TV series camera choices

B

Bobonli

Well-known member
I just watched an episode of Chefography on Food Channel and it looks like they film Ace of Cakes with HVXs. I've read that Alton Brown's shows are filmed on P2 as well. A lot of material on Discovery, on the other hand, is shot on Sony cams.

So I got to wondering: what makes a production company (or tv channel) choose 1 camera system over another?

I know the differences between the cameras, but do production companies and channels consciously say "We want a more film-like look to our shows, please use Panny" etc or is it way more random than that? Or is it mostly financial in that one system is less expensive than another?

Just wondering if camera choices for television are made any differently than the choices faced by the members of these forums.

Cheers
 
it has to do with the delivery formats. Discovery only wants 1080P native ( or equivalent) cameras. They consider, the F900, HPX3000 to be "acceptable". I think they may accept Varicam 720 60-P as well.

They have restrictions on the "Lesser" cameras, this includes, all HDV, HVX HPX170 level ( probably the HPX500 as well) cameras. its something like 20% or less of the content of the show is to be shot on these cameras.

Food Channel may have different standards. 720p maybe acceptable to them. so they may be more inclined to have shows shot on Smaller cameras. Also its cheaper to shoot on 4 HVX's than 4 F900's. Last i checked Food Channel wasnt the biggest advertising seler around so perhaps their requirements arent as strict.
 
Oddly enough, at least at the network level, the cameras are chosen by all those involved exept for who will be using them.
lol
true.
When a user buys a camera, it's based on needs vs budget. When a CEO writes a check for one, it's based on what the guy in front of em told em to do. The guy in front of him is usually the one faking his way through his job so he can tell people he works in show business.
 
The Food Network has/had no problems using DVX100 footage also . I was shooting a concert last year in DC and TFN was shooting as well for Ace Of Cakes. they were all armed with DVX's.
 
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