Rick Amundson
Forum Replies Created
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And don’t forget to use your coverage to support the story. Try to find angles hat not only cover the dialog, but put people and objects in an interesting relationship to each other. Notice in this scene that Alec Baldwin is always shot from a low angle making him look big and menacing. I believe the camera gets lower as the scene progresses. When you see other characters from his POV you are always looking down on them. It shows his dominance.
There is no magic formula to create a shot list, it’s up to your creativity. That’s the art of our business.
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
Robert,
The issue doesn’t only have to do with the process of getting the footage into the computer. It’s an issue of archiving and storage because at some point you will need to back all of that footage up and store it for future use. If you shoot digitally, that means backing up to a hard drive then putting the hard drive somewhere safe and hoping it doesn’t crash. Another option is to burn all of the original files to a DVD, either a dual layer standard def (8.5 GIG) or a Blu-Ray DVD (25 or 50 GIG). This system also makes it harder to reconnect footage to your original edit project file. Either way you have a lot of work on the back end.
If you shoot on tape, your back up and storage mediums are done. Yes, it is more work to log and capture the footage but look at it as an opportunity to organize your footage and plan your edit. And remember, people have been digitizing footage for years and still do. It is the dominant workflow in most post houses.
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
I, too, am a P+S user and have been for years. I think it might be worth your time to try and negotiate a lower price with a rental house to get one. It will be worth it in the end.
Having said that, do a search for lens converters on this forum. There have been countless discussions on this topic and you should find the answers you’re looking for including links to some examples.
Best of luck!
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
If you have to stay tapeless you might want to look at the Panasonic HPX 2000 or Red.
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
I’ve shot fireworks several times. Steve is right in that you want NO gain turned on. As far as a stop goes, is there anyway you can do a test the night before? You don’t want to shoot wide open, but as far as the actual stop it depends on your camera’s speed. I’m guessing Steve will be close with his 5.6. Lastly, I would leave the shutter alone unless you want a specific effect.
Best of luck!
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
Gary,
How cheap is cheap? For shooting outdoors, you’re going to want some HMI’s which are not so cheap.
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
Andy,
This is totally doable in your living room. Here is my thought. I, too, am not a big fan of the tota light. The secret to getting a good key is to make sure the chroma key screen is lit evenly. The best way I have found to achieve this in a small space is by using 2 lights on the background, one from either side, with diffusion on them to help spread and soften the light. Try something like Opal or 250. This is where the barn doors come in handy. I have used both open face or fresnel lights. Either works but you don’t want more than 650w per light in this scenario.
Next, find the 70 IRE level on the background by using the zebras in your view finder and stop down to the point where they just disappear. As you open and close the iris, the zebras should appear in a uniform manner across the green, if they don’t, the green is lit unevenly.
Once you have an even background, set the exposure just below the 70% zebras and light the foreground element to this level. Be sure to flag the foreground lights off the chroma key screen. This is why the Divas (or something similar) is so great for the foreground lights, they are soft, flattering, cool and drop off in a hurry so there is less flagging required.
One last piece of advice. If you go with an open face light for the background (i.e. nook light, tota, etc.) be sure to get a protective screen for the front as these have a tendency to explode and will melt you carpet.
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The updates to the B are also worth the price. I have used all 3 versions and would always pick the B. Be aware of the under-scan feature on the B as it will effect composition when shooting for TV. If you have to choose between a used DVX 100 or a new DVX 100B, pick the B!
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
With the trend in today’s film stocks going toward less contrast for more manipulation in post, I would think that has rendered the Varicon obsolete. I’ve never used one, loved the idea of it but then they came out with Vision 320T. Doesn’t get much less contrasty than that.
If you go this route, take photos! I want to see this thing at work.
Best of luck.
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I shoot a LOT of cell phone screens. I agree that post is the best, however, the way I shot the screens in camera is with a Varicam or HVX 200 at 60fps (our phones are always rotating and we like the extra frames in post). Progressive is the way to go, you can not get a clean image with an interlaced camera. I use a small lighting tent, dial the screen’s backlight as high as it will go and light the tent to taste.
Best of luck!