After years of shooting Barrett Jackson Auctions I have become a car Collector too. When Ford, Carol Shelby & Barrett Jackson got together to create the Limited Edition Shelby Mustang GT how could I not buy one. I have made it the Ion of my company too. Wow! is my answer to anyone who asks. I love it and so does the whole Family. It is my first Ford and could not be more happy with the car. No, I well not be using it to carry Camera Gear. but it makes a great metafor for Quaility and proforance.

Dave Jones of Opal Images Inc. shot the Red Carpet & Various Stand ups with Ryan Seacrest at Super Bowl 43 in Glendale AZ. It was a lot fun shooting almost sports at the Super Bowl. We cover behind the senses of Ryan doing the FOX pre game show. We shoot all of Ryans stand up for E! news while he was in Phoenix. Plus we interviewed and followed a lot of Celebrities. Most of my time as a camera Operator has been coving Hard core sporting events this was a fun break.

Barrett Jackson Adopts Sony XDCAM HD System for the world’s greatest collector car events. The Press Release reads as follows:

Sony Tops 31,000 in deliveries of XDCAM Optical Disc Technology.

Las Vegas, Nab Booth #SU906, April 13,2008-Sony has delivered more than 31,000 units of its XDCAM Professional Disc technology since the system’s introduction in 2004, including the standard- and high-definition verions of its optical camcorders and Decks.

Sony’s newest generation of optical technology, the XDCAM422 camcorder (model PDW-700) and Deck ( Model PDW-HD1500) (these products will be finding a home at Opal Images they do not do 24p or effects they are great of ENG APS only) is also already gaining acceptance and commitiments from Broadcasters, television producers, rental houses and others.

At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention here this week, Sony is announcing the recent adoption of XDCAM HD technology by a range of customers in diverse appilcations.

On the network level, a combination of SD and HD XDCAM techology is in use by CNN,CBS,PBS,WNBC (NEW York), and ABC will be standardizing on the XDCAM platform.

XDCAM technology is also becoming the format of choice for owned-and-operated stations, as well as groups such as Hearst-Argyle, Tribune Broadcasting, Belo and others.

XDCAM technology, both the standard and High-Definition version has become a favoite of reality television producers for its on-set flexibility random access and editing convenience.

The program “Survivor” will begin its 17th season in early 2009 by shooting in HD with Sony’s XDCAM HD system.

Also, when the 21st season of the reality show “COPS” premiere this fall, all 36 episodes will be shot using Sony’s XDCAM HD Professional Disc System.

“COPS” post production supervisor Mitsuo Goto said he recommended the XDCAM system to Langley Productions, the creator and producer of COPS, as an efficient,cost-efective way to transition from its current tape-based infrastructure to an all file-based work flow-saving money and time throughout the production process.

Langley Productions purchased 13 XDCAM HD units for the COPS production team.

“The Camera has tremendous depth of field and produces phenomenal images in low-light situations, which is the most common shooting scenario for this series,” Goto said. “this is critical since the crew is frequently running after bad guys. We needed a camera that could take a lot of shock, and this one was definitely up to the job”.

Other reality shows that use XDCAM systems include “Extreme Home Makeover”,”Mythbusters,”"Ice Road Truckers,”"On the Lot,”and “Assume the Position.”

The benefits of XDCAM technology are also being realized in the distribution and review of HD dailies for motion picture and television production. For example, proxy files can be copied to a laptop and then posted to an FTP (flle transfer protocal) site to send to anyone who needs to review the daily. This is a much faster and more efficient process than using overnight deliveries and waiting a day or more to see if a re-shoot is necessary. Now, before set is struck, a daily can be reviewed and decisions made while the talent, crew and set are all still in place, not only saving time but also money.

Xdcam technology is not only for broadcast television production.

Barrett-Jackson, best know for its auctions of classic and collector cars, has adopted Sony’s XDCAM HD professional Disc System for all its video production operations including “Life on the Block,” broadcast on FOX’s SPEEDTV Channel.

