Color Correcting Red footage
Over the weekend I had a Davinci Resolve session. The footage brought in was all shot on the Red in 4K. The clips were all green screen that had a lot of spill on the sctor and set. Now the big question. Do you correct pre or post keying? We decided to help the animators out and remove the green spill from the talent and set. With different nodes and tracking we were able to seperate the talent from the background and even had time left over to smooth out the green for the animators. We processed 19 clips in 3 hours. We outputted 4K ProRes 444 files at the animators request.
The Davinci Resolve steps up again, I'll let you know when the spot hits the airwaives in a couple months.
The client told me after the fact, that he had booked a full day session out in LA to do the color corection. He was able to cancel his trip and session and was very grateful to have this capability in Las Vegas.
New CineSlider Review
We were able to test out the new Kessler CineSlider on our last commercial shoot. We really got some nice table tops and bar shots that just were not possible with our doorway dolly. So far this is exceeding our expectations. The crew loves it.
We shot with the HDX-900 on it as well as the Canon 5D.
New Cameras Coming to NAB 2012
We are very excited to see what new cameras are going to show up here in Vegas at NAB 2012.
ARRI will showcase its Alexa range of 2K cameras, the Alexa, Alexa Plus, Alexa M, and Alexa Studio, which boasts 14 stops of dynamic range, a base sensitivity of EI 800 and cinematic image quality. Their ergonomics, menu systems and functionality are based on film cameras to provide ease of use for experienced film professionals.
Canon USA will introduce its Cinema EOS Cameras, the Canon EOS C300 and C300PL, designed for digital cinematographers. Available in either EF- or PL-mount configurations, features include a Super 35mm Canon CMOS sensor, Canon DIGIC DV III image processor and 50 Mbps 4:2:2 codec.
Panasonic will showcase the HDC-Z10000, a twin-lenses handheld 2D and 3D camcorder, which is AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard compatible. Also on hand is the AG-3DP1, a 3D integrated twin-lens P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder providing full 1920x1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording. Another camera debuting is the AG-HPX250, Panasonic's first P2 HD handheld camcorder with 10-bit, 4:2:2 independent-frame, full 1920x1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording.
P+S Technik will show the PS-Cam X35 camera, a combination sync sound workhorse and motion effects camera providing frame rates up to 450, using a 35mm-sized CMOS imager and a global shutter. The film-style digital cinematography camera can be utilized for normal video imaging, as well as slow motion, fast motion, ramped motion and time lapse motion.
Sony Electronics will roll out its F65 CineAlta digital motion picture camera, featuring Sony's 8K image sensor with approximately 20 total megapixels. It provides 16-bit linear RAW file output capability, creating a gateway to an end-to-end 4K file-based mastering workflow. Sony will also showcase its full line of Super 35 mm professional camcorders, including the PMW-F3 and the NEX-FS100U, as well as the HXR-NX70U rain- and dust-proof professional HD camcorder. Two 3D professional camcorders—the PMW-TD300 shoulder-mount model and HXR-NX3D1U NXCAM compact camcorder will also be shown.
It's really up in the air now on which one we will add to the shop here.
Why we picked the Canon EOS C300
After looking at all of the cameras at NAB we choose to add the C300 to our inventory of cameras. If you looked at the white sheets for the differnet cameras our initial reaction was that the C300 didn't have the same bang for the buck as the other cameras out there. Would we like a camera that can shoot super slow mo.... Yes. Do we need it.... No. Does it shoot 4K footage?... No. Have we ever been asked to deliver a project in 4K? No.... After sittiing down with the team we realized that this camera was the best match for 95% of the productions we do.
It delivers the images clients have come to love from the Canon 5D without all of the hassles. It's nice to be shooting on a video camera again. The images are amazing and the camera is very intuative.
When we looked at what we can book, it was a natural fit.(It's on it's 5th day of shooting so far).