Whats '3D'?

What is 3D ?3D, or three-dimensional, is used to describe something that has length, width, and depth. A good example of 3D is our environment. We easily perceive something in our environment as three-dimensional because of our 3D perception or depth perception. The two-dimensional images in our environment taken by the retina are then converted into 3D by the brain.


 

Whats 'HD'?

'What is HD?'
HD stands for high definition which is an improved picture quality or visual resolution for videos. HD can apply to many formats including video recording, TV, file formats, multimedia streaming formats and optical disc format.

HDTV is a good example of HD because many people have heard of it (although they might not know what it means). HDTVS are different from traditional analog TVS because of the use of digital signal has a five times better resolution quality which is an advantage. Although a disadvantage to have a HDTV you need a HDMI cable which costs more than an analog cable.

When shooting or filming, HD is definitely recommended because it gives a lot better quality footage, which can give your video and professional look. It also means it can be shown on larger screen without losing quality and could also be shown on a cinema screen or even in a IMAX and still have a high resolution.

Shooting on a 35mm film is the opposite of shooting in HD, it has a lot less pixels and smaller frame, therefore showing a poorer quality. However this may be the look you are going for. 35mm cameras also only have a view finder which is sometimes easier to get the desired shot.

Most new cameras today will be in HD and will have an LCD screen for easier viewing (a view finder aswell sometimes). Shooting in HD can be done using HD can be done using a HD camera which requires HD tapes or an interanl digital storage device. This allows the film maker to view the actual footage as soon as it has been shot which is another advantage to filming in HD.

Reply to @Hankdgreenlite tweet

"Heard these new GoPros are like £300 and shoot HD! Lets get a bunch and we can start shooting stuff for IMAX"

A GoPro camera is designed for the capturing footage of activities such as when cycling or canoeing. For this use it is one of the words leading cameras for sport. However for the type of filming you want to do i would advise againt this as it wont give the proffesional look you desire.

They're cheap for a reason and when something 'sounds too go to be true' it usually is. You're better off spending more money and buying less to get better quality footage. Look at my other blogs for ideas on a more realistic camera.

Producing a film using this camera then wanting it to be shown in an IMAX isnt a good idea either. Although it is possible as i am currently working for a film company who shot a film on small HD camera and have had a small showing at the BFI IMAX in Waterloo, the quality was very poor and didnt do justice to the film. It was more of an achievement to have our film shown in  the biggest cinema in the UK then it was for promotion.

So, if you want to make a feature for IMAX; definitely shoot on a more expensive, proffesional, current camera.

 

 

Reply to @hankdgreenlite Tweet 2

"@earth2aimee First episode is about Vikings fighting ghosts. Not decided on episode 2 yet ANy ideas, send them through! #hankdchat"

My client has produced the first episode of a programme titled "Vy-Kings". He wants it to be broadcasted on Wednesday nights at 6pm. He now needs advice for what channel and ideas for episode 2.

The channel 'Sky Atlantic' would be an appropriate channel for this show as it is fits in with the genre of history/fighting and also features a show which is similar showing the channel would target the right audience. 'Spartacus' is the programme which the show already features. It is very similar to 'Vy-Kings' and has a very high rating so hopefully my clients show would receive the same ratings. I would also suggest to have the show broadcasted at a later time of 8pm so that it can be more violent (which its target audience would want to see) and also on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night when a larger audience would be watching TV.

The first episode of 'Vy-Kings' is about vikings fighting ghosts. My client has 2 options and this is either to cary on the season with this vikings vs ghost idea or change each episode to have vikings fighting different indigenous people (such a Romans, Mormons etc.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples). I would suggest to differentiate each group the vikings are fighting as it would be more interesting and keep the audience watching. However my client would have to ensure each episode is historically clothed and located etc so it has the right continuity.

For the second episode i think Vikings fighting Greeks would be a good seller. You could have characters like Greek Gods, Greek Heroes or Greek Mythological Creatures. See Below for some character profiles...

Greek Gods

• Zeus - Rules the Olympians of Mount Olympus and God of the sky and thunder.
• Pan - God of the Wild and Companion of the Nymphs
• Apollo - Son of Zeus and God of Music

Greek Heroes

• Hercules - Driven by love to kill his own family
• Achilles - Hero of the Trojan War
• Odysseus - Renowned for his brilliance, guile and versatility, known as Odysseus the Cunning

Greek Mythological Creatures

• Minotaur - Head of a Bull and Body of a Man, creature at the centre of the Cretan Labyrinth
• Medusa - Monster with the face of a hideous human face and living snakes in place of her hair
• Cyclops - Race of the Giants with a single eye in the middle of his forehead.

