General Things to do before you start shooting (a list to take to set)

J

jrod81

Veteran
Hey guys
I have a T2i and a huge lack of confidence. I have read the manual, bought the Bloom 7d tutorial dvd, and spent countless hours online. However, when I get to a location I still lack confidence and spend so much time freaking out that I have missed something. So I thought maybe I could get input on "making a list" that I could take with me... a sort of checklist before I hit the record button to shoot videos.
For this list, lets assume that audio and lighting are taken care of and this is only for the actual DSLR camera checklist.
1. Check Shutter Speed (should be 2x the frame rate- so if shooting 24p put the shutter at 50, and if 30p put the shutter at 60)
2. Iris- scroll the wheel to open/close iris until the arrow is lined up properly on the light meter on the camera's LCD screen
3. White Balance by having the subject hold a white/grey card under neath the lighting setup and where he will be sitting/standing for the scene
Do those steps look right so far? Should I adjust the order or procedure for those? What else needs to be on the list?
thanks
 
Hey Jrod, how you been, long time. Im not so sure why you have such low confidence, it's not like you have just started shooting, or are a newbie. You have a good amount of experience and a vast knowledge base. Why the lack of confidence? just remember" There's nothing to it, but to do it" We all make mistakes and none of us are even close to perfect.

My advice. stop spending so much time reading and spend that time shooting, reading can only take you so far before you have to put that knowledge to use. I have the upmost confidence in that you will do just fine with your new gig. Also, if possible, shoot two cams. I always use a second cam even if it's the same angle, you never know when you may have a drop out, and it's a great feeling knowing you have what you need, even if it's not quite as good as what your getting from your A cam.

There's nothing wrong with having a list, it a good idea. There's lots of things to do, especially when your working alone. Just make sure to get there early so you have the time you need, "RUSHING CREATES MISTAKES" in any work. But if you have the time you need to setup, go over your check list and second check, you will be fine. The beauty of digital footage, is there's lots of ways to work with flaws, we all do it all the time. Good luck Jrod, keep us posted.
 
First, these are not one-time steps to take when you arrive on set/location. These are things you need to check every time the camera moves or the lighting changes. Exposure, white balance, focus. Those are the three that you have to work with constantly. (Exposure includes ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.)

Second:

1. Check Shutter Speed (should be 2x the frame rate- so if shooting 24p put the shutter at 50, and if 30p put the shutter at 60)
2. Iris- scroll the wheel to open/close iris until the arrow is lined up properly on the light meter on the camera's LCD screen
Click to expand...
Forget the 180° shutter rule, especially if you're under artificial light. Park your shutter at 1/60 (1/50 in PAL territory) and leave it there. And as far as the aperture is concerned, your proposed steps have the aperture as the sole compensation for exposure. What if you have to stop down to 11 to make the meter happy, but you really want the DOF of 5.6 or 4? You need to know what kind of image you're going for, and to have extra tools that will help you get there.

Light so that you can shoot at ISO 100 or 200... you can sometimes get away with 400 but avoid 800 and above if at all possible. Set your shutter to 1/60 and set your aperture as you desire. If it's overexposed, add ND filters. If it's underexposed, add more light.

Also, what the meter on the T2i says is "perfect" for exposure is actually a bit hot, so take it back a stop from the meter's mark and you should be okay.

It just takes practice, and eventually all of this becomes habit.
 
just a general personality thing... i have a lack of confidence in everything actually- not something i am proud of and something to work on for sure, but its just how i am i suppose

maranfilms said:
Hey Jrod, how you been, long time. Im not so sure why you have such low confidence, it's not like you have just started shooting, or are a newbie. You have a good amount of experience and a vast knowledge base. Why the lack of confidence? just remember" There's nothing to it, but to do it" We all make mistakes and none of us are even close to perfect.

My advice. stop spending so much time reading and spend that time shooting, reading can only take you so far before you have to put that knowledge to use. I have the upmost confidence in that you will do just fine with your new gig. Also, if possible, shoot two cams. I always use a second cam even if it's the same angle, you never know when you may have a drop out, and it's a great feeling knowing you have what you need, even if it's not quite as good as what your getting from your A cam.

There's nothing wrong with having a list, it a good idea. There's lots of things to do, especially when your working alone. Just make sure to get there early so you have the time you need, "RUSHING CREATES MISTAKES" in any work. But if you have the time you need to setup, go over your check list and second check, you will be fine. The beauty of digital footage, is there's lots of ways to work with flaws, we all do it all the time. Good luck Jrod, keep us posted.
Click to expand...
 
this is the checklist I compiled when I bought my t2i
I've since moved away from the flat picture style (unless I need as much DR as I can get), and found my eyes are not educated enough to use the double picture style (lighting-recording) that Shane Hurlbut advocates



[FONT=courier new,monospace]
prepare gear
************

* mount sound (+lights?)
* if using tripod: mount camera on tripod
* mount lens, adjust followfocus
* mount stuff in front of lens: ND/ring, hood...
* if not using tripod: mount camera on support



before shooting
***************

* set white balance
* if there's time:
* put white balance cap on, take a picture,
* use that picture as white balance setting

* set 1080p24 / 1080p30 / 720p60
* set shutter speed (50/60/120) (if flicker --> 50 in PAL land)

* set aperture


* frame shot
* use lighting picture style -4,0,-1,0
* set lights, ISO and ND, take picture to test exposure
* use recording picture style -4,-4,-2,0
* take picture to test clipping
 * peak in -> set focusing marks
* start recording (audio and video)
* clap

[/FONT]
 
I use the three memory slots, one for each frame rate. I then set white balance aperture and iso. When it's good I save the settings to the memory slot. The camera turns off and on a lot when shooting narrative, so it's a good idea to save the last setup to memory. My shutter speed remains at 180 degrees (1/50) for the most convincing motion blur unless I'm using it as an effect.
 
I think as you shoot more you'll come to see your list as what it is - a good starting point. Shooting conditions will rapidly dictate much of how you set your camera up.

Shooting at night with a slow lens and no light? You'll have that shutter to 1/30 in a blink of an eye. Got 8 hours to do 30 odd setups? Buh bye white balance (which is of dubious use on the T2 in any case). Working for a director who's never done a DI, or doesn't like them? Buh bye your Phil Bloom inspired user presets.

Prep the hell out of your gear before you go (oil you sticks, clean you lenses, etc), bring a nice tool kit, and of course lots of tape - then go for it. Always read - in this game, things seem to change over night) - but I'd agree that it's time to get some stick time. You'll be fine.
 
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