Video Cinema Motion Stuff

[PIC]

Going back into motion after many years.
Anyone here doing it ?

Was thinking a Canon XH G1 or A1 camera ...

Whats a good camera recommendation for HD business presentations {Web, Conference room, Broadcast TV} ?

Software editing ?
Special effects ?
Mixing with still photo ?
Sound ?
Graphics ?

The whole 9 yards ...

EL

[Daniel W.]

Large end - Panny HDX900, VariCam. Nice 24P film work. I really like what it outputs and has become quite used in the film industry. The words "HD" and "24P" always look good when you produce promotional stuff.

Panny P2-HD camera (forgot name) - Has the great Panny 24P rendition, along with the gamma S curve. Love it. (The look.) I'm not keen on the P2 idea, for production work. It's proved fine in ENG work, as most of our takes arent 2,4,8, or 16 minutes, as the cards are usually limited in 2-16Gb flavors.

Sony F900 - Google it, it's become much like the VariCam. Large but produces a believable 24P, nice color range.

Sony XD-HD system. - I really like the XD workflow, the discs are cheaper than P2 cards and feel rugged. I haven't had hands on any of the HD units, no words. Use nice support, like Miller tripod legs, no less than a 100MM bowl mount. O'Connor heads, or Miller. No Bogen/Manfrotto at all.


Medium - JVC HD200 series. (or 100) - You are able to use high end bayonet mount lenses (sorry, forgot if it's 1/2" or 1/3" CCD) - I've used two, one set up with the stock Fuji 16x lens, another with a Canon J series lens. If you can afford it, go with higher end Fuji or Canon glass. Also does HD and 24P, option of Anton Bauer Batteries (industry standard). Sachtler tripods, Vinten is good too. Again, no Bogen here. Not durable/smooth enough.

Canon XLH1 - Most qualities of the JVC, give or take. I dont know this camera too well.

Low end - Sony FX1, Canon A1, etc - I cant speak much for these cameras, as I avoid using them. I dont like using a handheld form factor camera because it's less stable. Although I own a DvTec MultiRig (great product) I dont enjoy shooting with them. The only one I've liked is the Panny DVX100 series, because of the great lens and 24P. These camera will do fine if you're in a small market. In a 100-1 market, you need a higher end. Bogen legs are okay but a Gitzo, Sachtler, Vinten, O'Connor, or Miller fluid head is recommended. 50 of 75mm bowl mount tripod.

To be honest, unless the affiliates you plan on outputing to are in HD already, I'd prefer a high end SD camera, like the Panny SDX900 Varicam. Many of the local freelancers have small HD cameras, but shoot them in SD to match their higher end SD cameras (Sony D600, D50-DSR1 type setups)

Software - I use a MacPro and got FCP studio. Runs nicely. I used Avid Newscutter for ENG, for the most part when set up nicely, is stable and can cut on the fly. Most NLE's support Jpegs, no problem. Also, most have or have available FX. Not much of an issue.

Sound - Portable mixer, shotgun microphone, 2 wireless microphone sets, adaptors, fishpole, cables.

Starting out, a Sound Devices 302 will do well, it's used by many pro's too. Durable to boot. A Sennheiser MK66 is usually recommended as a nice microphone (shotgun). If you have the money, go for the MKH416 - regarded as "the sennheiser" mic for field work. Electrovoice RE50 is the industry standard for handheld wired microphones. Just watch the evening news and you'll probably see it. The most durable piece of equipment besides a sledge hammer. This mic has been run over, set on fire, submerged, fallen 14 stories, and keeps ticking. It's ugly, but still sounds great. 2 Wireless channels. A set of Sennheiser EW300 series units will do alright, just treat them carefully. Lectrosonics are the standard, a plug on unit and a bodypack for a lavaliere microphone. The PSC MilliMic is my choice but there are many out there. Some of the best are Countryman and Sanken.

Lighting, Lowel is a great place to start but Arri, Kino-Flo, Mole-Richardson, and DiSisti make great products but will cost you. As a kit, I'd recommend 1 Lowel Omni lamps with umbrella, gels. 2 Tota-Lights, umbrellas. Rifa-Light (think folding softbox with built-in lamp) 55. Bogen/Avenger stands, 1 boom stand to use a Tota light as a hair light. Frezzi or Anton Bauer On camera light would be nice.

No matter what camera you'd choose, I'd budget 75-100k to really, get your feet wet. And insurance! To cover all equipment. No kidding. The standard freelancer kit here in Market 15 is valued around $120k not including edit equipment.

[robert t]

The JVC HD 200/100 does a real nice job with HDV, But I am a big fan of XDCAM HD. Still waiting to shoot a wedding in 16:9. Most people just want it in 4:3, but I feel a change in the air. So far all of my sports have been SD 16:9. The HD DVD Vs. Blu-Ray for final is still unpredictable.

[Daniel W.]

I was talking shop with a retired friend not too long ago and he brought up a wedding he did in 98'. The B&G owned a production company, and did the wedding on 16mm. The only wedding with a Arri lightup. Three cameras, a jib. As gifts they had film stock donated. The mother of the groom tripped, and they re did it. "Looking back on it, I would've done it on the Vari..."

The low-end wedding group around here (SE end) offers 16:9 as a $250 option known as "movie look." Not even 24P. I haven't even thought about HD distribution except for on the original camera format or a proven mastering format (D-Beta, D9) - Who wants to buy two decks? I've seen DVD's from event guys labled with "HD" but the only HD part was the HD camera that recorded SD video.

[PIC]

Good info guys ...

What you think about http://www.red.com/ at 19K ?
Said to be a revolution in bud.