SACHTLER Ace M Provides Fluid Movement for Surf Documentary

Kellen Keene chooses Sachtler Ace M

Sachtler Ace M Provides Fluid Movement for Surf Documentary

Valley Cottage, New York, February 13, 2013 — Filmmaker Kellen Keene is dedicated to documenting artistic endeavors through his visuals. Recently, he was inspired to go behind-the-scenes with surfer and photographer Chris Burkard to show what it is like to be a surf photographer and to showcase how some of the images Burkard shoots are made. Keene knew every shot had to be in-the-moment, so he wanted a shooting package that could keep up with the quixotic personality of the surf. “That’s why we shot most of the project on the Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon d800s. We also used the new GoPro 3. We had multiple water housings, stabilization gear and various Canon L-series and Nikon glass. For support, my choice was Sachtler’s Ace M.

“When you are shooting action like surfing it is critical to get every shot smooth and steady as you pan with your subject,” he explains. “That’s why I had to use the Ace M. You never know which shot is going to produce the moment you are trying to capture, so consistency and trust in your fluid head is key and that’s what the Ace provided.

“I also like the Ace M because it’s strong enough to put my 12 foot jib on, yet light enough to trek up and down the beach in the sand,” he adds. “In both cases, the Ace was smooth – it worked great. The jib shots were amazing and all of my counterbalance weight was no issue at all. On the other end – in the sand – nothing got caught in the legs while we were shooting on the windy beach.

“Shooting Chris editing photographs in his office proved to be a challenge,” says Keene. “I didn’t want this necessary indoor part of the project to at all take away from all of the outdoor beauty we shot. I decided to throw my 12 foot jib on the Ace and hover over Chris’ adjustable Wacom screen to let his photographs over power and almost make you forget you’re in an office.

“The biggest challenge of this video was fitting all of the places we wanted to shoot into our time window,” he adds. “It was also challenging trying to make everything look consistent, so the pieces would flow together nicely. We followed Chris from his studio, down the roads to his favorite surfing places, through the grass, sand and surf. To bring our audience into Chris’ world, everything had to feel as if it was happening at the moment – there were no do-overs. Sachtler’s Ace allowed me to do that – to level up and get ready quickly. It went through a lot on this project; salt water, creeks, waterfalls, sand dunes, mud and more. Yet it still performed perfectly in a studio setting.”

The Sachtler Ace M has become the go-to support for independent videographers such as Kellen Keene. With an attractive price performance ratio, it helps deliver broadcast quality images on a one-man-band budget.

The 5-step counterbalance and long 4.1 inch (104mm) camera plate sliding range facilitate quick balancing of a camera set-up anywhere in the Ace M’s zero to 8.8 pound (0-4kg), payload range. Plus the Ace M head has a +90° to -75° tilt range.

For a broadcast feel, Ace systems feature Sachtler’s patented SA drag™ (Synchronized Actuated Drag) damping with three vertical and three horizontal grades of drag (+0).

Kellen Keene’s stunning documentary of California-based 24-year-old surf photographer Chris Burkard is now live on http://insivity.com/ (a site dedicated to promoting and inspiring professional photographers.) It can also be seen on Vimeo at http://vimeo.com/55117394. Kellen Keene is based out of the Central Coast of California. His love for the mountains and the ocean is what inspires his work. A “self-taught” filmmaker, he chooses his projects – from documentaries to commercials and even special effects – that all aim to combine his passion for filmmaking with his love of the natural elements.

For more information visit www.sachtler.com become a fan on Facebook, follow the company on Twitter or contact Sachtler directly: Sachtler, 709 Executive Blvd., Valley Cottage, NY 10989, Phone: 845-268-0100, Fax: 845-268-0113, Email: info-cd-usa@vitecgroup.com

######

Photo caption: Filmmaker Kellen Keene uses the Ace M by Sachtler for his documentary of California-based surf photographer Chris Burkard.

######

About Sachtler

Sachtler, founded in 1958 by cameraman Wendelin Sachtler, is a worldwide market leader of professional camera support systems for cinematography and television production. Due to true German engineering, the brand sets quality standards in the industry. Sachtler has stood for easy and quick handling, stability and reliability for decades. With an extensive range of camera support systems Sachtler is the highly qualified partner for broadcast and film applications. Since 2000 Sachtler has been offering the artemis modular camera stabilizer system. With its numerous workshops and training sessions, the Wendelin Sachtler Academy has become a top address worldwide for invaluable know-how and the exchange of information, creating the ideal international platform for creative talents. Along with other leading brands in the broadcast and professional videography industry, Sachtler is part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company. For more information on Sachtler, visit www.sachtler.com

For more information: