Shooting a skating show...

J

jaydskate

Member
Hi guys,

I really need your help or tips on getting the best image possible out of my DVX100. I film all sorts of shows but I have been struggling with figure skating shows for the last few years. Unfortunately, it seems like all the shows have unbalanced lights. The follow-spots are ranging from 4000k to 5600k and the gtraveling lights and flood lights are at 3200k.

What should I do? Set my camera to preset 3200K or 5600K. There's no way I can change my White balance on the fly. I never tried the auto white balance mode and I'm scared to do so...

any idea...

Jay

P.S. I'm an editor who happens to own a DVX100 so I'm sure I don't use my
camera to its full potential...

P.P.S. Which one is more sensitive: ZEBRA 80% or Zebra 100%
 
For the Zebra you will want to keep it at 100% if not you may underexpose your image. the DVX has a very good AWB (at least from my experiences) I would test it out before you go on your shoot but if it was me that is what i would use.
 
The auto features on the DVX are fairly good, but as Cori said, definitely test them before hand if at all possible. I know it's for personal gain that your footage looks at it's best, but you also need to keep in mind is that there are certain lighting situations that you simply have no control over. In reality/live tv, it's actually not all that uncommon to see these temperature variations. Also, as fair as the zebra stripes, 100% is more sensitive. 100% will stripe only completely blown parts of the image, 80% will stripe the top 20% of exposed video. Hope this helps!
 
Thanks guys, I'll test them at the dressed rehersal. I'll try to test all three settings...

I'll keep you posted...

Jay
 
I'm gonna disagree and say that 80% is better on the zebra. The risk of underexposure isn't too terribly great. It's easier to overexpose at 100%, and overexposure is harder (nearly impossible) to correct in post when you've blown out the whites, as you probably know. If you keep it at 80% and expose to where the zebras start filling the whites, you'll actually be right on.

As for white balance, stay away form auto. All auto-WB will do is cause the picture to shift way too often, which makes for a pretty poor production. Instead, find a happy medium. Get a white-balance card and place it in a spot that is pretty evenly exposed by the different sources, or at least favoring the ones that are the most important. White balance off that and you'll be fine.
 
The preset white balances depend on the lights. If the white spots are HMI (daylight) spots, it's 5600k.

If the white spots are tungsten spots, it's 3200k.

So, I see that you have 2 or 3 different different color temperatures.

So, first of all, make some tests during the rehearsal. Try both presets. Or make a custom white balance in-between!

Or try to set 2 different white balance with the white balance position switch. On at a preset, and the other at the B position.

You need to experiment and test.

About the focus (manual focus), you can zoom in to maximum on the back of the ice and notice the zoom number. You can do that for other parts of the rink. You can notice the front parts of the ice, but it is less critical because you will zoom out more and more when performers will get closer to you.
 
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The only concern I have now is that when I'm using the 3200k presets, everything is too cold and when I use the 5600K I get a lot of bleeding. Here's a frame of what it looks like with a 3200k preset and no colour correction . And for those of you who have never seen a skating show lighting setup, you'll get the idea. I tried the white balance cards before but the temperature is uneven all across the ice.

http://www.mkb-media.com/frame.jpg
 
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You get this when shooting dance recitals as well. For each set, it seems like they have a whole new light show to go with the dance. I've found it best just to manually white balance and ride the iris throughout the sets regardless of the temperature.

Hm...it would be pretty hard though to white balance of ice because as you said, the temp is uneven - with a stage, its all even.

Are your clients complaining about it? I would just try to explain prior to the event what the situation is and why some footage may differ from other footage. If someone does find a way though, I'd be appreciative as well!

Good luck,

Kegan
 
jaydskate said:
The only concern I have now is that when I'm using the 3200k presets, everything is too cold...
Click to expand...

So warm balance. Use a white card and slap some CTB in front of it to take out a little extra blue.

They're using colored gels for a lot of the lighting effects. You aren't going to get everything even. Period. But that's okay... it adds interest. Dramatic shows like this have to have variance in color temperature. That's what makes them look good. So you balance somewhere in the middle (takes some pre-production with the lighting crew). Or, if you really are insistent on avoiding white cards, go with the 3200 preset and warm it up a little in post. Either way, you'll be good.
 
This looks like black lights or blue gels. Black lights will give a bad blue or purple color.

Probably the worst lighting possible.

If you talk to your clients about the colors, maybe they'll change something, or at least they will be advised about the possible result.
 
You guys have a good eye. All you have said is true. They use a lot of gels and they keep the blacklights on the whole show to keep them warm (this is a rink after all). I'll try to warm balance it and I'll take a little blue out of it. I'll stick to my 3200k preset and I'll fix it post-pro if it doesn't look good. I never had a complaint before except for to occasional "It's really dark on the ice". I spoke with lighting guys over the course of the last decade and they always bring up the same thing that a balanced show looks crappy. You guys have been really helpfull and I'll try all you said even the auto tracking white feature and I'll compare it on my monitor the night of the general rehersal for my first show. I can't mess it up since I have 5 shows in a row every single weekend in april. Thanks so much

If you have any other tips or comments for skating shows or hockey games, I'll gladly take them. You can msg me too.
 
This is normal that they find the image sometimes dark because the blue light is probably the closest color to 7.5 IRE.

The light techs doesn't understand cameras. Maybe you can show them the result on the screen or on your camera!
 
I'll try that but normally they tell me to get lost. They always bring up that they are paid for a live show not a taped or broadcasted event...
 
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