Notes On Video

Canon 60D vs 550D vs 7D - which one is better? A video from DigitalRev takes a look at the three cameras, comparing them for you. It's an interesting intro if you are trying to decide between them. Favorite quote: "With the 60D, the buttons are utterly hateful" RED says Scarlet will add HDRx capability and $1,000 price increase ...and it will only cause a 'slight' delay RED's DSLR killer Scarlet has been promised for some time. Unfortunately there's still no firm date, and now RED has announced they plan to add HDRx capability, but there will be a slight delay. REDuser: Scarlet... Fake Documentaries Xan Brooks at The Guardian looks at how documentaries are increasingly being "faked" with recreated sequences or actors standing in for real people. Particularly interesting; the submission of faked footage to the crowd-sourced project " Life in a Day " The Guardian: Can 'fake' documentaries still tell the truth

Instructor Peter Abraham returns for a  Steadicam Pilot and Zephyr Workshop, Saturday October 9, 8:30am to 5:00pm and Sunday October 10, 8:30am to 6:00pm In this comprehensive hands-on, two day workshop, you'll learn the core skills required to operate a Steadicam as well as an intensive examination of aesthetics of the moving camera. Students will view clips, create shots and then examine them as a group. Limited to 9 students . All Steadicam systems and materialcs along with breakfast and lunch are provided.  Tuition: $500 Other location/dates: Nov 13 - 14, 2010, Toronto, ON Dec 5 - 11, 2010, Whitesburg, GA Jan 15 - 16, 2011, Denver, CO Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2011, Lake Arrowhead, CA Register : Tiffen Steadicam Workshops

Low-cost Filmmaking; the good and the bad Vincent Laforet's latest blog post is an interesting one because it goes into the pros and cons of doing ultra-low budget filmmaking, and asks the question; if you make an ultra-cheap video using unpaid talent, loaned equipment, and without paying for all the time you put into it, are you hurting yourself by setting up an unrealistic expectation in clients about what things cost? I guess that I’m suggesting that we as filmmakers be more responsible about this in general - myself included - because I hear these claims more and more often these days as the cost of technology drops. And perhaps my main point is: I’m not concerned with what we say to one another - but what we communicate to producers / clients out there when we make these claims. When they hear of these low numbers - they come to expect us to do the same for them… and the fact the we produced these things “on our own” and “with friends” all too often gets lost. The articl

AnimfxNZ 2010, Wellington New Zealand, 4-6 November AnimfxNZ is an Animation, Games and Visual Effects conference held annually in one of the world's leading cities for Digital Media creation-Wellington, New Zealand. Now in its fifth year, AnimfxNZ 10 brings together a mix of international speakers, including animation feature directors, vfx supervisors, digital artists and game developers, to present, share and interact with attendees from all over the world. AnimfxNZ is organised by the NZ GAV Trust, a group of digital media professionals dedicated to advancing the Games, Animation and VFX industries in New Zealand. AnimfxNZ Fire Damages N.Z. ' Lord of the Rings ' studio Portsmouth Miniatures Studio, which was used by Weta Workshop to film the miniatures scenes in the "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy and "King Kong" caught fire at 3.10 p.m. local time, according to NZ press reports. A spokeswoman for the studio told The Hollywood Reporter that no-o

The Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder isn't shipping yet - the date being quoted is October 15th - but some people are getting their hands on it and are starting to write reviews. Here's a sample. Interestingly three of the reviews are almost glowing, but the third isn't as impressed...see if you can pick out which one. HDWarrior I did not realise that you have to align the 3D part at the front, fortunately I only shot about 30s worth of footage to see it back to realise there was something seriously wrong with the 3D picture. [...] This one £1,300 domestic 3D camcorder from Panasonic will in my opinion make the 3D plasma a worth while investment Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder “First Play” £1,300 Electronics Blog The 3D experience wasn't very compelling. There wasn't enough depth between foreground and background, certainly less than I'm used to with broadcast 3D programs. Nor was the effect at all like that in the Fuji W1's photos, which had r

