Raw footy from Rap video with Redrock M2 (btw my first time)

Rakesh Jacob

Rakesh Jacob

Veteran
Soooooo... last week I asked a friend of mine if I could shoot a video for him, I did a underground video on a DVX for him a couple of years ago. He said yes, I came up with a brilliant concept and we argued the whole weekend about it's merits. I was about to tell him to "F" himself and decided to ditch the concept and just wing it.

Was my second time behind the HVX200 but my first time with a 35mm adapter. Used a Redrock M2 with 50mm 1.4 nikon lense for pretty much all of it. Had a 35, 85, and a couple more but just rode it out with the 50, was kinda overwhelemed and inexperienced and figured just stick with the basics and get good compositions and 50 is easy to compose with. It's not easy being the Producer, Director, Cinematographer, 1st AC, 1st AD, Keygrip, Gaffer, and Runner (had to get a white bandana LOL) on a no budget spec video.
WHAT A PAIN IN THE ASS!!!! I really need more time to get comfortable with this set up. The upside down thing was making framing bananas and pulling focus at the same time (or trying to) WOW. Man I was f-ing up soooo much, including forgetting to turn on the GG. There's a shot in there with the GG off LOL. I love handheld and I did some handheld. I'm not the wolrd's strongest cinematogropher and DAMN, trying to prop that thing up with one arm and focus...:Drogar-Angry(DBG)::furious3:

Also this was my first time editing DVCPROHD, I use Vegas so I needed a codec. I downloaded the trial version of Raylight 3.0. Works brilliantly but thats why the DVFilm logo is all over the frame cause it's a trial. Also the night before the shoot, I downloaded the drivers for P2 on my laptop... so I was kinda prepared.

But anyway the good news is the artist showed the clip to a producer/exec at MTV and they're gonna give it a shot once he releases the single and starts getting radio spins. Of course that's if I don't royally F-up the final edit.

I rented the HVX200/M2 setup from fellow H-Town DVXUSER Sean Blaze... Thnx bro!

Just some random clips, nothing final about this.
http://vimeo.com/1158924
 
Last edited:
Well seeing how no one else will answer. Has potential. You constantly lose focus though and that is unacceptable in my opinion. All other aspects of a good hip hop video are there. The tendency for people to think an adapter will make their footage look good no matter how they use it is apparent here. I think people need to be more selective in how they use their 35mm adapters. You already know this though sooooooo adapter issues aside I could definitely see this on bet or mtv. Good luck.
 
You were getting your feet wet with the adapter... everybody has to go through that process... you just did it with a project not some random test footage.

First, the Redrock is a difficult adapter to use alone. Your exposure looked fine and with the right cutting you'll have a great video for your reel.

I think what bugged me is loosing focus in a documentary style of shooting (hand held/run and gun) is one thing but loosing focus on a tripod, that much, just looks wrong.

If you have the luxury of a spinning adapter use the stops to increase the depth of field.

Also, you would have benefited greatly from the 35mm's increase depth of field in the wide/3 shots you had.

Post it when your finished.
 
yeah i plan to cut it pretty fast paced to keep up with the energy of the music. shallow depth of field is overused imo. it was the artists wish to use a lens adapter, most of his other videos have been film and some one had told him about the lens adapters, he wanted to try it, so i told him to rent it and we'd see. this video was done on a whim and i treated it that way lol, unfortunately someone some where thinks it might be ok and if they like it i... guess i can tolerate it.
and man i was hunting focus like a little b!tch, i couldnt get it to seem "focused" on the LCD, wish i had a large monitor. i have a bunch of shots that are very "locked" and the focus is fixed as well as i could see in the LCD but i dont like those shots. no energy in em.
anywho the cuts will come fast and i shot a ton of stuff so as long as the enrgy is right i guess it will be ok

edit: also in a couple of those shots i was rack focusing back and forth cause they were just quick insert type shots to cut in as somthing is coming into focus or going out. definately not ment to be used in thier entirety like that, sorry if that was disturbing LOL
 
Last edited:
You can cut around all the non-focused stuff. If you have tons of footage you'll be fine. It has all the elements of a rap video. In my opinion there is a major difference between a stock HVX and the Redrock. HUGE. Don't believe me? That's fine. The only thing I would use a stock HVX for would be a crane shot or a cityscape.

That's just me though... im not the smartest guy in the world.

In the video I especially like the their neck chains... nothing screams F-You like some chains. Nicely done for doing it all yourself.
 
aurantaurant said:
You can cut around all the non-focused stuff. If you have tons of footage you'll be fine. It has all the elements of a rap video. In my opinion there is a major difference between a stock HVX and the Redrock. HUGE. Don't believe me? That's fine. The only thing I would use a stock HVX for would be a crane shot or a cityscape.

That's just me though... im not the smartest guy in the world.

In the video I especially like the their neck chains... nothing screams F-You like some chains. Nicely done for doing it all yourself.
Click to expand...


Thnx man, it was a ***** wearing that many hats, espacially not having any previous experience with that setup; NONE. The look is waaaayyy better than stock HVX, I def agree. I'm thiking about getting a Letus Extreme this fall with an EX1. I allready have an HVX200a, havnt used it yet though, maybe next project.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top