varicam tech

Rich Lee

Rich Lee

I shoot Pirates.
how important is a camera tech when using the varicam?

is it just a person who knows how to use the camera and is like a problem solver type? or is there more too it?

if i got a crash course at a rental house could i easily figure it out? im pretty tech savy.

is it any differen then using a DVX in respect to its functions? like knowing how to white balance and knowing how to adjust gamma?

thanks
 
LOL!!!
I think they would be there more for speed of setup and changes and to help with time. I would think that since your average smoe wouldnt be able to afford this cam and not be able to rent it enough times to really know it, a tech is needed to help out. I have a friend who has a motion graphics house and they have one. I will ask him what the deal is.
 
thanks man.

ive been getting bits of info from some DPs, a few have suggested a good tech/AC with a "paint box" is a great way to go, so we are looking into that. money is pretty tight on this one, but i think we can work it out.

tuff part is most of the dp's we have been talking with are mostly film guys, and kinda cringe when talking about HD.

was hoping to get a bit of info from the other side, people who are more into digital.
 
The Varicam is not going to be easy to manipulate for someone who's been primarily a DVX shooter. Panasonic charges $1200 for their VariCamps to teach owners how to use that complex tool. You might send an e-mail or PM to "thisiswells", I believe he's attended a VariCamp and talked about the experience. Or you could PM "harlan", as I believe he owns a couple of VariCams.
 
So what about people who are used to shooting betacam and other shoulder mounts with all the bells and whistles. At least we don't have to calibrate the tubes before going out. I haven't looked up a varicam manual, but I'm guessing it's similar to these pro models.

The paintbox is a new thing, but I imagine it's similar to having a find control over the white balance and color assignment.

... begin tweeking my perceptions ...
 
It has a *lot* more meatures and capabilities than a betacam, and if you are shooting with the varicam, I am operating under the assumption that you want as good an image as possible, therefore you would want a DIT to bring that out.

However... if you can't afford one, you can get great images with the presets and the paintbox, and a waveform. The paintbox is basicly just a CCU like a studio camera has.

Enjoy your shoot, I'm sure you'll love the images however you go!
 
I think that camera has settings to make it look like different film stocks also. I spoke to my friend and he recommended a tech if you can get one.
 
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