While it was previously available as a beta, Singular Software has now formally released DualEyes ™ for Windows®, which employs the same automatic synchronization technology as PluralEyes to streamline the process of syncing dual-system recordings with the corresponding video. Unlike PluralEyes , which is a plug-in for Final Cut Pro , DualEyes is a standalone Windows Application designed to work alongside almost all video editing applications, including Adobe® Premiere Pro ®, Avid® Media Composer ®, and Sony® Vegas Pro ®. "Unlike PluralEyes , DualEyes works as a standalone application, with an emphasis on the dual-audio workflow. No more of the 'hunt, trim, hunt, trim' steps required by manual synchronization; DualEyes is quick and easy, and can incorporate the highest quality audio for any video production," says Bruce Sharpe, CEO, Singular Software. DualEyes - Pricing and System Requirements DualEyes is available to purchase for $149 USD via the Singular

AppleInsider carries a reports from the French site HardMac about rumored development issues with the next rev of Final Cut Pro . However, at the very end of the article they point out that " Recent rumors reported by HardMac have missed the mark. " "Some fundamental differences of opinion about the ideal interface have hamstrung this part of the project which has now been deferred to the next version, in 2013," the report said. AppleInsider: Troubled development, 2011 launch rumored for Apple's Final Cut Studio

Canon 5D Mark II used in Iron Man 2 I think I read this somewhere before already, but the Canon 5D Mark II was used for some production work in Iron Man 2 : Cinematographer Matthew Libatique used 5D Mark II DSLRs to shoot parts of the Monaco Grand Prix scene in the movie in which Tony Stark is attacked by Ivan Vanko (AKA Whiplash) at the historic race. 5D Mark IIs were mounted to all four sides of a moving vehicle to capture moving background plate footage that was later combined with race car footage shot in Hollywood. PetaPixel has some pictures showing a camera mounted in a Pelican case with a hole cut in it for protection. PetaPixel : Canon 5D Mark II Used for Iron Man 2 Photocine Expo Report Freelance director and editor Robin Schmidt , also known as El Skid , has written up his impressions of the Photocine trade show in LA: I’ve seen a Zeiss compact prime cut in two, I’ve used the Redrock Ops rig camo edition, I’ve tried the new Marshall 5″ (love it, fabulous bit of ki

Two of my favorite movies: S ome Like It Hot and Operation Petticoat . I was born in and worked in a period that could be called enviable. Tony Curtis They gave me away as a prize once - a Win Tony Curtis For A Weekend competition. The woman who won was disappointed. She'd hoped for second prize - a new stove. Tony Curtis But my longevity is due to my good timing. Tony Curtis IMDB : Tony Curtis

In the course of my travels I came across these interesting pieces on digital color grading in Motion Pictures, and while they aren't exactly timely, they are interesting and worth reading. Back in March, Todd Miro put together a blog post documenting examples of the teal and orange world that Hollywood seems to have descended into, and gives a little history lesson starting with the - arguably - first film digitally color graded: " Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? " it's worth looking at for the examples: Kuler, shows what happens when you apply complementary color theory to flesh tones. You see, flesh tones exist mostly in the orange range and when you look to the opposite end of the color wheel from that, where does one land? Why looky here, we have our old friend Mr. Teal. Into The Abyss : Teal and Orange - Hollywood, Please Stop the Madness This lead Phil Hoad to look into it, and wonder if there's a conspiracy: It's no conspiracy, though, says Stefa

Online workshop at Adobe Connect on using Premiere Pro and Photoshop CS5 Extended with your DSLR happens this Friday, October 1 from 10-11am. Guests will be let into the session 10-15 minutes early. The session is presented by Richard Harrington  - co-author of  From Still to Motion: A photographer's guide to creating video with your DSLR . There's a Facebook page for the event that is kind of vague on how you access it; it appears to be at: my.adobe.acrobat.com/askcspro Facebook : Ask a CS Pro: Premiere Pro & Photoshop CS5 Extended for DSLR video shooting

