W: What type of dance do you do? How did you get your start as a dancer?

ChazB: I am a B-Boy and have been Breaking (proper name for Breakdancing) for 8 years. Started taking classes that a high school friend was attending. Went to the classes for a while and I really enjoyed them. I noticed that my confidence grew tenfold through Breaking so I kept pursuing it, and now it’s the main reason for my travels and my other endeavours.

W: How did you become a dance videographer?

ChazB: I started filming at the same time I started battling. I would attend these small Breaking competitions, enter the battle and film other dancers’ battles too. Was only using a compact camera at the time. After these battles I’d let the other dancers know I’d filmed them and would upload them online. A few years later it became a habit to do this and I decided to invest in a small camcorder. In 2011 I joined a dance media channel called Strife.tv, and I decided to take filming more seriously, especially because Strife.tv was one of the most popular dance networks at the time. Was filming with them for 3 years then left with some other members to create Stance.

W: It looks like a lot of your dance videos are of break dancing. What drew you to break dancing?

ChazB: To be honest, I’ve stuck with it because I love it. It’s what I’ve decided to immerse myself in. Every week people are doing some incredible moves and displaying some great dancing ability. It’s the most dynamic dance out there. When I’m filming Breaking there’s endless ways to approach it. I like to get really creative with it. Been filming Breaking “professionally” for 4 years now and I’m still in love with it. As long as the moves keep elevating, my filming will too. Within the last year I found myself filming other dance styles such as Popping, Hip Hop Freestyle and Contemporary. However, Breaking is where my heart is at.

W: How is filming dance different from filming other projects? Are there special precautions you have to take or editing tricks you use?

ChazB: It’s different because it requires a higher level of thought. There are so many intricacies that need capturing. People try and film dance like sports, but unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. With dance, you need to get everything in shot. If you only film certain parts of the dancer’s body, you’ll be missing the full picture. Dance is an incredibly beautiful art form to film. Everything needs to be on display for others to see. For faster movements, a high shutter speed is best.

However, it takes a dancer to know how a dancer should be represented. It’s why I encourage people interested in documenting dance to dance themselves. So they truly understand how dancers move and what’s necessary to capture them in their essence. Knowing this can put them in a great position when it comes to filming dancers and dance events.

W: How do you choose the music for your videos?

ChazB: Mainly by emotional response. Other times it’s matching specific movements to certain pieces of music. I love to use music that dancers wouldn’t be seen dancing to. Especially slower music to show the artistic side to dancing. However, I’ve used fast music before. It’s all in the approach. Your choice of music can ultimately change how the video is perceived. Experiment and see what’s best to use.

W: Do you get invited to events? Or do you search them out and choose which ones you want to be at?

ChazB: For a while I was filming events I was already travelling to. This was off my own back and sometimes I’d get free entry to do this. A short while later I was invited to film a few events across the UK. Nowadays I’m invited to film international dance events and festivals across Europe (for now). You’ll see me at some of the most popular events in the world. I’m honoured that I’ve been around to film many incredible moments. Want to say thank you to every event organiser that’s invited me to capture their event!

W: Tell us about your experience as a Winston Churchill Fellow. Where did you travel? What have been the results of your travels?

ChazB: I was the youngest person in 2014 to be awarded a Travelling Fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. My research took me to the US to learn how Breaking and Hip Hop affect young people from deprived backgrounds. Travelled to New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, LA, San Diego, Houston, and Orlando. Over the course of 8 weeks I spoke to many dancers, owners of community centres, and social justice organisations. Learned many different practices I can use in my city (Glasgow, Scotland) to help grow the dance scene there. My main observations are to keep all dance projects affordable, easily accessible and consistent all year round.

W: What’s next for you? Any big projects on the horizon?

ChazB: Right now I’m collaborating with some local arts organisations to run some community projects. To inspire young people to engage with Breaking. Also in the process or organising future events and acquiring free venue space for dancers to use. My main goal right now is to raise awareness of my research and community efforts. While all of this is going on I’ll still be travelling and filming different international events.

