Haban Media Works

08/26/2022

Served as gaffer on this new spot for , "live uplifted" campaign.

Unfortunately, this is probably one of my more conflicted posts.

Normally, I'm happy to share new work that I'm proud of, and this is certainly a worthwhile campaign and individual to shine a figurative and literal light on.

However, the agency responsible for this spot was also one of the most negligent I've ever seen in regards to covid protocols and the health and safety of the crew, by allowing a covid-positive member of thier team to serve all day, unmasked, around other crew, as well as numerous other breaches in testing and safety protocols.

We may be but temporary workers on these productions, but we exist in an industry where people have died on set, in an environment where covid has killed hundreds of thousands, and it would be nice if our safety was respected. Maybe should work with a higher quality of agency in the future.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

08/10/2022

On a true-crime docuseries this week in a blacked out house, playing with lekos, recreating crime scenes.
, , , , , , , , , , ,

04/28/2022

Down in Chicago working a political documentary, lending some grip and camera support to the cause.

04/25/2022

Some blacklight fun in the studio today. Altman makes a line of HMI blacklights. And back during the pandemic, used versions were going for a steal, so I took a shot in the dark and picked one up, hoping to incorporate it into some more stylized shoots. Since these were originally designed for theatrical / stage use, I knew there would be some comprises in trying to adapt them for video. Pros: it'll fill up a HUGE space with blacklight, and whatever does flouresce, is very bright (this chunk of uranium glass glows about as bright as a 40w bulb) Cons: since it's magnetically ballasted, it will only do up to 60fps before banding becomes a serious issue. Fun toys, even if it's limited in it's uses.

04/04/2022

Back digging in the archives.

In October of 2020, myself and a fee other Wisconsin filmmakers - Ross Headly , Ethan Young VerKuilen , David Nadia - made the long trek out to Middleburg, Virginia to film The Surprise Visit for Hoodoo Productions . Produced by Nathan Cowles and Serah Henesey , Directed by Nick Lyon , and starring Rob Riordan , Jacqi Vene , Sarah Henesey, Eric Roberts , and Johnny Santiago.

03/23/2022

Pastel shades. Stillframes from a few softer-toned product video shoots, featuring products from , . In 2020, with the film industry shut down, I reorganized my company into filming that could be done remotely - such as filming product videos. It was a fun challenge to learn methods for lighting and shooting in macro, capture for multiple formats/platformssimultaneously, and delivering quality in video that was normally reserved for stills.
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

03/11/2022

Going back through my archives, and revisited some footage from "Bleed Millions", an indie feature shot in 2018, and released last year on streaming. Starring & . Written and Directed by Chris Emmons. Our shoot was split between various locations in and around Milwaukee, and New York. Some really interesting challenges working with two (almost) entirely different crews while trying to maintain continuity throught the location change. Despite our relatively small budget and shooting schedule, I think our crew - , , , .schmitt , , , (among others) - pulled it off, and came away with some great shots.

02/27/2022

BTS from a large photo and video shoot from Summer of 2021 with , , , and for which I was able to provide a large portion of the grip equipment, and where the idea for RUN G&E was born. A large post is incoming with some of the amazing finished work from that shoot! , , , , , , , , , ,

01/28/2022

Well, it's finally finished. Been working for a little while now at assembling my own 1-ton package. Ended up going a bit further and put together a 1"ish" ton kit.

Built-out with challenging locations and lighting scenarios in mind, it goes a LOT further with mounting & rigging options, and light modifiers, to give much more flexibility than a standard package.

Will be posting full inventory soon.

11/13/2020

Saying goodbye to an old workhorse. The '97 Chevy Astro finally had it's last hurrah. While it was able to navigate the mountains, loaded to the brim, out to Virginia and back with ease, it couldn't manage it to Madison and back. 😂 Honestly, this van lasted a hell of lot longer than I gave it credit for when I first bought it. For over 6 years, close to 150K miles, and country wide - it's made cameos in more films than I can count, while never missing a beat. Even though I've long since outgrew it and was planning an upgrade by years end, it's still sad to see it go.

10/14/2020