Time lapse

DoubleIt

Well-known member
We have a scene where we go from time lapse to slow mo back to time lapse. So i want the main character sitting still as the background people rush by. I want more of the time lapse effect (going for a dream look) rather than just speeding it up in post. how should i do this on the DVX?
 
Re: Time lapse

18 EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - AFTERNOON 18

The day is markedly gloomy. Dense cloud cover has turned
everything battleship gray. Nolan stands in the middle of a
large group of PEOPLE moving in fast motion. He is bumped
into by a random FEMALE STUDENT and time slows down.

FEMALE STUDENT
What happens when...

Nolan glances over his shoulder, everything speeds back up
and the female student has vanished among the crowd. A
FOOTBALL PLAYER, talking loudly on his cell phone plows
through him and time slows down again.

FOOTBALL PLAYER
...you can't...

The crowd moves back into fast motion then Professor Walker,
talking to a student, bumps into him. Time slows yet again.

PROF. WALKER
...wake up.

Everyone rushes past him in fast motion.
 
Re: Time lapse

well first off what editing software do you use?

i would shoot some really basic tests, get a friend to come over and setup your camera somewhere outdoors with a little bit of space.

try walking and bumping into him and then have him walk really fast. do it again and have him walk really slow.

might work better if you have 2 or 3 friends for the test.

then you can take it into your video editing software and speed it up and play with it.

in barry's book he talk about time lapse and gives some great info about what percentage to use based on what speed you shot it at. it gave me things to think about that i never consiered. i sharpied that page pretty good

matthew
 
Re: Time lapse

And, can the DXV take commands from an external source, like a computer or intervalometer?
 
Re: Time lapse

Yes and no.  There is a way to do this in camera, but you'll need to clean it up with your NLE afterwards.

On your DVX:
Go to the RECORDING SETUP screen in your menu.  
Here's a description of the key elements from a pdf that somebody posted here a while back:
________________
Interval Rec  This item sets the intermittent recording mode, you have 3 selections.  
OFF:  The Intermittent operation function is turned off.  

ON:   When the START/STOP button is pressed, recording will be performed for the number of seconds set by the REC TIME item and the INTERVAL TIME item.  

One-Shot:  This item will set the camcorder into a time lapse recording mode.  When the  START/STOP button is pressed, the VCR will go into the recording mode controlled by the  seconds that were set up in the REC TIME item, then go into the record pause mode.  

Note: When placed into the intermittent recording mode or one-shoot, an “I” will flash on the  EVF and display it on the top of the screen.  Once the recording has started it will stop  flashing.  If the power is turned off the Interval Rec will return to OFF.  When in the 24P or  24P ADV modes you will not be able to use the Interval Rec function.    

Rec Time  This item is used to set the recording duration for which intermittent recording is  to be performed.  Normally set to 0.5 seconds, you can change this to 1 second, 1.5 second  or 2 seconds.    

Interval Time  This item sets the duration of the interval time with which intermittent recording is to be performed.  Normally set to 30 seconds, you can change this to 1 minute,  5 minutes or 10 minutes.  
___________________

The thing is that with a film camera, an intervalometer actually records 1 frame each time it 'clicks' the shutter.  With video, the heads have to get up to speed, so the minimum record time is 15 frames (this only works in 60i and 30p).

Now for the NO part of the answer.  If you're doing true time-lapse, the interval recorder on the camera doesn't finish the job as smoothly as you'll want. It's going to look choppy if you just play back the tape.  You'll need the simple mathematical equations that you'll find in the tutorial (see my link above) to compress your footage. What you're trying to do is make each 15 frame section is equal to 1 frame of time for the duration of what your final footage would have been if each time your camera recorded it just recorded 1 frame instead of 15.

Wait, I know what I'm saying, and I just confused myself. The tutorial says it much more eloquently.  You should be able to translate the Final Cut Pro speak into Premiere speak pretty easily.  It's the theory behind the math that is most important.

I'm not sure about external controls for something like this - I just got my camera last week.

Good luck.
 
Re: Time lapse

Here's a 'poor mans' way that might work.

First, lock down your camera on a heavy tripod so it won't move at all.
Use the time lapse setting for the first part until the first person bumps into the subject. have them freeze their positions as closely as possible while you change the camera settings. Then have the bumper continue on with the new settings. You will have a big jump cut where you changed settings. Add a blurr or shake or disolve or a combination of all in post to hide the jump cut. Call it art. repeat for each change of speed. Send me a check when you will the oscar.
 
Back
Top