Connect with ChazB here:

Instagram: @chazbonnar

Twitter: @ChazB

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Several apps and solutions have been created to address this problem specifically. iPhone users can use Airdrop to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac, or between iPhones. Similar services like Pushbullet’s Portal app and Filedrop make it easy to share files as long as you have a wifi connection.

Other apps are focusing on re-sizing images to make it easier to send them via email or SMS. JPEGmini is an app that re-compresses JPEG files up to 80 percent. Today TechRadar published a feature on the app, which is supposed to make it easier for photographers to compress images and retain image quality. It’s no secret that smaller image sizes make it easier to transfer and share images between devices, (not to mention epitomize the editing process.) The JPEGmini premium app is available on iTunes, and costs $19.99. Users can download the free version, but are only allowed to re-size up to 20 images a day at no cost.

The file transfer solutions mentioned above make it easier to move media, but most of them come with a catch. Airdrop, Portal, and Filedrop work best with a wifi connection, and are mostly designed for sharing smaller-sized files. If you need to re-size more than 20 images a day, JPEGmini is an expensive option. Also, the app only works with photos. So, if video is your thing, you’ll need to find another way to transfer your files while retaining quality.

Wispeo combines the best features from every file sharing solution.

You can use Wispeo for free, and you can transfer as many files as you need to at any give time. You really don’t need to resize your photos to make them easier to transfer, either. If you use Wispeo, you can send large files in their original format. In fact, you can send up to 3GB of files at a time, and they’ll reach their destination in the highest quality regardless of their size.

Want to see for yourself? Give it a try at wispeo.com.

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The Alchemist’s Tome | Aegir from Adam Nawrot on Vimeo.

When cinematographer Adam Nawrot filmed Aegir (embedded above), he and his team walked away from the experience with two written warnings, four tickets, and a court appearance. Adam’s game plan for filming Aegir and other pieces like it? “We’re gonna do it till we get kicked out,” he said.

Adam identifies in a lot of ways. He’s a photographer, a cinematographer, and an editor. His expertise extends to film scoring, music composition, graphic design … The list goes on. If you’re into adventure film and cinematography, you’ll want Adam on your team.

In high school he was interested in music composition and film scoring. Later, at Rutgers University, he discovered a passion for filmmaking – specifically cinematography. When Adam was at Rutgers, there wasn’t a film department yet in place, so he took an interdisciplinary approach to learning the craft and he worked on several feature-length films in college.

One experience took him to Italy, where he worked with another cinematographer on the documentary film, “Princess of Piombino,” which details the life of modern Roman royalty. “That’s such a wild story,” said Adam, when asked about the film.”It’s about these family dynasties that exist after the world of family dynasties…shooting it felt like it was a mix between ‘meet the Kardashians,’ and Downton Abbey.”

“We’re gonna do it till we get kicked out”

When Adam graduated from Rutgers with a degree in graphic design, he’d developed a love for the multifaceted art of filmmaking.

He has never been scared of a challenge. Rafting expeditions, kayaking, caving, biking, and ice climbing are just some of the risky enterprises he’s captured. When Adam shoots outdoor footage, he says it’s a “really weird half Hollywood set, half adventure expedition scenario.” But the footage he’s capturing is the real deal, and working in adventure film can be dangerous.

It’s Adam’s job to remain focused, despite his surroundings. He reflected on his role in an adventure filmmaking team, saying, “If I’m shooting kayaking I can’t go out there and focus on having a good time kayaking or a good time filmmaking. It has to be one or the other.”

Usually, Adam shoots video with a team, and often works with athletes to capture adventure footage. Adam’s in charge of directing the whole process. “It’s important to know what you’re asking them [the athletic team] to do, just so you’re not putting anyone at risk,” he said.

