Cinema Package

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Re: Cinema Package

I've got to tell you that as a relative newcomer to indie filmmaking (2 years) I consider myself very inexperienced.  Even so, the people on this site have been very kind and gracious to me when I ask them questions (even stupid ones).  Even so, I would imagine that their patience has it's limits.  You show up, ask a vague question and are impatient when you don't get what you are looking for.  Then you dismiss well thought out advice.  You may be a professional, but you aren't acting like one.  Don't be surprised if people stop responding to your posts.

Edit:  Cheese beat me to it.
 
Re: Cinema Package

Did not read the thread above...so sorry if someone has already mentioned.

But your list of accessories...budget accessories...would remain incomplete without Barry Green's latest Book and DVD. To my mind they are the latest, must-have set of accessories for this camera.
 
Re: Cinema Package

I apologize for myself...

going through a lot of crap in my life right now...new baby, divorce...etc...

I Realize that I'm being an ass, but it's because I'm rather emotionally spent...

That aside...back to business.
 
Re: Cinema Package

With this type of production would he not need two DVX cams for many scenes and If so would double the cost for the cam accessories?

Im trying to budget as well and the TWO cam question is killing me.
 
Re: Cinema Package

[quote author=Cade link=board=news;num=1101163993;start=15#24 date=11/23/04 at 07:21:41]With this type of production would he not need two DVX cams for many scenes and If so would double the cost for the cam accessories?

Im trying to budget as well and the TWO cam question is killing me.[/quote]

he has a point.
I would suggest you get the dvx first and play with it for a while before you buy every expenisve accesory for it. just because its a good camera isnt going to make your picture actually look good, you have to know how to use it. I know i've heard from people it takes time to learn how to use jibs, stabilizers, the anamorphic lens, etc etc. so why not learn to use them before you put down over a quarter of a million dollars into a film?
i'm not a "pro" but i research my things before I make any step into buying them. you just seem to want a list of tihngs to buy, and go buy it and its that simple.

i suggest you get:
-One DVX (unless you plan on doubling the accesories)
-Barry's Book. very good, will give you a solid understanding of the camera and what it can do.
-i'd try out a mini35. never used one, but if you're a pro you probably should have a better understanding on how to use it effectively.
-good sets of lights

i dont know enough about other things to suggest anything
 
Re: Cinema Package

[quote author=Cheesesailor77 link=board=news;num=1101163993;start=15#19 date=11/22/04 at 22:23:59]and no one's mentioned P+S Mini 35, which sounds maybe nessecary for a project like this, if it's going to the big screen.

And dude, the ppl trying to help u here are some of the nicest and most knowledgable folks I've talked to, and if u're a pro, you can't tell by the way you handle urself.[/quote]


what is a mini 35?

and how precisely would I use the follow focus, thanks
 
Re: Cinema Package

[quote author=Phil link=board=news;num=1101163993;start=15#18 date=11/22/04 at 22:11:18]

You seem like a person who likes to get to the point so:

1. If budget isn't a concern, make your camera look like this:
Money3.jpg

[/quote]

Went to that site and found this page

http://www.saferseas.com/vsd/eye/eye12.html

Would the "Eye of The Storm Studio" package, package #1, be the camera setup as depicted in the image you posted?

This package is about $9,000.00 which isn't all that bad. I can easily see budgeting $18,000.00 for two cameras with this kind of setup, maybe even three...

Does anyone know precisely how the follow focus functions though?
 
Re: Cinema Package

ok, now I'm beginning to understand that the follow focus is a manually operated focus adjustment that is operated during shots in which the center of focus changes over time. I'm guessing that it is advantageous to have such a system so that the camera operator doesn't have to try to zoom, move, and focus the camera at the same time, which would lead to many bad takes when the camera gets bumped accidentally.

Actually, my studio cameras have something similar mounted to the handles, only we never have to use it during a shot because we are pretty much stationary, other than moving from shot to shot. We never adjust focus during a shot...Pretty much everything is switched live to tape...

Question, why not just make something that interfaces electronically with the focus adjustment, like the zoom control to accomplish similar results, or am I missing something?
 
Re: Cinema Package

our studio cams use a very similar gear system for "focus pulling"
 
Re: Cinema Package

[quote author=kosstheory link=board=news;num=1101163993;start=30#30 date=11/23/04 at 08:21:43]Question, why not just make something that interfaces electronically with the focus adjustment, like the zoom control to accomplish similar results, or am I missing something?[/quote]

THAT is a good question.

Regarding what you posted earlier... I trhink the Safer Seas Package #1 "The Eye of The Storm Studio" is exactly what you're looking for. Bear in mind that the Anamorphic adapter won't work with any other lens attachment, so you can't use the anamorphic and the telephoto at the same time. Also, I'm not sure if the mattebox in that package will work with the anamorphic.

The Mini35 system delivers great results, but not necessarily the best for film blow-up. According to Barry Green's tests, his anamorphic footage seemed significantly sharper than his Mini35 footage when blown up to 35mm film in a big screen.

For your purposes, I think the Safer Seas package you found is ideal.
 
Re: Cinema Package

..the new sony pro version HDV cam has a user set time auto focus adjustment featuire which will shift focus for you from one set point to another at the touch of a button over a time period you specify.. it will also change other camera settings for you as well during that.

