Featured Tech: DJI Inspire 2

As we at BorrowFox have argued before, drones are easily the most exciting new technology in the film world. The first DJI Inspire was a great piece of kit and the second is a greatly improved version. After you read this review, you will be convinced that the DJI Inspire 2, offered on BorrowFox for as little as £150 a day, will be great for your next shoot.

DJI Inspire 2 Drone Review

Flying and Maneuverability

The Inspire 2 is, simply put, a joy to fly. If you are at all familiar with operating drones already, you will notice the equipment’s remarkable maneuverability. For those who are less familiar flying drones, one of the Inspire’s biggest selling point is its stability. The controls are intuitive and easy to master, and the built in FPV camera lets the pilot keep a constant eye on the drone’s surroundings while simultaneously filming with the built in Zenmuse X5S 4K Camera. The Inspire 2’s battery life lasts a respectable 23-27 minutes while flying which should be more than enough time to get the shots you need. There are even built in anti-obstacle controls that will keep the equipment safe.

Camera

The Zenmuse X5S 4K Camera is a beast. With a pixel size of 3.4 microns, the 20.8 megapixel sensor can capture an amazing amount of detail. Resolution wise, the Zenmuse X5S is capable of shooting in 5.2K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 60 frames per second, and goes down as low as 720p. This means that the Inspire both flies and shoots like a dream. To make things even better, there are 8 different lenses that you can swap in and out that range from 18 — 90mm. The camera is also detachable so, if you are so inclined, you can always put on a different camera depending on your preferences.

Rent a DJI Inspire 2 in London

If you are interested to see for yourself how well the Inspire 2 handles and films, check out this demo video. All in all,  if you are looking to rent a drone from BorrowFox, the DJI Inspire 2 should not be overlooked.

 

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Film Festivals in London that you Can’t Miss

While London does not host festivals with the name recognition of Sundance or Cannes, the city boasts a large variety of different themed festivals that are not available in other places in the world. At BorrowFox, we recognize the importance of soaking up as much film as you possibly can to inform your own cinematic decisions. Just as important, with the amount of different festival options in London, you are bound to find a festival where your work could easily be chosen to be shown. These are the film festivals in London that you can’t miss.

London Film Festivals

UK Film Festival

The UK Film Festival is one of the biggest, most prestigious festivals that takes place in London. The festival celebrates films from around the world in the heart of London and, unlike so many other festivals, ‘aims to champion great films but in particular is seeking work from those filmmakers who might not yet have had the chance for a prestigious public screening of their work.’ It is a great event that can introduce you to fresh new work and can give BorrowFox users who haven’t gained as much exposure as they might like a legitimate chance to be featured in a prestigious festival. Although submissions are closed for this year, the event kicks off on the 23^rd of November.

SC-FI London Festival

Unlike the UK Film Festival, the SC-FI London Festival is considerably smaller – celebrating a niche theme as opposed to a range of themes. However, that does not mean that the SC-FI festival is any less enjoyable nor does it screen less quality films. The festival is in its 17^th year, and has had judges that include John Landis and Guillermo del Torro. It is a festival ‘that brings together the best science fiction and fantastic film from around the world… and includes international features, documentaries, short films, animation and film making events.’ If you are especially interested in Science Fiction, the festival is unmissable.

London Short Film Festival

The London Short Film Festival, which will take place from the 11^th – 12^th of January, 2019, is a celebration of the less commercially viable, but equally creative world of short film. The LSFF is a cutting edge festival that features both homegrown and international talent. Every year more than 10,000 people attend the festival which takes place at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, BFI Southbank, Curzon Soho, Hackney’s MOTH Club and Dalston’s Grade II listed Rio. The large number of attendees is for a good reason. It has been a cornerstone of London’s film scene, and one of the best short film festivals in the world. Submissions are now closed but luckily this festival isn’t going anywhere. Make sure to have something ready for 2020.

Rent From BorrowFox

These are just a few of the amazing film festivals that London has to offer. For filmmakers, these events are both inspirational and potentially a great way to get your name out there and win acclaim for your work. If the festivals inspire you, make sure to rent some inexpensive, high quality kit from BorrowFox and get started on a film submission. Happy shooting!

 

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Best Movies Filmed in London

It has become a cliché in the film world that the city you film in can add an extra dimension to the piece of art. New York City is especially famous for this. Countless actors and directors, from Woody Allen to Paul Rudd, have noted that New York is often a main character in films that are shot in the city. While the romantic nature of New York certainly lends itself to film, there are just as many fantastic movies where London plays a pivotal role in the plot and general tone of the piece. For some cinematic inspiration, we at BorrowFox have compiled a short list of three of the best movies filmed in and centered around London. So, get inspired, rent some kit, and go out there and film.

