Toughest DVX200 Gig Yet.

L

Larry Chapman

Well-known member
I'm heading to Winter Park, CO tomorrow to prep for an all day shoot on the 5th of a paraplegic skier in a "sit ski". It will be all types of shots, primarily outdoors in snow. I have a Lowe backpack that the camera fits in, and most of the shots will be handheld with a Fig Rig. The producer wants everything....wide panoramas, shallow DOF shots, extreme close-ups, follow shots, rack focus, slomo. I will be shooting in UHD/60fps/150M and delivering the footage on an external HDD copied directly from the camera. Bringing a polarizer too in case it's so bright that I can't get the shallow DOF with the built-in NDFs. The other thing I did was put the XLR connection plugs back in place (I was surprised I remembered where I put them!). I don't have a fancy "rain coat" for the camera, but I do have garbage bags and a PA with an umbrella! :-)

I'll post some highlight footage after I return.

P.S. I'm an expert skier.
 
I am now wondering, where are my XLR connection plugs? Sounds like you are attempting to do a multi-camera shoot that would also be enhanced by using a drone, etc. Essentially you will have to be in several places at one time, fighting multiple exposure situations, in potentially snowy wet, cold weather, freezing your butt off. I do not envy you. But it sounds like a good cause. Yes it's a tough gig.
 
Design Media Consultants said:
I am now wondering, where are my XLR connection plugs? Sounds like you are attempting to do a multi-camera shoot that would also be enhanced by using a drone, etc. Essentially you will have to be in several places at one time, fighting multiple exposure situations, in potentially snowy wet, cold weather, freezing your butt off. I do not envy you. But it sounds like a good cause. Yes it's a tough gig.
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Well, I have no issues with weather. Very used to it. I've shot at 16,400' in a blizzard before in Alaska (Old days with a Sony VX-2100). Forecast is for highs around 30F. Single camera shoot primarily, might attach a GoPro to the sit ski.

By "tough" I meant it will really test the camera and its operator!
 
Larry Chapman said:
The producer wants everything....wide panoramas, shallow DOF shots, extreme close-ups, follow shots, rack focus, slomo. I will be shooting in UHD/60fps/150M and delivering the footage on an external HDD copied directly from the camera.
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Do you have any assistants? Do you know anyone with a drone? That would be really useful. Also multiple cameras will give you all the listed shots. Several GoPro cameras would also help. It would make it a better production and easier. The producer wants everything, but I guess he doesn't have the budget for "everything." I find myself in that situation a lot. I find Would really like to see your results!
 
Design Media Consultants said:
Do you have any assistants? Do you know anyone with a drone? That would be really useful. Also multiple cameras will give you all the listed shots. Several GoPro cameras would also help. It would make it a better production and easier. The producer wants everything, but I guess he doesn't have the budget for "everything." I find myself in that situation a lot. I find Would really like to see your results!
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The budget was enough to pay me my single camera day rate and hire a couple extras to ski during a reenactment sequence. Drones aren't allowed at the ski area. The producer (who also built the shot list) is a fine videographer in his own right and will also serve as my PA.
 
Snow? Try sand lol

But yeah, all day outdoor shoot in weather other than perfect Hollywood conditions? Tough, for sure. The biggest problem is going to come from the camera itself. Even a naked DVX200, ~6lbs becomes 100lbs after a few hours. I'd rather have a shoulder mount camera because evn at ~10-15lbs, one of those would be easier because the weight is distributed more efficiently. The figrig will be a pita.

For situations like this (actually, all the time) I have a polarizer and a graduated 0.6 ND. Turning a grad nd upside down for snow (or sand) helps quite a bit when the sun decides to say hello at its apex.

What about sound?

Anyway, shoot sounds like fun. I'd do it in a heartbeat...and I've never skied! lol
 
Don't ski and shoot, that would be like driving an texting. LOL

Regarding the drone, I know there are regulations where you must stay a certain distance from people. Also there are licensing requirements. It would probably require a licensed drone pilot and special permission. I love drones and think they enhance any shoot. But they do have there own limitations.

