Reality Show Shoot

[jfirma1]

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of pitching an idea to a restaurant group for a online reality webseries. This would be for their store training and it would basically be a "hells kitchen" type reality series where store trainers would take their staff and have them go through "assignments" such as welcoming a guest, when to approach a table, etc.

I plan to film the majority of the series with hidden cameras that would capture the staff's interaction with actors as guests. I have a very tight budget for this - I would like to keep it under $5,000.

My inital plan was to use 60Ds (as we have a few of these already so the cost would be low), hook them up with massive SD cards and position them the night before where the action will be taking place. Since the "role plays" will be heavily scripted and we'll use actors as the customers, this won't be a problem.

My question to you all is -

1. What sort of challenges can you forsee with using security cameras?

2. What sort of security cameras would you reccomend to use? Or alternative cameras?

3. Any security cameras out there that capture audio? This would be a major issue I forsee with using real security cameras.


Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[edinc90]

You might have a problem with your depth of field being too shallow. The larger sensor and dim lighting of a restaurant (which means a wide open aperture) equal a shallow depth of field. Not having an operator means there's no one there to pull focus so you'll end up with out of focus shots.

No need for audio on your security cameras. Just throw a lav on the subject, slate the scene, and sync in post.

In Kitchen Nightmares, they use Sony PTZ cameras in tight places like the kitchen. They are purpose built for television, not security, as they output HD video over SDI. Most security cameras are going to be SD.

 

[jfirma1]

You might have a problem with your depth of field being too shallow. The larger sensor and dim lighting of a restaurant (which means a wide open aperture) equal a shallow depth of field. Not having an operator means there's no one there to pull focus so you'll end up with out of focus shots.

No need for audio on your security cameras. Just throw a lav on the subject, slate the scene, and sync in post.

In Kitchen Nightmares, they use Sony PTZ cameras in tight places like the kitchen. They are purpose built for television, not security, as they output HD video over SDI. Most security cameras are going to be SD.

Sony PTZ's are way out of my budget. To rent, I have seen the lowest @ $450/day. I would need at least 6 of them.

SD doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I want that low quality look. I have thought about it and realized I had some success in film school using a DVX to film a security camera type PSA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoL4IH_fyu0


My only concern with this would be the low light sensitivity (the DVX virtually has none).

Anyone have any extensive experience shooting with the DVX in low light situations (i.e. a bar/restaurant)?

 

[David W. Jones]

Why not place GoPro cameras in strategic locations, and supplement with the 60D's you already have?

I really don't see the point of using hidden security cams when this is a heavily scripted piece using actors. Just shoot what you need and be done with it.

 

[jfirma1]

Why not place GoPro cameras in strategic locations, and supplement with the 60D's you already have?

I really don't see the point of using hidden security cams when this is a heavily scripted piece using actors. Just shoot what you need and be done with it.

The point is two thing: 1. It's part of the concept i.e. trainers are watching the staff do their job and critiquing and giving feedback and 2. to keep the cost low. I figure security cameras would be a cost effective way to do both.

 

[clang]

Security cams that can be remotely panned/zoomed etc would give you much better video, as your remote operators can then point the cams at 'interesting' stuff - otherwise you're running a big risk of 'interesting' stuff happening but by bad luck right on the edge of frame or too far away etc. Unfortunately, such cams are naturally more expensive