Choosing a camera

1. Choosing a camera

2. Exercise • Before we get started • We will do some researching for a little bit • Search online and… • Find three cameras that YOU would use for filmmaking • Write down why you selected each camera • As opposed to a different one • Identify some of the features that it has • Why it would these specific cameras work best for you • When it comes to film making • Be thoughtful about what YOU would need for a successful film…

3. Selecting a camera to shoot your film • There are several criteria you should consider • Type of filming • What type of project will you be filming • Camera Features • Different cameras have different features • Consider this to eliminate downtime making adjustments • Accessories • Types of cameras • There are many different types of cameras • Try to determine which one is best for your needs • Cost • Some people have lots of $$$ • Some have only a little $$$ • Technology has allowed those with a little to do a lot

4. Type of filming • Feature films • Usually run about two hours • Have long pre-production periods • Scriptwriting • Storyboarding • Shot planning • Many different types of shots • Action scenes • May need a different camera

5. Feature film shots

6. Feature Films Cont. • Have many different locations • Outdoors • Indoors • Close quarters • Crowds • Nighttime • Daytime • Unexpected variables • Weather • May affect lighting conditions • Some cameras may or may not be able to adjust

8. Feature films • Have long production periods • Camera ruggedness/durability • May need various features • May need multiple cameras • For different scenes/locations • Have large production crews • Budget • Feature films usually have bigger budgets • Allows access to much higher performing cameras

9. Types of Filming • Short films • Preproduction time varies • Short film times are 40 min or less • According to the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences • Usually have less locations than feature films • There are exceptions of course • May allow for less features on chosen camera • Audio • May be recorded onboard or separately

11. Short Films • Have shorter production periods than features • May have a small production team • One person or a few people • Budgets are generally smaller • May not be able to afford certain cameras • Need to find one that has enough features • But is within cost

13. Types of Filming • Webisodes/Online videos • Short films made for online distribution • Usually through a webpage or tube site • This might determine camera features needed • Can have relatively short pre-production • Varies in length • Usually on the short end (due to attention spans) • Location variety may be limited • Quality standards • Not as high as Features/Shorts

15. Web/Online • Small production crew • May be just one person • Posting films on their YouTube channel • Budget • Is usually little to nothing • Will determine tools needed for job

16. Features • “You want a camera that does WHAT???”

17. Features • Sometimes we want the best tool out there • But we may not NEED the best tool out there • When choosing your camera • Hopefully • You will have already put thought into your project • Consider the features available • Some cameras have many features • Some cameras have less • Don’t spend tons of $$$ for a camera • And only used the features that a cheaper camera has

18. Features • Microphone connection • Usually available on larger 3 chip cameras • Some smaller cameras have them • Make sure you are familiar with the camera • Especially if buying it online

19. Features • For example • Cameras that usually don’t have mic inputs • Point and shoot • Cell phone • Cameras that may or may not have mic inputs • DSLR’s with video • Pocket video cameras • Flip, Zi8/Zi10 • Handheld camcorders

20. Features • If your film is going to incorporate audio • You need to consider this feature • The overall sound quality may depend on it • (unless you have a studio for sound editing later)

21. Features • Image stabilization • This is a relatively new feature on cameras • Allows for much better video capture • Using handheld cameras • Without access to track, tripods or steadicams • When incorporating camera movements • Pan, tilt, dolly, etc • What it does used to cost lots of $$$ to prevent during production

22. Features • Frame rate • The standard motion pictures frame rate is • 24 FPS (Frames Per Second) • Video cameras today have a variety of frame rates • Including the following • 29.97 (30) FPS – Standard for Television • 60 FPS, 100 FPS • And more, depending on the camera you select • Frame rates affect the look & speed of the footage

23. Frame Rates • 24 fps • Gives the look and feel of a movie • Some cameras have true 24 fps • Others have features to try and imitate it • Example • Sony HVR Z1U has (Cineframe) • Not a true 24 fps but simulates it during recording

24. Frame Rate • 29.97 fps (30 fps) • This is the broadcast standard for television • Doesn’t have the same feel as a movie • Creates brighter more vibrant images • 60 fps, 100 – 300 fps • 50/60 fps • Used for high end HDTV systems • 100 – 300 fps • Being tested for use in sports broadcast on HDTV’s • To avoid affects of fast motion on HDTV viewers