“If I’m shooting kayaking I can’t go out there and focus on having a good time kayaking or a good time filmmaking. It has to be one or the other.”

Once Adam has the footage he needs the next step is editing the film, which is often a rigorous process.

He looks for specific things when cutting film, with the intent of either conveying subtle messages or really jarring the viewer. If Adam wants frames to blend together, he concentrates on how the colors in each frame mix together, and makes sure that a person’s eye movement remains consistent between transitions. When he wants to convey not-so-subtle messages, he plays up the differences between frames to make it obvious that a cut’s been made.

Adam works with composers to add music to his footage. Music plays a large role in his work and Adam says that in some ways, the process of creating footage parallels music. “I really love creating things that are cohesive sonically and visually, and operating in a way that’s not unlike the way that music operates,” he said.

Adam also focuses on drone operation. “The first time I saw the shots people were getting with drones, it was bananas,” he said. After becoming acquainted with this new technology, he co-founded Protoscience Media Lab, a production company that specializes in aerial photography. Most of the footage Adam captures for Protoscience is shot on Freefly Systems drones. He said taking aerial footage on drones is congruent with his personal style.

“It ties back into this whole desire to have my hand show in the photos I am taking,” he said, explaining that drones are able to capture images from unique vantage points that  have never been captured before. Like adventure film and photography, flying drones is a risky business, “It is incredibly stressful,” he admitted, “Especially if I’m flying an 80 thousand dollar camera…All it takes is one big gust of wind.”

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You are definitely not alone. 2015 is supposed to be the year of the drone, and the Consumer Electronics Association expects sales to pass the $100 million mark this year. Drone maker DJI is on pace to do $1 billion in sales this year alone.

Because there are so many drones out on the market, it may be hard to know what you’re looking for your first time out. We’re here to help you with some tips and advice for videographers and cinematographers looking to get started in the aerial videography field.

First off, when you’re looking at any drone, there are a couple features to look for to help you capture good aerial footage:

• Livestream footage to the pilot – also known as FPV (first person view). While you can plan really well and throw a drone up there to get a shot, having FPV will help you actually frame your footage.
• Image stabilization. Most of the new drones coming out have a 3-axis gimbal, so this tip may not be very relevant in the future – but make sure if you’re looking at an older model you find one that can stabilize on all 3 axes (pitch, yaw, roll).
• Camera. Definitely look at resolution on your drone’s built-in camera – or how much camera weight a drone can hold if you’re looking to attach your own GoPro or something similar. Another thing to think about with a camera is its ability to tilt and reframe the shot during flight.
• Application information available. Most drones have an accompanying iOS or Android app that allows you to use the FPV and gives you information about your flight. Not all apps are equal and each one has different information they share. At minimum, make sure you have one that shows flight height and battery life remaining.
• Battery life. For short flights over a single building or to catch a specific scene, a battery flight time of 7 or 8 minutes could be fine. But if you are working to frame a shot and testing different angles, you’ll probably want to look for a drone with a battery life at least in the teens, if not higher.
• Range. You’ll need to know what kind of footage you want to get and the range you’ll need to get it. A lot of drones are limited to 150 feet from the controller, others can go much, much farther.
• Portability. Whether you plan on hiking up into the back country or travel around the city for some urban aerial shots, you’ll want to make sure you can port your drone around relatively easily. Find one that lets you easily take the rotors off, without a wrench or other tools, so you don’t have to pack extra gear if you are taking it into the back country. Many drones have rotors that can spin right off.

Here are a couple additional tips we found helpful: get a cheap practice drone and learn how to fly and crash it well. Really. That way you’re not throwing away $1,200 your second time out (and it’s not an exaggeration. Our second time out with the Phantom a technical malfunction meant we nearly got it hit by two vans and came close to clipping the top of a bus … another tip, don’t fly the drone near a busy road your second time out). Spending $1,290 to get a nice drone and a practice drone is better than spending $1,200 on a nice drone and then $500 two weeks later on repairs.