London Film Classics

Notting Hill

While it was not necessarily a genre bending, revolutionary film, Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, is one of the most fondly remembered romantic comedies of the past 25 years. As the title suggests, the film takes place in the beautiful, idyllic London neighbourhood of Notting Hill. The story follows the relationship between Grant and Roberts’ characters in a light-hearted and moving fashion. The movie also does a great job of highlighting the urban beauty of the Big Smoke.

Dirty Pretty Things

Unlike the easy, carefree affluence of London portrayed in Notting Hill, Dirty Pretty Things captures the gritty, tough life of immigrants living in the city. The film captures the struggles of a Nigerian and Turkish immigrant navigating their new, incredibly foreign city. Dirty Pretty Things is a masterclass in suspense. One sociologist wrote: it is a ‘social thriller which blends aspects of the global urban legends about child kidnapping for organs and prostitutes drugging unsuspecting barflies who wake up in a hotel bathtub minus a kidney.’ It captures the London that undoubtedly exists, but that few want to acknowledge.

V for Vendetta

V For Vendetta, based on the graphic novel of the same name, is one of the most iconic London based films released in the past 50 years. The dystopian thriller captures some of the most iconic landmarks in London, but does so in a way that pictures the city under the thumb of a fascist regime. The movie has become a cult favourite, and while it has some cinematic issues, it is still a thought provoking film that depicts an entirely different London than what the viewer is used to.

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Tips for Capturing the Perfect Autumnal Photograph

With the amount of sunlight rapidly diminishing, the leaves falling off the trees, and of course the Halloween decorations sprinkled around, October is the perfect time to capture some great photographs. Autumn is a season that conjures up feelings of death, decay, and the upcoming bleakness of winter. That is not to say, however, that these themes are not good for photography. In fact, unlike Summer, Autumnal photography can help develop a photographer’s eye for moodier photographs. That is why we at BorrowFox have compiled some tips for capturing the perfect autumnal photograph.

Choose Your Autumnal Subject

The type of equipment you need, and the settings you will use are dependent on what autumn themed subject you want to photograph. Here are four potential ideas, with tips on how to get the most out of your camera for each specific idea.

Trees                                                  

The changing of the leaves during Autumn is probably what signifies the season best. The muted browns and yellows, combined with the vibrant reds of the leaves make the trees impossible to ignore, and nearly impossible not to photograph. Once you find the right tree with the perfect combination of colours and in a setting you find pleasing, you will want to think about the composition of the shot. There are a lot of different ways to compose a great photograph of a tree. One such way is to isolate the tree and shoot from a low angle with the sky as a background. Another effective idea is to shoot in a forest or a park – capturing a broad range of the splendour of the autumnal trees. Any high end camera and lens on BorrowFox will be able to do the job.

Leaves

Shooting leaves might seem similar to photographing trees, but there are vastly different techniques and equipment required to capture the small detail of an individual leaf. Firstly, find a leaf that has an interesting texture, character, and color. Once you do, find a background that will complement the leaf such as grass, your hand, the pavement etc. Once the scene is set up, break out a macro lens and try to accentuate the unique details. The results can be stunning.

Mist and Fog

Shooting in the mist and fog can be a great way to capture the evocative, mysterious, and moody nature of Autumn. Luckily, there is no shortage of mist in the UK, especially during Autumn, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a misty scene worth photographing. Whether you are shooting in the city or in nature, fog can can add a beautiful foreboding and spooky sense to a photograph – themes that fit perfectly in the season. Fog and mist will significantly effect the amount of light present, so pay close attention to your ISO and shutter speed in order to get results that are worth looking at. Additionally, you can play with the light in post production to create some truly remarkable photographs.

Halloween

Autumn is certainly a beautiful time to photograph nature scenes, but it is also a time when you explore the culture society has created around the season. Halloween is meant to be equally parts scary and silly which can offer a fascinating contrast in photographs. Taking portraits of various people in their costumes is both fun and can make for an engaging picture. A Jack O’ Lantern lit up at night can help you practice your night time photography while simultaneously replicating the interesting figures people carve during Halloween. Run with your creativity, and don’t be afraid to capture the creativity that others have put on display.

Autumn at BorrowFox

At BorrowFox, it is always our goal to make creativity accessible. So, if you are feeling especially inspired by the beautiful and fascinating sights that come with the Autumn season, follow these tips, rent some kit, and take some great photographs.

