-
first varicam HD shoot… help please !
team,
hey this is my first 24P HD shoot with the varicam. I need to know any tips that you can give. I will be bringing in an experienced varicam operator for a safety net, but i want to do most of it on my own. I currently shoot most of my footage on 2 SDX 900’s. they scan at 24P but record at 29.97, and i know the varicam records 24 frames to tape. what do i need to look out for in post? what about downconverters? we are bringing an AJA 10MD3 to downconvert to SD via SDI to a dvc pro 50 deck. i know i will need to keep a 4X3 framing in mind to edit in SD. any other thoughts? anything else that can be shared would be great !
thanks,
j
-
8 Replies
-
Jamie,
I think you need to know why you’re shooting with a Varicam; are you seeking an HD product, are you shooting with variable framerates? If not, your SDX900’s are just as good fopr a standard def product at 24p. If you really want to make them better, just use HD glass!
BTW, the Varicam records to tape just like your SDX900 also, at 29.97 fps. The distinct 24 frames are “flagged” so that FCP can pull them out into a 24p project. The main advantage to this is that it saves a tremendous amount of storage; 24fps is 40% of 60fps and the storage savings is the same.
Unless you are downconverting through a very sophisticated (read expensive) high quality box, the SDX900 will produce a better SD picture. If I’m missing something that motivates the use of the Varicam in this production please enlighten me.
thanks,
JS
-
mainly…. client asked for HD.
secondly….we will use the HD masters as well. we are downconverting as secondary sources.
third… to be quite honest, its good to get experience in the higher end of production. as we are going to buy a varicam in the near future. so good experience there as well.thanks,
j
-
Leo Ticheli: We output to 601 from a DVCPRO HD VTR (we us both AJ-HD150 studio editing and AJ-HD130DC portable, half-rack size VTRs) and master to Digital Betacam
-
Jamie,
Then the next question that would logically be asked is whether they edit with FCP. If that’s the case, then the best workflow would be to capture in a 24p DVPRO100 codec and edit in native HD. All you need to do this a 1200A VTR with firewire card or alternately any DVPRO100 deck and a capture card like a Kona in the FCP.
The logic of this is that you complete the project just once, in HD and downconvert on the way out of FCP. Two birds in one stone.
Now I know that many folks are committed to finishing on an Avid system and this often necessitates downconversion and subsequent on-line, which is both more expensive and time consuming. This is the workflow necessiated also in HDCAM which makes it a much more cumbersome system.
Then the next series of questions revolves around the plans for post-production color correction. The answers to these questions determine how extreme you set the dynamic range (200-500%) in the FILM REC gamma menu. If the producer does not want to spend the extra time and money for extensive color correction (such as in a Da Vinci) then I’d recommend you limit the dynamic range setting and achieve a more WYSIWUG look. The higher you set the dynamic range the more the whites are crushed and the blacks are pressed.
There are many settings in the Varicam menus and there is no “one size fits all” preset. To really take advantage of the camera and it’s capabilities you should customize the look to the requirements of the particular shoot; sometimes the dynamic range is best controlled with the lighting, other times this is not possible. You are correct in seeking the participation of someone familiar with the process, but your SDX900 experience should serve you well in learning the Varicam quickly.
-
Don’t overlook the merits of hiring an experienced DIT or video engineer who can take care of some of the creative and technical items regarding the Varicam.
An experienced DIT/VC can be worth their weight in gold when you want to avoid any potential issues on set due to your inexperience.
Tony Salgado
-
where can i find one of these in the virginia, dc area?
jamie
-
Contact any major rental facility and ask them for a referal to a qualified DIT.
Then interview the DIT and ask them their experience etc.
Or you could call around and ask the DP’s you have worked with which DIT’s they have worked with and prefer.
Good luck,
Tony Salgado
-
Hi Jamie,
Be sure to buy Goodmans Guide to teh Varicam. Also I think some people can get wrapped up in all the settings. if you are color correcting keep it simple. Abel Cinetch has some good settings they could e-mail you.
I like to shoot on Cine Gamma mode even for TV–I like the way the darks look, more film like. Some advice on low light: if it’s gettign to dark switch to video mode. Also turn off your shutter for shots with little movement. Also do not go past 6db of gain and I do not like to shoot -3db either. Other than that dive in head first and enjoy. Let me know if you have any other questions.Sean
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up