Moscow-based videographer Danil Roudenko, the man behind the name ‘danr13’ on MotionElements, is one of our Feature Artists this month. His footage are filled with people, all seemingly waiting for their story to be told.
Danil never misses an opportunity to capture an interesting scene on his camera. Today, we asked him a few questions to try an understand what goes on behind the lens.
MotionElements: Any interesting project you working on now?
Danil Roudenko: I think that every stock footage artist has three P’s in his working life: Pre-production, Production and Post-production. Recently I’ve returned from a week-long trip (I was in Italy and Germany) and I will make the post-work on these clips and prepare for the new shootings in Moscow. I’m going to shoot some pregnancy clips. One of the models, whom I’ve shoot before, gave me this great opportunity!
ME: What’s the most enjoyable thing about what you do?
DR: It’s the freedom. Freedom of what and when to do is the most important thing for me. Working in the microstock sphere gives me this invaluable thing.
ME: What tickles your creative bone? Who or what is your biggest muse?
DR: I like European and Asian movies (Iran first of all), independent American movie-authors, and good and stylish ads, like Cannes Lions winners.
To my regret there are no good ads in Russia, but the best of European ads are really cool. And of course there are 10-15 stock footage and photo portfolios, which I like to review again and again. I like life-style portfolios with sense of the real life – I don’t like hands holding green apples on a white background and too expressive emotions. That is why in photography, which I feel can give a lot of ideas for videographers, I prefer to watch macro-stock authors instead of micro. It’s always wonderful when there is some story or some mystery in the image. I like this sense.
ME: When and How did you start of selling stock?
DR: I started in April, 2012 after buying the Canon 5D2 camera and two fix lenses (35/1.4L and 100/2.8L IS). I have worked as a film and TV-movies editor for about 10 years before, but that job didn’t give me the creative freedom I want. Instead, I have found it in producing stock footage clips.
ME: Do you have a favourite piece you made? If so, what is it and why is it your favourite?
DR: Yes, this one:
It was shot without steadicam – just with my 055X Manfrotto tripod with two legs on my shoulders and one leg in my hand. My sonny understood his role and did all I want with more than a perfect result!
If you have a once in a lifetime shoot/recording/project, what equipment would you bring with you and why?
DR: It depends on a project of course ???? If we talk about equipment for all the life situations I think I would take:
- 24-70/2.8 mm lenses (or it’s equivalent for the smaller sensors) if it’s possible to take the second lenses it will be the 70-200/2.8 lenses with image stabilization.
But if I know the shooting subject before the shoot, I would prefer the fix prime lenses. - Electronic gimbal steadicam – because it allows me to shoot both static and movement shots, and it gives me the freedom in my motion (there are always compromises with dolly and crane gear). And,
- Some brain which can shoot the real time fps and slowmotion and which has low-noise sensor (for now I use GH4, but I wouldn’t get it into the space – it’s too dark there for this camera). Maybe the ideal is the RED camera – I don’t really know – does it has any minuses except the price?
ME: How would you describe the work that you do/ the work of your artists (if you are a group of artists)?
DR: In a few words – I try to find some poetic mood in a simple life scenes. Looking for only realistic subjects, but trying not to be too documentary in shooting style. Stock footage in most cases must be a dream I think, no matter – if you shoot people or vehicles or objects on the table – you should always look for a dream and it will have a success!
Visit danr13 MotionElements Artist page for more of his works.