All you need to know about the Red One

  RED ONE:

Can the Red One be considered a video camera?

Given the basic definition of video being a SD or HD the Red One clearly doesn't fit the category. Described as a digital cinema camera, the Red One more resembles a RAW file based still DSLR.

 

Why "Red"?

Red is simply the colour that represents strength, power and passion, in addition to being chosen as a favourite colour by a high percentage of the population. When researching the colour Red, one learns that Red "grabs attention" and gets people to "take action".

 

Where is the Red One made?

All design and engineering for the Red One is located in Southern California, USA. Manufacturing and assembly of Red One took place in Singapore until recently.

 

What cameras does the Red One compete with?

Because the Red One is a digital cinema camera (and not an HD video camera), the list of competitors is a short one. Cinema, or film based, cameras offer resolution rated a little over 3K. The Red One , at 4K, provides approximately 3.2+K resolution, based on the slight hit of an optical low pass filter  used to reduce the effect of aliasing. It is safe to say that Red's biggest competition comes from film, and as the sensor technology continues to improve, while film's days of progress are numbered, the promise of digital acquisition will be realized. The advantage film has currently is one of dynamic range. With each generation of Red sensor development, the gap becomes narrower and narrower.

 

Why was the Red One developed?

The man behind Red is Jim Jannard, founder and previous owner of Oakley, a multi-billion dollar sunglass and sports apparel manufacturer. It was Jim's passion for imaging technology and the search for his ultimate camera that led him to starting a company that could build the camera he couldn't buy. It was Jim's plan to challenge the conventions of planned obsolescence in today's technology, building a camera for tomorrow. Red was created by the perfect storm of Passion, Resources and Technological Advance.

 

Can a Red One record in black and white?

The Red One records a RAW signal off of the sensor, so all colour, or lack of it, can be adjusted in post-production. The Red One offers the ability to remove colour in-camera as well, through tagged metadata, so that when the files are brought into post, the image appears in black and white. It is important to note that the REDCODE® file is captured as RAW data and untouched by any colour or gain settings made in camera.

 

 

What tripods are recommended for the Red One?

There are many excellent tripods available for the Red One made by O'Connor, Cartoni, Miller and Sachtler, just to name a few. Red recommends, at minimum, a fluid head capable of supporting a minimum of 40lbs., such as an O'Connor 1030HD PRO. Optimum would be a head capable of greater load, such as the O'Connor 2060HD.

 

What type of lens can I put on a RED ONE?

The RED ONE offers a variety of choices when it comes to lens options by virtue of its interchangeable PL lens mount. Most PL mount lenses are compatible and capable of covering the full sensor area. With a Canon or Nikon mount adapter (replacing the removable PL mount), one can use traditional Canon and Nikon 35mm still camera lenses and also have full sensor coverage. S16 lenses with PL mounts may also be used, but for use with 2K recording only, as the coverage will be insufficient for full sensor.

Disadvantages of using a Super 8

There are many disadvantages of using a Super 8 camera, some are listed below:

• Hard to find the correct film
• Not available new or from retail
• more compact cameras available
• better quality cameras available
• have to shoot on film rather than tape or memory
• non-interchangeable lenses
• no internal mic

As you can see the list of disadvantages goes, however for small  film projects where you are trying out new techniques of filming they are great.


But in the case of filming fairly high budget shoots on a professional level which my client will be doing, a more moder, better quality camera such as the 'Red One' which be a more appropriate camera.


See my next blog for info on the Red One!

Advantages of using a Super 8

There are many advantages of using Super 8 camera, some our listed below:

• Reflects light so gives a softer quality
• Cheaper than a bigger filming camera
• Lightweight
• Can be loaded in any conditions because of the cartridge

Here is an interesting blog from an American with facts all about the Super 8:

http://newenglandfilm.com/news/archives/98august/super8.htm

There is also advantages of shooting with this camera that might not only help you when film making but also applying to job to be a camera man etc.

For example, If you turn up to an interview requiring you to shoot a piece, most of the interviewees would bring larger, more expensive cameras..

like a Sony Z5..

or Canon XA25..

However, if you were to turn up with a super 8 or another 60's camera such as

The Toshiba IK1850..



Your employer would be more likely to think you are more of a creative person if you shoot on one of these cameras as they require you to be more imaginative!