DOC: Documentary: Does my camera need upgrading?

[Paul Walker]

Typically, I am a prosumer shooter in that I might make a grand a month (max) from shooting and this means my gear is typically prosumer. However, attempting to shoot a doc has made me realise how much better my gear really needs to be and I have been looking at the idea of an FS7. That 10 bit 4.2.2 looks really good and the sheer simplicity of the kit really appeals to me.

However, I could be wrong and actually, just sticking a 7Q onto my GH4 might be a better option. What do you think of this and does it immediately make you think the camera gear needs to be upgraded? Also, what do you think generally?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5HALvW69uc

Thanks in advance

 

[n8ture]

A good story and good audio go a long way.
Award winning films have been shot on iPhones.

I had some judges at a film festival give me their thoughts on what they were looking for in a documnetary.

It came down to three things.
1) Tell a story
2) Make us care
3) Keep it short

They never said anything about what it should look like or sound like or what bitrate the camera needed to be.

Follow those three rules and you can use an etch a sketch and make a good doc!

 

[rob norton]

For this type of documentary work, upgrade from a GH4 only for XLRs/ND filters and nothing else, certainly not for the images. If the trailer you linked was shot with an fs7, not a single viewer would feel differently about the story.

Well shot, internally recorded, projected GH4 footage looks amazing.

Again, for this type of documentary work, the money saved on an fs7/7Q can go towards a used C100, wireless system, lens, backpack, marketing posters etc.

As far as the trailer, your voice over audio is only on one side - centre the tracks/pan left or right/whatever your NLE calls it. It's hard to read the search bar while listening to the voice over at the beginning. I didn't mind the "...175mph paralysed" search but for me there were too many computer screens. I don't know if it's recognised in your audiences circles but the song is borderline annoying (again, for me). It still seems like a great story and I'd definitely consider watching the full version. We don't really see the character in a non-riding setting, other than those few wheelchair shots. I'd replace the initial computer shots with more glimpses of the woman.

 

[Paul Walker]

For this type of documentary work, upgrade from a GH4 only for XLRs/ND filters and nothing else, certainly not for the images. If the trailer you linked was shot with an fs7, not a single viewer would feel differently about the story.

Well shot, internally recorded, projected GH4 footage looks amazing.

Again, for this type of documentary work, the money saved on an fs7/7Q can go towards a used C100, wireless system, lens, backpack, marketing posters etc.

As far as the trailer, your voice over audio is only on one side - centre the tracks/pan left or right/whatever your NLE calls it. It's hard to read the search bar while listening to the voice over at the beginning. I didn't mind the "...175mph paralysed" search but for me there were too many computer screens. I don't know if it's recognised in your audiences circles but the song is borderline annoying (again, for me). It still seems like a great story and I'd definitely consider watching the full version. We don't really see the character in a non-riding setting, other than those few wheelchair shots. I'd replace the initial computer shots with more glimpses of the woman.

Thanks for the heads-up over the sound. Looks like I messed up and will have to re-centre it.

And the initial computer shots and avoiding showing disability are critical. When we initially tested, we discovered viewers just turn off if they see a wheelchair upfront. We have to hook the viewer then show them the chair otherwise they simply lose interest immediately.

The 4k is critical and the issue is building the GH4 rig (a killer on a doc), money saved in post. The better the initial footage, the less money we have to spend on getting it up to standard and that's a huge saving.

We have a 'proper' trailer coming through and will change the music.