John P. Lauri

I work creatively at 186,000 miles per second. Stories are realized through my use of light, lenses, filters, sound and recording media. Stories unfold through my selection in framing and blocking of actors. Stories are told through my choices of editing the motion pictures and the sound. But none of it happens without the assistance of dozens of talented people who I have the privilege of working with daily. I am here on MySpace to meet interesting people both inside and outside the film industry. I maintain this page to showcase various projects and as a resource for those who are interested in the art of cinematography, editing and directing. I thrive on my networking of hardworking colleagues and reciprocity. Do you have a story to tell or something to promote? I am open to explore how we might work together so feel free to contact me. You can view my feature film credits by clicking on the IMDb logo below:

Floating my Sony Z1U and RedRock M2 system with a Zeiss lens to capture a story with precision.
Using the Steadicam to keep the fast shot smooth on a bumpy road.
Booming my Steadicam and camera to frame the action.
From the script to the screen I combine high definition cameras/8 - 300mm motion picture lenses with a multi-track triple-sound recording system to produce widescreen imagery that stirs emotion.
The texture, depth and shadow of the scenes I lens are achieved by using cool "heat-free" microprocessor controlled LED light banks. Best of all, the color temperature of the light never changes and the talent never gets all hot and bothered.
I can look through these lights to adjust the illumination for the greatest detail or to minimize any flaw. These precise controls allow me to compose imagery that is both beautiful and compelling.
I plan for success right from the start. By using 3-D modeling I can plan virtually every camera move, lens type and perspective in advance before the crew arrives on the set or the camera starts rolling.
This previsualization saves time and effort by virtually testing the blocking of each stage, each setup, each light and each position. Any virtual actor can be moved (with the appropriate props) and choreographed to a particular path and arrive at any predetermined location. Best of all, it can then be changed on-the-fly to an improved design or more suitable arrangement. It is then rendered electronically so the scene can be viewed from any angle.
While all this techno is cool, it is just mumbo-jumbo if it cannot be clearly communicated and understood by all parties. Of course, it is even better because I can share it at little or no cost. The screen shot above shows how multiple parties can collaborate with me online in real time, visually and orally frame by frame. Again, this saves the enormous costs in wasted time and travel. This is possible because anyone collaborating on the project through this internet-based interface can control the play (pause, rewind, etc.) of the content while concurrently sharing their views. All of this technology allows each actor, model, grip, gaffer, DP, producer, etc., to know exactly what is expected before arriving on location.
Are you a model, actor or image conscious professional who is looking to showcase their appearance and or talent? Our makeup artist Andrea Duchesneau applies specific makeup techniques that are required for proper lensing in this high definition medium. We want you to look your very best!
It is not just a matter of pointing a great camera at a subject. Capturing great images also require the use of special glass filters in front of the lens.
By combining several filters I can soften features of the skin and enhance your appeal. As shown below, my filters can also enhance the background to create an artistic effect or increase contrast within the composition.
Robert Stewart is an accomplished photographer who has worked with me for over 15 years. I rely on his expertise for all forms of still photography and location lighting. To learn more about Bob and see more of his work simply visit his website at www.rstewartphoto.com
On the set of "Unbeatable Harold" with the assistance of boom operator Chris Anthony Gonzales. 70 percent of what you see, learn and appreciate is with your ears. Try to watch a movie or the news with the sound off. It is for this reason I spend as much if not more of my resources to create and edit great sound.
Hearing the spoken word clearly is critical. Although ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement) is anything but automatic, my ADR system includes a widescreen HD monitor, a 16 channel Mackie mixer, a Tascam digital audio recorder and Shure SM7B microphone. This assists the talent to precisely synchronize the words and emotional tone of their dialog to the visual representation of it on the screen. I then mix the ADR with ambient sound, effects and music to craft a message that is clear and memorable.
No aspect of film producing has more impact than a finely crafted custom musical soundtrack. I achieve this through my relationship with world-class composer and performer Jeffrey Chin. Once I have edited the visual content and sound effects then Jeffrey scores and performs the music that drives the mood of each scene and accents what you see. The results are nothing less than spectacular! Click on the link below to hear a sample of his work:
Listen to a sample of a film score produced for me by Jeffrey Chin
A great machine shop plays a critical supporting role of every successful filmmaker. Walter Kane Industries is a world-class operation that custom-makes a multitude of fittings for my cameras and support rigs (including Steadicam). Pictured here with me are the experts Mike and Jim who recently helped securely fit my Sony HDCAM into as well as on top of a racing car for filming the Grand Prix. These guys can make anything work. Contact them in Roseville, Michigan at 586-778-3600.
