Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Blackmagic Test

Today I went in (Liam fell ill) to get a better hang of the Blackmagic camera. Lee also suggested trying it with the slider, having it overexposed and try the RAW format. I tried with the slider first which took a while to get the hang of due to it's weight. I could only slide it so far until the slider fell down, and I also had to constantly focus it. It's not ideal, but what I managed to achieve looked good.


A photo posted by Sarah Joy (@sarahtrix) on

I then went outside to try overexposing the shots. Met a few train spotters on my adventure who thought I was a train spotter too. I only brought the monopod with me so some of the shots are a bit shaky. I tried stabilising them in Resolve but it made the framing weird. So I left it be. I added a bit of colour grading to the slider (the first shot) but left the other footage untampered with (I wasn't adventurous/confident enough with the software to go adventurous while editing!)

Monday, 20 June 2016

Wynyard Hall Recce

Soon after the tech dem, we went on a Location Recce. We also took the Blackmagic to test for 'flicker' (some of the lights can cause a strobing effect on the camera). Feeling severely under-dressed, with multiple people in dresses and suits, we were greeted by two lovely women guiding us around the place. We even got in a minibus to the garden (very dangerous driving though).

One of the people said that they no longer wanted the Spa filming (something about it being always busy? I was a bit disappointed by this as I was looking forward to the Spa, but Lee is going to chase this up.

Another bombshell was dropped and now they want 4 videos, and an interview with Sir John (not sure who this is! I will have to research!) 

The place is stunning! Huge doors and ceilings and a beautiful garden. And even a little shop!! I will have to get a souvenir.

I also need to chase up about expenses and if food is catered for.


Blackmagic Tech Dem

For our professional client brief over the summer for Wynyard Hall, we have permission to use the Blackmagic camera to film to a high quality. Me and Liam have been chosen as the camera operators for this project so we both came in today for a tech dem and to practice using them (and a little bit using the editing software, Resolve). We were hoping for a bigger turnout so we could do an edit and sound tech dem but everyone is having a social life and are on holiday :P 

Notes
Bold is the settings we should use.


  • Runs on SSD cards. Faster and more storage!
  • Menu-settings-recording. DNS=Avid. 422=broadcast. HQ= normal, high quality. RAW= highest quality, but only records 30 mins of footage.
  • Dynamic range. Video=T.V. Film=more info/colour grading info.
  • 30 fps (YouTube settings).
  • iso 800= camera's optimum. Film at 400!
  • No auto white balance! 5400 outside. 2800 inside.
  • Shutter angle (similar to shutter speed) at 180. 172.8 is smoother. The lower, the sharper.
  • Don't bother with audio. Still use inside mic to sync sound.
  • Mains charge. Battery lasts 1hr 30mins (not long!)
  • Record button on the front and back
  • Switch off camera when changing lens. Red dot to red dot.
  • Iris button brings up wavelength= exposure levels. Don't let it peak at the end! Take off before recording!
  • Focus assist. Green outline.
  • Double tap screen to focus clearer. Make sure to zoom out before recording!
  • Metadaler= name files. A= auto change number. Bit time consuming.
  • Zebras at 90
Lenses

  • 14, 35, 85mm we can use. Basic.
  • 24-70 photography lens
  • Cheap zoom but stuck
  • 18-55


Me and Liam (and Lee, supervising us) went to get a few practice shots of CCAD at different settings, and just experimenting in general. We took it in turns and we both had quite a few, nice looking shots! I'm looking forward to working more with Liam when we actually start filming.

We then quickly looked at the edit software, which seems a lot quicker and easier than Avid (and is free! But it doesn't work with the P2 or AVC's :-( )

The software made quite a bit of difference for colouring! The raw footage came out very grey but it quickly put colour back into Liam's cheeks!




Lee then experimented with different colours and settings, such as Liam getting a phone call from God???


Lee then wanted to brighten Liam's lips as they looked dehydrated, then he ended up making it into lipstick.

I suggested adding blusher but that was just too silly.

Here's the edited together piece (original, untampered with) and the crazy colourful one!




Monday, 13 June 2016

LinkedIn

I also joined LinkedIn as part of my Professional Studies and widen my professional connections (even though I only have 1 connection at the moment!) http://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarahmaherfilm



I've added quite a lot of projects and information to it (it was addictive) and looks really professional and impressive (especially having experience with the BFI and BAFTA!).



BECTU

As part of my Professional Studies and to also have contacts with the industry, I have joined the Student Register in BECTU. It was free, quick and easy and also comes with various different perks such as the Script Registration Service, invites to opportunities and discounts when you graduate!