Getty Images Gallery - EAST exhibition preview

Westfield Stratford City is home to a Getty Images pop-up Gallery which is currently displaying their EAST exhibition, a collection of black and white photographs set in east London over decades gone by, and Toast's Sylvie went along to the preview last night.

When we think of East London now we think of Dalston cool kids and hip Shoreditch haunts (and also on occasion Pat Butcher's humungous earrings), but EAST shows archive images from Getty's vaults that take us back in time to the heart of east London and truly captures its working class spirit.

The candid photographs feature classic pearly kings, rag and bone men and a royal visit from King George VI and the Queen Mother. 

The exhibition is on display from 10th February until 18th March and it's definitely worth a visit. The images are available to purchase. Good news for our walls, bad news for our bank accounts!

Red Epic camera VS Arri Alexa

Having recently worked on a few moving image projects with leading DOP Brendan McGinty, we asked him why he prefers the Red Epic camera system over the Arri Alexa.

Brendan said: "At the moment the Red Epic camera is the highest resolution motion camera in the world, capable of a massive 5K resolution."

The comparison chart below shows how large 5K resolution is when compared to HD ( The Alexa shoots HD )

And below is a frame grab comparison of what this extra resolution means in terms of sharpness

These are the magnified corners of a resolution chart shot with the same lens, same light etc on an Alexa and on the Epic. This was an independent ratified test by the ASC in the States. 

The Epic (on the right) is significantly sharper and its resolution holds the fine detail to the outer edges of the circle, where the Alexa falls off into some quite apparent 'aliasing' ( the ringing / reversed circles ). 

This fine detail rendering of the Epic is particularly crucial for composite work.

All this makes pretty good sense but here's the bit we didn't know; the Epic provides a considerable level of resolution that you then sharpen to your taste. The chosen level of sharpening is never baked in to the Raw R3D files, but rather optional. This is considered the beauty of shooting Raw. 

By comparison the post-processed-HD-footage that emerges from 'prosumer' or 'broadcast' HD cameras is filled with false detail, ramped up electronic sharpening or edge enhancement with no increase in scene detail. All this is widely considered not so good news for serious composite work.

Ok, so producers and their clients don't hit the panic button when they first see the rushes coming in to the edit suites the pictures that emerge from today's cinema cameras ( Arri's Alexa Raw, Phantom's Flex, The Epic or even a 4K film scan) generate images that appear 'soft' but are in fact far more detailed than any others going. 

They are images that are simply waiting to be sharpened to the levels you desire without the ringing, aliasing and bristling that is 'baked-in' to the pictures from lower-end HD cameras.

But, as with everything in the world of the moving image industry, by the time it's written it's all change.

VW 'Touareg launch'

DDB chose director Ben Hume-Paton and Toast to create a series of online & dealer launch films for the new range of VW Touareg 4X4. Shot over three days, in studio and on location, each film required its own distinct personality. 

Filmed on latest generation Red, Varicam and Canon 5D, the finished films are a visual feast of excitement, beauty, technology and power.


Have a look for yourself here

Want a gentle face cleanser that works? Then look no further than Cetaphil, the number 1 dermatologist and paediatrician recommended brand. The cleansing and moisturising skincare brand from Galderma have taken to the air with their first UK commercial featuring 5 gorgeous girls talking about their individual skin needs. And the proof is in the pudding as you can see from their glowing complexions!

Conceived by Nolan Willis at Sudler London, it was directed by Gregg Masuak with Angus Hudson as DoP. It was shot on the Arri Alexa & post production was at Toast, Square Zero & Rushes.

Watch the video here

BBC's Great British Railways - Talkback Thames

Toast TV have created the latest round of in-programme graphics for the Michael Portillo travel show Great British Railway Journeys. The animated maps were built to echo the look of Bradshaw's 1860's Railway Guide used as a reference throughout the show. Great British Railway Journeys is produced by Talkback Thames, Series 3 starts on BBC 2 in 2012.

Toast creates Cymex sponsorship bumpers for The Only Way is Essex

Being no strangers to a quick turnaround, when Sudler London came to Toast to create the Cymex sponsorship bumpers for hit ITV2 reality show 'The Only Way is Essex', Toast were well equipped to take on the task.

Capturing the flirty, party vibe of TOWIE, the finished product is, we think you'll agree, very watchable!

Watch the finished product here

Ambi Pur get in the festive spirit

Who doesn't love the warm, cosy smell of cinnamon and vanilla whilst sat at home by the fire, wrapped up against the winter chill? With this in mind Toast TV, together with Alex Bass and Simon Jones from agency G2 UK, produced a 10 sec tag designed to promote a new range of Ambi Pur air fresheners just in time for the festive season.

Using inviting images of freshly baked biscuits and frothy hot chocolate designed to evoke the senses, we set about capturing the familiarity of those comforting aromas on film.

Directed by Gregg Masuak, and shot using the latest generation Canon 5D camera, the tag is a perfect example of how beautiful results can be achieved when you marry the right director with the right creative.