Director: Ou Chu Ping
DoP: Jung Suk Park
Producer: Moira Connor
Camera Operator: Kevin Michael Martin

So the spring of 2006 was upon us, birds chirping, flowers blooming and a close to one of the rainiest winters in Vancouver, BC’s history. I mean no sun for almost 60 days straight. Pretty wild. Despite the torrid rain and cold weather finals had finally arrived.

Two rounds of films, first on digital and the second on 16mm film. My plan for these rounds was to stay in the camera department to get as much experience and credits in the camera department as I could. So I was selected by Jung Suk and Chu-Ping to be the camera operator along with Jon Pander as 1st AC.

It was a breath of fresh air to film a project in a more hospitable manner. Not pulling all nighters or working in the dead of winter outside wading in frozen ponds like Frost. Nope this one was regular hours with only one night shoot.

Goodbye was shot using the Sony DSR 570 DV Cam with a Fujjinon lens. The project was a dramatic love story. Shooting entirely on location crossing all over Vancouver proper.

I suppose the biggest part of the film was that there was a great deal of hand held shots following a lot of action blocked by the director. Coming from a documentary background I was more comfortable with this method of operating. But it was a big learning experience on how to work directly with the director, actors and DP to capture the blocking and movement just right.

This shoot was a blast to work on, cat naps in Denny’s at 4 am, sunrises, Northwest rain, good people and working the camera.

The camera and lighting crew left to right 1st AC Jonny Pander, Cam Op Kevin Michael Martin, Gaffer Dick Chua, DoP Jung Suk Park

Kevin Martin and Jonny Pander working their camera mojo on the set of Goodbye

Bundeling up durring our night shoot downtown Vancouver, BC

Going crosseyed in the cab on as we slate for the cut away.

Taking up the streets of Vancouver, BC.

You can never forget to laugh on set.