Anyone ever shot a pilot with a DVX100

M

madcitydvx

New member
I have been a DVX100 user for about four years, shooting primarily weddings and small scale corporate projects. The latest project involves filming a pilot for a talk show that would be submitted in the local cable market. The producers budget isn't all that limited, so fortunately the main focus will not be cost containment. I am looking at using the two DVX100s that I own, plus renting two additional. I have also looked at renting the JVC DV550, which I assume would yield better results since it is a larger chip design. However, if television quality can be equally obtained with the DVX100, I would assume stay with what I am familiar with.

My question is, has anyone ever shot a TV episode using these cameras, and if so, did you do it with just the standard out of the box camera? The setting will be in a local community college theatre which will utilize the stage lighting. The subjects will never be more than twenty feet away from any given camera. Also, if there are any existing posts that someone could point me to, that would be appreciated as well. Thanks for any information you can provide.
 
Yes, of course there have been pilots shot on the DVX. Here's a quick list of shows/films.

This all depends on the budget, and target output (Local Cable TV, National, etc.), and style your after.

Literally hundreds of shows are shot with the DVX... BUT, again this come's down to what your (the client) after.

I'm in talks with a local producer that want's to shoot a children's series. She has a budget and wants the works. We MAY shoot one small spot on the DVX, just to shop it around a bit, but ultimately we will be renting high end cameras, along with a lot of other high end gear and post production work.

More details, please.

-brown
 
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i know it's on the list that rcbrown23 posted, but the pilot for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" was shot on the dvx. as a matter of fact, when the show was picked up they kept shooting with the same camera. pretty impressive for a show with a big time hollywood actor (danny devito) and others involved. here's the link to read more about it: http://shop.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=97694&modelNo=Content06122006082904448&surfModel=Content06122006082904448
 
Thanks for the information. The long range plans for this project would most likely include upgrading to other cameras, but for the short term I was hoping to stay with the DVX100. There really aren't too many bells and whistles attached to this project, just a straight shoot, most likely not even in 24p. What I am also trying to determine is if there will be any additional add ons required for the camera. With all of the years I have been shooting with the DVX, the only thing I have ever added is a UV filter. I have about 5 weeks before the first rehearsal shoot is scheduled, so that should provide me with adequate time to make any necessary arrangements.
 
Do you have a good shotgun mic? That should be a priority. Also, look at getting some sort of lighting setup. Even worklights from Home Depot could be used. There are a bunch of threads on here telling you how to soften them up for better results.
 
My primary background is in audio production, so I am fairly well set with shotgun mics, lapel mics, so on and so forth. The location that we will be using has a sound board that allows for multi track recording and I have an interface that will provide us with a multi track master straight to the computer. I have four Rifa 55s that I have used on various other projects, but I don't think they will be of much use here. Since this is going to be on a community theatre stage with all of the stage lighting available, that should be helpful. Although I have yet to get a chance to actually see how the lighting works for video purposes. The worklight set from Home Depot is an interesting idea. I will look for those posts.
 
No, no, no... Home Depot lights work great in the right hands, for the right project, but not for this.

The stage lights may also look good for some backdrop or highlights or something, but you NEED a light kit. It's a necessity, and I can't stress that enough.

If it's a simple talk show, great. Get yourself a small 3-4 light light package. You can rent from your local rental house, and for a decent Arri or Lowell kit, it should settle in at around $100-$200 a day. Probably $125 day rate.

This will make the difference between a crappy looking amateur video, and a real "talk show". I guarantee it.

-brown
 
Yardsale said:
Great thread, never knew my favorite show Arrested Development was shot on a DVX!
Click to expand...

That's because it's not true... well, mostly. MOST of the show was shot with Varicams.
 
rcbrown23 said:
No, no, no... Home Depot lights work great in the right hands, for the right project, but not for this.
Click to expand...

i have to second this. i've used work lights before, and they, well, they work. but if you're trying to pitch this pilot to the powers that be, i would maybe go another direction. if you have to use them, they're better than nothing though. but i'm sure you know you get what you pay for.
 
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