West Side Story

[stoneinapond]

No, not a remake. Who would do such a thing? Just a collection of clips I'd taken over the last several months as I tested out the GH2 and my selection of lenses to try and understand focal length, aperture, and all those other things (I'm relatively new to all of this). All the clips were shot around the west side of midtown Manhattan, hence the title thread.


Lenses used:


!4-42mm Panasonic kit lens
LOMO OKC 11-35-1 35mm T2.2
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4
Helios 44m-5 58mm f/2
Olympus 12mm f/2 (preproduction model, borrowed)
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 (borrowed)


For those interested in clips taken with the Olympus, here are the locations:


1.07 to 1.17 (ETC On)
1.32 to 1.35 (ETC On)
1.59 to 2.31
3.17 to 3.42
4.11 to 4.22
5.05 (ETC On)


Additionally, all the slo-mo clips were with the 12mm with ETC On. I now realize that just slowing down 24p footage doesn't deliver the real deal. But I like the effect achieved in FCP X, which is where this video was edited. I'm sure I'll use the dreamy, ethereal feel and hope the hack will give us 60p.

The HD file is available for download.

Enjoy. All comments welcome.




(By the way, I forgot to mention that some of the lyrics in the music track would be considered mature. So please be advised.)

[sxm]

cool video.

I'm sure you did not use the lenses wide open a lot except for the couple shots where they look super bright. And a lot of things were in focus even when panning (like the motorcycle looked completely in focus).

Were the zoom shots w/ the Panasonic? No weird aperture changes while zooming.

The slow-mo looked weird on the girl in white.

Would be funny if you caught a dvx user in all those subway scenes.

[peripatew]

Can you post a link, vid not showing up on iPad.

[stoneinapond]

cool video.

I'm sure you did not use the lenses wide open a lot except for the couple shots where they look super bright. And a lot of things were in focus even when panning (like the motorcycle looked completely in focus).

Were the zoom shots w/ the Panasonic? No weird aperture changes while zooming.

The slow-mo looked weird on the girl in white.

Would be funny if you caught a dvx user in all those subway scenes.

Thanks for watching and your comments. Much appreciated.

The three head shots were all pretty wide. There were no zoom shots. All zoom type motion was done in post and if memory serves, only to clips shot with the primes.

As I mentioned, 24p doesn't return good slow motion. Hey, it's a learning experience and hopefully the Vitaliy hack will deliver 1080/60p capture. But I think the effect could work in a narrative where someone is experiencing blurred vision. Hallucinations anyone?

And so long as the guy watching the girl in a slightly too close fashion isn't a DVX users, no need to worry!

[stoneinapond]

Can you post a link, vid not showing up on iPad.

Sent you a PM.

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

... 24p doesn't return good slow motion ...

Cool stuff, Jurek.

I know what you mean about 24p and slow motion, but FYI: "pilpop" is getting fantastic results with GH2 24p post-processed with Twixtor:

[stoneinapond]

Cool stuff, Jurek.

I know what you mean about 24p and slow motion, but FYI: Uli Heckmann ("pilpop") is getting fantastic results with GH2 24p post-processed with Twixtor:

Thanks for the kind words Peter. They mean a lot.

Yes, Twixtor would seem to be the answer but a), there's no support for FCP X as of yet and b), it's still a pricey solution. So next I'm going to experiment with 720 60p.

[last_SHIFT]

stoneinapond,


Nice work. I myself am new to this game as well, isn't it a nice adventure trying stuff out and seeing what works/doesn't work? I'm learning a lot from this community we have here. I miss New York - been living in Shanghai for several years now. Keep up the good work.

[stoneinapond]

stoneinapond,


Nice work. I myself am new to this game as well, isn't it a nice adventure trying stuff out and seeing what works/doesn't work? I'm learning a lot from this community we have here. I miss New York - been living in Shanghai for several years now. Keep up the good work.

last_SHIFT,

Yes, it's a wonderful journey. I try and shoot something every day even if it's just something on my desk (lots of those shots!). I was surprised how difficult it was at first and am still finding challenges, especially lighting. But yes, the community here is stellar and generous.

How is Shanghai these days? I spent a couple of days there last September and was blown away by it. I wish I'd had a GH2 back then, but I shot a lot of video using a small point and shoot which I re-view often with my partner. It was a special trip.

And I hope my video brought back some memories for you!

Be well and many thanks.

[last_SHIFT]

last_SHIFT,

Yes, it's a wonderful journey. I try and shoot something every day even if it's just something on my desk (lots of those shots!). I was surprised how difficult it was at first and am still finding challenges, especially lighting. But yes, the community here is stellar and generous.

How is Shanghai these days? I spent a couple of days there last September and was blown away by it. I wish I'd had a GH2 back then, but I shot a lot of video using a small point and shoot which I re-view often with my partner. It was a special trip.

And I hope my video brought back some memories for you!

Be well and many thanks.

stoneinapond,

Shanghai is amazing - so much love and hate about it ;-p I left NYC in August '04 and never looked back, but I'll always be a NY'er.

Here's link to the first HD vid I ever made -it's all Shanghai, hope you enjoy it and can get past my crappy technique, if I'm still making the same mistakes this time next year then by all means blast me - LOL

http://www.vimeo.com/25460691

Cheers & Enjoy!