2.35:1 and webcam shot

Jarrett P. Morgan

Jarrett P. Morgan

Well-known member
I am shooting a movie in about two weeks and have a question to pose to all of you skilled and experienced directors of photography:

I have decided to shoot the movie in 2.35:1 (well, shoot in 16:9 on my T2i and crop in post) but there are several shots in the movie that are supposed to look like a webcam shot them.

So:

Change to 4:3 for the webcam shots? I think yes, but what is your input?

How do I shoot it to make it look like a webcam? I don't want to actually use one... (I was thinking bluish color cast in the foreground (person) contrasting the normal WB of the back? As if it is off of a computer screen?)

And if I change it to 4:3, should I just center the shot in the 2.35:1 frame?
The shot is at the beginning, so I could potentially do some credits with the 4:3 webcam shot off to one side of the frame.


Thanks for you input!
JPM
 
You could just do some sort of overlay for the webcam...or do you have someone sitting and typing and we're seeing them through a webcam? Just because I think the placement alone and how they're looking at the computer is enough to sell it. That along with having a soft blue glow on the person in the foreground.

Do a test though. See what you like. It's not a bad idea to maybe switch to 4:3 for the webcam shots, but at the same time, it might say "this is a movie!" too much to you. It's your preference.
 
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Thanks for the input!
She is going to be talking into it, recording a video for a project. I agree that it might just be good enough with way she is looking at it.

What do you mean by too much " this is like a movie"?
Is that a bad thing?
 
I think what Ryan means is it might take the audience out of the reality of the moment. Such a change in aspect ratio might stand out.

What you may want to do is a computer 'desktop' image as a background for the 'webcam' screen. As if you're seeing the whole computer desktop (a simulated Windows desktop) on the screen, with the webcam window on top of that. This will give you a full-screen image, while keeping the image from the webcam in its proper perspective. The problem with this is you would need a decent graphic designer to design you some sort of fake computer desktop graphic -- since all the Windows desktops are protected by copyright.
 
As for the 'webcam' footage itself, consider shooting it on some sort of consumer-level, low-res analog camcorder -- 8mm or Hi8 would be best. This would give you a distinctly different, lower resolution look, without going all the way to true webcam quality.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
I think what Ryan means is it might take the audience out of the reality of the moment. Such a change in aspect ratio might stand out.
Click to expand...

Yeah, a change in aspect ratios just seems so weird to me, but they did do it in the dark knight...so maybe you'll find a way that'll work for you.
 
might be a little cheesy depending on the mood, but what about a split screen using 2 4x3 shots - perhaps the webcam shot and whomever or whatever is on the other side each occupying half the screen? or even a shot of the whole desktop (w/webcam visible) and a closeup of the webcam video side by side? just some ideas, best of luck!
 
overexpose and throw out half of the frames so it will be 12fps ,webcams arent smooth,you can crop to 4:3 and close down lens aswell.Shutter 30.Its simple just break all the rules.
 
JPM Photography said:
I

I have decided to shoot the movie in 2.35:1 (well, shoot in 16:9 on my T2i and crop in post) but there are several shots in the movie that are supposed to look like a webcam shot them.
Click to expand...

In a number of movies, there is some material that is presented in 4:3 format. A 'tv show or broadcast', 'old film', or in your case 'web cam'.

A couple of ways seem popular... In the case of a TV, having the TV and surrounding furniture fill up the 'wide' screen (doesn't matter what the width is... it's wider than 4:3...). In the case of a 'web' scene, embedding the 4:3 in a webpage on a computer screen seems popular...

However, I have seen just simply presenting the 4:3 sequence in a pillar boxed format, screen center for 4:3 and black on each side. Last year's "A Serious Man"(2009) has a long 'joke' at the beginning that is shot in 4:3 format, where as the rest of the film is 1.85.
 
JPM Photography said:
Thanks for all of the thoughts!! I like the idea of the desktop. Could you do Linux? Is that stuff all copyrighted as well?
Click to expand...

Interesting question, but a quick check of the web suggests that people who have taken screenshots of their 'linux' deskops, using whatever IDE, 'copyright' their screenshot...

Here's a blurb on the use of the trademark, "Linux"....

Examples of Fair Use

If you are a journalist interested in writing articles that include the term Linux, you do not need a sublicense. If you are printing up pencils, stenciling T-shirts, or distributing coffee cups with a legend on them like "Linux® is the greatest!" or "Even my Mother uses Linux®!" this is normally considered fair use.

Some uses of Linux require the user to obtain a sublicense.

Examples of Use Requiring A Sublicense.

If you plan to market a Linux-based product or service to the public using a trademark that includes the element "Linux," such as "Super Dooper Linux" or "Real Time Linux Consultants" you are required to apply for and obtain a sublicense from LMI. This is true whether or not you apply to register your trademark with a government.



---------------------

From:
http://www.linuxmark.org/who_needs.php
----------------------------------

This only covers the Tradmark "Linux", for the IDE, aka Desktop, or other application runing under Linux, you'd have to check the appropriate source site for any limitations on use of the 'representation'...
 
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