.. i have to say.. yippy ..(insert straight faced smiley here) its really no good in a real production environment.. unless you like to take thet time to program somthing like that to happen instead of simply learning to do it like a pro- manually.. people who expect the camera to make the film for them will probably use it alot though.
 
Re: Cinema Package

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about "The Eye of The Storm Studio" Package, then I saw this package on saferseas...

They say it's for cinematographers...

Package #1 DVX CinePack
AG-DVX100 Cine DP Package

http://saferseas.com/vsd/eye/eye13.html

Can you give me any more info on the problems with using the anamorphic lens with other lenses and this matte box?

Also, I was leaning toward the mini35 setup until you made your comments about the differences in picture sharpness when blown up to the big screen...Can anyone shed some light on the situation?
 
Re: Cinema Package

[quote author=iamloser link=board=news;num=1101163993;start=30#33 date=11/23/04 at 11:51:36]unless you like to take thet time to program somthing like that to happen instead of simply learning to do it like a pro- manually..   people who expect the camera to make the film for them will probably use it alot though. [/quote]

Oh, so it's not the CCDs capturing the light information, it's you, right?
 
Re: Cinema Package

I think his point merely that the camera is a tool, nothing more. New technology isn't necessarily a substitute for skill and judgement. The quality of the final version of a film rests more with the skill, experience and vision of the people involved than with the equipment being used.
 
Re: Cinema Package

Koss,

I simply cannot wrap my head around your posts. Every time I read what you write I try to cut you some slack, but honestly it's hard for me to believe you're over 14. No wonder you're getting divorced.

Matt
 
Re: Cinema Package

koss,

jim pretty much embodied what i was saying there.. usually someone has to translate for me cause of my otherworldly blather..

... im not really sure where you felt i was directing you to believe something such as that in my post.

.. my point is that the camera cannot detect and adjust to something being slightly off what was planned like a human camera operator can..  whether thats timing or distance from lense to subject or anything else.   if your close enough to push a button, your close enough to put your hand on the focus ring or follow focus, and do it with your own sweat and blood. anyone who would try to rely on the camera to do focus pulls  or shifts  would only be crippling themselves as a cinematographer.   im not saying its not cool to have.. id rather have it than not have it, and i can see using it as a luxury every blue moon on some static shot that requires a precise and smooth focus shift, but actually needing shots like that is few and far between, and most good camera ops can do it easily without such an aide.  but other than that  i think its just a crutch.  call me snooty if you will , but  theres a reason why pros go manual when they can . .whether its race car driving, or whatever.. because the person is the cinematographer.. not the camera. the person makes the images and the choices. learning to pull focus well is pretty easy , and shouldnt be something that anyone has to rely on sitting there for a minute and programing the camera to do it for you.  i cant say that alot of people wouldnt be rolling their eyes if they walked on a set where the DP or camera op was programming the camera to do any simple focus pull for them...  myslef included.

..anyway my original post was just noting that there have been and are ways to have the process automated, but there real world applications and usage are sparse, and they are no subsitute for a skilled camera op. but, i suppose i can only hope that people would realize the importance and advantages of learning the knowledge and skills neccissary to be affluent in their craft rather than embrace new technology in hopes that it will replace their need  to do so.
 
Re: Cinema Package

Kosstheory,

If you are a pro and want to use the DVX100a in ways that take advantage of its best qualities/specs/features while minimizing its shortcomings, I would recommend the following:

1) BE NICE ON THE DVXUSER FORUM. This is without a doubt one of the best resources imaginable for the DVX-based indie filmmaker. You have an installed base of creative professionals who try about every conceivable set-up in the hopes of capturing great footage, and you can learn from their mistakes and benefit from their successful experiments--without having to reinvent the wheel yourself! The site is constantly current with posts and updates--and IT'S FREE!!! If you are having emotional troubles, have someone else--friend, roommate, whatever--proof your posts before you send them. Or get some Zoloft or ProZac. Only an idiot would make enemies here.

2) BUY BARRY GREEN's BOOK/DVD PACKAGE: What a fantastic package. I just got mine a few days ago and you can tell by the way HE produced HIS DVD that he knows what he's talking about. The book is essentially the "missing manual" from the DVX itself, as it goes over the pros/cons of every type of adjustment and setting. The DVD shows all the ramifications of different settings on the final footage, explains the benefits/detriments of the PanaAna 16x9 adapter, and overall fleshes out what the potential of the camera actually is. Which is pretty friggin' huge, BTW.

3) BUY THIS BOOK: "Killer Camera Rigs That You Can Build"--What a little treasure this one is! You save money if you just build the one-hand SteadyCam unit with this book versus the real thing! If you want professional-looking cinematic shots, you need camera MOVEMENT, and this is a fun way to get it done inexpensively (if you are willing to put some sweat into it). Go to their web site and look at some of the breath-taking examples of shots acquired from dollys/cranes/SteadyCam units made from supplies readily available from Home Depot or Loews. Click here: http://www.DVcameraRigs.com

Those are the lessons I've learned thus far, anyway. But if you've already made up your mind that anyone here who offers you advice contrary to your current understanding is an idiot, then I am sure you'll dismiss this post as well. A broader apology without excuses for bad behavior might be in order. I am sure this group would be quick to forgive and forget if treated with just a little respect for the invaluable souce of info that they are for you.

Bart
 
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