the physical requirements of selective focus

V

vj_jasper

Active member
does anyone else feel like filming "selective focus" technique usually involves a lot of moving the tripod and camera about the place?

the camera lens needs to be zoomed all the way forward, therefore a tripod is required for a proper steady frame, and so that means tripod for almost every shot.

because the camera needs to move position to reframe, the entire tripod needs to move there too. dozens of equipment adjustments during a filming (by filming i mean digital or tape) session.

i'm not complaining.. i like the work as a refreshing change, (usually make animations).

to be honest, im trying to figure out why two well-paid DP's are refusing to film with "Selective Focus" technique.

they were directed that for some of the filming, they were to use that technique.
and at no point did they display the use of Selective Focus. not even ten percent of their output.

i'm trying to figure out how to explain to a couple of respected DP's, on behalf of the Director..
that even if they are filming 11am-4pm, bokeh backgrounds are very much a requirement.
 
thanks..

re/ 35mm adapter, i guess that is the way to go.
because with a set of fixed Prime Lenses from Nikon,
say 28mm, 35mm, 55mm, and 85mm,
all that is required is a simple lens change to re-frame,
and the extra width of the virtual "sensor" is 35mm.

actually the same convenience could be achieved with the EX3 camera, using interchangeable Prime Lens,
only the sensor size would be more similar to 16mm film, a pretty good compromise as regards quicker setup time.
 
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i made an example to show the other DP's..
http://previewtopia.net/idea/telecine/ex1_selective_2.png

total background haze, in-focus subject (fender stratocaster)..

showed the Director today.. talked about the EX series 16mm sensor..
there is a required adjustment of approach,
to allow for the DP's to be at least 5-10 metres away from the subject.

so, previous filming techniques, where the DP's would actually be quite close and interactive with the subjects, are now changing.

cameras are zoomed all the way in using the Fujinon lens, otherwise fixed Prime Lens are in place. filming from tripod will be the order of the day, ND filters are on to allow the iris to be 100 percent.
 
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the bottom line is that you are asking for artifice at a time when everyone values authenticity. You want film-look shoot film - but don't ask the keyboard player to use guitar loops
 
you got it cap'n. You want gimmicks get a high-schooler, but don't be asking Lang Lang to take the guitar breaks on the Steinway
 
Lol, that's funny.

somewhat to be expected, the Director was talking to a very experienced cameraman who works on all the major productions..

they are very much advising towards a digibeta/Avid workflow.
it is better for a more experienced professional to advise on these matters.
 
There was a job a CraigsList looking for a camera op with gear, the money was ok, so I responded. I get a call a couple days later from the guy, and he wants to know if I shoot Beta. I told him I use an HD100, and he says he needs it to be done in Beta. I asked why. He was doing a commercial shoot for one of the cable channels, and the job was to be done in Beta. I said it was odd that they were requesting a nearly dead format, since even the Travel channel is mostly done with the DVX. Of course, then I had to explain to him about the DVX, it's bigger Brothers, and why Beta was a Dinosaur waiting to die.
 
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