Need Help

A

AlexYan

New member
Hey everyone,

I'm brand new here, but have had a lot of experience shooting DV. However, all the work I've done has been 29.97 stuff, and I want to go 24 for a feature. This will be a big undertaking for me (I've never used 24p), and I need some advice/guidance.

I plan on using a Canon Xl-2. Should I shoot anamorphic 16:9, or 4:3? Which will produce the best results? What should I know about anamorphic?

I want to transfer to film eventually (and I definitely want to do an HDV transfer), but I would also like to produce DVDs for sale. What frame rate should I shoot at? 24p, but with which pull down? 24p or 24pa?

What program should I edit with? Would Premier Pro 2 handle it, or should I go with Final Cut?

I want to online in After effects. Will this pose any problem?

What concerns should I have in regards to time code?

I know it's a lot of questions, but any information you can give me is much appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,
Alex
 
shoot 16x9 normal 24p. Edit in a 24p timeline in Premiere and After Effects. When you are finished you will have a master 24P file. When you want to go to DVD. Export out of Premier using the mpeg2 DVD selection in the Media encoder tool. Choose 7mbps, full quality and 4X3 and select scale by letterbox. Set the multiplex setting DVD. Should be good to go!
 
Best thing you can do is hop on google and start reading. People here can answer your questions, but you'll get a lot more if you take the time to learn about all this.

24P isn't anything special. Make sure you shoot 24PA for many reasons: DVD encode will look better / be smaller file size, content will look better on the web, effects will be easier to achieve without the interlaced frames, etc.

The XL2 16:9 really isn't really true anamorphic. Anamorphic is an optical trick. The lens squishes the "widescreen" image onto a 4:3 frame. Then when it's projected, an anamorphic lens is used on a projector. The XL2 "crops" the image on the CCD, and records a different pixel ratio. But whatever... still shoot 16:9.

Well Premiere used to be only PC for the last few years,.. and Final Cut is only mac. I'd say get whatever you can. Final Cut is typically regarded as a better application, but it's all moot here. Both programs should work fine, provided your computer is somewhat current.

MiniDV isn't really data intense enough for you to do an "offline". Usually you do an online - offline edit when you're dealing with film, not DV or HD.

That said, After Effects is not an NLE. You can do titles and effects in it, and also color correction, but you can't import an EDL and work shot by shot. After Effects is an awesome program, but you can't just install it and expect great things. After Effects is a lot like photoshop: Some people can use it to blow your mind - other just suck.

What concerns are you concerned about in regards to time code? Other then time code breaks on tape, I think you should be fine.

Again, read up on everyone of these topics, understand what you're getting into. It's awesome you want to do a feature, but be sure you're absolutely ready. I'm still trying to nail short films before I produce a feature. You have to capture, literally capture an audience's attention for 90 minutes,.. most Hollywood films have trouble with that.

Anyway good luck,.. I don't mean to be discouraging I've just seen a lot of really dreadful stuff from people who jumped the gun on a feature, I'd hate for you to waste time and money. (I'm not saying you're not ready, I have no idea, I'm just trying to help).

- Greg
 
Thanks for the fast responses, guys!

I thought the XL-2 was anamorphic. Doesn't it have native 16:9 ccds?

-AY
 
Sorry I opened a can of worms. Yes and No. The chips in it are 4:3 but they're cropped and utilized to be 16:9 "natively". When you select 4:3 mode, it re-crops the 16:9. I guess this is another moot point. Anyway,.. shooting in 16:9 will still get you great results!

Don't confuse "Anamorphic" with "16:9", while similar they are different terms.

- Greg
 
If you edit 24p in a 24p timeline...it is not interlaced. You have the option of also editing in a 60i timeline and then it is interlaced. Stricken was filmed in 24p edited in a 24p timeline. The "there is nothing special about 24p" is not true at all. Watch my movie and tell me you cannot see the difference betwen it and 29.97. 24pa always gave me trouble with pull down and 24p delivered great results. It is a personal preference but 24p works Wonders!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aap-11vrYaM

www.strickenthemovie.com
 
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