It’s also important to know what the airspace laws are in your neck of the woods. For right now in the US, drones can legally go up to 400 feet without running afoul of the FAA suggestions. You also can’t fly a drone within 2 miles of the White House, within five miles of an airport without permission, or in national parks. Outside of those regulations, flying a drone for personal or recreational use is largely unregulated. If you want to fly it commercially you need to get an exemption request from the FAA and a pilot’s license.

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W: Can you tell us how you got your start?
BM: I got my start in videography about 10 years ago during my freshman year in high school. My friends and I seemed to do a lot of what you would call “stupid” stuff so we wanted to document it. Simply put, I had a camera and always found myself being the one to film it. I soon realized I had a passion for working with a camera and took that passion to skiing. I used my other passion of skiing as a gateway to film more. Fast forward 7 years and I was lucky enough to create a viral video that currently sits at over 8 million views on YouTube with the help of Ohio Dreams. Working closely with Ohio Dreams has allowed me to make several connections.

W: What is your biggest inspiration?
BM:Often people compare me to Devin Graham who is known as Devin Super Tramp. I think I truly realized where I wanted to take my career when I saw Devin’s original Rope Swing video which boosted his career as well. Not only have I looked up to Devin’s work, but I look to ski film companies like Level 1 and of course one of the biggest name in actions sports, Redbull.

W: How would you describe your style?
BM: I love me some crispy goodness, meaning I am a huge sucker for detail in pure quality. I think that’s why I began considering myself a cinematographer. I focus on telling a story through the lens, rather than with a script.

W: Tell us the story behind one of the photos/videos we’re featuring – why did you choose that photo/video to send?
BM: “Dedicated” is still one of my favorite videos to date. The idea was something I had been wanting to do for a while and when the day came to shoot, the weather wasn’t looking good. In Ohio the weather can change in an instant and sure enough it changed in our favor. The shoot began at 5:30am before the sun came up to get every shot of the subject Brandt going through his morning routine of setting up the terrain park. Before we knew it, it was the sunniest I have ever seen it at that ski resort and we filmed from sunrise to sundown. I ended up winning a contest with that video and still refer to it as some of my best work.

W: Where are your favorite spots to shoot?
BM: Out in the mountains. Seeing as I live in Ohio, this rarely happens but any time I can be in pure untouched nature, I am happy.

W: What kind of equipment do you use?
BM: My go-to piece of equipment is my trusty glidecam. It has an infinite amount of uses in a shoot to get any shot possible. When I’m not using a Sony mirrorless camera on the glidecam, I have my GoPro mounted to a Feiyu tech gimbal.

W: Do you have any special techniques? Do they define your style?
BM: I shoot with music in mind. Every shot I create, I already have a specific section of music picked out to match it perfectly. I believe your video is only as good as the audio you choose.

W: What challenges have you had to overcome in this industry?
BM: Money and resources. I know it sounds cliché but it’s the truth. I’ve found myself literally making equipment to meet the shot I want to create. I’ve made sliders, stabilizers, and even an attempt at a cable cam with whatever I could get in my garage and local hardware store. Heck, my grandmother gave me the loan to purchase my first real video camera. Ohio obviously isn’t the mecca of filmmaking so you have to get creative with your shooting. We don’t have studios or beautiful locations to shoot in as much as other states out west or the east coast would. I could film the exact same thing at a ski location in Ohio and a location out in the Rockies and the footage would look much better out west.

W: How do you see your career progressing?
BM: My long term goal is to become one of two things. One would be to work full time for YouTube, traveling, shooting content all over the world. The second would to be to work full time as a cinematographer for an action sports company like Redbull. See a pattern?

Brice is based in Ohio.
Contact him on Instagram: @bricemilleson, Twitter: @BriceMilleson, or YouTube: Brice Milleson
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