Your content can be stored on a mini DVD that can be distributed like a business card. Many special shaped DVDs are available upon request. In addition, I welcome you to store your content on our streaming server so it can be viewed online.
Now you can look like you are anywhere in the world. My portable chroma-keying system allows me to replace the special green fabric you stand in front of (and or on) with any image or motion images to achieve that weather-man effect. So you work/live on the 12th floor of downtown building but want to look like you are in Caribbean? I can do that!
Just stand/sit in front of this green-screen and I'll do the rest. I even have a teleprompter to help you along with your lines.
This technology also allows you to act and interact within virtual worlds that replace the green background you are filmed. Examples of some of the dozens I have available are shown below. I can always create a custom one for you as well.
These virtual sets are not static. I can pan in any direction, change angle and customize to fit you in so your message is clear and distinct. In this example, each of the virtual monitors in the background can carry your message as an image or video to reinforce your concept. This helps to sell the shot.
Each project is completed by editing the footage I lens with my library of over 18,000 film clips, 9,000 customizable special effects and 35,000 sounds. I can also create an original musical score to accompany your project. Delivery is available on tape, DVD or streamed over the internet from my servers in your choice of format. And all for a lot less than you would think. I have been trained and certified by Sony and The Sundance Media Group in high definition production. I am also a certified Steadicam Operator/Owner, as well as a proud member of the Digital Cinema Society, the Steadicam Operators Association, the American Film Institute, the Detroit Film Center and the International Documentary Association.
I employ the highest aesthetic and artistic sensibilities so your commercial, fashion model portfolio reel, documentary, feature film or event archive will have the same organic sensation that is associated with the "deep pockets" of a Hollywood production.
This is my run-and-gun cinematic camera package. It can be packed, unpacked and set up in seconds so we can move from location to location quickly and efficiently. TIME is MONEY.
A close up of the run-and-gun. It's a great solid-state recording solution for almost any project.
The Fig-Rig stabilzation system fitted my Sony Cine Alta XDCAM EX, a Schoeps CMIT 5U Condensor shotgun microphone and three LitePanels (one for key light, fill light and Eye light). It's all battery-powered and ready to shoot in very tight quarters! I offer incredibly flexible planning to capture your vision easily and cost effectively. I own and maintain all of our cinematic, pro-audio and editing equipment so it is available anytime we need to start, process and deliver your project.
If you are interested in thoughtful planning and the use of the finest technical resources let us discuss your ideas. My name is John P. Lauri and I can be reached by email at: [email protected] or by phone at 248-417-2886.
Capturing the scene using my car mount kit. Below is a list of some more of the tools I use to make the magic happen:
HARDWARE: Sony CineAlta XDCAM EX and Sony HVR-Z1U high definition cameras. Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro 80GB high definition DTE recorder. Sony HVR-M10U recorder. Steadicam F12VLBN with IDX Endura E-10S Batteries. Mark V Director's Viewfinder. Marshall V-R70P field monitor. RedrockMicro M2 35mm lens system. Various Nikon, Arri, Cooke, 16x9, Zeiss, Schneider Optics lenses. Chrosziel 450 matte box. Selection of 4x4 glass filters. Four mini and one 1' x 1' Litepanel LED lighting kits, color-correcting filters and gels. 2 GM Instruments fiber optical lights with 2mm - 5mm adapters. Arri, Lowel and photoflex lighting kits. 24"" Lanternlock China Ball Lighting sytem. Sekonic L-758 Cine light meter. Reflecmedia LightRing. Ultimatte DV. Sachtler DV8 tripod. Bogen Manfrotto FigRig, tripods, heads, remotes and wheeled dolly. Axis dolly. Skater-mini dolly. 22 foot BarberTech telescopic camera crane with motor driven robotic pan/tilt/spin head. 10 x 18 foot green screen. 7' x 7' Chromaflex. Various muslin sheet backgrounds, reflectors, flags, scrims, cucoloris' and softboxes.
My newest rig: a Sony HDCAM EX1 with RedRockMicro lensing. It is all tied into a MacBook Pro running Final Cut Pro with Looks software to help me apply effects and previsualize the shots that are captured onto solid state memory cards while still on set. Look Mom, no more tape; no more trying to imagine how it will look in postproduction! This system includes a Axis Dolly to permit me to do precise straight and radial camera moves without laying track (unless I want to change the wheels to skater type when the project calls for it).
