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Low light problems:- BBC having to re-shoot stuff
I was going to shoot a short using the varicam, but as most of the scenes are in dark situations I am having second thoughts having read the problems the BBC are having.
(read :- https://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/060802b.php )
“Doctor Who” spin-off series “Torchwood” that was due to premier in winter has run into technical problems which has apparently forced the BBC to re-shoot much of the series.
According to a source for the Sci-Fi Pulse website, “What was originally going to be a dark and brooding series has suddenly gone all bright and glossy”. Why? Seems the flashy Panasonic HD cameras are having problems working in low light. He adds “A lot of tape has been junked. Scenes re-shot in full lighting”.
What do you think happened here? Have any of you guys got tips on shooting dark scenes?
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8 Replies
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I find that sort of story fairly difficult to swallow. I suspect “Panasonic HD cameras” are being used as a scapegoat for more creative differences. The camera handles low light fine as long as you know what you’re doing and I’m sure the BBC camera folks knew exactly what they were doing.
Noah
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The Dark Compression mode was developed in part from a request by the BBC. Apparently they were having artificating issues in the low IRE range. Dark Compression mode deals with this problem.
I leave mine on all of the time. The new H handles low light much better, and is less noisy in the blacks than the F. Rent an H, if you are shooting in low light. This is not to say the F cannot perform well in low light. It all depends on how you have the camera set-up. There are too many variables to write here, but I suggest you find a good DIT and test before you shoot.
Chris Bell
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Noah,
I do not believe this is the case as the dark compression problem has been a “dirty little secret” regarding the Varicam.
Tony Salgado
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Thanks for all the quick replies. I will post what I find out from my contact on the BBC series.
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If that’s the case- wouldn’t they have figured this out on day one and either switched cameras or approach? You don’t shoot multiple episodes too day and then scrap a series, way too much dollars and eyes on the footage for that to ever happen especiall at a standards driven place like the Beeb.
Noah
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This sounds very suspiciously like, “a poor workman curses his tools.”
Really, the key feature of shooting HD is the immediate viewing of the image. How is it possible for the material to be rejected long after it’s shoot?
My guess is somewhere along the line “creative differences” cropped up. Maybe the cinematographer was incompetent with the lighting/VariCam (unlikely) or, more likely, someone in power just didn’t like the look that was achieved.
Good shooting!
Leo
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That article is so vague, and it’s posted in what seems too be a SciFi fan website-nothing too technical. The link to SciFi Pulse is even more sketchy. Is there a chance that they don’t have a clue what they’re talking about.
Chris B.
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I wouldn’t let this article influence you. After reading the article it is very clear that their source has not got their facts correct. I have recently seen Varicam rushes from “Torchwood” and they looked very film like which is what I would expect to see. I have also been informed that the re-shoot has nothing to do with the kit being used but because they decided on a different look after starting the prodcution.
Thanks
Bill
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