Kodak films : Rest in Peace.
Sorry, this entry is only available in Français.
A never seen “D4″ DSLR.
I’ll be damned ! We were so focused on the large sensors camera war that we almost forgot about challengers. We had the choice between an expensive Canon (C300) ! or an HDMI locked (1Dx), a (not so) cheap (Scarlet X). An invisible Sony alpha ( sic ! ). One F3 ( Too much like an HD PD150 and pricey ). Here comes Nikon with a new device : the D4, it reunites any indy director’s “wish list”. Few rolling shutter, no moiré, a mini jack headphone plug, an iPad, iPhone wifi remote, and most of all, a CLEAN HDMI output ! It means you are now able to record directly in any format you like and especially in ProRes with an Atomos Ninja recorder. for 5DMII users, it may not be a bad news to go back to the Yellow brand as many own Nikon prime lenses already. One can wonder, why Nikon did it right when Canon and Sony could have done it a long time ago. The reason might be that Nikon does not own a Video division that sees DSLR upgrade as a dangerous inner competition. This is why they can come up with a 6000$ bombshell. The saga continues…
flags creativity
Will Internet kill regular film School ? Have a look at Lightfilmschool. A website gathering informations and tips for wanabee directors and DP. It is a very thoughtful site that teaches the basis of cine lighting . I am really impressed by the “flag” video that sums up the philosophy of lighting : information withdrawal. This course shows a two flag, two light sources, image modeling that gives a quite dramatic look. Simply brilliant.
The End of Focus Pulling ?
A few months ago Lytro announced the first camera using light field instead of a light plan to record images. This is a disruptive technology that allows users to decide which part of the image is in focus on its computer. This is not some kind of Photoshop plug in trick. But a new way to record images not only the surface of an image but also its depth. This camera is aimed for the consumer market, but one can wonder what it would look like on a professional set. Never again you would have to worry about focus pulling issues on a shot. This means new job opportunities in Post and a technology that fits the signs of times. D.P has lost his power against Color correction, Stunt men can’t compete with CG artists. Now you, Focus Puller, your days (years) are numbered. One step ahead in the never ending post process !
Canon got Reddish !
Three Years ago Canon caught everybody by surprise releasing their affordable 5D MII which was widely adopted by cinema professionals. Today, Canon, announced a “revolution”, yeah right ! So they released today the long awaited C300. Everybody was waiting for a 4K pro Camera with a decent price point. We got an expensive 4K sensor but only 1080p recording camcorder. And you can be scandalized by its $20k price ! So you feel like Canon is trying to surf on its 5D feel with their video teams but couldn’t do it right this time. Yes she is good looking but that is an expensive lady we got here and the specs may be enough for tv guys but not so much for Hollywood.Bad timing for Canon, Red announced at the same time their new Red Scarlet X ! A 5k photo, 4k video ( raw ) camera ! A smaller version of their most expensive RED EPIC M. The price ? An amazing below 10k price point. Ironically, Red made it compatible with Canon EF lenses ! Of course product shortages and issues makes red less reliable on set but, it is sure a Cinema camera we got here for almost every director !
What the hell is happening with Canon ?
Clues are gathering : A new flagship store for professionals in Hollywood, an Event with a Keynote on October 3rd just to spoil Red big day ( they were supposed to unveil the Red Scarlet ) and an incredibly low profile announcement for a major Camera upgrade : the 1Dx. What the hell is happening with Canon ? Rumors say it will be a low price high end 4k Camera. Other talk about a new 5D MIII with Cinema features. Blogs are heating up. Still we wait for solid news. But we can be sure of one thing ! The Japanese firm is cooking something really hot for 2012. So save the date for Nov. 3rd and a few buck for a major leap forward. Still not convinced ? Well check the specs of the New 1Dx DSLR. This whole new DIGIC5 with moire suppressor, and no more line skipping means the future is going to be cleaner.
After Hybrid Cameras, Hybrid images…
(Image source: From Me To You)
(Image source: Superwhite)
That was meant to be. After the drift from video camcorders to Hybrid HDSLR. Now images are also becoming hybrid. Is it just a trend or a real new form of art ? Never the less, Cinemagraphy ( composition between video elements in a photo shoot ) is the latest trend online. Visual Poetry with a vintage “Gif” format. Is it going to last ? more pics here !
FCPX update
Is it the Premiere leak ? The fear to loose more stars on the App Store ? Never the less, Final Cut Pro X has just released its first update. ( Quite fast for Apple ! )
They integrated XML support as import and export feature. Quite important to talk to the rest of the world. A few bug fixes and “Roles”. A new multi-track export with an Apple innovative flavor. Bad news ! still no multi cam … No external monitor support… But they swear they gonna fix this : In 2012 ! This update sounds also like a love letter from developers : ” Yes we listen !” And for the most reluctant ones, you can now download it for free as a 30 days trial. This, my friend is called a winning back.
High End Workflow
You are a young director and you dram about Red Epic and Alexa, but you are stuck with your 5D. No need to undermine yourself. Talent does not need high budget and a few solutions are available to optimize the quality of your shoot and post. Here are a few tips :
◊
SHOOT :
1 – USE A CINESTYLE PROFILE FROM TECHNICOLOR. The 5D image is crisp and stunning. But it is hell for color grading as it ruins a lot of picture infos by its contrast, sharpness and color style. Technicolor Cinestyle applies a profile that flattens the image and allows a better performance between highlights and darkness. Watch out : Technicolor recommends that you only use 160 ISO multiple values and set your parameters this way :
See Vincent Laforet ‘s website
2- SHOOT WITH THE LOWEST ISO POSSIBLE : ( 160/320/640/1250). What seems ok on a field monitor can look terrible on a big screen. Avoid anything above 1250 ISO. The 5D grain is not a film footage picture style. It looks electronic and has banding noise. You don’t want to deal with that. If you are unable to shoot with lower ISO, some solutions are available. ( see Post )
a
POST :
1-CONVERT WITH 5D2RGB. The choice of your converter is not a no brainer ! If you use Canon E-1 plug-in or MPEG Streamclip, it might look okay. But we ant the best picture quality possible.. Don’t we ? 5D2RGB does the job rather well. Downside… It is damn slow ( 3xmore ).
2 – DEGRAIN withc DeNoise or NeatVideo. In case high ISO was the only option. ( Sh..t happens on low budget movies), you get to have grainy images in post. . plug-in for After-Effect or FinalCut Pro will save your day or what is left of your rendering time…
3 – Edit on FinalCut Pro in ProRes 4444 or 422HQ. Be aware that 4444 is the best codec available but… There is always a but. You will need a massive amount of storage. Terabytes of videos and you will need backup !!!!
4 – Never forget that a perfectly lightened, exposed, framed, color corrected image will never overcome a good acting and story !
a