The weather does not seem to bother you, that is a plus. Never shot with a fig rig, but Jason has a point. The DVX is not a light camera. I have the DVX100 and when I received the DVX200, the first thing I noticed was the weight. But I think you should be fine. It's not like you will be holding the camera every minute. I set mine on a tripod, and if I am doing handheld shots, simply use the quick release. Of course, I wish the camera was lighter. Need to spend more time at the gym! LOL

I have been living in South Florida for over 20 years and have not seen or shot in snowy conditions since being here. I agree with Jason, ND filters are essential. I am sure you already have most of this thought out. Glad you have help, thought you were doing it completely solo. Every time I shoot something, I always say this is a multi camera gig. But something called a budget, seems to dictate the number of cameras. Would love to see the footage. Hope the shoot goes well!
 
JRJphoto said:
Snow? Try sand lol

But yeah, all day outdoor shoot in weather other than perfect Hollywood conditions? Tough, for sure. The biggest problem is going to come from the camera itself. Even a naked DVX200, ~6lbs becomes 100lbs after a few hours. I'd rather have a shoulder mount camera because evn at ~10-15lbs, one of those would be easier because the weight is distributed more efficiently. The figrig will be a pita.

For situations like this (actually, all the time) I have a polarizer and a graduated 0.6 ND. Turning a grad nd upside down for snow (or sand) helps quite a bit when the sun decides to say hello at its apex.

What about sound?

Anyway, shoot sounds like fun. I'd do it in a heartbeat...and I've never skied! lol
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Fig Rig - I put a sling with a carabiner on it so I can hang it with camera from neck/shoulder. When not shooting it's very easy to carry in one hand down by my side. On the lifts, the camera will be in the backpack. The Fig Rig is also good for low shots (which the producer asked for) because you can rest it on the ground with "sandbag like" results. I will also carry a small tripod (fits on backpack) and both supports have the same quick release mounts.

Sound - The entire piece will be voiced over. I'll just use the internal mics on auto. :-)
 
Larry look forward to seeing the results I have a shoot coming up in the sierras especially interested to see your results and what nds,filters,and results the camera produces. Are you shooting log?
 
rockett said:
Larry look forward to seeing the results I have a shoot coming up in the sierras especially interested to see your results and what nds,filters,and results the camera produces. Are you shooting log?
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I went out today and practiced a bit. Everything worked as planned. Well, except it snowed most of the day so got some water spots on the lens now and then. Forecast is for no snow tomorrow.

I am not shooting Log. On this project I am just shooting, not editing.
 
The shoot's going to be just fine. Underexpose the snow just a touch all the time with the correct wb and you'll have great skintones and lush color with deep shadows. I'd personally use scene file 6, I think. Oh yeah, if you're doing VFR, remember anything past 60fps will begin losing image quality...to the point of it being pretty useless at 120fps
 
JRJphoto said:
The shoot's going to be just fine. Underexpose the snow just a touch all the time with the correct wb and you'll have great skintones and lush color with deep shadows. I'd personally use scene file 6, I think. Oh yeah, if you're doing VFR, remember anything past 60fps will begin losing image quality...to the point of it being pretty useless at 120fps
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I think you forgot to warn him about bad koalas. They are one of my biggest fears. They scare the daylights our of me. Everything can be going great and then one of those little b*stards can jump into your face. A Bad Koala can ruin a shoot and can ruin a day. They have also acclimated quite well to the Colorado mountains and snow. Shooters beware!
 
Yeah. Ty really needs to do something about them. Bad Koalas are like mosquitos. You know there was no such thing as a mosquito until Ty made a Beanie Baby one. True story.
 
Shoot over. All good! Beautiful day. Only struggle was seeing the LCD (duh) and even the EVF in the full on sun with snow. Highlight video in a weekish. :-)

The video is xfering camera-to-SSD external drive now for delivery to the client.
 
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