DVX/M2 Feature Production Journal

escozooz

escozooz

Well-known member
Title: Butch Jamie
Director: Michelle Ehlen
DP: Matt Workman

I am shooting an independent feature in New York this summer with the DVX/M2. I am also using the Rowe Cine-dolly, Britek tungstens, and Lee HMI's. We have been shooting in 2-4 day sessions for 3 weeks so far.

I am keeping a journal with photos and comments/breakdowns as much as a can.

http://www.mattworkman.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=17

Hope you likes.

Matt
 
Matt, Production question...

It looks like you're not going from your boom mic to the camera. What are you recording to?
 
Hey escozooz,

Enjoyed the set shots and "play-by-play."

Perhaps some screen-grabs from the DVX/M2 setup?

Good stuff.

Keep it coming.


ian
 
For sound we are recording into a DVX100b. Kind of strange, but the director wanted her own camera for later, so buying a DAT didn't make as much sense.

We have just started to capture the footage, I'll see if I can get some of that online.

Next update will be Tuesday. :banned:
 
Hey Matt! Lots of questins to you!

I just recently used a very similar setup to yours, for a Music video I shot... Let's find a link...

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=58761

Anyway, I also have a Formatt matebox, but I cannot use it with my M2, because it just puts so much strain on my lenses focus rings, they get stuck. Do you have the same problem? Did you manage to come up with a solution?

I am aslo considering getting a MicroFF. How do you feel about it? I had some trouble following focus on my nikons, so maybe something like this could help...

And how do you do to have your M2 dialed in for every shot? Do you take it apart at the end of each day? Do you keep it on? How often do you check backfucus, and has it given you some problems already? I'd love to know more about your setup, and congratulations, it looks really promising!
 
I can't put up screens or footage just yet, sorry. Soon though. I want to show our dolly shots :)

The formatt mattebox is no good with the M2. It makes its impossible to follow focus. I've been using it on shots where I don't need to Follow Focus, but there is some damn light kickin the lens. Solution: Redrock Mattebox.

If you have the M2 and fast nikons like 50 1.2 and 35 1.4, then you need the follow focus. For the first week or two I was using camera tape on the lense and moving the barrel. But that made the camera shaky and was very awkward. The Redrock FF is the best out there, sub-2K$.

I keep my M2 permanently attached to my DVX with the everything locked down and taped down. I am Z85 and F32, I don't change it much. Though I check everyday. The whole rig fits into a Pelican 1650 and I've custom foamed it to be very secure.

My lenses I keep in a simliar case so that they fit with the new lens gears on them.

The m-vid looks good, I need to take the time to read that thread sometime.


I JUST updated the journal with this weekends craziness. Check it out.
http://www.mattworkman.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=17

20060619-19.jpg


20060619-17.jpg


http://www.mattworkman.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=17
 
Really interesting stuff escozooz.

You mentioned noise from the dolly.... how bad is it really? And what is making the noise... you think it's the bearings or the track itself or what?

What flouros are those you're using? Homebuilt things or something proper from Kino or something? I can't make it out from the pictures.

And how do you feel thus far about the kit you put together? i.e. camera and lighting package. After a some shooting do you think it was the right choice, or now with the benefit of hindsight do you feel there could've been some changes in how you've allocated the budget?

Thanks! And keep up the interesting posts. :)
 
nice, can't wait to see a clip
was it hard to pull focus on the handheld shots?
yeah I was wondering why was that lady carrying a DVX and saw her with the boom so I kinda figured ur getting the audio from there but why putting hours on a 100b just for audio? anyway keep us posted
 
hemophilia: The dolly noise is the track. I haven't invested time to make a nice metal or pvc track. I've seen some great tracks in the DIY section but I don't really have to time to execute those. I use 5' sections of PVC threaded together, which results in a noisy and less then perfectly smooth track. But it gets the job done.

The dolly itself if very quiet. On steel track I'm sure its silent.

The florescents I'm using are from Home Depot. They are the kinds that stick under cabinets. I have 3 4100k and 3 3200k ones. They are very light and can daisy chain together. I would obviously rather a nice Kino Car Kit but for 2 tubes thats like $1100. Opposed to $100 for my kit. I bet most people wouldn't know the difference on screen. The Kino 4x4 and 4x2 are much better though.

The kit we have so far is great. Our budget didn't allow for the HVX to be purchased but I would rather have had that system, especially for its quick playback capability. The director is acting so she can't really see most of the takes until we capture.

As for lights we have some basic tungstens and ghetto kinos. I would probably go for a nice Arri D5 kit some where down the line but again those are $3k. As for the HMI's they are best investment. Having two large daylight sources is really simplified how I light most of the shots. Having less tweenies with full CTB hanging around is much faster.

Unix: For the few handheld scenes we've had I didn't have the Follow focus or a whip, I still don't have that or a speed crank. So yeah it was pretty hard. However for most of the shots I was very close to infinity. On my nikon 28mm you have to be closer than 10-15' to require a focus pull. With the follow focus I can pull much easier but the rig is now that much heavier and front heavier at that.

As for the dvx100b as a DAT, that was our only option. I wanted a dual system, because I don't want an audio person always changing levels on the camera etc. Plus is makes dolly moves and rigging lights a headache to be tethered together. The director shoots a lot of behind the scenes footage with the camera and she wants it for other projects.

Hopefully next weekend I can steal some of the footage to post.
 
Camera Package?

Camera Package?

Can you explain your camera package in more detail? I have a very similar setup but looking to get an LCD monitor and arm exactly like you have. Can you tell me what your setup is, where to find it, and prices for the monitor setup? Thanks!

Mike
 
robotx:

- DVX100a
- M2 35mm Lens Adapter
- Redrock Followfocus
- Nikons
- Formatte 4x4 mattebox
- Varizoom 7" Widescreen Monitor
- Noga 8" Arm
- Noga male shoe and female receiver (to mount to shoe mount on DVX)

The varizoom is good for framing and okay for focus. Color is crappy. Going with the new HD marshall seems to be popular. Or if you are rich the panasonic HD on board with built in waveform and other toys.

:love4: mmm panasonic
 
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