New Guy with questions about a Car chase scene

Back to One

Back to One

Member
So I'm looking to shoot a car chase scene ( very new to this side of things so I apologize in advance for the long winded post, stuntguy venturing to the other side of the camera) and just want the best film like look for export to video. so far I'm looking at 720/24pn setting with some 60fps shots. What gamma curve setting F1-F6?
(This will be a bond/splinter cell look)
Also there will be some faster action like drifting cars, high speed drive bys and things of that nature. I like that some of the backround will look blurry but would also like some crisp shots. do I need to mess with shutter speed, Does that mess with the slow motion? I will be shooting in Daylight. if I want something crisper do I need to shoot in 720/60?
Also need to know when I import to fcp what are the settings to do that in? do I use easy setup? and does it change from 720/24pn to 720/60 ? Thx again. hope these arent to anoying.:dankk2:
 
This is going to be a priority for my next short, too (car racing/chase) , so here's what I can say following some tests:

1- Buy a "Stickypod"type device. Google for stickypod, and you'll know what I mean. It will increase your car shots 100%

2- you might want to shoot 22 FPS or even 20 for some additional speed. 22 would be best, since it would give you a "faster look"without looking too 70'ies HK Kung-FU acceleration.

3- If you have fast moving objects, you might want to have a faster shutter speed. Slower shutter speeds makes motion blurry.

4- DO some test footage. No- do a LOT of test footage. Find a cheap LCD and if you're doing stickypod, buy a Long AV Cable for you to Monitor framing in car. You just need to see the frame not the resolution.

5- Try to keep the iris high (close to "close") for less selective focus. Unless you study your sequence very well and keep your distance to the car EXACTLY accurate for focusing.

This will be hell for me, but I think it will be lots of fun... I'm planning on shooting my scenes with a stickypod, handheld, and some Tripod... At Night! That Will be a challenge...

EDIT- You lose the 30 and 24 shutter speed setting when you shoot 720p60.
 
Thanks a bunch!!! I like the Idea of the sticky pod. seems like I need a big set up and am doing this on a Big NO Buget. spent the money on the camera... Well at least I have a steadycam and dolly to borrow as well as sticks. thanks for the advice on everything. please any other Ideas are welcome. even the ones that seem basic. also 720p/@24 or22 fps in film cam mode is imprted into fcp under what settings? thanks again.
 
If your using a non"pro"camera mount to shoot car scenes, make sure you double up on "motorcycle" type mounting straps to hang onto your rig. Several "G's"- of momentum can occur during sharp turns, and a new HVX is just a small suction cup away from the pavement. Test, test, test, before trusting this device completly... ALSO--------
Just adding the safety straps can pull on the suction cups, decreasing their original holding power and their firm grip on the sheet metal.... Basically , go the extra mile and cover you a#$...
 
Back to One said:
Thanks a bunch!!! I like the Idea of the sticky pod. seems like I need a big set up and am doing this on a Big NO Buget. spent the money on the camera... Well at least I have a steadycam and dolly to borrow as well as sticks. thanks for the advice on everything. please any other Ideas are welcome. even the ones that seem basic. also 720p/@24 or22 fps in film cam mode is imprted into fcp under what settings? thanks again.
Click to expand...

Well, Back to One, take into consideration what FIlmat11 said about securing your camera (I will!). However, I do believe the system should be, if properly setup, a viable production tool and applicable for what you're going to shoot. CHeck out their videos (and costumer posted ones.)

I'm ordering a Stickypod DIrector's setup, since I'm also doing some dialog as well as perspective shots, but If you're only going for perspective and car chase shots, this might be overkill for you.(Check out the online videos posted by users.)

The price, for what you'll gain in production value (at least for the "pro"piece) is peanuts. Its the price of some top of the line Nike sneakers... Think about it.

AS for the FCP question, just import on a timeline with DVCPRO HD 720p@24. It will automatically "speed up"the 22 FPS footage (just make sure you shot 720p 24pn and in the scene file setting selected 22frames.)

I have a glidecam and did a car scene for my new short with me sitting on the back of a hatchback Civic. No vest, just the arm. It "sorta" works, but definetly not for fast action. It looks better than handheld, definetly, but not perfect... (My arm couldn't stand the GC4000 for more than 6 minutes.)
 
I did some car mount work using a FilmTools.com mount with my DVX. Worked like a freakin charm. I wouldn't hesitate to put my HVX on one anytime.
 
Stickypod doesn't ship to where I am. I need another solution. Mike, will check out filmtools.com. A production company here (whose owner I know)owns a Microdolly car mount. Maybe I'll have to loan or borrow from him. (I sincerely wanted to own this equipment, for freedom of shooting and future possibilities.)


(I think I'll post a request on a separate thread in the hardware section for suggestions- don't want to threadjack Back to One's original post.)
 
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