mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Whoa. I've heard right before big accidents, things seem as if they are travelling in slo-mo. This conversation has that vibe for some reason.

Your carpenter friend was right, "whatever you do, do it right." The problem you're having is that you're not really listening to what he said across the board. You are only applying it to select situations. Here's an example:

"Problem" 1:
Sometimes independent films are shot on video, without a 35mm adapter, without a DP, without an anamorphic adapter, whatever. As a result they don't look as professional and have a hard time getting sold. (let's pretend that the story is okay, for the sake of this argument)

Your notion of "Do it right": Spend lots of money to work with a DP, with a 35mm adapter, etc, etc.

In that situation you are completely correct. If we agree with the premise that a perception of low production quality can sometimes hinder the saleability of a film.

But then you've got

"Problem #2"
First time/beginning directors often try to shoot a film without having enough of a working knowledge of the technical aspects of what they are trying to accomplish, and with no hands-on experience of the equipment they will be using.

The "do it right" solution: Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the equipment and the process -before- the shoot, as opposed to -during- the shoot. If you do it beforehand, then you can trial and error when you don't have the same -clock- ticking that you do when you have a whole crew sitting around watching you try to figure out how to make your stuff work.

Ask your carpenter friend, "When you buy a new tool you've never used before, would you just show up at a site and try to use it. Or would you try to figure it out in the comfort of your own shop, first?"

I know exactly what he would say.

Phil
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Excuse me But what is a DooD camera ?? Question for hillcity
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

My advice is to speak with your DP, check the locations you will be shooting to see what available light is already there.  You will lose almost 2 stops using the mini-35, that doesn't mean that you can't use it.  You will need more light to compensate for the 2 stop lost.  The interiors are doable.  The exteriors, especially in the woods where there isn't any available natural light, except for the moon may create problems.  Try scheduling the woods shoot on a full moon night, and maybe on a damp, foggy night - which will help.  If you have the cash, you will need a big light source if you have wide shots and action sequences (5K or bigger) which more than likely will require a generator for the outside shoot and use smoke to reflect the light if the night isn't foggy. Blue gel to simulate the moon but not too blue.  Also check your master ped in the DVX to adjust your blacks.  Someone suggested a camp fire or something which is a great idea as a natural practical.  If you decide to shoot day for night, make sure you don't show the sky or if you have to use a graduated filter on static shots.  As a previous post said, the blue sky and clouds are a dead giveaway.  If you have the money and you want to use the mini-35, then by all means do it.  On the other hand a lot of what is posted here by other members is true.  The DVX is a great camera and for what you are renting the camera for, I would just purchase it or wait for the anticipated high def version.  Good luck!!!!
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

What is the DOOD camera and where can I get the mini-35 for my DVX not shosing up on BHVideo site
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

mroczkowski83, besides what I just mentioned in my first post, you can float a balloon and this should solve a lot of your problems shooting out in the woods. Most rental companies include an operator to run the igniter and floatation of the balloon in your rental fee. This may make your DP smile. Check this link out.

http://www.lightsup.net/
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

wow thanks earnest. i've never seen such things. i will try to make the DP the happiest person on the set.
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

While I generally agree with your assessment of spending real money and doing it right, stop to consider open water. Not much in the big production value department.

I'd come up with a budget, then figure out what I need in the way of lighting, dollies, steadicam, props, sets, etc. Then, decide what camera package I need & can afford. The mini 35 adapter might push your lighting budget up to where a Varicam would end up costing the same. Especially when adding in the rental cost of the adapter.
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Well hello all
As you might gather, I'm relatively new to the bells and whistles for the DVX100A, But thanks to you guy's I'm learning fast. Could someone tell me What is the DOOD and a Full CBT is? And where can I get the mini-35 for my DVX
I would like to explore these options and add it to my production suite.
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

bmcneil2k, I think the poster was referring to dude. Also CTB is color temperature blue, which is type of gel that is put on the light to change its color temperature to match your existing light or vis-versa, the other being CTO, or color temperature orange. Depending on where you reside, check rental houses that rent camera equipment to see if they rent the mini-35 adapter, or you can make one yourself with a little skill or buy one from someone else (homemade that is). All rental houses will require production insurance, good luck if you live in NY because the rates are astronomical.
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Thanks Ernest_Acosta, I needed that.. So the Mini35 and the micro35 is a self made device. I wish there was a fourm site on them. Guess I'll hit up Google...Make one huh Wow!!!!
 
Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Re: mini DV 24p SHOOTING AT NIGHT VERY IMPORTANT!!

Ernest's remarks are right on the money. So are those others that recommend "talk to your DP". I've been hired on quite a few jobs where there is a pre-conceived notion of "we need to shoot it on this or that format, or with this or that tool", and had to work through it with the director exactly what his or her intentions and needs are; very often, we end up changing the very thing that they have their hearts set on, and they are all the happier for it in the long run.

The Mini35 is a great tool. But you are certainly adding to the expense and required skill level of certain key positions. You will need a camera assistant who is a skilled focus puller for 35mm, which is an entirely level than someone whose assisting experience is solely in the digital world. As Ernest points out, you are losing two stops of light with the adaptor (the figure I usually go by is 1.5 stops, assuming a cine lens package with a minimum aperture of around T1.4, but it can't hurt to give yourself an extra .5 stop of latitude, especially with the way the DVX handles noise). And thus, that lighting package issue is definitely no joke for large night exteriors. Skratchlechan 's suggestion of a full-CTB'd 650 would be ineffective beyond ten feet, at best. I'd personally want to see a substantial HMI package up to 12K's for this type of situation, and probably one or two 6K balloons. And that means at least a 3+3 grip/electric department, and at least 2 of each department needs to be experienced enough to work quickly and safely enough to be able to pull this off.

For this camera and lighting package to make sense, I would guess that your show would probably need to be budgeted at the very least around $250,000.

As a Mini35 owner, I certainly feel that it is worthwhile as a tool and worth the inconvenience and expense. But you definitely need to hire the right DP. I would make sure that they have material on their reel that is representative of the look you would like to achieve, i.e. good looking night exteriors, and that they have worked in larger formats than DV, such as HD or 35mm.

I personally agree with you that it's not all about buying the camera package versus renting it. I think that for a feature, it would possibly be a worthwhile venture to buy the camera itself, but unless you had a slate of several features beyond this one, the Mini35 plus lenses plus support gear (mattebox, follow focus, filters etc) is not a worthwhile investment. Indie films were made for years with entirely rented packages; it's only since cameras themselves dropped below the $5K level that the generation of camera-owning filmmakers has developed who couldn't imagine dropping a dime on rentals if they could avoid it.

Best of luck with your show...I think you are on the right track, as long as you get the right person behind the camera.
 
Back
Top