The Apple TV is now in the hands of users, and they have been playing with it, and reviewing it. Engadget : Apple TV review (2010) When streaming 720p content (particularly new movies) the clarity of video was impressive. There was certainly some very minor compression artifacting, but far far less than you would see on HD video on demand from your cable provider, and considerably less than with Amazon's HD streaming The question is ultimately about ease versus options -- right now it's hard to whole-heartedly recommend the Apple TV even at its $99 price point given the thin list of partners Apple has courted. If you just want a dead simple movie rental box and you're not that picky about content, the Apple TV is a no-brainer. If, like us, you're looking for options good enough to make you can the cable, Apple's new box still feels a lot like a hobby. AppleInsider: First look: Unboxing Apple's new $99 Apple TV with streaming HD content Setup is painless

Letus35 Hawk Review If you aren't saving your pennies for the Zacuto EVF or Redrock microEVF , maybe you would be interested in a more "traditional" optical viewfinder? If so, the Letus35 Hawk , looks interesting and Dan Carr takes a look at it: It looks, feels and more importantly performs like a quality product that I would happily recommend to someone who wants to shoot with an HDSLR. It’s going to be compared a lot to the ubiquitous Z-Finder and I would say the Hawk has the edge over the Zacuto product. The aluminum construction is solid and the new quick release system really puts it a step above the others because it actually IS quick to release. No fumbling around with screws and knobs. The current price for both the carbon and aluminum models is $385 which is comparable to the Z-Finder but feels worth every penny. Dan Carr Photography: Aluminum Letus Hawk review with Quick Release system B & H: Letus35 Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder [$374.95] ikan 4

Singular Software has released a free update to PluralEyes , their plug-in tool for automating the synchronization of multiple audio and video clips. The cool thing about it is that you don't need to use clappers or time code; it "looks" at two audio tracks and figures out how to match them up. If you're doing multi-camera (or dual-sound) recording, this can really be a god-send. The newest release of PluralEyes adds an assortment of enhanced and brand-new workflow capabilities, including the merged clips feature, options for single output sequence and support for locked tracks. According to Bruce Sharpe, CEO, Singular Software, "Users will find syncing DSLR video and other dual-system audio workflows even easier than before." What's New in PluralEyes 1.2 for Final Cut Pro: Merged Master Clips – A powerful new feature that automates creation of merged master clips in the browser; a great starting point for the creative editing process. New Project

Zacuto has announced the Z-FInder EVF; a 3.2” high resolution monitor that can be used in conjunction with all current Z-Finder models. It will be available in February 2011 (limited supply) and they are estimating the price to be $775.00. The Z-Finder EVF allows you to operate the DSLR camera with the correct form factor for video with the camera "in-line" to your rod system (the most stable way) and your eye in the Z-Finder EVF. Specifications Actual 16×9 screen 800×480 resolution .087 dot pitch Focus Assist Iris Assist HDMI loop through Operates off Canon LP-E6 Camera battery (1/2 day power) Includes a hot shoe mount or optional articulating arm kit. Can mount to other manufacturer's rig (RedRock, Cinevate, Letus, etc.) via 1/4 20 screw, 15mm rod or articulating arm All Z-Finder models snap on and off the EVF and can be used interchangeably between the camera screen or EVF screen Includes mini HDMI cable The Zacuto Z-Finder EVF monitor resolution is a

Zacuto EVF It seems to be the week for HDSLR viewfinder/monitor announcements. First came news that Marshall's 5-inch monitor might finally be shipping, then Redrock Micro came out of no where with the microEVF electronic viewfinder. Now it seems Zacuto will be announcing their own Electronic View Finder either today or tomorrow. (Official announcement still pending...) LED Light Panels I just spent last night playing with some inexpensive LED light panels. You can get some quite impressive little light packages for not much money (under $100), and when combined with the low-light capabilities of today's cameras, it's possible to use these to great effect for interviews, etc. The best part; they don't put out the heat that your standard lights do. I'll be posting more - along with some video - later in the week. The Latest in HPX and AVCCAM Camcorders Rule Boston will be hosting an event this Wednesday with Bill Kennedy from Panasonic talking about th

