Notes On Video

I ran in to Digital Media Journalist Adam Weiss at the Camera Company show today. He had bought the new iPad 2 yesterday, and he said that he didn't find it that much faster than the older model, though he wondered if that was because not many apps are yet written for the dual processor. He also confirmed that the camera in the iPad 2 isn't nearly as good as the one in the iPhone 4 . Stills are pretty awful, and even the video isn't as good. I had assumed it would be the same camera as in the iPhone 4 , but perhaps because the i Pad 2 is thinner than the iPhone 4 , it got the same (or similar) camera as the iPod Touch . This article from Wired explains the situation:  Just How Bad Is the iPad 2 Camera? It's ironic that after it's announcement, several people had said to me that it would be odd shooting video with the iPad 2 because of it's large shape. Now I can tell them they don't want to do it because the iPhone 4 is a much better camera.

Atmos Ninja Delays Urbanfox.tv reports that the Atmos Ninja - a digital recorder that captures HDMI output to notebook HDD or SSD drives - had been delayed due to a software bug, but that it should be shipping "about now." Urbanfox.tv : Atomos Ninja bug slips ship date iMovie for iPad can work on original iPad? The German blog fscklog reports on a way to install iMovie for iPad on the original iPad , and that it seems to work okay; except that iTunes wants to uninstall it all the time. 9to5mac explains things in English. 9to5mac : iMovie works on original iPad, here’s how to install it Benjamin Eckstein Interview In this audio podcast, Thomas Roberts interviews DP Benjamin Eckstein about the All In Film charity poker tournament, which will benefit American Red Cross and will be held on April 11th during NAB. They also talk at some length about the Panasonic AG-AF100 . Ben just got an AG-AF100: It's a great merger of the DSLR look; a big sensor, ch...

Just a reminder that this show is running today and tomorrow! The Camera Company's 21st Annual Pro Video Show  is Fri. March 11th and Sat. March 12th at The Dedham Holiday Inn, Dedham MA. The show includes a vendor exhibit with equipment from Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Canon and many more, and some of the vendors are also offering  free seminars , including: JVC, Sony, Panasonic, Zacuto, Glidecam, Broadcast Pix and Sennheiser. And for not a whole lot of money, there are also  several workshops , including: Doug Jensen : Intro to HD Video with your DSLR, Great Interview Lighting on a Budget, Gettig it Right in the Camera Eric Latek : Seeing RED! A Look at The RED One Camera Part 1 & 2, Intro and Basics of Adobe Premiere & After Effects Teja Arboleda : Producing the Independent PBS Documentary, Adapting to Cross Platform and New Media, Basic Digital Video Techniques Adem Weiss : Getting Started with Apple Final Cut Pro, What Makes a Video Camera Better...

This post kept changing as I wrote it. Originally it was going to be a collection of links to some different screenwriting resources, but over the past month or so I've been working on my own screenplay [ aren't we all? - Ed ] and as a result of that experience, I've pruned this down to three things that have really helped me out. 1. Screenwriting software - Scrivener Scrivener is a word processor that was originally released for the Mac, and is now also available on Windows. I've used it off-and-on as a writing tool, partly because I like the full screen mode - which it had before Apple added something similar to their Pages application - and partly because of these three features: It saves automatically . I really like that it automatically saves changes as you work. There's something comforting about knowing that if your computer crashes, you aren't going to lose all your work. Admittedly, my computer doesn't crash as much as it used to, but it stil...

iPad Audio Though it doesn't cover the just released GarageBand for iPad ,  Russ Long at ProAudio Review looks at a large number of audio applications for the iPad , notably Sonoma Wire Works’ StudioTrack and Sound Trends studio.HD . He also looks at a variety of other audio tools including BeepStreet iSequence and Propellerhead Software's ReBirth . ProAudioReview :  iPad Audio Production Tools Recording Audio Tips Kyle Fiechter at InventorSpot provides some suggestions for improving audio recordings (and though it focuses on DSLRs, this advice also applies to other cameras.) While the shotgun mic is a worthwhile suggestion, I would recommend using a separate recording system as well - such as the Zoom H4n  - rather than going into a DSLR. InventorSpot :  Clearing Up The Noise Part II: Solutions For Capturing Quality DSLR Audio Shooting with the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D John Virata at Digital Post Production profiles Graveyard Carz a reality sh...

