James D Bowen, Director and DOP, runs Overcrank Media in Bali, a production house that works across Indonesia on everything from documentaries in remote locations to commercials, TV shows, films, and international productions. “One week we’re shooting documentary work in Kalimantan, the next we’re running a commercial shoot,” he says. “We handle end‑to‑end productions, but also provide production services for international teams – directors, producers, DOPs, crew, permits, logistics, locations, equipment, all the not‑so‑fun stuff that makes a production work.”
With so much variety in their work, James relies on a few core tools that stay in the kit no matter the job – and the Ninja monitor‑recorder is one of them. “Our on‑set workflow changes depending on the job, but the Ninja is always in the bag,” he explains. On documentary shoots, it’s typically paired with a Sony FX6 or Burano, where it serves as a bright, colour‑accurate monitor.
Exposure tools like false color, waveform and zebras are the ones the team reaches for most. “They give me a quick read of the scene, which is essential for documentary work,” he says. Frame guides and mattes are just as important, helping the team frame accurately and anticipate how different aspect ratios will crop the final image.
