media monkey is excited to launch the first in a series of production tips that we believe will grow in value with each tip added. We welcome tips from our readers so feel free to send them into info@gomediamonkey.com, we will gladly add them with full credit.

Limit Depth of Field (DOF)

Depth of field is determined by the iris setting of your camera and the smaller the iris aperture, the greater the depth of field will be.

You can limit the depth of field by adding a neutral density filter that will force the aperture to open. These filters are available in a range of densities, usually 1 to 4 f-stops. The darker the filter, the wider the aperture and the ’softer’ the background will become. Polarizing filters have a simmaler effect and generally have 2 stops density. soft(er) = out of focus

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In an effort to help preserve this beautiful planet’s natural forests, not only for the monkeys that live in them but for all living species (us included) , media monkey is happy to report that over the past year we took many steps to become a little greener and a more environmentally responsible company. We urge all to join us in this effort.

What we have done so far…

1. We keep and re-use cardboard shipping boxes we receive, flattening them to save space.

2. We re-use packing material.

3. We are 100% utilizing florescent lighting.

4. Our offices are 85% paperless.

5. Our purchase orders and invoicing is 100% electronic. PDF is your friend.

6. Paper, toner and energy saved with Greenprint: http://www.printgreener.com/index.html

7. Our office equipment has the most aggressive sleep/power saving modes set.

8. We power off all workstations after hours.

9. Added to our email signature, we request from our readers to carefully consider the necessity before printing emails.

10. We use electronic fax - send and receive. Zero paper.

11. media monkey donated to The Conservation Fund to zero out our carbon footprint: http://www.conservationfund.org/gozero

We still have room for improvement and will be adding to this list as we do.

Have some more tips on how we can go greener? Please add them below!

Checkout this little wonder. Now shipping is the new Litepanels Micro. This great LED technology available before strictly for the professional, now Litepanels made available the Micro for entry level to pro.

What is so great about this light?

Heat-free LED technology, produces bright, soft light, integrated dial for instant 100% to 0 dimming, minimal color shift when dimming, all-in-one Camera Light w/no external cables, absolutely flicker-free 5600°K runs 1.5 hours on four AA batteries, uses standard or rechargeable batteries, extremely lightweight and compact.

Find the Litepanels Micro here.

Read the DV Litepanels Micro Review.

Need more light? Then checkout…
Litepanels mini , Litepanels 1×1, and Litepanels Ringlite.

RODE Microphones announces the foundation of RODE University http://www.rodeuniversity.com/ an online course designed to explain the basics of microphone recording in a relaxed and exciting format.

RODE University is a virtual campus where students gets to party hard and learn a bunch of cool stuff about sound theory, microphone tips and techniques and good old fashioned Rock’n'Roll know-how.

Featuring high resolution streaming video, RODE University puts you in the front seat of a world class studio, learning practical studio recording methods for home, live, location and broadcast — even the professionals will learn something!

It is a great way for recording musicians, professional audio salespeople, producers, broadcast professionals, students and the home enthusiast to learn all there is to know about RODE microphones. Upon completion of the course students will receive a personalized graduation certificate to add to their rock resume.

RODE Microphones Also Announces The Release Of Its Completely New And Fully Featured website: http://www.rodemic.com./. With an energetic, youthful feel the site is designed to be the ultimate reference to the world of RODE.

RODE’s entire product line of microphones and accessories are covered in depth, with features, specifications, images, videos and recording samples, and even testimonials from both internationally renowned audio personalities and home users alike.

Purchase any carbon fiber Manfrotto tripod and receive a $50 rebate on a Manfrotto head purchased at the same time.*

Or

Purchase any Aluminum Manfrotto tripod and receive a $25 rebate on a Manfrotto head purchased at the same time.*

*Valid on all Manfrotto tripods and heads excluding the table top, Digi, Modo and National Geographic tripods and the 482, 484 series, 3025, 3028, 3232, 3229, 056, 234, and 234RC heads purchased between March 1st, and June 30th, 2008

Download coupon below for full details and rebate form.

This promotion is valid
from 03-01-2008 to 06-30-2008

Manufactured with the most advanced technology and optically correct materials, Formatt Filters assure the highest optical standards and consistent repeatability.

With hundreds of filter types available in various sizes, strengths and graduations it was difficult to choose the right Formatt Filter from the thousands of filters offered- until now, with the publication of the Formatt Filters 2008 Filter Guide & Price Book.

Illustrated with lots of examples and explained in clear, simple terms this booklet will explain what to expect from each filter in the Formatt arsenal. Find out why Formatt Filters are the choice of major TV productions and cinematographers especially for work in HD productions.

Download your copy here, or shoot us an email to receive a printed copy via mail and we will include, free of charge a DVD that shows all the filters in action!

In celebration of the writers’ strike that is now over K-Tek is implementing an economic stimulus package.

We are forwarding the saving to our customers! Take 10% off all of K-Tek Klassic poles. The poles include any from the Klassic line, including stage poles, articulated poles and news poles.

Please enter coupon code: k-tekpromo at checkout to get 10% discount but hurry it is only until March 13th. Find them here.

Welcome to the media monkey Blog. We are excited to launch this blog with the aim to keep our customers informed about new products, specials, product reviews, industry news, expert tips & tricks and so much more. We promise to keep it fresh and relevant, so check back often, or simply subscribe to our RSS feed and get notified when something is added.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all our existing customers for their business and continued loyalty. We truly value you and I hope this is evident in how we, at media monkey, treat you.

To many of you, whom we cannot call customers, as you are considered friends - you know who you are. Thank you.

To our new customers… we consider ourselves the best darn monkey in the business so thanks for the opportunity to prove this to you.

Unlike many of the “super stores” Filmmaking and Video production is our passion and we are committed to those that share in this passion. Our focus is firm and therefore you will not find any still photography, home electronics or any other non related products at our store.

I believe these are exciting times with the quality of gear that has dramatically increased while at the same time becoming more affordable. Nothing but creativity stands in the way of truly impressive and ground breaking productions. It is this creative spirit that is at the core of media monkey and we are glad to be part of this really great community.

All the best,
Marius Scholtz