SonyAlphaRumors thinks there might be a successor to the Sony NEX-VG10 coming. BUT, reading the post and update, it's possible that they are actually talking about the upcoming NXCAM Super 35mm camera and think it's a successor to the NEX-VG10 (both will use the Sony E-Mount , so there's a similarity there.) Sony NEX-VG10 Then again, another possibility is that Sony will release two versions of the NXCAM Super 35mm camera; a high-end consumer version, and the professional NXCAM version. They did the same when they announced the NXCAM HXR-NX5u ; and then a little later they announced a pro-sumer version; the HDR-AX2000 . SonyAlphaRumors : (SR3) Sony NEX-VG10 successor to be announced in April (with more professional controls and features)

Both Amazon and B & H are now listing the Sony HDR-CX700V as being in stock: Amazon : Sony HDR-CX700V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) B & H : Sony HDR-CX700V Camcorder

iMovie for iPad Review The first reviews for iMovie for the iPad are appearing, and Jason Snell at MacWorld has posted his take on the application. It's pretty much as expected; an easy to use tool that is good for putting together quick edits, but it's limited by the source formats it supports: My Canon T2i shoots H.264 videos, but at the wrong resolutions. My Canon HD camcorder shoots in a crazy compression format that an iMac struggles to transcode, so I’m not surprised that iMovie on the iPad refuses to acknowledge its existence. Still, if you’re planning on using an iPad to edit your vacation movies, plan on shooting those movies on an iOS device or search out a camera that shoots iPad-compatible video files. MacWorld : Hands on with iMovie for iPad Music vs. Silence Composer Milosz Jeziorski explains five ways music - and silence - work together within films: 3. The Rule of Montages This technique is simple, and is also deeply ingrained in pop culture :...

Features step-by-step instruction on the artistic techniques of rotoscoping and digital painting with lessons on: Articulate mattes Digital paint in moving footage Motion tracking Advanced rotoscoping and digital paint techniques, and more Rotoscoping: Techniques and Tools for the Aspiring Artist [Amazon: $25.57] Focal Press Info

Alex Buono (DP at Saturday Night Live ) posted this picture of an Arri Alexa next to a RED Epic . That Epic sure looks tiny... TwitPic : 47vuec RED Epic Meanwhile, Stu Maschwitz has been in New Zealand working on a shoot with the RED Epic . You can see a couple of amazing short clips taken in the helicopter of them shooting with the Epic (note: the video itself is not form the RED, but pretty amazing to see them shooting at very low altitude!) ProLost : Epic Movie ARRI Workshop in Boston If you're in Boston this Friday or Saturday and are interested in the Alexa , Talamas Broadcast is offering a free workshop. NoteOnVideo : ARRI Workshop - Newton MA

BBC says "meh" to 3D Broadband TV News reports that the BBC is anything but enthusiastic about 3D production, even though Sony is assisting them with a broadcast of Wimbeldon in 3D. There is no standardisation of the technologies for acquisition, post production, contribution or distribution of S3D. This approach is likely to suit a smaller but better funded number of players in the movie industry. Within the broader, more diverse and often less well funded television making community a lack of standardisation would be a more significant issue; not just for S3D as a format but also in financial terms for the producers and commissioning broadcasters. BroadbandTVNews : BBC warning on 3D standards Commandants for Low-Budget Filmmakers Elliot Grove offers 10 tips for low-budget filmmakers: 4) Thou shalt spend proper time in pre-production The week or two before you shoot is pretty crucial. If you have a well-oiled and organised approach, this time will make sure ...

The next few weeks will be exciting ones with rumors and news about several new cameras and video products. It's the traditional rollout of professional gear leading up to NAB in mid-April, though don't be surprised if there are some interesting announcements after the show. Sony already got into the act last week with a restricted presentation of several new cameras, and they have already confirmed they are set to rollout new cameras in their NXCAM, XDCAM and CineAlta families. This includes two 3D models, one in the NXCAM family and a shoulder-mount 3-D camcorder. BroadcastEngineering : Sony aims to reclaim acquisition status BroadcastEngineering :  Sony unveils professional 3-D camcorder There's a lot of interest in the forthcoming  NXCAM Super 35mm camera , the baby brother of the large-sensor PMW-F3 . Just today  Cinescopophilia  reported that it thinks the camera will be named the FS100 , ( though some people are questioning it .) Cinescopophilia :...

Cinescopophilia reports that the upcoming NXCAM Super 35mm camera will be announced March 23rd, and will be named the FS100. Cinescopophili : FS100 NXCAM S35mm Sony Camera Has A Name

Fresh out of University, Jack Lilley (23) and his friend Michael Grass started their video production company almost accidentally. "We didn't really have a choice," recalls Jack. "We got asked to make a DVD for punk singer/songwriter Frank Turner and in order to make some money from it we had to set up some type of official company." The name of the company - Sea Legs - came from one of his songs, though "we threw around a few names and this one just felt right." Based in Bath/Bristol UK, their company now specializes in producing music and event videos. A recent project they completed was a low-budget video for the Alternative/Indie/Rock band South Sea Company . Jack was gacious enough to take the time to answer some questions about this project. How did you get into this business? I started filming a long time ago when I first started skating, and haven't put down a camera since. I'd always been a part of the local music scene in so...

