the Starlit Ritual -- Feature -- NSFW! <DVD>

Paul Coleman

Paul Coleman

Veteran
1163310038.jpg


Well, this all started with a little article that convinced me to buy a DVX 100b. (link) More than a few DVXuser members have worked on this film, and are still working on the film. I've learned an incredible amount here just by using the search function. I use the search function because I really, really want to avoid that hideous n00b image.:beer:


Specs:

DVX 100b
Century .7 Wide Angle Converter
DV Rack
Lowel VIP id lights
Final Cut Pro
Soundtrack Pro
Photoshop


Production:

Handheld camera and handheld light, for most shots. We kept every face at 40 IRE using the Waveform Monitor in DV Rack. We also used a Sony production monitor. The Lowel id light has a dimmer built into the light fixture itself. We would adjust for IRE, and then white balance again. For outdoor footage, we replayed takes in DV Rack and checked the Waveform. I would much rather have the camera always feeding into DV Rack -- but this was not always possible.


We shot 4:3 and used Aspect Correct so that we could crop in post.

http://www.aspectcorrect.com/


We used a "Warm Balance" card for white balance. But I no longer recommend using this.


Post:

Basic Color Correction in FCP's 3 Way Color Corrector. Apple Loops from Soundtrack Pro for ambience. And Photoshop for the "burst" edits. These edits are single frames exported out of FCP as PSDs and then built up into layers in Photoshop (in LAB Mode). We exported from Photoshop as JPEGs (un-check "Optimized") and back to the timeline.



I know that all of you know this already, but it's worth repeating; this was a Team Effort. A lot of amazing people came together and really gave the production all they had. I am very, very thankful to both cast and crew.


Ok, PM me for financials. It's top secret.:beer:
 
Last edited:
Kino Eye said:
Why not use a warm card?
Click to expand...

Well, it depends what people consider "warm". I think what the Warm 1/2 card does is simply push the image toward Red/Magenta. So this adds a redness or warmth to the face. But in post, I realized I was fighting this Magenta during Color Correction.

When I warm a face up in CC, I usually push toward Yellow -- for a slight golden tone. Just slightly off the fleshline (Flesh Tone Line is 11 am). So I had to take the Magenta out, get the Vector to the fleshline, and then warm the face up toward Yellow. (10:55 am) I would rather have things start flat (11 am) and then take it from there.

Also, people come in different colors. :) If your actress already has a lot of red naturally in her face, you don't want to add more. Some people have olive skin, some have golden, some an almost neutral white, some red, some red-brown, etc.

I suppose you could compensate for this with the different value Warm Cards. I suppose Warm 1 pushes toward Yellow/Red, Warm 2 more toward Yellow, without much Red, etc. But swapping cards around would be a very inexact way to shoot. It really is easier and more effective to start from default and go from there.

:beer:
 
After I woke up from my epileptic coma from the beginning I was able to watch the rest and it definitly looks interesting. Can't wait to see more on this.
 
I just clicked on your banner Paul and it brought me here :-)

This looks really good actually. A lot of fun!!! The hypnotic sections all look like album art. Very nicely shot.

I hope its REALLY non-PC...lol :-)
 
Thanks bro. :beer: It really was a ton of fun making this film. And as far as non-PC, the film is "a little different".:)
 
great visuals man... it's a perfect twist. can't wait to see it. (i didnt read through the thread but i assume youve only got the trailer up?)

-kyle
 
Paul, excellent look and audio/soundtrack. I am guessing the DVX handles ok shooting 40 IRE and surrounding areas being less. Did you have to adjust any specific setting on the DVX to combat noise in the image? Like dropping the Master Ped or did you do post grain removal, together with the 3 way CC? The reason I mention this, I use an HVX, and controlling the noise, coupled with the DVCProHD encoding require a bit of tweaking. That said, I like the look of your footage, a lot, (nice CC) and have been experimenting with low light footage with the HVX and use DV Rack. I see the benefit of having the Sony Broadcast monitor, being CRT and escaping the somewhat unforgiving LCD on the laptop.

So, the DVD is in the works. Who/how are you distributing the DVD?
 
Thanks Christopher. :beer:

We shot with the DVX at default settings (F5). What I realized is that 30 IRE puts grain in the actor's face, but 40 is the darkest you can go with no grain. So 80% of the film is pegged to 40. No grain removal in post. By the way, I think the DVX might have better low light performance than the HVX.

Also, that's the music of Frank Sehr on the soundtrack. He is amazing.

http://www3.telus.net/public/franx/
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=17690


News coming up soon on distribution...:engel017:
 
I think you are right about noise in DV mode vs HD.

I managed to view your clip full screen size and whilst a 320x192 clip, i can now see some of the noise that was not apparent in it's native size on my computer screen. That said, the CC and visual tone is great and the noise that I can see, being part recompression or the like for the web trailer, makes for quite a sinister stalker feel. As dark and creepy I am personally finding some of the content in the trailer, I am intrigued to learn more about this film.

DV Rack is a real treat, especially if you have no P2 cards for the HVX.

Looking forward to further developments on Starlit...
 
...the noise that I can see, being part recompression or the like for the web trailer, makes for quite a sinister stalker feel.
Click to expand...

We were really going for a "this could be anyone with a camera" look for the surveillance of the women. And for a lot of that footage, the actress really couldn't see the camera. I would call them on their cell phone and say, "cut". :D

And I fully agree with you on DV Rack. The whole crew gathered round the laptop to see what it was. It took about three minutes and all were converted.

Thanks bro, some news soon. :beer:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top