25. Quote Re: Frame Rate • The goal of motion pictures is not to recreate reality, it's not even to show reality. • I want to create a little psychic link between you and my pictures. • I want to suck you into the world of the story, suspend your disbelief and make you forget about yourself and your life and just be in the moment of the film. • By not showing enough visual information, we force the brain into filling in the gaps... it draws you in even more. It's part of how you let go to the point where you can laugh or cry or feel tense or afraid or elated. • NaimSutherland

26. Depth of field • Depth of field • The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image • Shallow depth of field • Where your subject/ focal point of is in focus • The everything else is out of focus • Wide depth of field • Everything in the frame is in focus

27. Depth of field • As cameras became smaller • So did their sensors • Difficult to get shallow depth of field • Full frame sensors • Provide a shallow depth of field • Cropped (Smaller) sensors • Provide a wider depth of field

28. Depth of field • 35mm adapter • To improve depth of field • Letus 35 extreme • (Click Here) • More on depth of field • (Click Here)

29. Viewfinder • Viewfinder • Displays images/footage being recorded • Feature films • Usually have a monitor attached to the camera • Viewfinder may or may not be needed • Short films, web/online • May not have resources to incorporate separate monitor

30. Viewfinders • Viewfinders may help if you will be • Filming in tight/close quarters • Using a handheld camera • Working with a small crew • Filming on a low budget • Using editing software during post • In case viewfinder color is not up to par

31. Lenses • Fixed lens vs interchangeable lens • Fixed Lens • User is limited to the specs including • Angle width • Depth of field • Aperture • Allows in more or less light • Interchangeable lens • User can find a lens that fits need • And attach it to the camera

32. Media Type • Mini DV • Good for archiving • Time consuming to capture for editing • Reuse can deteriorate quality • Can be costly to keep stocked • DVD • Quicker transfer to computer • May have odd video formats • Can be costly to keep stocked

33. Media Type • Hard Drive • Quick transfer rate • Fixed recordable media • Eliminates need to constantly replace media • Limited space • May need to delete files to add more • Removable media • Quick transfer rate • Eliminates need to constantly replace media • Can have multiple cards/drives etc • Allows time to get back up without need to delete

34. Types of Cameras • Point & Click w/video • Video quality is ok when stationary or immobile • When following movement • Can get blurry or out of focus • Audio options are very limited • Most have built in mic only • Zoom, adjustments & onboard features are limited • Allow use of memory cards • Large gig sd cards offer high recording time

35. Types of Cameras • Phone cameras • Some offer HD quality recording • Depending on phone model • May be limited in audio and features • Onboard editing available on some • Memory space may be limited to phone specs • Zoom and lighting options may also be limited

36. Types of Cameras • Pocket video cameras • Offer up to HD quality recording • Some have mic inputs • For better audio capture • Variety of recording modes • (HD, Multiple FPS) • Tripod connections on many • Accessories available • Use memory cards

37. Types of Cameras • DSLRs • Standard HD quality recording • Offer multiple lenses for various shot composition • Use memory cards • Some have mic inputs • Be careful because some don’t • (know what you’re getting) • Offer attachments/accessories • Extended batteries, light, etc

38. Types of Cameras • Handheld camcorders • Standard HD quality recording • Usually have only built in lens • Use mini dv, memory cards and/or hard drives • Some have mic inputs • Be careful because some don’t • (know what you’re getting) • Offer attachments/accessories • Extended batteries, lighting, night shot, etc

39. Types of Cameras • Professional cameras • SD to HD quality • Handheld or shoulder mount • Mic inputs are standard • Lots of features & accessories • Mini DV -> moving largely to removable media • Cost can range from • A few thousand to tens or hundreds of thousands

40. Accessories • Accessories • During pre-production • You should determine which ones you might need • High end cameras tend to have many • Low end cameras are limited • Some accessories to consider • Wide angle lenses • Lighting • Helmet mount • Extended batteries • Camera grips • Barn doors • Compatible mics (wired/wireless)

41. Cost • With the cost of cameras varying greatly • You have to consider • “Should I rent or should I buy” • If you are going to generate money • It may be worth investing in a good high end camera • If you are a regular hobbyist or doing it for fun • You may want to consider a lower model • Or plan well and rent a more expensive one • For a high quality production

42. NEXT WEEK • Bring a camera that can record video to class • We will be doing an exercise in class using them • If you don’t have one • Try to get one or borrow one • Without one you may not be able to participate

43. For the remainder of the class we will work on some basic video editing using final cut pro. • First find a video between 4-7 minutes in length on YouTube that has dialogue • (Try to find one without music) • Find an instrumental music on YouTube that you feel conveys an emotion