Widescreen look when using Vegas

[djkoz]

I have volunteered to shoot B-roll footage for an upcoming documentary using my DVX100A. The director is minimally informed about video technical matters and the lead cameraman / editor will be shooting with a Canon camera (I don't know the model.)

The director wants the finished product to be in widescreen 16:9 with a film look. The footage will be edited in Vegas 6.

My questions:

1. Since the lead camera will be a Canon, am I correct in assuming that I should shoot in 24P and NOT 24P Advanced?

2. Since Vegas will be used to edit the video, which mode will yield the best finished DVD results, letterbox, squeeze mode, or 4:3 (and let Vegas do the adjusting to the wide screen format?)

3. The lead cameraman, who will also be doing the editing, is talking about editing on a 60i timeline. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of the film look? Shouldn't the film be edited on a 60p timeline and finished DVD produced in a like manner?

Any other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance for you advice.

Dan

 

[HorseFilms]

If he's editing on a 60i timeline, shoot 24p (not advanced). It'll still have the look of 24p, but works better on a 60i timeline than the advanced mode.

Ask the other camera operator what he wants as far as widescreen goes. Squeeze mode gives me pretty good results, though.

 

[Joshua Provost]

These are really questions you need to ask the other shooter and the editor.

1. Since the lead camera will be a Canon, am I correct in assuming that I should shoot in 24P and NOT 24P Advanced?

Canon XL2 does 24pA, same as the Panny.

2. Since Vegas will be used to edit the video, which mode will yield the best finished DVD results, letterbox, squeeze mode, or 4:3 (and let Vegas do the adjusting to the wide screen format?)

You want to shoot similar to whatever the other guy is shooting. If he's shooting 16:9 on a Canon, you should be shooting SQUEEZE mode. If he's 4:3, you should be 4:3.

3. The lead cameraman, who will also be doing the editing, is talking about editing on a 60i timeline. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of the film look? Shouldn't the film be edited on a 60p timeline and finished DVD produced in a like manner?

It doesn't defeat the purpose of the film look, it's just another way to do it. Best would be a 24p timeline, but 60i works as well. It'll still have the film motion and look.

If he's editing in 60i, shoot 24p Normal mode. Otherwise, 24pA.