We probably all dream with great fear that working with Arri Alexa is extremely difficult. But it is not. This is the best camera I have ever worked with, it is designed to be absolutely user-friendly, and it is used in 90% of films for a reason.
First times
When I put the Arri Alexa mini on my shoulder for the first time, I could say that the hormones of happiness were released. First of all, it’s made of high-quality materials, it’s sturdy, I wouldn’t say it’s very heavy, but it wasn’t difficult to find the weight balance. It doesn’t matter if you’re filming a short or a music video, whatever, find your most comfortable weight balance. The camera should not fall forward or backward as if it were part of your body.
Don’t be afraid to press the finder close to you. The first time I looked through the viewfinder, I was surprised – OMG what a good face, dynamic range, it seems you could film anything and you feel like you are in the cinema.
When I put the Arri Alexa mini on my shoulder for the first time, I could say that the hormones of happiness were released
Paulius Aleškevičius
False Color is one of the most convenient tools. I worked with Black Magic for a long time, but it wasn’t difficult to understand how it works.
Check out how to use False Colour below:
Lenses
It all depends on what you are filming, what kind of look, the budget, what you like, and how you want to convey the idea. I think one of the cheapest and best options is Dzo Film lenses. Vespid Prime or Zooms. I used it myself and I was very satisfied.
I recommend checking out: https://www.dzofilm.com/
5 tips from my experience
1. Watch Movies
Indulge in watching your favorite films, gather information about their techniques, and incorporate them into your own filming!
2. Download Arri alexa footage
Don’t forget to download the Arri Alexa footage. On Arri Alexa’s official page you can find every Arri Alexa raw material, be sure to download it, it costs nothing! I hope you’re using Davinci, so don’t be afraid to experiment and let yourself go when coloring the material.
Download free footage here: https://www.arri.com/en/learn-help/learn-help-camera-system/camera-sample-footage-reference-image
3. Don’t be afraid to seek solutions.
If you work in a large team, don’t be afraid to consult with a grip. Seek the best and most convenient solutions, as you should feel good and fulfill your own creative magic.
4. Camera Testing
If you don’t have the chance to test a camera, the best way to find information is through online research. Before my first shoot with the Arri Alexa Mini, I personally read everything I could, watched all available videos, and found a highly useful resource, the Arri Alexa Mini Simulator: https://tools.arri.com/fileadmin/adapps/alexa_mini_simulator/index.html
This simulator allows you to understand how the entire Arri Alexa mini-menu works! Also external connection. It’s an amazing thing that I tried and I felt more confident about shooting.
Arri Alexa mini LF: https://tools.arri.com/fileadmin/adapps/simulators/mini-lf/
5. Be yourself
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself, vibe with your team, be yourself (even if your team feels like they’re working in Hollywood). Be brave, get out of the box, do your own thing, find your own style, nobody cares if you’re a copycat.
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