blastaneda

JLH

2010-07-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Did you know Jennifer Love Hewitt was in Kids in Incorporated...Did you know that?

Angela Lansbury

2010-05-07T10:37:00.001-07:00

Gwyneth Paltrow and a Smile Infomercial

2010-04-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

Paula Zahn and Army Wives

2010-04-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Breaking Bad and Kristie Alley

2010-03-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Princess and the Frog and yahoo

2009-12-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

Nice set we built for Yahoo!

Anika Noni Rose who is the princess who becomes a frog.

Ohh yeah the last couple of weeks...

2009-11-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

We have been super busy actually shooting stuff so here is a couple of pieces I forgot to post.

Malin Ackerman and Vanessa Williams

2009-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Two sweet pretty ladies in our studio.

Abby Cadabby for Canadian Breakfast TV

2009-11-10T05:45:00.001-08:00

More and more Canadian work coming down the line.

Colombian Market 1

2009-10-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Finally posting the Colombian Video I shot.

Colombian Market 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Colombian Market 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Colombian Market 3 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Colombian Market 4 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Colombian Market 5 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Colombian Market 6 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

David Boreanaz

2009-09-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

David Boreanaz or Bones

Nelly Furtado

2009-09-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I promise to post more I swear..

Project Runway Challenge

2009-08-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

We just shot the winner of Project Runway All-Star Challenge. We tried to do a loose mock up of the standard PR interview shot.

Still around and Just back from Colombia

2009-08-13T10:33:00.001-07:00

I will have a slew of goods to show in about a week from my shoot in Colombia. Here is some stuff I shot before I left.

High Line 3

2009-06-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

So we have been shooting a lot in the studio but nothing really that awesome so here is any other look at the High Line in NYC.

High Line 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

High Line 2

2009-06-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

A couple more looks at the High Line.

High Line 3 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

High Line 5 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

The High Line

2009-06-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

A little bit of New York shooting before a lot of Studio shooting tomorrow and the day after.

High Line 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

High Line 4 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Benjamin Bratt

2009-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today we shot Benjamin Bratt for some "The Cleaner" promotional work.

The Narrows

2009-06-19T21:29:00.001-07:00

Today we shot something for the release of "The Narrows" starring Vincent Donofrio(Thor in Adventures of Babysitting and the alien in Men in Black) Kevin Zegers (Transamerica and All 3 Air Buds) and Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill).

Renovation Nation

2009-06-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

Today we built a workshop set and shot a piece for the Planet Green show "Renovation Nation".

Anne Frank

2009-06-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film Anne Frank and Anne's 80th birthday the film is being released in Blu-ray. We shot some press for the release with George Stevens Jr(son of the director) and Millie Perkins(who played Anne).

uhh oo here comes the Hammer

2009-06-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Early this morning we shot MC Hammer.... he said and I quote "your lighting is better than theirs(the Today Show)"....Take THAT NBC/30 Rock.

Gramercy Park 1

2009-06-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

A little look at Gramercy Park.

Gramercy Park 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

kyra sedgwick and the closer

2009-06-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

This morning we shot something with Kyra Sedgwick for The Closer.

HGTV $250,000

2009-06-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

We shot a couple of pieces for this upcoming HGTV shows "$250,000 Challenge". Set designer and everything. Seriously well lit flowers.

Bryant Park Day 2

2009-05-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

2 more shots from Bryant Park.

Bryant Park 3 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bryant Park 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Expedition Africa and Bryant Park

2009-05-28T07:54:00.001-07:00

Shooting for the Mark Burnett show Expedition Africa. We had 3 explorers in the studio here are two of them.

For the remainder of the week I am going to be shooting in Bryant Park. Here is the first in the set.

Bryant Park 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bike Lane Day 5

2009-05-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Final day of Bicycle Bike Lane week in Bicycle month.

Bike lane 8 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bike Lane Day 4

2009-05-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

Bicycles in Union Square. This totally exemplifies how hard it is to control the D90.

Bike Lane 9 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Southern Belles

2009-05-20T11:41:00.001-07:00

Just finished shooting these ladies along with 3 of their friends for Soapnets "Southern Belles: Louisville". Even after hearing them say Louisville over and over I still cant say that cities name.

Bike Day 3

2009-05-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

A couple more bicycle lane shots to finish out the week.

Bike lane 6 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bike lane 7 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bit of Glee

2009-05-19T06:57:00.001-07:00

After Jewel canceled on us I decided to bail on NYC for a couple of days and head to the "burg". But I am back here today so this is what we shot yesterday....

Jane and Matthew were super funny and the show looks great. But the promos look even better.

Bike Day 2

2009-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bicycle on Broadway towards Union Square.

