Frame grabs from "The Contract"

[taylormade]

A few frame grabs from our short "The Contract"

Shot in 24PA, standard settings, thin, 1/36th of a second shutter.

http://www.2pff.com/cgi-bin/more.cgi?62

http://www.2pff.com/cgi-bin/more.cgi?63

http://www.2pff.com/cgi-bin/more.cgi?64

http://www.2pff.com/cgi-bin/more.cgi?65

[aaronkid]

outstanding! I think if you used cinne gamma with skin matrix and pushed down the detail a bit it would be impossible to tell from film.

Can I Give a few suggestions?

[Guest]

Sure, any suggestions would be welcome.

I shot this in the color film noir style of the mid-fifties, with "The Big Combo" especially in mind. These films feature black and white style lighting with vivid, saturated Technicolor. This look seems overdone today, but it's what I was going for to fit the mood and style of this story.

The pulldown greatly adds to the film look on screen and most people that see the short think it's film to video.

I'm interested in any comments you may have as we're shooting a much more modern story in a bar later this month.
RT

[taylormade]

By the way, cinegamma was on, detail minus 2, thick setting, skin tone detail off.
RT

[ScreechingHalt]

Fantastic work! *Excellent lighting! *These are the kinds of shots I had in mind when I bought the camera.

Do you find the Thick setting gives a smoother more film=like look?

Best regards,
ScreechingHalt Productions

[Zoomforce]

you might want to lower detail to -4, your hot lighting allows your talent to be a little sharp.

I would of suggested that a few of the lights where either too hot or the wrong temp., but it looks like that was the look you were looking for.... the deer in the headlights lighting.

Very nice, thaks for sharing! Can't wait to see an actual video sample :)

[taylormade]

Thanks, Screechinghalt
I've been very happy with the performance of this camera, it has a look like no other in its price range. To shoot and really get the effect your are going for is great. The settings make multiple looks easy with very little experimenting. As an old-time film man, it's nice to return to my roots and have a camera that can take advantage of lighting in such a film-like manner.

I'm still learning with every shoot, but the camera gives me what I'm looking for within the limits of DV everytime I ask it to.
The sound (mixer to both channels, one slightly hotter than the other in case of peaks) is just great. I will have to do little or no dubbing or foley work on this project.

Another odd thing. The gunshots provide about the best sync test you can have - bang and flash are no problem to see and hear. Maybe it's my NLE (Blade2) but my camera is in perfect sync when I digitize without having to offset the audio.
RT

[Zoomforce]

mmm. I just viewed the gunshot image on my video monitor and the cine gamma that was hiding on my computer screen came back when viewed on the monitor. man it looks good on TV :)

[taylormade]

You should see it projected. On a sixteen foot screen it knocked the socks off some folks setting up a salesmeeting we did the video for. I ran it as a test just to see for myself. I can't wait to take this out to a few festivals later this year.
RT

[ScreechingHalt]

Taylormade: I just need to clarify for my own sanity.

Your first post clearly says standard settings, Thin mode. *Then this post a little later says:

"By the way, cinegamma was on, detail minus 2, thick setting, skin tone detail off.
RT"

This is not criticism, just a burning curiosity. *I have been laboring under the assumption that Thin is the way to go. *If you really used Thick mode, I will have to do some more testing.....

Best regards,
ScreechingHalt Productions

[taylormade]

Sorry Screech,
Standard settings for the F6 (24Pa) mode, except -2 on detail and thick since I made this for the small screen not blow up to film.
Detail -2
Chroma Phase 0
Color Temp 0
Master Ped -5
A. iris Level -3
Gamma Cine-like
Skin tone detail off
Matrix Cine-like
V detail thick

Shot with an Arri light kit (a 1000w Chimira, two 650s and a 300.)
RT

[ScreechingHalt]

Thank you very much for being so generous with your data. This is very helpful.

Best regards,
ScreechinHalt Productions

[supaFLy]

Smoking Pickle! thpse are the best DVX grabs I have seen for ever. I am flabbergasted. Is this for a daytime drama show or a feature, and is there any video clips yet?

[taylormade]

It's a six minute short, color film noir style, lots of shadows, guns, hard men and even harder women. Where it will end up depends on who is interested in it. It was made on spec and to have fun. The actors and the crew really had a blast with this little project despite shooting all night in an un-airconditioned warehouse in 95 degree heat.
RT

[mastermind]

great shots. *
Just some constructive criticism: you might want to consider adding a little depth with your b.g. lighting. *The subjects look like they're floating in space. *Just a few well placed lights in the back or maybe a practical light or two...just to seperated them from the background. Unless of course this is the look you were going for.

Great Job though!!

[taylormade]

Thanks Mastermind,
The action takes place in a huge, dimly lit warehouse. When the actors move about, certain sections of the warehouse can be seen which adds to the depth, but it is supposed to look very dark. Check some of the new posts I'll be putting up soon, you may be happier with them.
RT

[ponder8n]

Quick question regardoing shutter speed. You said in your first email that you used 1/36 of second shutter speed. I was reviewing the manual, and it doesn't list 1/36 as an option for 24p or 24pA. This is what is listed in the manual: 1/24, 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000.

How did you get 1/36?

Thanks,
Russell

[Guest]

The syncro-scan feature allows you to set the shutter speed. Just go into the menu, into this feature and dial up the speed you want. I've found in 24pA that 1/24th gives a bit too much motion blur and 1/50th is somewhat jerky. 1/36th seems to be a good compromise, but that's just my opinion.
RT

[ponder8n]

I didn't know you could set the shutter using the synchro scan. That's cool. Good information!

Russell