Miss Fisher's Murder mysteries...

munz6869

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Several months after being mildly annoyed at the use of flashbulbs in the first series of 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries' on the ABC (not invented 'till 1930), I was emailed by the script supervisor of series 2 (who I did a media studies degree at uni with, and is of course a facebook friend) for photographic/period advice. Finally, an outlet for all that useless, family-annoying accumulated knowledge!!! I wrote the poor lass a VERY long email about small plate cameras (for one episode) and professional (natural light) portrait studios (for another episode). I felt really pleased/smug.

It'll be interesting to see whether they've taken any of this slightly over-enthusiastic research onboard when series 2 starts this Friday: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/

Marc!
 

Joachim_I

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Well done, Marc. Too bad I sold my Ernemann folding camera from 1926 with an Ernostar 1.8/85mm lens. Would have been a nice prop.
 

Ross Chambers

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Of course anyone wanting to add some filmic appeal would find a flash would look much better than a shutter click? Pedants (in anoraks?) do plague film makers, but don't let me stop you.
 

Molli

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Glad to hear that your knowledge and generosity with it and your time are appreciated It's always nice to know you've been heard, yes?
I hope they continue to make use of your expertise. New sideline career for you, perhaps?
 

dmschnute

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Series 1 is on DVD in the US and is absolutely delightful. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys such crime capers. General all-around irreverence, Phryne and her flakey side-kicks (including a butler named Butler!).

The camera looks vaguely like an old folder that could fit in the time, but yes, the bulbs and apparent shutter sync are definitely an anachronism.

Anyhow, thanks Aus for some enjoyable programming. I breathlessly anticipate the next series.
 

Peter Simpson

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Thanks, munz6869, for the tip. Something out of the ordinary to watch, while I'm waiting for the "IT Crowd" final episode at the end of September...
 

GRHazelton

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Those noisy flashbulbs!

I'm always amused and irritated at the noise added to the flash exposures of any sort on current TV programs. I've shot hundreds of flash bulbs and I don't recall any sound over the tiny click of the leaf shutter. And my various electronic flashes are essentially silent.

"Too bad I sold my Ernemann folding camera from 1926 with an Ernostar 1.8/85mm lens. Would have been a nice prop." Wow! I've only seen pictures of these semi-mythical beasts. I did find this DieselPunk web site dealing with the Ermanox camera: http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/monday-camera-16-ermanox and Dr Erich Salomon who used the camera to good effect. Sadly he was killed by the Nazis.
 

TimFox

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Before flashbulbs, photographers used flash powder piled up on a flat surface held up over one hand.
Besides a great flash effect, there is also the dark spot on the ceiling.
I have a recipe somewhere, complete with publisher's disclaimer about responsibility for damage.
 

Jon Goodman

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It is a good series. I've seen a couple of episodes. Actually somebody had it on YouTube, but it has been removed.
Jon
 

semi-ambivalent

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My mom's Kodak box brownie that used 620 film and, I think, 25(B) flashbulbs often made a sound. I always thought it was the fusing of the plastic coating on the outside of the bulb. That's what gave you that great flashbulb smell. Don't you miss it, eh?
 

Ken Nadvornick

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No! I don't miss it, because I was smelling it only five days ago. Sylvania Press 25 bulbs in a 4x5 Crown w/Graflite. At the local state fair. In fact, I was trying to pass on the olfactory experience to a new young photographer.

Went to purchase a soda at a food stand. Was helped by a 19-year-old young lady who took an immediate interest in the camera. Gave her the long story about it. (I also have a short version when appropriate.) She was a photo enthusiast from that other side of the photographic world, but was head-over-heels amazed at this beautiful old handheld bellows camera.

As part of that long story I told her about the sounds and smells of flashbulbs. The tinkling sound of molten metal cracking glass and the sort-of-like-hot-caramel smell of the melted plastic safety coatings. "Take my picture!" she said. So I did, in front of a crowd of very curious onlookers.

Then I immediately moved the reflector lamp up close and said "Smell that? You'll probably never get another chance." As soon as it cooled a bit I said "Hold out your hands" and popped the used flashbulb into them as a souvenir. She was thrilled.

Here's that photograph...



Ken
 

Ken Nadvornick

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1909 Victor Flash Lamp Discharge

:w00t:

Ken
 

Ross Chambers

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FWIW and speaking as a sound editor for most of my career the likelihood of authenticity when the visual is as strong as a flash of any type is remote. I can--in my mind's ear--hear a Phoooof! as I think of it. One of the tasks of the sound editor is to present, at the very least one option for the director's or producer's selection at the sound mix. Mixing stage time is expensive and arguing the authenticity toss during the mix won't get you the next gig in a hurry especially if the mix is delayed while the editor rushes off to fix the missing FX. Film. like photography sometimes, is an art. Authentic documentaries, fine. Atmosphere and drama in fictional film, indispensable. As you may imagine whatever is in the visual is often not what is heard in the track, the real prop just doesn't make the right sound on most occasions or the real prop isn't real: many a monster's cry has a close relationship to a distorted pig, and dry ice and a knife make interesting sounds. A gun fired can require half a dozen separate sound elements.

Doco = authentic Fiction = art & deception
 

Lowly

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Just saw the episode and the period pieces did look very authentic. Congrats!
 

johnnywalker

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Great show! We started getting it here in Canada last year. They may have taken half your advice re the flash. Last show I saw (yesterday) had her in a dark factory taking pictures without a flash of any kind!
 
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