The miseducation of DVX100

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brazalon

New member
I know this question has probably been answered in some way shape or form, but I am looking for a straight up exact answer if possible. I've been searching the forums for days and I still don't have a straight answer because I am new to all of this.

I have a DVX100A and I plan on shooting a film, barring lighting and post editing with software. What other assessories do i need to get a very close to film look?
Can i achieve this without a special lense? Can this be achieved without a 35mm emulator? I feel shorts like Broken and the other DVX classics look great, what did they use to achieve the good looks.
 
brazalon said:
I am looking for a straight up exact answer if possible.
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Unfortunately, there is no 'straight up exact' answer.
You mentioned lighting - that's most of the equation.

In my opinion, the best accessory you can get is a talented and experienced Cinematographer.
:thumbsup:
 
Q: What sort of paint should I get to paint a picture that has that "Turner" look?

A: Oil.

---

Q: What's the meaning of life?

A: 42

---

See any resemblance? Tip: the answers are correct, but useless, because they answer the wrong questions.

I've been searching the forums for days and I still don't have a straight answer because I am new to all of this.
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Don't sweat it. You can't get a straight answer because there isn't one. There are thousands of films out there with billions of different "looks". What you want is to shoot a well shot film, and the answer to that question lies both in education and training.

Go and shoot your film. Improvise, have fun. That's the only answer I can think of.
 
Don't worry about fancy add-ons. Just take your time lighting your scenes as film-like as you can. You'll be surprised at how film-like the footage will look.
 
I'm always a bit surprised when DVXuser members tell less experienced filmmakers to just "hire someone." Example: Q: How do I get good audio? A: You can't cuz you don't know what you're doing so hire an experienced audio guy. Q: How do I get a film look with my DVX100A? A: You don't know what you're doing, so hire a cinematographer. The reality is many of us bought the DVX100A because we cannot AFFORD to hire people (if I could afford that, I'd probably also be able to afford a Varicam). Or we're not inclined to hire anyone (I want to learn all this myself and become a self-sufficient master filmmaker (snicker)). Granted, if you're hired by Coke to shoot a national commercial and you don't know what you're doing, then you gotta hire someone. But if you're just making shorts and art films for festivals and the "short film marketplace," I say just do the best you can, cobbling together the information you can, and shoot it yourself with friends! You'll get so much more out of it (...and you will be cheaper than anyone else on the planet, guaranteed).

So how do you get a filmlook with your DVX100A? That's what the DVX100 camera is all about. Definitely read Barry Green's book, because he gives a lot of tips and techniques in this arena. I don't think you need special lenses or the anamorphic adapter. Use "squeeze mode" or letterbox mode (yes, sacrilege! but heck unless you know your short must be absolutely 100% the best resolution possible, you can get a great filmlook with either of these modes without buying extra lenses). Some shorts shot in squeeze mode have gone on to do very well in festivals. And most shorts these days have their life on the web! I doubt you can tell the difference between squeeze mode/letterbox mode and the anamorphic adapter for any short broadcast in Quicktime on the web.

Also, light your shots "well." Good contrast and LOTS of light where it's needed most (without blowing out your shot, and without ruining any dramatic shadows or depth). This will compensate greatly for using the in-camera lens and settings without any additional purchases of lenses or adapters. Low light gives "noise" to the picture, which will detract from a film look.

I'm always amazed how an interesting actors makes the shot look like film! For some reason, when we're captivated by an actor's interesting face/expression/performance, we don't notice what format it's filmed on. It just feels like a movie.

Similarly, a cinematic location makes anything look like film. Textured backgrounds, lots of space and depth in the shot, and well placed props/production design makes it look like film.

Some things I have learned: avoid smoke machines. They make footage look LESS filmic on the DVX100a. And avoid low light. Avoid shooting actors against boring blank walls (yikes). And I'v edefinitely found that bright natural light makes the DVX100 cameras give the best film look (i.e., real bright sunshine outdoors, or in a room with lots of natural bright light works better than any lighting kit I've been able to put together yet). I notice that Celebration (the masterful Dogme film shot on really cheap handheld digital cameras) chose a location with TONS of big windows--lots of natural light.
 
Great advice notwithstanding! I've definately learned a thing or two from your post. I know that lighting is a very important area of film. I think I'm going to check out the "lighting" threads now.
 
