vegasdigitalfilms
Active member
Just got back from the Avi Casino in Laughlin NV where we shot the last scenes from "The Casino Job" on the DVX. The rest of the movie was shot here in Vegas.
All i can say is wow. As i've said before, the DVX performed flawlessly.
The casino footage was the toughest only because of general noise. A soundmans nightmare when trying to get dialog.
in my week one summary somewhere on this forum i mentioned using hardware store reflector lights with 250 watt bulbs as our primary light source. We continued using these with amazing results. We had our Lowell kit, along with a couple of 500w soft box kits, but basically abandoned these lights for the round, $7.50 reflectors attached with a $10.00 dimmer. My theory was to enhance the natural lighting in any given situation. One of our key grips made 1000w dimmer packs to use on the Lowells. What a difference to be able to dim down your big guns if you have to. The smaller lights made it easier, thus quicker to control the mood of a scene. it allowed more control without sacrificing picture quality.
The movie is full of crane and dolly shots. One scene in the casino, i had to crane and dolly through the table game pit for one long scene, involving several different scenes. Very challenging and the results looked spectacular. We used the Kessler Crane on our homemade dolly. i highly recommend the Kessler.
We shot several night time driving scenes and the results were amazing. We didn't have the luxury of a car mount, so put the camera on the sticks in the back of an SUV, lit the talent with a portable camera light on a dimmer, used a wireless lav hidden on the dash to get the dialog. We spent some time experimenting with DOF, and with some trial and error, nailed the scenes, making them look very, very, cinematic.
After four intense weeks, using the DVX 12 to 16 hours a day, i came away absolutely loving this camera with the confidence that your footage can look just like film.
There is no excuse to make ugly movies now that we have the DVX. Get your GREAT story, get the DVX, learn how to use it and make a Hollywood movie.
Jeff Mahon
DP, The Casino Job
All i can say is wow. As i've said before, the DVX performed flawlessly.
The casino footage was the toughest only because of general noise. A soundmans nightmare when trying to get dialog.
in my week one summary somewhere on this forum i mentioned using hardware store reflector lights with 250 watt bulbs as our primary light source. We continued using these with amazing results. We had our Lowell kit, along with a couple of 500w soft box kits, but basically abandoned these lights for the round, $7.50 reflectors attached with a $10.00 dimmer. My theory was to enhance the natural lighting in any given situation. One of our key grips made 1000w dimmer packs to use on the Lowells. What a difference to be able to dim down your big guns if you have to. The smaller lights made it easier, thus quicker to control the mood of a scene. it allowed more control without sacrificing picture quality.
The movie is full of crane and dolly shots. One scene in the casino, i had to crane and dolly through the table game pit for one long scene, involving several different scenes. Very challenging and the results looked spectacular. We used the Kessler Crane on our homemade dolly. i highly recommend the Kessler.
We shot several night time driving scenes and the results were amazing. We didn't have the luxury of a car mount, so put the camera on the sticks in the back of an SUV, lit the talent with a portable camera light on a dimmer, used a wireless lav hidden on the dash to get the dialog. We spent some time experimenting with DOF, and with some trial and error, nailed the scenes, making them look very, very, cinematic.
After four intense weeks, using the DVX 12 to 16 hours a day, i came away absolutely loving this camera with the confidence that your footage can look just like film.
There is no excuse to make ugly movies now that we have the DVX. Get your GREAT story, get the DVX, learn how to use it and make a Hollywood movie.
Jeff Mahon
DP, The Casino Job