Before the big Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park, there was a smaller zoo in Griffith park. The new zoo wasn't built on top of the old zoo; in fact, the old zoo is still in Griffith Park. In ruins. And it's perfectly okay to go visit it.
So that's exactly what I did. First, I wanted to scout it for possible dog shoot locations. I'm not 100 percent positive someone is going to want that as part of the iconic L.A. series. But I went there this week for the first time to see what it was all about.
Besides scouting, I have a new video camera that I bought earlier this summer during a half-price sale. I got the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera and what is cool about this camera is that it shoots in a format that allows for extensive color grading. It produces footage with a very flat profile and you can cook it to your liking during post-production. The cameras I usually use already have the color baked in during filming and while you can do some correcting and grading, the image begins deteriorating if pushed too hard.
I figured the old zoo would be a good test. And I was kind of wrong about that. You know why? That flat file. It produces a sort of almost murky image that needs color added. Seasoned to taste. But the old zoo is monochromatic. The walls, that are like they're from the Flintstone era, are the same color as the ground. And because it's fall, with not a lot of greenery, and because it hasn't rained in quite a while here, everything is kind of dirty. Taupe. No color. So how do I add color in post-processing if that's what I'm working with? Good question. And if you know the answer to that, please let me know.
But still, I put together a little video of my day yesterday and while there's no story, it will take you through what the old L.A. zoo looks like in 2014. I'm not sure if it's sadder now than it was with animals inhabiting the cages... well, I do think it would have been a far sadder place if it was still in use. I am not a big fan of animals in captivity.
So here you go... the old Los Angeles Zoo.
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