GH2 This Is Our Market

[pchristoph]

Hi friends,
Shot this film of our local farmers market over a couple different days during the summer.
I used a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 for the interview piece and a good chunk of the b-roll. Steadicam work was done on the Merlin using the 17-50mm Tamron 2.8 lens.
Some of the close up shots were done with the Super Takumar 135 2.5.
My idea for the film was to give people a sense of what a farmers market is like. The shots I used involving the family helped to fuse together this idea of 'experiencing the market'
The film is also going to be used in a fund raising campaign to build a permanent structure for the market to run year round.
I composed the music using various instruments and recorded using Logic 9.
Interview using an H1 and GiantSquid lav - which work great.

There were so many learning experiences on this shoot:
1. Bring at least one 4x4 bounce card to an interview. This will help bring light back into your interviewee's face while the sun provides a great hairlight. Oh - and have interviewee framed so they are looking frame left, not frame right when positioning the person on the right side of the frame. Yep - didn't even catch it until the interview was over because there were so many people walking by and I was distracted.
2. For scenes that are more flat - don't be afraid to bump contrast up to 0, +1 in camera. I left everything on Smooth and -2 and I really noticed my limitations in color correcting in post
3. Along with point # 2 - take more time to access the scene. In other words - be critical of what you are seeing through the EVF and go through your checklist. WB, Film mode, Shutter Speed, etc...make sure you like what you're seeing before you hit record.
4. When working with people in real time (meaning you only get one take because you are not trying to influence what happens) - try to anticipate where the action is going and respond to it. Sometimes this means having a little faith in yourself to 'find the shot' - you might surprise yourself with what you pull off.

Let's keep shooting and sharing what we're learning.
Gh2VK - GOP3 100mbs 1080p
Thanks once again to Vitaliy for all his work in expanding the capabilities of the GH2 with the hack.
cheers,
Paul

 

[awelgraven]

What are you doing for audio? I think I see a lav on the interview subject... I've never had good luck with lav's outdoors... I always pick up wind noise... any tips?

 

[pchristoph]

What are you doing for audio? I think I see a lav on the interview subject... I've never had good luck with lav's outdoors... I always pick up wind noise... any tips?

I try to be mindful of where the wind is coming from and position my subject with their back to the wind if possible. Outdoor is always a challenge, especially if your subjects are moving. Being able to control the scene here helped me get the best audio possible - even on a windy day. I was quite impressed with the quality of the Giant Squid lav as well.
Some things you have to correct in post though. Roll off the low end of the eq curve to reduce low end noise/wind.

 

[Symon]

I liked that. Farmers' markets for the win

Agree with the interviewee looking right being a bit awkward...but she had a nice voice and came across well. Helped to wash over the possible faux pas. But I reckon overall it added to the feel of the whole film..which suited the subject.

 

[pchristoph]

I liked that. Farmers' markets for the win

Agree with the interviewee looking right being a bit awkward...but she had a nice voice and came across well. Helped to wash over the possible faux pas. But I reckon overall it added to the feel of the whole film..which suited the subject.

Thanks Symon. Cheers

 

[awelgraven]

I try to be mindful of where the wind is coming from and position my subject with their back to the wind if possible. Outdoor is always a challenge, especially if your subjects are moving. Being able to control the scene here helped me get the best audio possible - even on a windy day. I was quite impressed with the quality of the Giant Squid lav as well.
Some things you have to correct in post though. Roll off the low end of the eq curve to reduce low end noise/wind.

View attachment 41211

Thanks. I'm not an audio guy, but I have to be to do the work I do, if that makes sense.

Really liked your piece.

 

[pchristoph]

Thanks. I'm not an audio guy, but I have to be to do the work I do, if that makes sense.

Really liked your piece.

Yeah, you're right. We have to wear a few hats to make our films. thanks awelgraven.

 

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

... Shot this film of our local farmers market over a couple different days during the summer. ...
The film is also going to be used in a fund raising campaign to build a permanent structure for the market to run year round. ...

Great job, Paul! Kudos for capturing so much b-roll footage. And nice work on the soundtrack, too.

Farmers' markets rock. I shop at our local FM every week. Our neighborhood association hopes to someday build a shelter for our FM, too. I shot a video for our farmers' market earlier this year:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?247472-GH2-Hillsdale-Farmers-Market-doc-style-shoot

Concerning lav mics and wind noise, as mentioned, placement can make a big difference. Sometimes hiding the mic behind clothing can help, however if the person wearing the mic will be moving around a lot, care must be taken to avoid noise caused by the mic rubbing against clothing/skin/jewelry.

In the attached frame grab, the lav mic is hidden just out of sight between his shirt collar & his neck, near the left collar button, held in place by a small piece of gaffer tape.



Just one of many solutions ...

Again, nice job on your video and cheers!

 

[pchristoph]

Great job, Paul! Kudos for capturing so much b-roll footage. And nice work on the soundtrack, too.

Farmers' markets rock. I shop at our local FM every week. Our neighborhood association hopes to someday build a shelter for our FM, too. I shot a video for our farmers' market earlier this year:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?247472-GH2-Hillsdale-Farmers-Market-doc-style-shoot

Concerning lav mics and wind noise, as mentioned, placement can make a big difference. Sometimes hiding the mic behind clothing can help, however if the person wearing the mic will be moving around a lot, care must be taken to avoid noise caused by the mic rubbing against clothing/skin/jewelry.

In the attached frame grab, the lav mic is hidden just out of sight between his shirt collar & his neck, near the left collar button, held in place by a small piece of gaffer tape.

View attachment 41290

Just one of many solutions ...

Again, nice job on your video and cheers!

Hey thanks for your words of encouragement and for the audio mic tips Peter! Much appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Boncrek]

Great job, beautifully doen piece.
The audio was great to my ears and the video was really great.
The 50mm focal length seems to be a great interview focal length.

 

[Bruce Watson]

Excellently done! Inspiring.

 

[pchristoph]

Great job, beautifully doen piece.The audio was great to my ears and the video was really great.The 50mm focal length seems to be a great interview focal length.

Thanks Boncrek. Yeah, the 50mm is great for interview work.

 

[pchristoph]

Excellently done! Inspiring.

Appreciate that Bruce. Thanks.