Try this question, "How do I create beautiful photography?" There is no easy answer.
Try this question, "How do I create beautiful music?" There is no easy answer.

Observation. Practice. That's how to become good at something.

Creating good photography requires looking at the world through a new set of eyes. You have to watch where the light falls in real life and figure out ways to re-create it.

There's a reason every significant book on cinematography has the word, "Light" in the title. Cinematographers are artists who paint with light. If you focus your attention on painting with light, the "film look" will no longer be a concern.
 
Notwithstanding said it all and said it very well. Follow that advise and you're well on your way. In fact I think I will put those words in print and place them on every wall in my house.

Marlene
 
Thanks everyone for the advice I feel much better because I purchased my dvx with the hopes that I can create without following a bunch of rules and guidlines. Now that I have my canvas I am ready to paint.
 
notwithstanding said:
I'm always a bit surprised when DVXuser members tell less experienced filmmakers to just "hire someone."
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Is that supposed to be a dig at my response?

I've found you can learn a lot more a lot faster by working with people who know more than you do yourself as opposed to trying to figure it all out alone groping in the dark.

That said, the cinematographer comment was tongue in cheek.
 
I agree Luis. No one said, "You're not good enough, hire someone else." "Hiring" (paid or unpaid) an experienced person to work with and shoot your film is an excellent way to learn. It will certainly get you farther than asking a group of faceless names in an internet forum (No offense Brazalon). The reality is you just can't really be spoonfed this stuff, and I think that in itself is an important thing to learn. I know everybody wants instant gratification nowadays, but if you spend some time and figure out why certain things make your footage look good by experimenting or working with someone who has seen the effects and you'll get a lot farther. Yeah, it might take you a while, hell even a lifetime, but you'll be better off.
-Ryan
 
notwithstanding said:
I notice that Celebration (the masterful Dogme film shot on really cheap handheld digital cameras) chose a location with TONS of big windows--lots of natural light.
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notwithstanding: do you have a link to that Celebration?

thanks.
 
Great production design and smooth (big studio like) camera movement.

Most overlooked for beginners: Sound. Great sound always makes my cinematography look better.

-Jay
 
what was "Lazy Sunday" shot on? Nobody cares. What was "Swingers" shot on? Nobody cares. What was "Hustle and Flow" shot on? Nobody cares. What if Lazy Sunday was shot on 35mm film by Michael Bay? Would that have made it any better?

The point is, if you make something interesting and captivating, the audience stops paying attention to how your film "looks". Actually, for most projects, if your audience is focusing on how it looks, you're probably screwed. I found myself ONLY focusing on how "The New World" looked because the story was so damn boring, and while it did look prettier than every single movie I've seen in the past year, I think it was one of the worst films I've seen in the past year (opinion, I know). So what does that say about how important a film "looks"?

Now, we're all film nerds, so we want our stuff to look good. We want our peers to be impressed with our technical ability. And there is a floor as to how technically crappy a shot/film can look. So in that sense we do have to be proficient in our framing, lighting, sound etc. But as long as you have a basic knowledge of all that stuff, your short/video/film will live or die on the story and the acting. So put your focus there.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
I've found you can learn a lot more a lot faster by working with people who know more than you do yourself as opposed to trying to figure it all out alone groping in the dark.
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Almost all the shoots I've been on, I've worked for people who knew more than myself. Some of the gigs I took for free, just to get the opportunity to look over shoulders. Sometimes you get a lesson in what NOT to do, ever. I have volunteered to shoot BTS so I have a visual reference later when I want to look at something more closely. I've PA'd on some things, AD'd once, run second cam. But you gotta put your time in, in all the ways you think may not matter, before you find out how crappy you really are. :p Then its time to work...
 
thartley said:
Almost all the shoots I've been on, I've worked for people who knew more than myself. Some of the gigs I took for free, just to get the opportunity to look over shoulders. Sometimes you get a lesson in what NOT to do, ever. I have volunteered to shoot BTS so I have a visual reference later when I want to look at something more closely. I've PA'd on some things, AD'd once, run second cam. But you gotta put your time in, in all the ways you think may not matter, before you find out how crappy you really are. :p Then its time to work...
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Damn right!
Great points thartley.
thumbsup.gif
 
Lighting is so important, but like C.g says, it really comes down to the material. A great story and acting will always outshined everything else.
 
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