Filming next week, using DVX and XL2 - suggestions appreciated!

J

JCVR

Well-known member
So, i'm going to start filming a documentary next week. I'm going to be mixing footage from an XL2 and a DVX. Here's what i'm bringing along;

XL2
DVX
Extra batters
Boom mic, lav, shotgun (exact models TBD)
DV rig pro
Waivers

Is there anything else you guys might suggest? Also; i've never used an XL2, do any of you know what settings I should use to get an image similar to the DVX?

All suggestions for filming are welcome. I'll be at a loud convention. lets hear what you have to say... this is a first for me - i promise to love all of you forever with help!
 
GAFF TAPE. It can help you in many situations. Also, bring a pen and paper, prefferably a little note pad for each camera op. It's good for making/taking notes on everything from settings, to lunch time. Depending on your setting, it might be good to also bring some moving blankets to dampen echos in your area of audio recording. It will really improve your audio, and if you're outside, they can be used to cover the cameras in case it rains, or even to shield the sun so you can view a monitor better (if you're bringing one....). Also, bring some lights so you can light your subject, along with those, throw in some pieces of foam core board. They are indespensible for any sort of bouncing/flagging of light, you can also white balance on them (if they're white of course...). Other than that, just make sure your batts are charged, and that you have enough tape. Make sure and discuss how you're going to label your tapes. With a 2 camera shoot, I suggest naming one camera "Camera A" and the other "Camera B". That way, on your tapes, you can label them something like "Cam A tape 1" or something. That will just make it easier when you go to edit/upload your footage. Hope this helps!
 
My added comment to PDX_DVX excellent points.

My added comment to PDX_DVX excellent points.

PDX_DVX said:
Also, bring a pen and paper, prefferably a little note pad for each camera op. It's good for making/taking notes on everything from settings, to lunch time.
Click to expand...

xsau0184.jpg

Aluminum Clipboard
Necessary tool for any cool cinematographer

ng-adventurepaper.jpg

Waterproof, Tearproof Plain White Paper
Necessary because inevitably you will spill a Coke on your log sheets.

These supplies can be found at back-backing or law enforcement supply stores.
Hope this helps.
 
i'm going to have to really book up audio to make sure i'm doing everything alright.

Any DVX/ XL2 suggestions?
 
I havent used the XL2, so I couldnt say....It would be ideal to have a color production monitor that can be calibrated on hand so that you could compare the two. Something you might want to do is adjust some of the settings at home to get them looking the same (detail levels, master ped, etc etc.) Be careful though because things could get ugly....If you get the non-color settings really close though that will help out alot....
 
A couple more "essentials"

A couple more "essentials"

cinemasupplies_1840_77864087

Inexpensive Clip-On French Flag
Be sure to shade your lens to eliminate lens flare.

cinemasupplies_1840_92255471

GretagMacbeth ColorChecker®
The first step to balance the look of your cameras is to have a reference card.

cinemasupplies_1840_25736618

Illum-A-Slate Illuminated Camera Slate. aka clapper
It would be really easy to lose track of what tape came from what camera
and when they were recorded at the same time, etc. Try a simple marker board.

cinemasupplies_1841_44949369

Altoids
Last but certainly not least.

Visit www.filmtools.com for everything in this post.
 
Yea, the color chart will be essential in getting the two camera's adjusted correctly. Can you use one of those in conjunction with the blue gun setting to calibrate the two cameras? Say you calibrated the monitor, and then pointed the camera at the color chart, turned on blue gun, and adjusted the *camera* settings, and then switched to the other and did the same? Maybe you dont even need to use blue gun.......I come up with stupid ideas like that sometimes.....
 
Okay.. Just One More Thing.

Okay.. Just One More Thing.

20153058.GIF

Endust Compressed Canned Air
You gotta clean those lenses somehow. This brand is cheap and available anywhere.
The 7 oz. can I found in my closet (??) had a price tag of $3.49.
 
Here's a big one. . .

Here's a big one. . .

JCVR said:
Here's what i'm bringing along; Waivers
Click to expand...

PR254_lg_8537.jpg
PR252_lg_853f.jpg

Polaroid I-Zone Sticky Camera
It's really easy to forget who signed releases. If you take a quick picture of the person,
then stick it on the release, you'll have a definitive reference to ensure what you've got.

How else can you keep track of dozens or hundreds of interviews for a documentary?
 
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