How to prep before shooting when using a LUT in post

[GaryinCalifornia]

Finally found a few things in my net search. But not enough.

My back story. I haven’t really shot anything pro since the days of film for a few indie music videos back in those days.

But what I’d like to know. Are they’re any links or tutorials on how to prep before shooting when using a LUT in post to achieve the final look you want by adjusting things in your menus, etc beforehand?

Unless I’ve missed them. Wish some of the LUT sellers would kind of give you a hint as to achieve the best look when using their LUTS when shooting before hand for us newbies.

I’m relearning things are really remembering things that I knew in the past. But sorta forgot as I became a producer and some time director and I’ve always hired pros do the shooting.

But now moving to a place in the midwest where there isn’t much of a crew base (are the good ones go to LA) and also because I become a caretaker for my mom.

The best way to do another feature is do a lot of it myself and spread it out over time. Yes it took a while to write a script that would work over a longer shooting period too.

So any ideas or clues would be helpful.

I’ve nailed down exposure and such using Doug Jensen’s picture profile for my Fs5.

Just can’t seem to master SLOG yet. So just sticking with Doug’s profile for now.

 

[David W. Jones]

I use a monitor which can load the LUT's so you can see it during production.

 

[GaryinCalifornia]

Thanks.

I thought about that too and that has a built in waveform too. Thought about the Ninja V. Got to watch my pennies too or I'd go for the inferno. But like to put some savings towards some better sound equipment.

Just remembered, lol my real estate agent’s dad was a soundman in LA for years. But last time I spoke to her a few years ago. She said it was hard for him because he was slowly loosing his hearing. He started as a kid working on TV shows in the 60’s. I think the last show he did was Seventh Heaven because he wanted to get a new bull to increase his herd. Yeah its a midwest thing.

So I should find out if he kept any of his stuff or did he sell it all off.

 

[David W. Jones]

I think the last show he did was Seventh Heaven because he wanted to get a new bull to increase his herd. Yeah its a midwest thing. .

I understand. I used to own a Black Angus Bull.

 

[Publimix]

Hi learn Davinci Resolve and try the build in Luts that come with Davinci. Or use the Sony catalyst prepare or Sony sony catalyst browse. Then you can play with the in-build luts. Using a lut for the monitor is not necessary, you get used to the flat image soon. And the moment you apply a lut will be more magic.

Since the post-Luts don't alter the original footage you can experiment as much as you like.

 

[David W. Jones]

Using a lut for the monitor is not necessary, you get used to the flat image soon..

Clients watching at the video village don't understand. They want to see a pretty picture, not a flat image.

 

[Run&Gun]

Clients watching at the video village don't understand. They want to see a pretty picture, not a flat image.

And even as a shooter, I hate looking at a flat log image. To me there is something very motivating and satisfying about looking at a great image on the monitor or the VF. I spent too many years looking into a B&W CRT VF, now that we have color VF’s, I’m not going back to looking at a boring image(even though, at least those images had contrast).

 

[CharlesPapert]

Everyone has a different way of going about this. In a perfect world, I'd be able to cycle between log (to check where the highlights are falling on a scope), viewing with a LUT that is close to final look, and a 709 reference. I have been fooled occasionally by LUTs that play with the gamma significantly where I end up adding or subtracting fill more than necessary, and end up with less headroom for adjustment later. One particularly helpful use of LUT's for me is when shooting a notably dark scene like a night exterior or interior, it can useful to expose a little hotter than desired so you have room to window up a face etc later on, and use a viewing LUT on set that drives down exposure to where you will ultimate want to peg the scene.

 

[Patryk_Rebisz]

Even on decently budgeted production there often isn't time (or money) for proper color grade in the post. The solution to that problem is to achieve the look you want NOW rather then wait for the post. Yes, it limits your options but at least you won't be giving your precious footage to some color correction inexperienced editor to do your color. (my wife is an edit who has no interest in CC and yet often she's asked to color grade some flat footage on productions that ran out of time).