DVX & M2 Feature - DP Reel

escozooz

escozooz

Well-known member
Production: Butch Jamie
Director: Michelle Ehlen
Company: Ballet Diesel

This the DP reel from the feature we just finished. It was shot on the DVX100a and Redrock M2 with Nikon Lenses. We had a 2k tungsten package, and a 2k HMI package.

http://www.mattworkman.com/dp-v2/work-butchjamie.html

Any questions, comments, criticism, please feel free to post on this thread.

Thanks.

Matt
 
It's great to finally see some footage after following your production notes with all the pictures. Most of it looks great, very well shot. A fan of the dolly I see. The main critique I have right now is that the wide shots seemed too soft, to the point of seeming out of focus. Maybe it was the compression that knocked it over the edge but that was what really stuck out watching it the first time through.
 
its weird when i try to watch the feature i keep getting the slain video, then i click on the slain video i get the ame video. Not sure if this is just me but take a look.
 
Shots look great. Unlike Brandon, I dig the music... not really sure if it fits perfectly with this piece, though.

Critique? Yeah... I got one. When the couple walk into the house and turn on the lights (from 1:43 to about 1:55), I'm not sure if all that footage is in chronological order (I'm guessing not), but it REALLY throws off the viewer as to where the hell everyone's standing, and what's going on. The 180 is crossed over and over very quickly, and it's very disorientating. Even if the shots don't play out that way in the film, I'd suggest changing that bit in the "reel".

-brown
 
Hey Guys,

Sorry I screwed up the embed code. It should be working fine now.

macintosh Thanks for the comments. I had some trouble with the flange distance with the M2, my fault not theirs. I was DP/AC for most of the shoot so I didn't always have the time to adjust. Some of the wides are sharper than others.

rcbrown23 I agree that that sequence is confusing. I wasn't paying attention to the line when I was editing. In the actual scene that line cross is warranted. Actually those are about 3 scenes, lol.

Sorry for the confusion.

Matt :dankk2:
 
Hey Matt,

I've been following the production updates over the last couple of months on your site. Awesome job. The reel looks good. Any CC on what we're seeing?

The flange distance thing seems to be a common problem--it's something that I've had to adjust/tweak on my M2. Do you mind sharing your scene settings--specifically your Detail Settings? Just curious what other people are shooting at.

Keep us updated.
 
Footage looks great on the web. I have yet to see M2 footage in uncompressed, tape or DVD but putting quality glass infront of this camera just gives another aura about it. Keep up the good work.
 
I thought your range of shots were great overall.

At one point, the music starts to hurt this, however.

Do you have to use only one song/beat?

It all feels right--up until I see the cats. Somewhere between the cats and the shot where the lady? is holding the cat-carrier, the music loses its effectiveness and as a viewer, ---I'm not with you anymore--- all the way to the end because the shots don't feel like the music anymore. Disconnect.


it is really small thing, but just my feelout.
 
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Shaun Patrick This is uncorrected, but I might make a cut later on where I clean up the blacks etc. The flange is mainly my fault becuase you have to check it and make sure everything is "tight." Mainly I shoot with the 3200k/5600k presets unless we are giong for an effect. I also shoot with +4 sharpness when I remember to change it.

Alexa Hah I'm sorry the song is painful. I'm not the best editor in the world but I didn't think the song was that bad to listen too, hah. :kali: I was going to use Gnarles Barkley's "Crazy" but I didn't have a copy of it when I was editing, would that have been better?

Everyone else thanks for your comments, there is always the mute button if you can't stand it :/

Brian has been kind enough to put this on the Redrock Micro samples page along with some other very inspiring M2 work. If you haven't already seen it I suggest checking it out.

http://www.redrockmicro.com/samples.html

The production journal that Shaun has referenced is online @ http://www.mattworkman.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=18

Cheers,

Matt :nads:
 
this looks very nice - I like the styling and mood lighting. Very good use of the M2.

But this brings up the big issue with the M2 and similar adapters. You gain control over depth of field but you lose a crisp image. Matt, you did wonders with the M2 - but even with detailed work something always looks off with the adapter. Either the edges are very soft or the images is slightly muddy. We always need to be careful and understand what we are giving up when using a tool like this.

If this is destined for dvd it will look great - i am not sure if it would stand up to the big screen.

Sorry to put this in this thread - but, Matt, this is a great example of really beautiful work with the m2 which is why it brings this up. You certainly are talented to pull that off without an AC (is that true?)
 
smelni Thank you for the kind words. Overall I am very happy with the M2, its a great tool. Although it takes a lot of discipline to use. On tougher days (as you can see) not paying attention to the equipment can end in soft images, blurry edges, etc. If you are attentive and have a bloody monitor you can get consistant images.

The film will definitely go to DVD, SD. As for projection we'll see, the director is aiming for some pretty decent festivals. SD alone without the M2, is pretty low rez projected. But we did some tests (M2 vs. Native DVX) and even with the softness we agreed the M2 is the look we wanted.

I had an AC for about 5 of the 25 days. These days I usually have an AC for anything using HD and definitely one or two for film shoots.

Using the M2 has given me a respect for the various adapters out there. Even the PS-teknic and Movietube can render softimages/etc. if you don't use it correctly.

How has American Standard been coming along? When are you expecting a rough cut?

Cheers,

Matt
 
I have been watching your blog - looks like a tough shoot but also looks like you pulled it out well.

American Standard is going awesome - we are submitting to sundance in 10 days so we are crunching the edit now to have a bit of time to do basic color correction.

Rough cut in 10 days then and then we polish for the next couple months - prob will have a private screening in november.
 
Shots look good, music doesn't bother me...I want to see the rest. For this reel, it seemed like most every shot was a dolly track...they look great, but it feels a little bit over-used.
 
Thanks guys. I've had a mixed review of the music from a lot of people. I believe the song fits with the tone of the movie and I'm comfortable with the descision now.

Good luck at Festival Seth. What other projects area you looking to do?

Mike McNeese The movie is going to be 90 min long and you probably have seen a piece of every dolly move. The shots where we setup the dolly just ended up being my favorite for lighting as well, makes sense.

Cheers,

Matt
 
Matt,
looks great! Very professional looking and love the natural indoor lighting.

Personally, I like the music.
 
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