DVX100A & SDX900 concert shoot

Y

ypc1200

Member
I know this post if also seeking SDX900 information, so if there would have been a better place to post it please let me know.

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Hello,

I am in the process of planning a multi-camera shoot of a rock concert. We will be using an SDX900 for the WS, two DVX100A's for CU shots, and to make things more complicated 2 Sony PD170's. The last time I did a shoot like this we used 3 DVX100A's, which was great because I was able to pick my favorite scene file settings and just load it onto all 3 cameras. I uploaded some clips of that concert here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqnmTSDE1E4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41z-m2onR_k

I already know how I plan to improve the lighting for the new shoot, so I am really just posting this hoping for recommendations on scene file settings. I know that Panasonic has listed a scene file for the SDX900 to match the DVX100 or DVX100A at http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/sd_scene_select.asp, but this seems like a pretty bland setting, and if I use it I don't want to be stuck setting the DVX100A back to the default scene file 5 unless I really have to. Also, I'm assuming this SDX900 setting is based on shooting in 25Mb/s DVCPro, and I definitely want to shoot in DVCPro50.

So, if anyone has suggestions for the scene file settings for both the SDX900 and DVX100A for this shoot that would be greatly appreciated. Since it is a hard-rock/metal band I'd rather go for a more stylized, contrasty, and potentially over-saturated yet look than something bland and "safe".

Also, as I mentioned I am throwing 2 Sony PD170's into the mix. The concert I shot before (in the youtube clips I listed above) I shot in 24P to a get choppy, out-of-control look as all cameras are constantly making subtle snap-zooms. I would like to shoot in 24P to achieve that again, but I believe that having the extra cameras will prove more valuable than being able to shoot in 24P. Currently I was planning to put both PD170's on the stage shooting back towards the back of the band and revealing the crowd because I'm hoping it won't be as jarring when cutting between the Panasonic and Sony cameras if they are shooting in opposite directions. I am not very familiar with the Sony PD170's scene file settings (or whatever Sony calls them) so if anyone also has suggestions for how to set these cameras to match the more stylized look I am trying to achieve with the Panasonic cameras that would also be greatly appreciated.

This will be edited in FCP, and although color correction may help, I would much rather find a way to make the cameras best match at the shoot, because it would take a long time to color correct a full 1 hour concert.

Thanks in advance,

Mike P
Chicago west suburbs
 
I have never shot a concert on the DVX100, but I would say to just use the 24p scene file, but probably shoot in 30p. On those PD-170's I would also shoot in progressive mode. The colors on the 24p scene file would match the colors of a rock concert, with all the lights. But use a lot of ND filters so you can keep a consistant iris level. I don't know, I may be wrong. Just out of curiosity, what band or show that you're shooting?
 
The concert is for the Michigan band Know Lyfe. They are friends of mine and I am doing this as a favor.

I did not realize that the PD170's could shoot in progressive mode. Is that what Sony actually calls it? I know the Canon XL1 had a feature called "frame mode" that simulated shooting progressive frames. Is the "progressive mode" on the PD170's like that?

Andy (or anyone else), have you mixed Sony PD170 "progressive mode" footage with DVX100/DVX100A 24P or 30P footage? I would really like to hear how it worked for you.

Thanks!
 
I used to own a VX2000, which is the not as professional version of the PD170. I have compared the progressive footage from the VX2000 and DVX100, and they look great together if you have the colors on the DVX100 like the other camera's. The colors on the VX2000 versus the PD170 (I think) are practically identical. If you have access to both, try a test by recording the same shot in progressive from each camera. Good luck on the shoot! If you have any more questions, email me at andytheslash@gmail.com. I am very familiar with the PD170 and DVX100.
 
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