Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Talent in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, with its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse community, is a treasure trove of talent waiting to be discovered. As a burgeoning independent film and video production company, we are on a mission to showcase the unparalleled creativity and brilliance that the island has to offer. We are excited to announce that we are actively seeking a wide range of talent and assets for our upcoming projects, spanning from captivating commercials to mesmerizing music videos and compelling films.

People: Puerto Rico is home to a multitude of talented individuals who possess the unique ability to breathe life into any project. Whether you are an aspiring actor, a skilled musician, an expressive dancer, or a captivating model, we invite you to become a part of our creative family. Embrace the opportunity to showcase your talent and share your story with the world.

Animals: The island is teeming with charismatic and beautiful animals that can add an extra layer of charm and intrigue to our visual narratives. From well-trained dogs and majestic horses to exotic birds and colorful marine life, we are keen on featuring the natural beauty of Puerto Rico through the lens of its diverse fauna.

Cars and Vehicles: Every project we undertake demands an extensive range of vehicles to bring our visions to life. Whether you own a classic car, a sleek motorcycle, or a rugged off-road vehicle, your prized possession could play a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of our projects.

Locations: With its breathtaking beaches, lush rainforests, historic architecture, and urban landscapes, Puerto Rico offers an array of stunning locations that serve as the perfect backdrop for our creative endeavors. If you own or have access to unique and visually captivating spaces, we want to collaborate with you to weave captivating stories through the lens of your environment.

At CereProds, we firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling, and we are committed to nurturing the untapped potential of Puerto Rico's talent and resources. By fostering collaboration and celebrating the diverse voices and perspectives that define the island, we aim to create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey of creativity, passion, and discovery? Join us in bringing your talent to the forefront of our projects, and together, let's elevate the spotlight on Puerto Rico's rich cultural heritage and artistic prowess.

If you're ready to showcase your talent or share your unique assets with us, we encourage you to take the first step and connect with our team. You can submit your portfolio, showreel, or asset details through our online submission form. Let's embark on a collaborative adventure that promises to shape the future of visual storytelling in Puerto Rico and beyond.

Be part of the magic. Together, let's bring your talent, resources, and stories to the world's stage. Join us in shaping the future of cinematic and visual arts in Puerto Rico.

We can't wait to discover the incredible talent and assets that await us on this enchanting island. Let's make history together.

Coming Soon: Untold: Jake Paul The Problem Child | Official Teaser | Netflix

We cannot wait for the release of this incredible documentary on Netflix that CereProds had the pleasure of working on.

Coming to Netflix August 1

At 26, is Jake Paul the boxing world’s new savior or just a promoter who packs more punch in his marketing skills than in his right hand? It depends on whom you ask in UNTOLD: Jake Paul the Problem Child, an unflinching deep dive into how a wide-eyed kid from Ohio morphed from Internet sensation to most polarizing man in sports. For every high-profile critic (UFC president Dana White), there’s another supporter in his corner (former professional boxer Mike Tyson). Built on gripping interviews with the Paul brothers – along with their parents, fans, fellow boxers, and the skeptical old guard – the film culminates with a nail-biting match that will prove if Jake has what it takes to rule his new kingdom.

If you have a production coming to Puerto Rico or the Caribbean then reach out and lets work.

Puerto Rico Film Commission Raises Tax Credits Cap

HUGE news out of Puerto Rico as Governor Pedro R. P. Pierluisi raises the Film Tax incentives cap from $34m to $100m. This can encourage a growth of new investment in qualified film and media projects up to half a billion dollars!

“The film industry has great potential on our island. We have seen it in action over the past few years through highly renowned and successful local and national productions,” Pierluisi said. “The film industry has generated thousands of jobs and positively impacted the island’s economy. I support this industry and have provided more incentives to increase film production in Puerto Rico, which in addition to having a positive effect on economic development, promotes tourism on our island.” - Gov. Pierluisi

The new law will allow the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its Spanish acronym) to distribute $100 million among all eligible film projects. At least 10% of the total incentive is for local productions and documentaries.

Reach out to us at CereProds LLC if you’d like to discuss your next film project in Puerto Rico.

Felicidades!

As turkey surely takes a well deserved omission from menus for the foreseeable future, we’d like to wish all our colleagues, clients and connections the very best for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023!

What do you hope to happen in the new year?

Whatever the year holds, CereProds will be here in Puerto Rico ready to provide top level production services for all film, video and related media productions.

Thanks for your support!

HNY!

Netflix Friendly Camera Solutions - Puerto Rico

One streaming service to rule them all. Netflix is the undisputed King of Video-on-Demand (VOD), the first to break ground on its own studios creation of IP and winning prestigious awards including dozens of Academy Awards as far back as 2014.

Although many competitor have risen since then (looking at you, Mr. Bezos) no one compares to Netflix in terms of original content and global impact. Thanks, in part to this, Netflix has a very specific and considered requirement for its camera technology needs that no producer can afford to ignore.

Netflix Originals - the flourish of sound, that instantly familiar ident which could be compared to the Windows 95 chime in terms of memorability and adoption, the prelude to in house productions of the streaming giant. However, just like members only clubs there is a strict "dress code” in respect of camera specifications that the platform will carry and award the title “Netflix approved”.

Let’s take a deep dive.