Bike Lane 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

New York Bicycle Month Day 1 and Seymour Stein

2009-05-10T17:54:00.001-07:00

May is Bike month in NYC. So this week I am shooting various bike paths throughout the city.

Bikelane 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Also this weekend I did a little shoot with 7 Sydney for Sunrise(It's the Australian Today Show). Seymour Stein is a record producer who signed The Ramones, Madonna, The Pretenders...etc. Although he appears completely joyless in this still he was a really fascinating old guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seymour_Stein

Day 3 on Day 5..

2009-05-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

So the rain cleared up until yesterday. Plus shooting in the rain is hard.

Rain - Guy carrying boxes from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Day 2 of Rain

2009-05-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

I love how miserable people look in the rain. Seriously this guy hates his life.

Rain - Guy from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

A week of NYC in the Rain

2009-05-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent 6 hours biking 54 miles through all 5 Boroughs in the 5 Boro Bike Ride all in the RAIN. It was horrible. While it was raining I thought...rain looks cool but its making me miserable. So since its supposed to rain all week. Here is NYC in the Rain Day 1.

Rain Flatiron from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Rain - Guy in Coat from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Rain 6th Ave from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Taraji P. Henson

2009-05-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

So this morning I shot Taraji P Henson for the Benjamin Button DVD release. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties this is the best still I got.

Day 4...posted on Day 5

2009-05-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Kinda late sorry. Grand Central Lexington Entrance at night.

Grand Central Entrance from Lexington from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Grand Central Day 3

2009-04-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 more shots from Grand Central. First one is a focus rack. In all honesty it took me a while to get this right because of the difficulty of pulling focus on these lenses.

Grand Central 42nd St Entrance from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

The second shot is from the inside. Cool light layering.

Grand Central Information Desk from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Grand Central Day 2

2009-04-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Today I got kicked out of Grand Central because I didn't have a permit. At least I got something out of it. Actually something awesome.

Grand Central Clock from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Grand Central Week and Emily Deschanel

2009-04-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

Today we shot Emily Deschanel for Bones. She was super stoked about the Baby Cakes catering we got.

This week I am shooting Grand Central all week. Starting off in the front of the Grand Central.

Grand Central from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Final Day of Central Parkin Spring

2009-04-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

So I shot Central Park all week here are the final shots.

Central Park - Couple on Bench from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Central Park Bikes from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Central Park at Night and More Zoo

2009-04-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Night shooting in the Park is a little tricky. In all honesty this didn't come out that great but maybe next time? For one thing I shot with my smaller zoom lens. I have really gotten use to shooting with the telephoto lens because it allows me to not be too obtrusive.

Central Park - Night Couple from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Central Park - Hand Holding from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Central Park and the Econopocalypse

2009-04-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

So this morning at 5AM I started shooting a book tour. This morning’s book was “The Ultimate Depression Survival Guide” by Dr. Martin Weiss. It’s a book about getting through the Econopocalypse.

Today’s shot a day from Central Park is

Central Park - Guy on Bench from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

I will save your life and Central Park

2009-04-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

So this morning I am shooting for a WE TV show called I will save your life with Charles Stuart Platkin. Basically he looks into the psychology of why people eat what they eat.

And to continue with shot a day week in Central Park I have a Handsome Cap Driver in a Top Hot. Correction super sweet Top Hat.

Central Park - Horses and Top Hats from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Nick is back in Central Park for a Week

2009-04-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Were back from our horrible illness adventure in Portland. This week I am shooting Central Park everyday. I was supposed to have a SWEEET shot of Jennifer Beals for the FOX show Lie To Me but that job died...so here is the first Central Park shot of the week!!!!

Central Park - Zoo from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

NY Life Fraud

2009-04-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

So this women was picketing at the New York Life Insurance building. She had spent all day there handing out pamphlets. After we come back from Portland I am doing a series on Wall Street and people effected by it.

NY Life Fraud from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

NYC at Night Shot 2 and Sara Snow

2009-04-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today we shot with green living expert and Author of Fresh Living Sara Snow.

Park Avenue at about 7pm came out really nice.

New York at Night from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

New York at Night

2009-04-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Day 1 Shot 1 of NYC at Night

New Stand Guy from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Day 5 and clip closet

2009-04-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

So last night I shot in Chinatown again. This time things really seemed to gel together. A good tripod goes pretty far.

Chinatown Night 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Night 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Night 3 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Joan Lunden and Chinatown 4

2009-04-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

This morning we shot GMA's Joan Lunden. She has a new show on DirecTV about American Heroes.

Chinatown 7 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown 8 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Day 3

2009-04-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Images from my Chinatown shoot this weekend.

Chinatown 5 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown 6 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Day 2 and Vogue

2009-03-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

This morning we had a super fun shoot with PTA, Anne Vincent, and the Vogue staff. They were promoting their shape issue. Shot came out pretty nice.

