini-documentaries in parallel, with up to 12 operators then assigned to the Indonesian location work.

Moore had previously shot with the VariCam 35, and showrunner Kahler had used the VariCam LT. “The first two weeks of production we worked with larger cameras and bigger lenses, which just wasn’t conducive to our fast, cinema vérité style,” the DP recounted. “The LT was a very ap-pealing alternative, especially because of its dual 800/5000 ISOs. We had no time for lighting, and we were working with predominantly natural light with plenty of dark interiors and exteriors. The camera’s ISO 5000 setting is so clean, and you can switch easily without having to ride gain.”

Moore said he routinely used ISO800 for daytime work in Indonesia, but with a significant number of “easy clicks over” to ISO5000, for instance, for a nighttime scene lit only by firelight.

The series was shot in AVC-Intra 4:4:4 1080p. “We gathered an incredible amount of footage, with 12 cameras simultaneously shooting eight hours a day,” Moore said.

“The tropical humidity was pretty insane, but we experienced no overheating or stopped files with the LTs,” the DP added. “Beyond ruggedness and ease of use, other stand-out features of the cameras were the unique Focus Squares tool —a must, especially with the long lens work—and the on-camera control panel that can double as a monitor. The LT is, overall, a simple, intuitive camera.”

The VariCam LTs were outfitted with Fujinon Cabrio 85-300mm and Canon 17-120mm ENG-style lenses, with Sigma Primes used for some night work. The camera packages and lenses were rented from GQC Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA.

This software update adds improved support for timecode and closed captioning to Mini Converter UpDownCross HD, along with general performance and stability improvements.

What's new in Converter Utility 7.3.2

• Closed Caption support for Mini Converter UpDownCross HD
• Improved timecode support for Mini Converter UpDownCross HD

Panasonic’s next-generation PTZ camera supports high-quality video production in stadium, lecture halls and other venues. Smooth and high-quality UHD (3840 x 2160) 60p/50p, high-magnification zoom and a wide shooting angle expand the range of the PTZ camera’s applications. The camera is equipped with a variety of interfaces (incl. 12G-SDI and Optical Fiber) and supports simultaneous 4K/HD operation which allows for versatility in current and future production systems. Available Q4/218.

High speed Generation 3 PCI Express plug-in card and cable for connecting computers to products such as UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 or Blackmagic Citel 2, when you need higher speeds than Thunderbolt. This PCIe 3.0 4x adapter card needs to be installed in your computer's PCIe slot and the cable connects your UltraStudio 4K Extreme's or Cintel 2’s PCIe port to the PCIe port at the back of your computer.

Designed for newer high performance camera systems which require lower weight capacities but demand features like variable counterbalance and smooth fluid drag. With heads supporting up to 22 kg (48.5 lbs.), the Focus series has a head for everything from mirrorless and DSLR to ENG and small digital cinema packages. These compact and lightweight fluid heads are designed to offer the ultimate combination of performance and affordability. 10% off till 9/30 2018!



Focus 8
The Focus 8 Fluid Head is the ideal support for the latest ultra-lightweight cameras weighing from 0 to 8 kg. Extremely compact, the 8 features a continuously variable fluid damping system on both pan and tilt movements and a unprecedented patented variable counterbalance which brings its range of use to cover all existing cameras. The Focus 8 Fluid Head comes equipped with a sliding camera plate compatible with Sachtler ACE and Manfrotto standard plates, spirit level and orientable pan bar. Its tilt angle is +/- 90° with perfect response throughout the entire tilt range.

Focus 8 interfaces with all 75mm bowl base tripods and supports. The extreme ruggedness and versatility together with the superior quality/price ratio makes the Focus 8 the best possible support for its range.

Focus 8S
The Focus 8S Fluid Head is the easy companion to the mirrorless and DSLR shooter and the perfect support for cameras weighing up to 8 kg. Extremely compact and lightweight the Focus 8S features a continuosly variable fluid damping system on both Pan and Tilt movements while the famed CARTONI patented variable counterbalance brings its range of use to cover UHD 4K cameras.

The Focus 8S Head comes equipped with a quick release sliding camera plate, spirit level and orientable Pan bar that can be attached to a rosette on either side. The Focus 8S tilts +/- 90° with perfect response throughout the entire Tilt range. It interfaces with all 75 mm bowl base Tripods and supports. The extreme ruggedness and versatility togheter with a superb quality/price ratio make the Focus 8S the best possible support in its class.

Focus 12
The Focus 12 Fluid Head is the ideal support for the latest cameras weighing from 0 to 12 kg. Extremely compact and lightweight, the 12 features a continuously variable fluid damping system on both pan and tilt movements and a unprecedented patented variable counterbalance which brings its range of use to cover all existing ENG cameras.

The 12 Fluid Head comes equipped with a quick release Euro-style sliding camera plate, illuminated spirit level and orientable pan bar. Its tilt angle is +/- 90° with perfect response throughout the entire tilt range. Focus 12 interfaces with all 100mm bowl base tripods and supports. The extreme ruggedness and versatility together with the superior quality/price ratio make the Focus 12 the best possible support for News operators and videographers.

Focus HD
The Focus HD fluid head is the ideal support for the latest HDV cameras weighing from 0 to 12 kg. Extremely compact and lightweight, the innovative Focus HD features a continuously variable fluid damping system on both pan and tilt movements and an unprecedented patented variable counterbalance which brings its range of use to cover all existing ENG and HDV cameras.

The Focus HD head comes equipped with a quick release sliding camera plate, illuminated spirit level and telescopic pan bar. Its tilting range is +/- 90° with perfect response throughout the entire tilt range. It interfaces with all 100 mm bowl base tripods and supports. The extreme ruggedness and versatility together with an outstanding quality/price ratio make the Focus HD the best possible support for news operators and HDV videographers.

Focus 18
Built of magnesium alloy and aluminum the Focus 18 Fluid Head is specifically designed for ENG digital camcorders weighing from 6 to 18 kg. CARTONI has employed the latest in design technology to offer a Fluid Head which is extremely rugged, lightweight and cost-effective. Focus 18 offers a host of advanced features including infinitely adjustable tension settings, Euro-style quick release camera plate and switchable illuminated bubble level. The award-winning, patented Fluid dampening system ensures consistent drag levels and smooth camera movements throughout the range.

Featuring an infinitely variable counterbalance with easily-readable numerical reference, the 18 provides excellent performances at any tilt angle from +90 to -70 degrees (-90 with sliding base plate). Focus 18 interfaces with all 100 mm bowl base tripods.

Focus 22
The new Focus 22 is specifically designed to support the wide variety of new ENG cameras, so compact yet so fully accessorized, featuring the patented CARTONI “wing” continuously adjustable counterbalance. With its broad range of payloads – 3 kg to 22 kg - the 22 aims to become the ideal partner for all news gathering and outdoor shooting jobs.

Rugged but easy to operate the new Fluid Head has all the ergonomic settings at the right place. Fluid drag in both pan and tilt feature the distinctive renowned CARTONI patented infinitely adjustable labyrinth system. Positive locks, wide range sliding platform incorporating the European style quick release plate, a switchable illuminated spitit level completes the operating specs. Focus 22, weighs only 3.9 kg thanks to the extensive use of extremely lightweight magnesium alloys. The 22 interfaces with all 100 mm bowl base tripods.