Image credit: Netflix

“Netflix approved” means that cameras have the minimum specs required to ensure the expected quality of a Netflix Original. While it shouldn’t be your only guide when purchasing a camera, seeing Netflix’s approval as a feature on a certain model might be something to consider, especially since many cinema cameras are a serious investment.

The Devil is in the Details

With a myriad of camera options out there it can be daunting to decide which unit to invest in. Fortunately, Netflix publishes the key specifications it requires for a camera to gain its approval. However, Netflix also states that just because a camera meets the minimum requirements doesn’t mean it will be approved (make your mind up, Netflix!).

In short, Netflix takes a more holistic look at each camera, examining aspects such as dynamic range, form factor, workflow, and more.

In any case, here are the minimum requirements for approval.

• True UHD 4K sensor with a minimum of 3840 photosites across

• High-quality capture format, such as raw or an intra-frame compressed codec

• 16-bit linear or 10-bit log processing

• Capture transfer function (e.g., S-Log3, Canon Log 2)

• Capture color science (e.g., S-Gamut3.cine, RED Wide Gamut RGB)

• No looks or corrections baked into the original files

• Files maintain all metadata (i.e., tape name, timecode, frame rate, ISO, etc.)

Netflix also makes some optional, operational requests for using the cameras. These include:

• Daily black balancing of camera sensor

• Avoiding spanned clips (i.e., single takes spread out on multiple cards) -

• Extra resolution for anamorphic imaging

• Use of aspect ratios less than or equal to 2:1

Again, these are just the baseline specs and I could easily find a dozen cameras that appear to meet them that don’t make the cut. Netflix also doesn’t seem to consider features unlocked through optional third-party accessories, such as raw via an external recorder. That is a solid list of requirements if you are shopping for your next cinema camera. Adhering to Netflix’s conditions ensures your camera is up to spec for contemporary productions.

Why Being Netflix Approved Matters

Among the more obvious reasons is that Netflix serves as a third-party verification for a camera’s quality. If Netflix says it’s a good camera, it must be a good camera. This is supported by Netflix’s reputation for demanding high-quality original footage to create its own original content. And despite what you may think about any story, the movies and shows Netflix has created look good.

A second part of the equation is that many of these cameras are an investment for owners or operators. The last thing you want is to be close to snagging a job and then realize the equipment you use and are comfortable with isn’t going to cut it for a potential Netflix gig. If you are working with an independent production, Netflix approval helps futureproof the work so that if you are hoping for an acquisition, you are at least fulfilling the expectations of the distributor.

Finally, if you aren’t a super techie producer or cinematographer, having a basic list of solid cameras to choose from simplifies a part of the process. Instead of spending time researching all the different features of video cameras and codecs and sensors and aspect ratios, you can head over to Netflix and just select what makes sense for your production.

Should You Buy Only Netflix-Approved Cameras?

No. Netflix-approved is a good start, especially if you are a professional. However, there are tons of amazing cameras capable of producing images that are as good, if not better, than many on the list.

Netflix’s approval process assumes there will be some form of production happening and, therefore, demands certain capabilities that not everyone needs, like very specific metadata requirements. If you are working mostly for yourself or on small YouTube projects, you don’t need all those extras.

Image credit: Mario Anzouni/Reuters

Get to the point already

Ok, here are a few popular units approved by Netflix and popular at time of publication (December 2022)

• Canon EOS C70

• Sony FX6

• Sony FX9

• Panasonic S1H

• Sony FX3

• Arri Alexa Mini LF

• Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2

• RED Komodo 6K

Another simple reason not to worry about Netflix approval is if you are looking for a B camera. Sometimes, this may need to be a crash cam or another sort of weird form factor. It can be hard to find something that hits the Netflix requirements and the needs of the shoot. GoPros aren’t approved, for example, but many films still use them for an odd take or two. Netflix even allows limited use of unapproved cameras in these circumstances.

CereProds hold a variety of camera types and within its local network has access to a wide array of digital and film units for production. Contact us today and let’s discuss your next project.

Microblog: Canon L 135mm Lens

Colloquially known as the “model lens”, at 135mm the subject is well and truly the focus of whatever the shot may be. The Canon L “Luxe” series 135mm has a wide open aperture of 2.0

It is part of Canon’s prestigious L series. Proof of its greatness is the fact that it is one of the oldest of Canon's L lenses. It has been in the market since 1996 with unchanged optics.

Features a MF and AF button and a focus limiter. The ring-type ultrasonic motor provides fast and silent auto-focus.

The full frame, wide open lens is usable right into the corners, with one downside of this wideness being it's susceptibility to lens flare.

Quality is excellent: high grade materials, tight build, smoooth and well damped rubberized focus ring.

Optical construction includes two ultra low dispersor -also known as UD- glass elements.

• Diameter: 83 mm

• Field of view: 18° (diagonally)

• Length: 112 mm

• Weight: 708g

• Filter Diameter: 72 mm

• Number of Aperture Blades: 8

• Elements/Groups: 10/8

• Close Focusing Distance: 0.9 m

• Maximum Magnification: 1:5

• Mount: Canon-EF

Its no surprise that this lens is the go-to choice for high fashion photographers the world over.

This article features models Madison Anderson Berrios, Katie Lever and Cindy Dyal and were shot by photographer Mike Biggam.

If you’re interested in this lens or one of our photographers please make contact today.