Since January, the company said it has been using XDCAM HD PDW-350 camcordes and PDW-75 decks, replacing its legacy infrastructure of Digital Betacam, Betacam SP and HDCAM gear.

Existing tape archives recorded on these formats will all be transferred to an XDCAM HD opitical disc library that Barrett-Jackson said it will use for future productions.

The company specicalizes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. These events are recorded and, according to David Jones, the Emmy award winning owner/operator of Opal Images Inc., the Phoenix-Arizona based company that develops Barrett-Jackson’s video production, image quality and flexibility were his top criteria.

” I fell in love with the XDCAM HD system at first sight,” Jones said. “I’ve been in the business a long time, and have never been this excited about a format. You really want to see these cars in detail. They’re works of art and this is the type of system that can really do them justice.”

In addition to “Life on the Block,” Jones’ work for Barrett-Jackson includes a range of behind-the-scences material that is used for several purposes. Footage is used for commercials in SD and HD as well as for sponsor/vendor suport and product promotions. Another key use is basic documentation of vehicles as well as of the auction themselves, Often,successful bidders for collectible cars request footage of their winning auctions, and as he described it,”they have a very discerning eye for detail, and the content has to be able to stand up to intense scrutiny.”

The action at an auction is often spontaneous, so having a camera that can react quickly and not miss a shot was important for Jones, who was impressed by the ability to review footage immediately as thumbnails on the camcorder’s LCD screen, and to be able to switch back to live recording at the press of the record button. The PDW-f350’s in camera effects including time lapses, under crankingand over cranking give an eye-catching, and unique flavor to our productions.

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The New season of Barrett Jackson Life on the Block is on the air for 2007-2008. The show is on Speed Channel on monday night and Sunday check your local listings. This year is bigger and better and it was lot of fun to shoot. With Carol shebly’s cobra selling for a record 5.5 million dollars you will not want to miss it. See you at the auction, shooting another season of the show. This coming years season should be even better. Barrett Jackson is always pushing to be better… So this year we are shooting HD .That right the entire show is going be to shot in Sony HDXDCAM. Details to follow.

Opal Images just completed a series of shoots for Honda Dealers around the West. We were interested in testing the Sony F-350 HD XDCAM on a high end demanding Client The big question? Can this format in a 1/2 inch Camera do the job of the Sony F-900R or the Panasonic Varicam? The results were shocking to me. We put the camera through every test: Studio White, Studio Set, Outdoors, Running shots outdoors, Steadicam shots from a camera Truck and Time lapses. The format as tested looks as good as any 2/3 HD tape formats that I have ever shot on with a little color correction in post, and I have been shooting HD for almost 10 years. Let me be honest, I have been old school when it has meant moving away from conventional tape media. It is what I know, NOT ANYMORE! Frankly to use tape now with XDCAM out there is just not in the best interest of your client or yourself. The format will save you so much time post it’s scary! This format does everything P2 should do, but it realy works and no expenive P2 cards that end up costing more than the camera, or you spend of you time down loading and not shooting. HD XDCAM Disks are cheaper than Digital Betacam tape and records 2 hours vs. 40 min. Bottom line, the format is cheap compared to other high end HD formats and it works a lot better, when Sony says it is the next Betacam I believe they are under stating what this format is coming to our bussiness. Remmber I said this, if you let the fact that this format is not 2/3 yet, stop you for using it, you will be sorry when other companies have taken your client down the road. I have not been the excited about a camera or a format in a long time. The industry has been waiting for a format to take the lead. Hold on, it is here! This format will do things I could talk about all day. Maybe I will address that in later entry…

David Jones

Owner of Opal Images

Opal Images started production on a new Golf reality show Called Rebel on the Links. Dan Roland is that rebel and his quest is to make the PGA Tour in one year of training, with the best equipment, best coaching and lots of time on the best golf courses.So, you may ask, why does this make Dan Roland a rebel on the links? Simply because it has never been done and many wold say it is impossible! The show is being shot in

High Defination on location in Arizona. Using the Sony F-350 HDXDCAM, Panasonic HD SDX-900, we were able to match the two different formats in preproduction. Not to mention we used a Sony F-900R to shoot parts of the opening of the show. The mixing of formats and 24P time code has been a little tricky in post, but the pictures are amazing. The interviews were shot on Green Screen, because the weather is too hot in Arizona shoot them outside for the most part. The background plates are the the golf course. The show is being shot and produced by Dave Jones ( Opal Images Inc.). Audio Tech is Brian Walker. and the photography is done by Yamil Sued.

