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The Sri Lankan tea industry is undergoing a renaissance. Once upon a time nearly 60% of all revenue exports were from tea. With the end of decades of civil war and an improving economy the tea industry is set to boom again. Eco tourism and organic blends are being used to try and help sell Sri Lankan tea to the world.

Aljazeera's Steve Chao reports from the Western Highlands of Sri Lanka.

Shot and edited by Matthew Allard.

Shot on a Canon 5D Mark II
  • iCam Pictures 1 year ago
    top stuff matt!! - 5d loveliness
    did you mic into camera direct or via beachtek?
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  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Straight into the camera from a radio mic.
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  • Jon Bryant plus 1 year ago
    Really super work. The closing shot at 2.28 is stunning. Right level of DOF throughout - what lens(es) were you using?
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi Jon. I used a Canon 16-35mm f2.8, Canon 70-200 IS f2.8, Canon 50mm f1.2, Canon 100mm macro f2.8 and a Canon 135mm f2.0
  • Jon Bryant plus 1 year ago
    The macro lens was the IS version (I assume?)...used for the tea shots?
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi Jon. It was the non IS version.
  • Jason Mongue plus 1 year ago
    Gotta love that 135/2.0L lens. It's my most recent addition and I can't get enough of it.
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  • Marcus O'Brien pro 1 year ago
    Quality images Matt well done
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  • Nate Cornelius 1 year ago
    very well done. Im curious though: at 0:24 seconds, what mechanism did you use for the shot stability? Steadycam, jib, dolly, or something else maybe?

    Again, very good package. I think you and Steve Chao make a good team.
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi Nate,
    There was no jib, dolly or steadycam used on that shot. It was something much similar, I'd share it but it's my secret move :) Same move can be seen on the Japan rooftop gardens story too.
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  • TR Umrani plus 1 year ago
    Excellent work, as usual.
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  • TR Umrani plus 1 year ago
    Quick question. I shoot news as well and I've just geared up to shoot with my 5D. I notice that you usually use 2 bodies and multiple lenses. This must be time consuming to get the shots you want. Do you and your reporter have a good understanding that shooting these types of stories will take longer than normal? I usually start to get impatient looks from my reporter or producer when a take a while to get shots. This was obviously not a quick question like I promised but how do you handle the time issue?
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  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi TR,
    I have shot enough stories now on DSLR that Steve and I have a good system worked out. If you don't have reporter who is interested in helping out it makes it very difficult. Steve is very into the use of these cameras as well. We pre discuss the shoot and the elements we need and want to craft the story. Steve also carries the lenses and is there when i shoot helping me out.
    I don't use this camera to shoot stories with anyone else. If your reporter and/or producer isn't aware of the process and is prepared to help out then you will be fighting a loosing process.
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  • Ben Stovold 1 year ago
    Thanks so much for sharing Matt. Love watching your work, but really value reading about the process too. As a budding layperson its really inspiring (and helpful!) to hear from experienced professionals using the same gear in anger. Brilliant stuff.
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  • iniosante plus 1 year ago
    TOP notch piece my friend- bravo!
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  • Nate Cornelius 1 year ago
    I've gotten a similar effect using my tripod on 2 legs. Still, it's hard to get the move that smooth using an xdcam. Very nicely done.
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  • Jason Mongue plus 1 year ago
    That shot of the building at 1:35 is just breathtaking! Lovely light.
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Thanks Jason, wasn't difficult. Just nice light at the right time.
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  • Hello Mathew, wanna write down a note. Seems like you really love sri lanka. because i watchedone of your videos about SL and your captures really nice.

    And i'm also DSLR video guy and i still never shoot that what you shoot. awesome dude.

    I'm really proud to be a Sri Lankan, and loving your footages . .

    Cheers for your good work . .

    Amila from Sri Lanka . .
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  • Again, I featured this video on my HD DSLR Film makers Sri Lanka Blog : lsmhddslr.blogspot.com/
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  • NYC in Focus plus 1 year ago
    what mic are you using with the DSLR? The audio is amazingly crisp.
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    sennheiser radio mics straight into the 5D.
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  • noble jones 1 year ago
    Hi Matthew, I'm currently shooting stills and video overseas for UK charities (of course on a tight budget) can I ask how much planning/shooting and post production time would go into this (and your Rooftop Gardens) shoot?

    Many thanks
    Geoff
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi Geoff,

    A lot of pre planning goes into these stories as we normally set up 3 or 4 to shoot in one country at a time. Both these stories were shot in less than a day and edited in 3-4 hours.

    Aljazeera is well funded and theses stories cost a lot of money to do.
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  • Alexandros Maragos plus 1 year ago
    Breathtaking colors with the
    ND graduated filters Matthew.
    Hard to believe you didn't graded in post.
    Really beautiful work, well done.
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  • noble jones 1 year ago
    Thanks For your comments Matthew. I pretty well knew this was the case. The problem with those on low budgets is that they see this kind of stuff and want the same results on no time/money/post production values.

    Great work all the same... Geoff
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  • superhnon 1 year ago
    big fan all of your works....very inspiring me from Thailand
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  • Niki Caligiuri 1 year ago
    brilliant visuals and lighting. I read that you sis not use Magic Bullet Looks or similar plugins but got it right 'in-camera.' can you tell me a little about the pic-profile you used? most of the settings ive tried to set on my 5D just look really flat once you get it into final cut and needs to be graded to look right.
    Cheers!
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Hi Niki i shoot on the standard picture profile and make sure my colour balance is as close to what i want as i can get.
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    ND faders and filters can make a big difference too.
  • Niki Caligiuri 1 year ago
    thanks for the reply :) :) great job again ! :)
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  • mojo43 1 year ago
    Wow, the shot selection is amazing... thanks for posting this!
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Thasnks Mojo.
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  • Flashblack plus 1 year ago
    This is class. Storytelling at its very best. Well done.
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  • Brad Fulton 1 year ago
    Amazing once again! May I ask how did you achieve the movement on the 7th shot (movement over the plants). Love watching your pieces!
    Brad
    CTV News
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  • Digital Shakedown plus 1 year ago
    This looks great.
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  • Glenn Perry 1 year ago
    beautiful visuals, strong narrative. great to watch.
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  • incredible quality for a news short, this is the kind of tv work needed today
    very inspiring work and interesting story, congratulations
  • Matthew Allard plus 1 year ago
    Thanks Fernando, I agree that the quality of TV (especially news) is going down hill. No one seems to care about quality anymore.
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  • Very nice colors and depth. Well filmed. Liked the atmosphere it radiated.
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  • Emmentaler Filmtage 9 months ago
    Lovely colors! Thanks for that.
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  • Lindsey Jones 5 months ago
    Really beautiful videos. I'm a makeup artist and I was shopping for a Sony Nex for my work and I stumbled upon your videos. Really great work. Thanks for sharing.
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