Leo Ticheli
Forum Replies Created
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If your raw video looked good, then you have a problem with your post gear.
Can you try loading it on someone else’s equipment, say an FCP suite? That should point you in the right direction. Perhaps the Premier Forum here at the Cow can help.
Best regards,
LeoDirector/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
Why bother to down-convert to Digital BetaCam? Just load your NLE directly from the Panasonic deck using the built-in down-conversion.
One note; when editing material with the 3/2 pull-down, you may wish to edit only on frames that keep the sequence in order just as you would editing video that has been telecined from film at 24 fps.
I’m told that breaking the cadence can cause problems on DVD’s and sets that automatically try to remove the pull-down. I do have to say that I’ve seen a million spots that do not follow this rule.
Good shooting!
Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
Hi Jaan,
Just to make sure we don’t completely agree, I personally hated that zoom shot in Eyes Wide Shut. Opinions vary, and, personally, I’d bet on Stanley Kubrick’s judgement over my own. It’s also true that even the gods can occasionally fall from grace.I do agree that we shouldn’t throw any tools out of the box, but a six-inch pipe wrench is a poor substitute for a tweezer. On the other hand, a tweezer makes an extraordinarily poor pipe wrench.
By the way, I hit your site and I think you do marvelous work.
Best regards,
LeoDirector/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
You’ve got to remember that many, if not most, of the posters here are relatively inexperienced and may lack your skills. Beginning shooters often discover to their dismay that free use of the zoom produces unwanted results.
As a general rule, for dramatic presentations, zooms do look quite out of place. They break us away from the story by drawing too much attention to themselves. Certainly they do work for certain scenes, such as the Hong Kong “Kung Fu” look such as is seen in Kill Bill 2, or fast-paced, quick-cut “music video” type films. You’re unlikely to find them in a dialog scene in something like the “Soprano’s.”
As discussed above, very slow zooms can work for standard dramas as can subtle zooms hidden within other camera moves.
As for the time machine, I remember quite well my first zoom lens which I purchased for my Bolex. I was thrilled and exuberantly zoomed away on the very next commercial I shot. The results were dreadful because I lacked the skills to use it properly.
Best regards,
Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
No external gear is required to select any frame-rate from 1 to 60 fps in one-frame increments. Actually, the standard range is 4 to 60 fps, but you can extend the range to include 1, 2, and 3 fps by entering a hidden menu.
Good shooting!
Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
Just so you’ll know that Tony and I don’t have opposite views on the shutter issue, I quite agree that you should try a fast shutter for things like a lemon squeeze or water skiing with droplets hanging in the air; they look good with a short exposure.
I like a longer exposure for things like romantic scenes such as a woman’s hair gently floating.
Test first, choose what suits you.
Good shooting!
Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
On your shutter speed question, please consider using slower, not faster exposure durations. A very short exposure duration can make your action strobe; not what is usually desired with a smooth slow motion effect.
For the most filmic effect, use a 180
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First of all, the VariCam does not shoot interlaced.
If you wish to shoot slow motion, you can shoot at whatever frame-rate you choose for the effect you wish. For the maximum effect, shoot at 60 fps; for a subtle effect, try 30 to 36 fps. In a 24 fps time-line, shooting at 48 fps will, of course, double the length of time an action takes.
If you’re editing with FCP, you don’t need additional gear; FCP will take care of dropping redundant frames.
The VariCam is a highly complex piece of equipment; I really advise you to bring on an experienced VariCam shooter or assistant.
Good shooting!
Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
No.
Best regards,
LeoDirector/Cinematographer
Southeast USA -
The Panasonic VariCam is anything but a disappointment. It makes spectacular filmic pictures and is the only variable frame-rate camcorder on the market; the only direct replacement for film camera for commercials.
Good shooting,
LeoDirector/Cinematographer
Southeast USA