We have been saying for years we need do another series that we can do the way we want. well here we go again. This will make number 6 , but this is my first in HD
The show is nearly fully sponsored and the national network will be revieled shortly.

In Los Angles in 2006 I was hired to DP the john Edward show. No not the John Edwards the guy running for President of the US, John Edward Cross Country the guy who talks to dead people. This was not the first time I have worked for WE shooting this show before. At this point I Had found his shows to be interesting, but the crew and I were having a lot of fun at John’s expense. I will leave it at that, but think about 8 camera guys together for hours of setup, you get the picture. The show started and everything was going great, all but the Jib camera are handheld, the action is fast, one camera on John, one on the people in the audience, and all the other’s trying to find what’s coming next! The usual live show thing, at one point I found myself back to back with Duncan, his camera was on John and my camera was on a couple right in front of me. John was trying to find a person, who has worked on or in commericals, Has a father who is dead who was a military Officer, etc. Lots of audience members thought it was them, they stood up. He asked them more questions and qiickly found out it wasn’t them he needed to talk too. Now in the past he had done this, and with one or two people he finds his family and starts to do a reading, Simple! Not this night! He kept trying and trying for a great deal of time, it was getting stressful for us and John was starting to get upset. John stated that this was a very string feeling. I know it is…here. At this point, he went all the way down the row and then back to where her started. He said “At this point, you TV people have to go, you are interfering!!.” and he waved us out. We all took off and headed for the side lines. In my case I headed to the Jib, but never stopped rolling. Once I had settled. John states, “Where did it go?” and he turned on his heels and pointed at me and asked, “Where you just here?’ I nodded yes, “It’s you!!” he said. Needless to say I was shocked, “Am I in trouble?” I asked. He looked straight at me across the room, and went to work. He asked me, “I know this is a silly question with you holding a camera in your hands, but have you ever worked on commercials?” I said, “yes, I have written and shot hundreds.” Then John replied, “has your father passed, and was he in the military?” I then said “yes my father passed away 23 years ago and he was a LT. Col in the Air Force.” John looked at the Crew standing there with their mouths wide open in shock, and asked, “Can someone takke all of that equipment from him?” And for the next 30-40 minutes I became part of the show, not just another camera man. All I can say is WOW! The show has aired many times and for a couple of months no matter where I was, even at the Barrett Jackson Car Aution, people came up to me saying they loved the show! But the best part is my daughter feels a little closer to my dad who she never got to meet in this life. P.S. Now they have a rule if you are on the crew, listen and if you feel John is looking for you, say something so we do not waste 30 minutes looking for you! This season it happen again and the new rule worked. YES………………………………….. I believe he is for real. I get asked that question all the time, could fake it yes he his very sharp but I know the information he gave me were mostly things only my Dad and my family would know.

Dave Jones of Opal Images was hired by Video West to do a 3 day shoot for Volvo. The video to be used to premier the new Volvo’s to dealers this year, showing off new Horse Power with the help of famous race car drivers. We used all types of camera work, Steadicam car to car shots at high speed, Jib beatry shots and my favorite, inside the cars with big time Indy & Nascar drivers. My favorite was meeting my name sake Davey Jones. The audio tech who will remain unnamed, Brian Walker and the other Camera operator got very car sick. The good news, they got out the test cars in time. The big splash, the final shot of the video was a volvo plunging down a big hill into a deep pit of water. WOW! Great ending!

If you are looking for the EditMAX / Editmaxaz web site I am sorry to say it is now not on the web anymore. Editmax has moved to 1747 East Morton Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85020 phone 602-714-9979 located inside of Spectrum Video. It will still be operatered by Dave Jones but under Opal Images inc. So if you are a long time Editmax client, fear not things have changed but we are still here to help. We have added SONY HD XDCAM to the mix.

