Videography with Fujifilm: Alan Sayers
In the first of a series of interviews with Fujifilm videographers across South Africa, we chat to Joburg-based Alan Sayers. Alan has been behind the camera since the age of eight, with videography almost a calling for him. This former Fujifilm ambassador tells us more about Fujinon cine lenses, his rig setup and shooting with Film Simulations.
Alan Sayers
How and when did you get started in videography?
I remember my very first time operating a video camera was on a holiday to the Kruger National Park with my parents. I was about eight or nine at the time, taking the camera from my dad and looking through the viewfinder. At that point it felt like a whole new world opened in front of my “one eye”. Capturing the wildlife and learning how to keep the camera steady all felt right.
Some years passed and at the age of 18 I joined my father’s music and video production company, with my job filming a corporate golf day. I was hooked, the entire creative process was an incredible experience.
Alan Sayers Fujifilm Showreel
What camera do you work with or is your favourite to shoot with? What do you believe the unit brings to the table for your type of shooting?
I’ve been fortunate to have worked with a variety of cameras. From Betacam, DVCam and MiniDV cameras, to HDMI camcorders and DSLR cameras. Currently I am shooting with the Fujifilm X-H2 and in all honesty it is my favourite camera I’ve worked with.
The quality and simplicity of the camera make my work so much easier. Because of the brilliant colour science that sets Fujifilm apart from all the other competitors, I can film and produce projects with the least amount of colour grading during post production.
The camera has all the input features required for external sound and monitors, plus it films in high quality 4K which allows me to crop into certain parts of the footage. I feel the X-H2 is the perfect video camera for a wide variety of film genres.
Sampaule
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You have worked with the Fujinon cine lenses – what do they do differently than regular Fujinon glass?
It is difficult to explain just how good the Fujinon cine lenses are. The glass gives you a more cinematic grain and feel, the focus is smooth and soft, and I have always loved the look I get from manual focus. The beautiful mistakes one sometimes gets adds that unique imperfect moment that sets your footage apart from perfect autofocus footage.
Winter
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Do you have an elaborate rig setup, or do you prefer to keep it simple?
I keep things rather simple. I do have a 4K monitor mounted on my camera and I film with the Fujinon cine lenses. I mostly shoot on a tripod and recently I have started to use a Ronin RS3 Pro gimbal.
Easy B
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Do you shoot with Film Simulations or are you a believer in F-Log and grade in post?
For most of my work I shoot using either the Eterna or Classic Chrome setting. On rare occasions I do film in F-Log, especially when I film music videos, short films or adverts.
What is the one thing you learnt or did differently that greatly improved your videography?
The one lesson I have learnt is not something technical, and that is to listen to others’ ideas on set. As a videographer one can become so focussed during a project that you start to struggle with tunnel vision, missing potential amazing angles or scenes.
Jesse Clegg
Follow Alan here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alansayers.insta/