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The 4 Best Horror Films of All Time

Halloween is right around the corner. It’s certainly a time for sweets and light-hearted spookiness, but no Halloween is complete without watching a horror film or two. The horror genre is replete with a variety of sub-genres such as the classic slasher, the psychological thriller, and the low budget first person shaky camera movie. With that being said, there are plenty of poorly made horror films produced every year, especially around Halloween. If you are looking for a fright but aren’t willing to sacrifice on the overall quality of the film, we at BorrowFox have made a list of the 4 best horror films of all time to help you get into the Halloween spirit.

The Best that Horror Has to Offer

The Shining

Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, and based off of the novel by the equally accomplished Stephen King, The Shining is easily one of the most mind bending, frightening, and well made films ever made. Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall star as a husband and wife who, along with their young son, move to a desolate hotel in order for Jack (played by Nicholson) to become the caretaker. Evil spirits haunt the hotel  causing Jack to turn into a murderous, rampaging man, while the couple’s son psychically interacts with the spirits in the hotel. The film has some of the most iconic scenes in the horror genre, including the elevator scene and the “here’s Johnny scene”. The film has been rightfully credited as a masterpiece and is often rated as among the best horror films ever made.

The Blair Witch Project

The Blair Witch Project ushered a brand new type of horror when it was released. The film, which was made on a micro budget of only $60,000 and wound up grossing over $250 million, breathed new life into the horror genre. Blair Witch is an ultra realistic “lost footage” film that follows a group of student filmmakers who go to investigate the “Blair Witch” legend. The footage that the students capture is found years later and it is implied that that is what the viewer is watching. The film is chilling and masterfully constructed – especially considering the budget. Although the entire film is haunting, this scene in particular stands out as especially frightening, and is one that has made its way into the cultural consciousness.

Night of the Living Dead

George Romero’s masterful Night of the Living Dead was one of the first horror movies to transcend into a piece of art that was greater than simple shocks and frights. The 1968 film, released during the height of the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights movement, was initially considered to be nothing more than a silly, overly gory film that was only made to make the audience uncomfortable and scared. While the film certainly did achieve a level of horror, it is not a typical zombie movie. Elliot Stein wrote, Night of the Living Dead “was not set in Transylvania, but Pennsylvania – this was Middle America at war, and the zombie carnage seemed a grotesque echo of the conflict then raging in Vietnam.” If you are looking for a movie that goes above and beyond the usual elements associated with the horror genre, Night of the Living Dead is the perfect choice.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Although it pales in comparison to The Shining and Night of the Living Dead in terms of high cinematic merit, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of the most influential horror films made in the past 50 years. In the film the monster Freddy Kreuger terrorizes a group of teenagers in their dreams. He chases them with his deadly knife fingers all the while the teenagers attempt to avoid sleep at all cost. The movie, especially by today’s standards, is campy, silly, and a bit ridiculous. However, it still holds up in its ability to frighten, and was the movie that sparked the entire slasher film genre.

 

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Top Tips for Shooting Concert Photography

If you are a music aficionado, and enjoy attending the countless concerts around London, there is a high chance that you will want to capture great photographs of the event. Concert photography, even more so than other types of photography, can take a lot of practice and patience to master. However, once you do, the results are stunning. So, follow these top tips for shooting concert photography, leave the phone in your pocket, and rent some fantastic kit from BorrowFox. The results will speak for themselves.

Learn How to Photograph Concerts

Prepare

As is the case with most types of photography, concert photography requires a fair amount of preparation to ensure the best possible photos. Before attempting to shoot a concert, you will want to know what the venue is like and how the band tends to set up their shows. The size of the venue, the way the band organizes on stage, and the lighting are all aspects that can significantly effect the quality of your photographs. Knowing the basic set up before hand will help you prepare what type of equipment you want to bring and where you want to position yourself.

The Lens

The lens is probably the most important piece of equipment to consider before you embark on shooting a concert. Because concerts tend to be in low light, you will want to use a fast lens with the aperture open as wide as possible. The faster the lens and the bigger the aperture will allow what little light there is to come through in the pictures. Otherwise, you will risk getting dark, unappealing photographs.  Luckily, BorrowFox has some great options in the lens department to choose from.

Manually Expose

We have all seen the underexposed, amateurish, and frankly unappealing photographs that people proudly post on Instagram via their smartphones. Of course, a high end camera and lens will help you achieve a more professional appealing look, but it is also important to use the right tools available on higher end kit.  Utilizing the manual exposure mode on your camera is a great way to improve the quality of your photographs in the darkness of the concert setting. Depending on the artist’s desired lighting, the levels of brightness can shift dramatically throughout the length of a concert. Quick flashes of light will confuse the camera’s automatic settings. Using the manual exposure mode can help you control how much light is coming through the lens and ultimately produce better, more consistent photographs.