Vladimir Verendeev has posted a short video comparing footage taken with the Sony NEX-VG10 and the Sony FX-1 (the latter is a six year-old 3-chip HDV camcorder.) I'm particularly interested in this comparison because I have an FX-1. It's really useful to see this kind of thing, though I wish he'd included exposure information. The FX-1 definitely looks to be darker and less saturated compared to the NEX-VG10, but while the images from the NEX-VG10 look brighter, they also look like they might be a little too over-saturated (it's hard to tell without knowing what the actual colors are.) Also, the angles aren't exactly the same, so it's difficult to tell if that's what is creating some of the differences The NEX-VG10 footage at the beginning looks particularly appealing with the neon red pickle jar, though the apple cutting looks somehow artificial. I downloaded the .MPE file, and looked at the still images at 1080, and that's when you really

Reader Darryl Yee reports that Adorama has the Marshall 5-inch HDMI monitor VLCD50HDMI in stock; I ordered one last week and the tracking number shows scheduled delivery for wednesday. looks like a great monitor! Adorama: Marshall 5" Small 800 x 480 Camera-Top / Portable Field Monitor with HDMI $529 NotesOnVideo : Marshall 5 inch HDMI monitor coming in two weeks Marshall Electronics : V-LCD50-HDMI [Product Page]

The Boston Final Cut Pro Users Group is bringing Philip Bloom back to Boston for another set of workshops. There will be a one day intermediate class on Saturday October 16th ($99), and an Advanced Class (limited to 15) on Sunday 17th. Registration for the Saturday class is open now; details and registration for the Sunday class isn't up yet. BOSFCPUG : Register now for October Philip Bloom DSLR workshops

Panasonic AG-AF100 News Over at the Vimeo Sony NEX-VG10 User Group, member bunofurko wrote that he got to play with the AG-AF100 briefly last week, and noted: Image on the live model in tele settings looked pretty much identical to me what the Sony F23 could deliver. No moire at all, and at whiplash pan test, rolling shutter FX were invisible as well. [...] Panny technical folks told us that the camera is still in progress of being finalized, what we had tested was only about 70% full. [...] AG-AF100 camera will come with VF, battery, charger, AC adapter. No lens, of course, unless Panny decides to throw in the stock zoom found on the DMC-GH1. However, with the proper adapter you can use just about any lens on it. However, unless there is a lens power jack on it (I am pretty sure there is none), you will not be able to use a video-style zoom lens with servo zoom, servo iris, etc. on the AG-AF100. Vimeo Sony NEX-VG10 User Group : Sony NEX-VG10 Test Run [1080p HD] - nexvg10.info

Redrock Micro has announced an electronic viewfinder for HDSLR's, the microEVF . Key features of the microEVF include: A full color HD viewfinder designed specifically for the compact, lightweight needs of HDSLR cameras. The microEVF weighs in at less than 8oz. Ultra-high resolution display that is higher resolution than the Canon EOS cameras’ rear LCD and even the Red BOMB EVF from Red Digital Cinema. LED backlight maintains bright crisp picture with minimal power consumption Electronic assist features that will be announced closer to production release Infinitely configurable mounting options to position the microEVF exactly where desired Self-contained battery and low power consumption for a full day’s continuous viewing Specs: 1,245,816 total dots resolution LED backlight, low power requirements Internal battery power lasts 10+ hours Weight: approximately 8 ounces The price currently being quoted is $595. Redrock makes some great rigs, and this makes for an i

The new $99 Apple TV is now shipping. [ And just last Friday, some sites were reporting that it had been delayed 2-3 weeks! ] I already have the previous version and - fortunately - the new version doesn't really seem to offer any new features I want/need. Engadget : Apple TV now shipping

Cinema5D has a short video up about the upcoming Marshall 5-inch HDMI monitor VLCD50HDMI . This small field monitor looks like a great choice for DLSR shooters who want to use an external monitor, but don't want something too large. While there are some cheaper small monitors out there, this one looks to be more rugged, and it offers features like false color, peaking, lines and programmable buttons. It also runs on 4 AA batteries. Bernie Keach from Marshall says it's a couple of weeks away from delivery and will list at $599. This compact LED-backlit confidence monitor offers amazing picture performance and excellent viewing angles for users simply looking for a portable, yet versatile monitoring solution. The V-LCD50-HDMI offers standard features including a wide variety of formats and markers, 4 user-configurable front panel function buttons, RGB Check Field / Field Detect, RGB gain and bias control. Major features include Marshall's industry leading FALSE COLOR and PE