Kneece Relies on OCONNOR for Hallmark’s The Confession

1st AC Chris Lymberis, Camera PA Jon Haas, 2nd AC Amanda Etheridge, DP Dan Kneece

Kneece Relies on OConnor for Hallmark’s The Confession

Burbank, California, June 13, 2013 — Hallmark Channel movies are shot in practical locations and on short shooting schedules. Shot in and around Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the majority of Beverly Lewis’ The Confession takes place in an unoccupied five-story mansion. To capture this location in all its glory, cinematographer Dan Kneece relied on Arri’s Alexa, an array of different lenses and the OConnor 2575. OConnor, is part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company.

“When I use fluid heads, I prefer the 2575 for a few reasons,” says Kneece. “I have used OConnor heads since the beginning of my career and I own two of them now, a 100C and a 30. I particularly like the 2575, because it is well thought out. I have used it for so many years that my hands instinctively know where the controls are without looking. I know the locks and tension adjustments by heart. The ability to continuously adjust the pan fluid, tilt fluid, and counterbalance spring without steps, is very handy for getting just the right amount of resistance for the shot at hand.”

Kneece says he is always reaching for the OConnor 2575 when fast action, straight tilt downs or low hat shots are required. On The Confession he found himself challenged to capture a shot where a car rapidly enters the frame, wheel first. “We then had to quickly whip pan with it to place it frame right and the mansion frame left,” he says. “That’s a very difficult shot. We were up close to the wheel when it entered – and the wheel moved quickly. The camera had to be very low to the ground, so a low hat was used. The OConnor worked beautifully for this shot.

“The OConnor 2575 is with me on most jobs I do,” he adds. “Over the years I’ve used it to do shots that would be difficult with any other support. On many shows, it’s the only head I use. It’s a trusted friend I call on often.”

Beverly Lewis’ The Confession premiered on The Hallmark Channel in May, and it will repeat for several cycles and be released on DVD and streaming this month. Former Steadicam operator, now cinematographer, Dan Kneece is currently working on his next feature.

For further information on OConnor products, visit www.ocon.com, email info@ocon.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the company on Twitter; or contact OConnor, 2701 N. Ontario St, Burbank, CA 91504, Phone: 818-847-8666, Fax: 818-847-1205.

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Photo caption: (left to right) 1st AC Chris Lymberis, Camera PA Jon Haas, 2nd AC Amanda Etheridge, DP Dan Kneece

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About OConnor

OConnor has been the choice of professional cinematographers since the invention of the fluid head 60 years ago by founder Chad O’Connor. OConnor’s award-winning fluid heads are known for their smooth feel, fluid movement and intuitive control. Designed for film-style shooting, each facilitates seamless transition when changing payloads and offers stepless, ultra-smooth pan & tilt fluid drag for maximum control. In addition to fluid heads and tripods, OConnor offers a growing line of camera and lens accessories engineered to fill the needs of today’s fast-paced camera work. The line includes the CFF-1 and new O-Focus DM follow focus systems for cine and still photo lenses, the award-winning O-Box WM mattebox, innovative O-Grip handgrip system and the Universal Baseplate. OConnor products are respected and trusted by individual users and rental houses worldwide for their reliability, longevity and toughness.

Along with other leading brands in the broadcast industry, OConnor is part of the Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company.  For more information on OConnor, visit www.ocon.com

About Vitec Videocom

Vitec Videocom brings together some of the most respected, most innovative and most sought-after brands in the industry. It acts as an endorsing brand for these market-leading broadcast, film and pro video products, encouraging multi-brand system sales and simplifying the way that customers worldwide do business.

Vitec Videocom is an operating division within the Vitec Group, an international business serving customers in the broadcast, photographic and military aerospace and government markets. Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands on which its customers rely on worldwide.

Vitec Videocom – innovative products around the camera.

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