Continued posting of the Chinatown footage.

Chinatown 3 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown 4 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown Day 1

2009-03-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

This week I am shooting around Chinatown so if you see a stunningly good looking dude holding a camera...I am the awkward short guy shooting behind him. This first stuff is all shot using my 80-200mm zoom lens. Stability with this camera is really rough. So I am tricking out my rig to stabilize it a bit.

Chinatown 1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Chinatown 2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bedford Ave and Leftovers

2009-03-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

So time to clean out the clip closet since from now on I am going to try to choose a Theme and shoot around that idea. But this week I was still trying to become comfortable with the camera.

Up first is a shot I took on Lexington Ave near 28th St. The focus pulling still leaves a great deal to be desired.

Indian Restuarant Taxi from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Next up I have two shots I took from the Bagelsmith on Bedford Ave in Hipstercentral Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Bedford Ave. #1 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Bedford Ave. #2 from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Laundry and Dinosaurs

2009-03-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

This morning we shot an interesting project for the History Channel Called Predator X. The Paleontologist Dr. Jorn Hurum that discovered the animal was in the studio with a fossil of the back of the skull.

Here is the actual clip on AM Northwest Live in Portland.

http://www.katu.com/amnw/segments/41854962.html

Last night I was shooting a local laundromat. I felt a bit like a stalker but I came back with some really pretty stuff. It took me a week but I think I have finally figured out how to lock in the exposure so not flicker this time.

Laundry Night from Street from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

John Rich and Prime Lenses

2009-03-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

So we spent this morning with country music star John Rich. Apparently he is in a group called Big & Rich I don’t listen to country music so I had no clue who this guy was. That being said he was pretty darn funny and relatively well informed.

Attached is a link to the actual shot on CNN.com. When comparing the actual CNN clip and the HD still you totally get an interesting before and after.

Also last night I was shooting around town with the D90 and some prime lenses. Nice Rack!!!

50th St Church from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Grand Central and Jerry Oconnell

2009-03-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

So I have two shoots to post today. This morning I shot something for LIFETIME with Jerry Oconnell of Sliders and Stand By Me fame. He was super nice and we had a lot of fun.

I also have a random shot I took for some B-Roll outside Grand Central. I used my zoom lense on this 80-200mm Nikor. The camera needs a more substantial tripod when shooting with the big lens.

Grand Central from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Greek

2009-03-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

So today we shot some promos and stuff for the ABC Family show Greek with Jesse McCartney. Easy standard setup. I know this kind of breaks the rules of a video shot a day but technical this is a shot...as always no photoshop just lights.

Taxi Guy

2009-03-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

All right this is kind of half ass because this was actually discarded from another day but because I was actually shooting something today...I didn't have time to shoot anything new. This was shot with the D90 and a 80-200mm lens. When using the D90 as a video camera the center of gravity is a little weird so its going to take a while to get use to stabilizing the camera when zooming.

Taxi Guy from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Karate in Madison Square Park

2009-03-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

So these folks were practicing karate in the middle of the park with what I thought were blindfolds on. This immediately reminded me of Bloodsport where the great Jean Claude Van Damm is forced to train with a blindfold on only to later use that very skill when Chong Li cheats and blinds him in a fight. But after further review I realized the Madison karate crews blindfolds are mostly "sleeping masks" so they are probably not quite read to battle Chong Li. I shot this with the D90 and the same 28-80 Nikkor lense I shot with yesterday. I feel the whites really came out really well.

Karate in Madison Square Garden from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Begining the shot a day

2009-03-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

So my goal for this year is to try to shoot something different everyday. While the studio is a revolving door of various jobs I rarely get to shoot outside. This Rockefeller Center footage was shot on my new D90 with a 28-80 Nikkor lense. The HD comes out pretty decent.

Rockefeller Center from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.

Peidmont Financial

2009-03-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

So I made this movie; Peidmont Financial....It was about bank tellers who become bank robbers. Like most films that are made for nothing it didn't turn out perfect. I wish it had turned out better, it would have been great to go to Sundance and win a lot of awards and direct Terminator 5 but that didn't happen. Luckily for me when some doors close, other doors open and now I manage an awesome TV studio in NYC. We shoot lots of weird fun stuff, some news, some tv, but nonsense.

I am hoping to speak throughout this blog about the technical/creative solutions I use to make things look decent.

Peidmont Financial was shot with a Sony Z1U and a Red Rock Micro 35. I had a couple of Nikon lenses that I worked through equally. My lighting for the film was a couple of Lowel Totas, Omnis, and most important a grid I built of Chinese lanterns on the ceiling with color corrected extra bright fluorescent lights.

Below is the Trailer for Peidmont Financial.

Peidmont Financial Trailer from Nick Castaneda on Vimeo.