Getting DVX footage to look like a consumer cam

Fliques Osman

Fliques Osman

Well-known member
Hey guys,

For the life of me, I can't get DVX footage to look like it came from a consumer cam, 99% of the time that's a good thing, but I'm making a mockumentary that's suppose to look like it is being shot from a Best Buy consumer cam.

Now, I can go and buy a cheap consumer cam from Best Buy, but I'll be showing my film in small art house theaters around my area. Therefore I need the 24p, and color space. I was gonna get the HV20 but I can't afford to spend another $800.00 on a camera and another $500.00 to upgrade my computer for HD.

So, if any of you guys have settings you would like to share or any other suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Manymoosh
 
Turning ON the auto iris and auto focus would be a start. Then you could bump the gain up to +9dB or so and turn off Cine-gamma.

Then when you are shooting, tread the line between what someone who isn't familiar with film making would shoot, with what will actually be watchable.

I think 60i would be the best bet for the instant consumer "look" though. Especially if you are juxtaposing it with well shot 24p footage.
 
Thanks Robinette. Will definitely try turning on the auto iris and turning off the Cine-gamma.

Who would've thought that having such a great cam, which produces great footage, be an obstacle!!!!

Keep the suggestions coming.

Thanks,

manymoosh
 
I would try this:

Shoot 60i
Kick the in camera sharpening way up
Boost chroma and such
Auto focus, auto iris, and go for around 6db of gain.

This idea here is to get that super jaggy sharp, contrasty, look of a consumer camera. Add in the gain for some noise like these tiny little chips need and you should be getting in the ballpark. AF should hunts some, iris should step in quick transitions.

Another thing to try:

Back the color, saturation, and such off and tinker until only the reds pop. You're going for a flatter image like the little 1 chippers produce, but still having that DV red pop.

I would hook your DVX up to a regular TV via composite and just start tweaking away till it looks cheap.
 
I've never done this, but wanted to:

Do all those things, but go ahead and shoot 24p. Then, in post make an overlay with big chunky scanlines, the sort of thing with alternating lines that are darker and lighter and overlay that on your footage. In films that simulate TV footage, this is often how they do it (since they don't have the liberty of mixing in 60i footage).
 
Invaluable advice, thanks guys.

Could I shoot a flat image, all setting to zero and then boost the chroma, add gain, and sharpen the image as LightMast suggested in post, or does it have to be all in cam?

Hand the camera to your aunt. I think that would do the trick.
Click to expand...
HorseFilms, I don't have an aunt, will I get the same result if I give the cam to my uncle :)
 
no no no. i don't like any of the advice, its just not REAL in enough.

Here's what you do,

put your dvx in a box, send it to me, I'll send back a consumer cam you shoot your film and I'll settle with the dvx...I know know, i'm a saint for helping a stranger, but thats just who i am.
 
Homer, I sent your name to the Vatican!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

But seriously guys, could I shoot a flat image, all setting to zero and then boost the chroma, add gain, and sharpen the image as LightMast suggested in post, or does it have to be all in cam?

Thanks,

manymoosh
 
try to add some effects in post, like having a couple of pixels randomly go black for a frame or dropping pixels on random points of the scene. It would be a lot harder to take 60i to 30p and then to 24p for output.
 
Nothing says consumer like shaky video...just don't make the audience vomit. Also, the one thing that nags me like nothing else with the crappy pro-sumer cam I have to use for work is that trying to get shallow depth of field on that tiny one-chipper is next to impossible. Other than that, like everyone said, set it to 60i and auto iris/focus.
 
Another thing that will help sell the effect is to get really bad sound. Use the on-board mic and make sure you shuffle your hands around on the camera quite a bit.
 
the original dvx footage looks like a bestbuy consumer cam to me....

sorry for this, yes, i own a dvx, but many modern consumer cams make the better picture.

manu
 
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