HBO docs such as " billy the kid" " addiction" etc CAMERA choice?

B

bluntforcetrauma

Member
I hope this is in the right section. AS I have combed the HBO docs site and other filmmaking sites i cant seem to find what type of cameras are used for certain DOCS like " billy the kid"" addiction", and other say more low profile type of production.

I would like to know if the DVX100b, or canon ah x1, hv20, are being used for such projects.

People say its not so much how its captured but the content. I see, so i like the content i will be shooting, but if anyone out there could tell me what camera would be a good start i would appreciate it.

I like low light performance

my budget can be say up to 3,500.00

I cant find cameras used on these DOCS?

4:3
16:9

60i

what do you all like to use.

do i go with dvx100b where it only does 4:3? I like the dvx100b but it seems that newer cameras are coming out that might date the dvx?

or do i try to find a camera that can pull 4:3 and 16:9, 60i?

Does one exist?

Sorry in advance for the bad grammar and ramblings but i hope someone can help with my choice

thanks
 
avenger said:
Many of them shot on Sony PD-150.
I dont know about Billy the kid cuz i havent seen it
Click to expand...

then is the dvx100b comparable to the sony PD 150?

I also see the Sony PD 170 but i dont see many people talking about SonY.

What cam will do Discovery channel or other DOC shots that will be acceptable for distribution on these type of channels?
 
Considering I just watched a doc on HBO about some reporter for inside edition who was a crackhead and i would say most of it was shot on Hi8 or 8mm so really it doesnt matter as long as the story is there. Many networks use the DVX or 150.
 
I used the Canon XH-A1 to shoot a doc series that will be airing on Showtime this summer. We initially considering using the HVX200 because we needed to originate on HD, but decided to go with the Canon so we could shoot to tape, since our run-and-gun shoot schedule, large amount of footage we knew we were going to shoot, and small crew (2 people), made a p2 workflow too difficult. With the exception of a few operational quirks (e.g., you can't pull focus while zooming), the camera was a pleasure to use (the iris ring made stop pulls a lot smoother than the typical dial on most of the Sony and Panasonic handycams), and the camera's 24-frame mode produced a pleasing image.

We shot a year ago, and now there are a lot more options in the prosumer HD/HDV camera range, including the Sony EX1, Z7, and S270, though those are priced out of your stated budget. The DVX is a great camera, but it's a little long-in-the-tooth, and doesn't shoot true 16:9, which is something to consider given that a lot of programming is now 16:9. Of course, "Iraq in Fragments" was done on a DVX100 in letterbox mode, looked gorgeous, and won the cinematography award at Sundance, so...

Bottom line is most of the prosumer handycams can deliver great results.
 
matt s. said:
Considering I just watched a doc on HBO about some reporter for inside edition who was a crackhead and i would say most of it was shot on Hi8 or 8mm so really it doesnt matter as long as the story is there. Many networks use the DVX or 150.
Click to expand...

yeah i remember that one, I may not be filming about crackheads but generally its a human interest type of story so a lot of people shots and not much scenic shots of landscape.

so i am looking for a camera with a price range of say 3,000 give or take some
 
Stas_Tagios said:
I used the Canon XH-A1 to shoot a doc series that will be airing on Showtime this summer. We initially considering using the HVX200 because we needed to originate on HD, but decided to go with the Canon so we could shoot to tape, since our run-and-gun shoot schedule, large amount of footage we knew we were going to shoot, and small crew (2 people), made a p2 workflow too difficult. With the exception of a few operational quirks (e.g., you can't pull focus while zooming), the camera was a pleasure to use (the iris ring made stop pulls a lot smoother than the typical dial on most of the Sony and Panasonic handycams), and the camera's 24-frame mode produced a pleasing image.

We shot a year ago, and now there are a lot more options in the prosumer HD/HDV camera range, including the Sony EX1, Z7, and S270, though those are priced out of your stated budget. The DVX is a great camera, but it's a little long-in-the-tooth, and doesn't shoot true 16:9, which is something to consider given that a lot of programming is now 16:9. Of course, "Iraq in Fragments" was done on a DVX100 in letterbox mode, looked gorgeous, and won the cinematography award at Sundance, so...