How Digital Acquisition Is Still Changing Editing Michael Miller at the Filmmaker's Diary writes about editing  Josh Radnor’s happythankyoumoreplease . Michael notes that having shed the cost limitations of film, Josh recorded the entire rehearsal process as one long take, which meant that the classical meaning of the word "take" was lost. Ironically, this directing breakthrough was first presented to me as a descent into lunacy.  Phoning me from the film’s New York location, one of our producers exclaimed, with great consternation, “You’re gonna get a 40 minute take in tomorrow’s dailies!  For a two minute Miller saw this as an opportunity: ...with sound and image being recorded non-stop, unrehearsed moments of brilliance were never lost. FilmmakersDiary : happythankyoumoreplease Mastering Film Focal Press produces a lot of books about video and movie production, and now they've set up a website devoted to the subject, with a collection of short articles ...

The Tribeca Film Institute at The New Schoo l hosted a panel discussion last February on How to Make a Living as a Filmmaker or How to Make a Living and Still Be a Filmmaker . You've completed your school work and made a few films in school, and now you need to figure out your next steps. What career options exist for filmmakers? How can you develop and raise money for a film project and still cover your living expenses? This panel addresses these questions and provides examples and answers relevant to all makers of film and other media. Panel: Sharon Badal (Moderator) is head short film programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival. Sandi DuBowski is the Director/Producer of Trembling Before G-d, Producer of A Jihad for Love, and Co-Producer of Budrus. Macky Alston is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, an educator on issues of media and religion, an organizer within the worlds of philanthropy and media-making, and a regular writer and reviewer on film and religion Moon Mo...

Amazon doesn't seem to stock it yet, but B & H say they have the new JVC 3D GS-TD1 camcorder in stock. I'd love to play with one; don't think I want to buy one, though Camcorderinfo seemed to prefer it over the Sony HDR-TD10 . B & H : JVC GS-TD1 Full HD 3D Camcorder [$1,699.00]

Those Smoking Hot New MacBook Pros Need an excuse to buy a new MacBook Pro ? " BestOfInspiration " has posted a video that compares the new Apple 17'' MacBook Pro 2011 (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7) and the 1 year old Apple 17'' MacBook Pro (2,8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) using Adobe Photoshop , Apple Compressor , Final Cut Pro and Blender . Exporting a clip with the 3-Way Color adjustment filter attached in Final Cut Pro took 13:58 on the old model, 3:46 on the new model. - Wow fcp.co : How much faster is Final Cut Pro on the new 2.2GHz i7 MacBook Pros? How To Use a Lightmeter I've never used a lightmeter - I've always had a camera that had it's own meter - but in case you want to do it the right way, Jem Schofield , from theC47.com, demonstrates howto use the new Sekonic 308DC light meter with the Panasonic AG-AF100 . CineTechnica : Using Sekonic’s 308DC Light Meter with AF100 POV.HD Review The V.I.O. POV.HD Digital Helmet Camera System ...

Funding for The King's Speech Interesting article from The Wall Street Journal about how the movie was funded: Aegis’s model is to securitize an up-front loan to a film producer against guaranteed future revenue streams, such as tax credits and distribution sales, which are payable once the film is completed. For “The King’s Speech,” the fund lent money against the U.K. tax credit at a rate of 15%, against presales contracts at 15%, and at a rate of 18-20% against distribution in territories that hadn’t been presold. WSJ : ‘The King’s Speech’: A Royal Return for Film Financing Fund Microbudget Films And Subpar Sound John Yost bemoans the problems of some small budget projects: This ordeal raises many questions. Is there an expectation of micro-budget films to have subpar sound? I feel like there is. After a screening at a small film festival a few years back I distinctly remember this exchange from two audience members: “Sound was all over the place.” “Yeah, well it’...

I've been playing with lenses on still and video cameras for decades, and though I don't get completely nuts over lens specs - usually I look at two things; price and maximum aperture and call it a day - I was aware that lenses had different characteristics; that they could be "soft" and suffer from chromatic abberation (whatever that is.) So I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me lens A is sharper than lens B. But it had never quite registered with me that the lens could effect the color. Looking at a test of three different lenses on the Sony PMW-F3 , I was shocked - shocked! - at the physical color differences between the three lenses. Look at this still (or watch the video.) See the subtle difference in the gray color of the jacket. Wow! Learn something every day. Vimeo : Sony PMW-F3 Exterior Daylight Lens Comparison

First Thoughts Vincent Rozenberg  gives his thoughts after spending some time with the PMW-F3 . He notes that the production lenses are much sturdier than the "plasticky" pre-production models, and adds that his sales-rep told him the lenses are manufactured by Konica-Minolta . While he generally likes the features and the ease-of-use compared to working with DSLR's, the price difference does give him pause. I just did a couple of days of shooting with the 7D and the first thing what came up my mind was that finally we can do proper focus with this depth of field. Because of the good LCD screen, the peeking and the 2x digital zoom check which we know from the other cameras in Sony’s PMW line-up. Beside that it is basically an EX-1 menu- and button -wise. The post includes a sample video. vincentrozenberg :  I played with the Sony PMW-F3 today; my thoughts Noise, Sensitivity and Photosite Size Ryan Koo at NoFilmSchool compares the sensor size and number of pixel...