KE110CC boom pole with wireless sound transmitter. Schoeps CMIT 5U microphone with Rycote Softie windsheild. Rode NT4 stereo and NT3 microphones. Shure SM7B microphone. Sennheiser WE100 G2 wireless microphone system. Tascam HD-P2 high definition audio recorder. 3 sets of Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones. M Audio studio monitor speakers. Mackie Onyx 1620 analog/firewire mixer. Mackie Control Universal. Super Grip 2 Car Mount. Sony F717 digital still camera. Nikon D80 digital still camera. Nikon D200 digital still camera. 2 custom-built dual core AMD Athlon 64-bit desktop PCs with over 4 ½ terabytes of raid configured storage, a Sony 23 inch P234/b PremierPro LCD and two 19 inch Planar LCD displays. Custom built Intel Core 2 Duo desktop PC with an Apple 23" HD cinema display. 17 inch MacBook Pro. Custom-built Pentium M Asus Z7100 notebook PC designed for HD field recording. Sanyo PLC-XP18N LCD HD projector.
My comfortable project screening room contains a 96" Draper front projection screen with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound processing and Kef, ADS and Velodyne speaker systems.
SOFTWARE: Final Cut Studio 2, Sony Vegas Pro 8.0, DVD Architect Pro 4.5, CD Architect 5.2, Sound Forge Pro 8.0, Acid Pro 5, Cinescore 1.0. Adobe After Effects 7.0 Pro, PhotoShop CS3, Illustrator CS2, ImageReady CS2 and Premiere Pro. Color Finesse. Imagineer System's Motor, Monet and Mokey. Trapcode Particular, Lux, Star Glow, Shine, 3-D Stroke, Form. Twixtor 4.5. Magic Bullet Colorista, Key Correct Pro, Looks, Knoll Light Factory, Primatte Keyer. Walker Effects. Gridiron Nucleo. Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro and ProAnimator. Macromedia Flash 8.0. Sorenson Squeeze 4.5. VASST Ultimate S2, Gearshift, EdgeDetective. Serious Magic Ultra2 and HDV Rack v2.0. Cineform NEO HD. Miraizon Cinematize 2.0. Tracktion. Boris FX 9.0. Graffiti 5.0. Pixilan SpiceMaster 2.5. Wax 2.0. Final Draft AV. ScreenWriter 4.7. Antics 2.0.
I am also now a Credentialed Member of the International Motor Sports Association. I was filming some scenes here for the PrimeTime Racing Team from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
My Sony HDCAM EX fitted and secured inside a Dodge Viper Comp Coupe race car for the American Le Mans race. The footage, shot at over 160 miles per hour, came out great!
I also provide creative marketing and graphic design skills to bring your project to market.
The examples above are posters and ads I used to sell the two instructional DVDs I directed and produced.
Choose the "View Video" below to watch what I created for a South Africa based company that is expanding their business to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This project was completed with only ten jpeg images the client emailed to me. It shows what is possible with very limited resources. The whole project was budgeted at less than $1,000.00.
View Cultured Diamonds South Africa Video
Choose "View Video" below to view the celebration of Brighton Collectibles' one year anniversary of their location in Novi, Michigan. It features two of my models, Amber Whelan and Francine Cipriano who are featured as shoppers towards the end of the video.
View Brighton Collectibles Video
Last but not least, I am always looking to collaborate with new ventures and talent. This includes but is not limited to scripts that could lead to the production of a feature film, a short, commercials or cooperative product marketing. I also regularly help promote seasoned professionals as well as newcomers. Over the years I have been very fortunate to align myself with some wonderfully talented professionals in the film and commercial industry. I am blessed to have the opportunity to rely on their expertise. Nothing is more valuable than a positive network of pros that believe in reciprocity. Will you join me today? Make sure to add me to your MySpace friends!
The flyer for the Actor's Workshop I sponsored with actor Gordon Michaels to help Michigan's acting community prepare for motion picture auditions. Special thanks to the Michigan Film Office, the Michigan Production Alliance, the Educational Theater Association and the many talent agencies who promoted our successful event. Almost 60 actors attended from as far away as Scottsdale Arizona.
Architectural drawing of the new location of J. Lauri Filmworks in Royal Oak, Michigan. Grand opening late 2008.