Bottom line is most of the prosumer handycams can deliver great results.
Click to expand...

thank you

first of all i am trying to find the production difference between HD/HDV?
also i am probably in the budget of 3,000 give or take but if there is something that really is a great camera i might be abl to go higher. I believe my workflow would not be with the P2 system, i think i would rather work with tape (DV and the like)

Again i am working on a human interest story and i have started to pull from archive footage, photos and other things.
I see where a lot of people like the Canon I just have not seen it much in DOC work except now for the above mentioned shot. I consider it a big investment, and i dont want to end of buying a 2nd cam in 2 years because the one i buy just doesnt deliver the goods.

it also seems that even thought the DVx 100 is a great cam, no native 16:9 but can be letterboxed so there seems to be a lot of options but i think i would want the workflow to go with little processing.

please advise
 
I can tell you with certainty that "Billy The Kid" was shot with a DVX. I'm not 100% sure which model it was (DVX100, A, or B), but definitely a DVX - I'm a friend of the producer, they used her personal camera to shoot it.
 
andrew_stretch said:
I can tell you with certainty that "Billy The Kid" was shot with a DVX. I'm not 100% sure which model it was (DVX100, A, or B), but definitely a DVX - I'm a friend of the producer, they used her personal camera to shoot it.
Click to expand...

you rock, that is the kind of information i was looking for. I watched " billy the Kid" and i thought the look of the film is what i am looking for, so i was wondering what type of camera and setting were used to obtain the shoot. Like 4:3 SD, HD, or HDV, 60i things like that

thanks so much
 
"Billy the Kid" Director Jennifer Venditti {from Film Threat}:

What format did you shoot the film in?
Mini DV with a Panasonic DVX 100 A. I had access to a free camera through my producer that was both easy to use and clearly cost efficient! It was a good size so as not to effect intimacy with the subjects, and didn’t make it too obvious that we were filming everywhere we went. This was also the DP’s first feature film, and it was great for him to have a camera that didn’t force him to concentrate too much on technical details, as this could have interfered with his instincts when capturing a scene. We joked around during the editing process that some of the footage looked like it was shot in slow shutter speed, but really, I don’t think my DP knew what slow shutter speed was! This was actually great for the filming, because the process could be completely natural.


Did the run-and-gun DV format cause any problems?
We lost a couple of tapes with major interviews on them—but we found them later!


Whole interview here: http://filmthreat.com/index.php?section=interviews&Id=1140
 
get a DVX. You can always shoot letterbox or use an anamorphic adaptor if you want 16:9. Plus, you can probably upconvert it to 720 if you really needed it. I've used InstantHD and it works really well.
 
great tips, thank you. I am still on the fence because I would love to get a camera and not have to think of getting a new one a couple of years down the road because the technology gets so much better

Does the DVX shoot 60i? please advise
 
Yes, the DVX does shoot 60i. Oddly enough, it's just 'PROGRESSIVE OFF' in the menu. It's also one of the default scene files on the settings dial.

Regarding your purchase, I'm not a strong believer in 'future-proofing' when it comes to the camera department. Just like buying a computer, there will always be the next best thing right around the corner.

"Oh, man, I should've waited to buy the what-za-doodle. It's got 2298 squiggles more than the QP409-T1000 doodle."

I would love nothing more than to have a HD project on my plate. Talk about a great problem to have. Presently, almost all my clients are still SD. Any camera will depreciate. Maybe spend a little less on a DVX, work, shoot and save for the HD package when you really need it and the project might help pay for it. Ditch the used camera for what-you-can-get. Just a thought. For some people being an early bird has paid off in the HD game. For others - not so much. A friend has a HVX and still shoots all miniDV. He has no P2 cards and has never had a client ask for a HD shoot.

Just some thoughts..... cameras will get better and prices will get competitive. Do you really need HD NOW?
 
Fevercity is right. The only way you could distribute HD is through Blu-Ray or HD DVD. Most people I know haven't heard of either. Plus, there are only about 80 HD TV channels out there (Out of the thousands). what is the chance that your project will be displayed on an HD channel (no offense, I'm not trying to say that someone can't do it, but most of those channels are really big networks that could care less about the independent filmmaker). Until Blu-Rays or HD DVDs become as popular as DVDs, then the DVX can still be used for distribution.
 
does a downconverted HD tape to SD still have better resolution than shooting regular SD?

also, so if i am going regular SD is the DVX the camera to get?

oh yeah how does a MAC handle the dvx? good? easy? just thru firewire?

I have used canon's with my MAC's and the workflow is easy.

is the workflow easy with a dvx and a MAC?

please advise
 
fevercity said:
Downconverted HD -> SD looks great.

The DVX / firewire workflow works great.
Click to expand...


really ? With the short reply makes me want to ask if I asked a stupid question?

i am obviously a fetus when it comes to the technology.

I thought i heard that HD downconverted to SD looks better than regular SD?

so would it be a good idea to invest in the canon xh-a1 and have the choice of HD>SD or just shoot in SD?

sorry for the simple questions but i really could use your help

thanks
 
Yeah, HD downconverted to SD looks "better." so does 16mm downrezd to HD look better then stuff origionated in HD. And 35 downrezed to 16... Oh wait they dont do that.
 
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