Opal Images was hired by Straight Creative shoot a series of Commericals for Fascinations a topic that is hard to get TV air time for. To get around this problem we used humor. We were selling the birds and the bee’s. So we dressed up the actors in a bird costume and a bee costume and made fun of the whole Idea. Next thing you know these commericals are running in the superbowl! and the stations and our client were laughing. These Commerical were shot in 24p on A Sony F-900 in HDCAM and then transfered to Digital Betacam. After the transfer they were edited by Editmax, First offlined on Avid and onlined on the Quantel Editbox. This was the first project were we learned that our new uncompressed Avid offline looked the same as the Editbox online. That is why we no longer have the Editbox.

I am often asked and somtimes told, where did the Steadicam come from, how did it start? The Offical story goes like this; A director asked “isn’t there a way to follow them up the stairs?” And thus the Idea that would change the way the world looked at the movies was started.

Invented by Garrett Brown and now owned by Tiffen, the first Steadicam was introduced in 1976. It began as a convenient and economical way to track shots over stairs and across rough terrain. However it quickly became clear that this invention was the key to a whole new world of creativity. For me it was Rocky running up the chairs in the first Rocky ” going higher, “you know what I mean. To me this scene made the movie. Steadicam did that!!!! By todays standards it was very average Steadicam work, but it worked and sold the emotions that made the movie work.
In 1978 the powerful brand of emotion and realism that Steadicam produced was recognized with a Technical Oscar. Later as Steadicam grew into the world of broadcast, it would be honored with an Emmy as well. I personaly have won two Emmy’s using mine. Thanks Garrett!

In 1994 Cinema Products Introduced the Master Series, a new generation of Steadicam. Incorporatiing two decades of perfecting the Idea. This is when I purchased my first Steadicam. Now a camera operator did not have to be a rocket scientist as well to run one! Now with a 3 day Class, that I later helped teach a normal, but very motivated person could operate and adjust one in the field.
Today’s Ultra Series Steadicam which I upgraded too are a invaluable production tool which play a role in nearly every motion picture and HD and high Video production out there. My favorite upgrade is the Color HD monitor. But great Steadicam is mostly all in the operator, not in the toys, but it does help. So if I was a producer I would find a good mix of Great skills and the latest Equipment.
The Steadicam has continued to grow in what you can do with it and what it can make you feel. The new breed of Steadicam Products have revolutionized the face of video, from the biggest TV shows to the tightes tracking shots, and every place that creative video professionals choose to explore.
A lot of manufactors make Steadicam Like products but there is only one Steadicam. And in fact that is the name they are all called.

Steadicam lets you improve the Quality of all your Video applications. From Prime TV and local News Promo’s to Documentaries, Commericals and events, wherever video is being shot- Steadicam can make it better. Suddenly, all your product has that “Hollywood” feel and a unique look because thats what Hollywood is using too. So set your production apart from the competition. Make Steadicam a part of your next production, not just someone else’s history!

Dave Jones of Opal Images shoots steadicam footage of the armor factory in Tempe Az. This is the factory were they make armor for the troops in Iraq. The footage was shot to air CBS National News I will not nane Names or locations and I am posting this more than year after the fact, but it was amazing how much and the Quality they can turn out. If the troops need it they can turn it out!

Sometimes in this bussiness you are lucky enough to work for a client you like for a very long time. Terris Consign & Design is one of those. Over ten years, we have shot and edited 127 comericals for market all over the county. It was a great ride, thanks Terri.

The New 2007 Arizona Film & Video Production Directories are out. In this year’s directory there are production photos of Opal Images’ project like prievous years, but this year we had a lot of them as well as 2 color tab pages. The pictures featured Barrett Jackson, Speed channel, Steadicam renactments for Amercia’s Most Wanted and Steadicam Movie work. If you want to see them for yourself they are on pages, 37,93,119,151,183.

If you would like to get your Directory call the Arizona Production Association At 480-345-6464 or go to their wed site www.azproduction.com