Tips on Shooting 50's Sci Fi Spoof?

Sniper1154

Sniper1154

Well-known member
As the title alludes, I'll be shooting a 50's Sci-Fi Spoof here shortly. I'm racking my brain for a couple reasons - namely deciding between deciding what to shoot it on (XHA1 or T2i). I've decided that the XHA1 would be ideal to achieve the deep focus that was predominant of the period; however I appreciate the T2i for its low light capabilities. Since this film will be coming out of pocket - I'd like to save as much cash as I can, particularly if there are workarounds.

I suppose I'm just looking for any and all suggestions. The film itself will be an homage to the Z-movies made (in)famous by Ed Wood and the likes.

Thanks so much!
 
Sniper1154 said:
As the title alludes, I'll be shooting a 50's Sci-Fi Spoof here shortly. I'm racking my brain for a couple reasons - namely deciding between deciding what to shoot it on (XHA1 or T2i). I've decided that the XHA1 would be ideal to achieve the deep focus that was predominant of the period; however I appreciate the T2i for its low light capabilities. Since this film will be coming out of pocket - I'd like to save as much cash as I can, particularly if there are workarounds.

I suppose I'm just looking for any and all suggestions. The film itself will be an homage to the Z-movies made (in)famous by Ed Wood and the likes.

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

If you have the T2i, I don't see why shooting at F/5.6/8 wouldn't be an option and give you the DoF you want.

It wouldn't be hard to do a parody of Ed Wood, or Ted V. Mikaels, and have 'better' production values than either had, given technology of the times they shot their 'major works'...
 
When I think of an Ed Wood movie, what I remember is B&W (of course), relatively high contrast, lighting that looks like it was done entirely with hard sources (open faced lights and maybe a few Fresnels) with no or very little softening or diffusion material on the lights. And of course, sets, costumes and props that look like they came entirely from Goodwill and garage sales, and actors whose only previous experience might have been as an extra in a high school drama club production.

- Greg
 
Yeah, I wouldn't be too worried about DoF, it's not what springs to mind when i think of 50's scifi movies :) More important is capturing the feel, which will mostly come down to the right mixture of script and performance. In particular, they tended to take themselves completely seriously, there was no 'winking at the camera', even when battling a giant rubber spider on a cardboard set.
 
Yeah, B+W and hard light sources, for sure. Deep DOF, except when photographing miniatures, where unintentionally shallow DOF was seen.

- Ken
 
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