ISO

ISO, simply put, is the camera’s sensitivity to light. For concerts, a higher ISO is essential. Like the aperture settings, the wrong ISO setting can produce completely dark photographs. You can play with the exact value, but it is a good rule of thumb to set your ISO to 1600. 

Be Creative

The last, but certainly not least, tip is to try to think outside of the box. All too often concert photographs focus solely on the band members. However, if you are looking for a picture that will stand apart from others, consider angles that include the throngs of excited audience members. You can even shoot closeups of audience members in order to capture the pure emotion of a specific person. When you do take pictures of the artists try to capture their energy and their own excitement. Play with different angles that you don’t normally see.

BorrowFox

With these tips in mind, you can now be certain that you will produce some great photographs at the next concert you attend . If you are lacking any of the specific equipment that you think you might need, be sure to head to BorrowFox to pick up the latest top of the line kit. With enough practice, know-how, and creativity, you might even be able to get jobs shooting shows.

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Masters of the Craft: Five of the Best British Filmmakers

For better or for worse, Hollywood, for the last 80 years, has dominated how the whole world sees movies. In the same way,  American actors and directors have reached world wide acclaim to a higher degree than those who claim other nationalities. That is not to say, however, that there has been a lack of film talent in other parts of the world. In fact, Britain has produced some of the best auteurs in film history. Here at BorrowFox, we consider it a key aspect of anyone’s film career to learn from the masters of the craft. That is why we have compiled five of the best British filmmakers to help you get inspired.

Great British Directors

James Whale

Born in 1889, in Worcestershire, James Whale was one of the first British directors to make a huge impact on Hollywood. An auteur to the highest degree, Whale was one of the founding figures of the horror genre. His horror films are still widely emulated to this day. Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Old Dark House, and Bride of Frankenstein are early, but defining films in horror. Whale was worried about being pigeonholed as strictly a horror director, and he did indeed branch out into other genres. He dabbled in musicals and romantic comedies, directing the film version of Show Boat, and the romantic comedy Candlelight. Despite his reticence concerning his desire to be known for more than one genre, his lasting legacy are his masterful works of horror.

Sir Alexander Korda

Producer Alexander Korda was one of the most prolific and well regarded filmmakers in British history. Korda escaped from his native Hungary in the 1930s and eventually became a fully naturalized British citizen in 1936. The producer, who often worked with his two brothers – director Zoltan and art director Vincent Korda – had 74 producer credits over his illustrious career. Korda was not only prolific, but also extremely talented. He was always daring and willing to experiment with different stories. He gave Laurence Olivier one of his first acting roles and was best known for classics like The Private Life of Don Juan, The Third Man, and the Oscar winning The Private Life of Henry VIII. Korda’s talent made him the first British filmmaker ever to be knighted, making him one of the most significant filmmakers in the history of the country.

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier remains as one of the most recognizable and beloved forces in the history of British cinema. A brilliant actor and director of the highest degree, Olivier is rightfully considered to be a national treasure. His work in Shakespeare’s oeuvre is the stuff of legend. It was once said that Olivier could speak Shakespeare’s lines as easily as thinking them. Olivier’s acting career spanned decades and earned him an Academy Award for best actor. Olivier was also an accomplished director. His adaptations of Henry V, Hamlet, and Richard III are considered to be directorial masterpieces and the quintessential adaptations of the plays.

 Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock, like Olivier, garnered immense critical favor and commercial success and is one of the most memorable directors in the history of cinema. Classics like Psycho, Vertigo, and The Birds have stood the test of time, and have become mainstays in the collective cultural consciousness. His work in the horror genre, like Whale’s, was formative and is still widely emulated to this day. Even more importantly, Hitchcock completely revolutionized cinematography and essentially created the script on how to perfectly build tension and anxiety in film.

Sir David Lean

Last but certainly not least, Sir David Lean, born in Crydon, had one of the most storied and impressive directorial careers in the history of cinema. From 1941 to 1984 Lean directed a total of 19 films, many of which were instant classics. In the 40s Lean adapted two Charles Dickens classics – Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. In the 1950s, already with impressive credits under his name and a Cannes Grand Prize award for Brief Encounter, Lean began to direct the high budget, immersive epics for which he would come to be remembered for. The brilliant The Bridge on the River Kwai won 7 Academy awards, including for best picture and best director. From there, Lean directed Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago two more movies that were recognized  as immediate classics.  Lean was knighted in 1984 and while his personal life made him a controversial figure, he is rightly remembered as one of, if not the best filmmaker to come from Britain.

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