F3: F3 on MTV

[bill totolo]

I'm told this aired, but could only find it on-line.

I worked as camera tech and operator for the "Jersey Shore" Finale Pre-Show. My job included shooting b camera and building the scene files. It was the final episode but my first shoot with Jersey Shore, and I found the cast a lot of fun to work with.

We used (4) Sony PMW-F3's, (3) Fuji Cabrios, (1) RPZ 18-50 (on the Dana dolly), and recorded internally to SxS cards at +3db, 180º shutter.

http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/2012/12/20/jersey-shore-finale-pre-show-truth-or-dare-pictionary/

 

[vanvideo]

So, the show is shot in XDCAM 35mbps, 4:2:0? Interesting. I thought 50mbps, 4:2:2 was the minimum requirement for network programs.

 

[Duke M.]

So, the show is shot in XDCAM 35mbps, 4:2:0? Interesting. I thought 50mbps, 4:2:2 was the minimum requirement for network programs.

50mbps, 4:2:2 is mostly the Discovery Channel and BBS. But, if you want to sell your footage to all possible markets you do have to take them into account.

It really depends on the compression scheme though. 50Mbps in ProRes is awful due to extremely low compression. A lot would be thrown away to make it 50Mbps. That would need to be around 140-200 to look great. 35Mbps in AVCHD would be a ton of data as its highly compressed.

 

[MPB]

there is no official broadcast, network or television standard here. i believe Nat Geo (someone correct me if i'm wrong here) adopted a BBC standard that included 50mbps, and some others may adhere to that as well for their in-house and farmed-out production. acquisitions may be another matter entirely. but there is no uniform camera codec standard.

edit; regarding Discovery, i've shot for a couple shows for them, through production companies, that were based entirely or in part on f3 or ex3 footage.

 

[MPB]

come to think of it, Doomsday Preppers, ​shot on the f3 recording to sxs, is for Nat Geo.

 

[Duke M.]

I've updated the F3 productions list for Doomsday Preppers (I hadn't heard of the show but sounds like fun). If you have other movies and TV shows shot on the F3 let us know.

 

[MPB]

sorry, i should have mentioned that before, Duke. the EP for the show is a big fan of the f3 and they even own at least one package. i shot for the show this past summer.

 

[bill totolo]

So, the show is shot in XDCAM 35mbps, 4:2:0? Interesting. I thought 50mbps, 4:2:2 was the minimum requirement for network programs.

For clarity, this was the Finale Pre-Show for the "Jersey Show". Not the actual show known as "Jersey Shore".

 

[Duke M.]

there is no official broadcast, network or television standard here. i believe Nat Geo (someone correct me if i'm wrong here) adopted a BBC standard that included 50mbps, and some others may adhere to that as well for their in-house and farmed-out production. acquisitions may be another matter entirely. but there is no uniform camera codec standard.

edit; regarding Discovery, i've shot for a couple shows for them, through production companies, that were based entirely or in part on f3 or ex3 footage.

Even within BBC there are certain exceptions. A certain percentage can be shot at less than 50Mbps. As I recall they have gold, silver and bronze tiers.

I find it all rather silly though. Michael Jackson's "This is It" was shot 90% on and EX1 and no one complained about the image quality.

 

[MPB]

it is silly, but given the nature of the tech and the industry right now, i don't object to the general idea of trying to implement some standards. it wasn't that long ago lots of folks were shooting HDV.