What is guerrilla filmmaking? Guerrilla filmmaking refers to a form of independent filmmaking characterized by low budgets, skeleton crews, and simple props using whatever is available. Often scenes are shot quickly in real locations without any warning, and without obtaining permission from the owners of the locations. Guerrilla filmmaking is usually done by independent filmmakers because they don't have the budget to get permits, rent out locations, or build expansive sets. Also studios tend not to use guerrilla filmmaking tactics because they could be sued, fined, or get their reputation... [Nov 06]

Fast just isn't the right word to describe the RS800. Its a BEAST! Ok, I know that this currently doesn't have anything to do with filmmaking, but I will be strapping waterproof video cameras to it very soon! This is our RS800, which I own with Charlie. Its one of the fastest monohulled dinghies around and probably the easiest skiff to get to grips with! Here are the principle features of the RS800: Hull Long and narrow on the waterline, to reduce the drag Flared topsides give reserve buoyancy for easier handling Large, carefully positioned kick blocks make the transition... [Oct 16]

The inventive talents of a Kendal teenager look set to propel him towards a promising future after he was crowned one of the best young engineers in the North West. Jacob Deane, 19, is celebrating after receiving a coveted award in the North West Young Engineer for Britain competition for the second year running. The former Queen Katherine School pupil won his age group with his 'Bike Sled' project. The working device, which attaches to a 4x4 vehicle, is used to hoist objects such as canoes, skis or bicycles on to the roof rack safely and smoothly. Jacob, who is currently studying Ship... [May 30]

The Macbook is one of the fastest laptop computers on the market for its size. It boasts a 2Ghz Intel Core Duo processor, making it a speedy beast for video editing. The new mackbook features a glossy screen which is very easy to clean. It also features Apple's mag safe power connector, which is a power cable held in by magnets so your laptop won't go flying of your desk if you trip over the power cable. Also it features a magnet in the place of the traditional latch to hold the laptop closed. To top this all off it features a built in isight webcam. The Macbooks main atraction is its... [May 25]

JD Pictures will be producing only the highest quality films from now on thanks to the amazingly powerful DVX100BE! This camera really does produce beautiful footage that looks uncannily like it was shot on film! The DVX100BE is a big beast, no point trying to deny it. Its certainly a bit of a different beast to the dinky Sony that I used previously. It has a fairly intuitive layout - all the buttons are where you would expect to find them! Looking at the camera from the front, you can see the huge lens shade which protects the lens from unwanted reflections. Quite a lens it is too. Its... [May 25]

Digital Cinema hits the UK! I was very excited to learn that my local independent cinema now has a digital projector. The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal showed Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest in digital. Needless to say, the quality and definition was really fantastic, and as to be expected, there was no degradation, dust or scratches anywhere in the film. I decided to investigate the technologies behind digital cinema a little further. The Brewery Arts Centre is one of 150 cinemas in the UK to be fitted with digital projectors. The UK Film Council has awarded a contract worth... [May 25]

Well, the gang have returned from India and we have got 13hrs of footage to edit - should be fun! The plan is to dump it to hard disk this weekend so until then I won't be sure what we've got to edit! We will be using Macs with Final Cut Express for the first time so I guess there will be a bit of a learning curve involved! I might set up a new section on the site or perhaps on the YETI sub site giving further details on our progress. I will keep you up to date and once edited, teasers and trailers will appear on this site and the YETI sub site! Further more, the YETI site should recieve a... [May 25]

The plan is to go an a bit of an adventure in my 1979 Series III Landrover, affectionatly refered to as 'Ermintrude'. She is a fairly standard short wheel base series III, with the 2¼ litre petrol engine - by far the simplest and therefore easiest to fix 4x4 in the world! Its pretty good on the rough stuff too - showing up most modern off-roaders. Not bad for a 28 year old vehicle! A few modifications have been made to Ermintrude since I bought her two years ago. She has a new fuel tank - the old one leaked slightly. New clutch slave cylinder - the old one leaked causeing a drop in... [May 19]

Well its about time that I sorted out my summer. So much time, so little to do! The plan is to go for a bit of an expedition in my Landrover... Should be good! More coming soon - I promise! [May 19]

Jacob Deane has won a top award in this year's Shape the Future photo competition, a celebration of engineering and technology through photography. The five images of wind turbines have been selected to be shown at the 2006 Celebration of Engineering in Greenwich next month. The theme for the competition was "how engineering and technology improves our lives." The local windfarm seemed a good subject for the competition - it improves our lives but does it 'scar' the landscape? Personally I love the sleek looks and awesome power these machines have. I think it is a... [May 09]