Recently John Galt, Head of Advanced Digital Imaging at Panavision, and Larry Thorpe, National Marketing Manager at Canon Broadcast & Communications Division, opened a discussion on common misunderstandings in Digital Camera Specifications. Panavision has kindly granted FreshDV permission to present the seven-part in-depth video series here.

Demystifying Digital Camera Specifications Part 1: What’s in a Pixel?

Demystifying Digital Camera Specifications Part 2: Keeping Harry Happy

 Cinevate Pre-Production Ballare Dolly Review [6:25m]: Download

We recently had the opportunity to check out Cinevate’s Ballare dolly solution. The Ballare is almost entirely constructed of aluminum, and as such is quite rigid. It breaks down into a relatively small size for transport, and weighs around 45 lbs. It can run on schedule 40 PVC pipe, or any other 1″ or 1 1/4″ track. This was a pre-production model, and it is my understanding that since our test Cinevate has integrated a few of our suggestions into the production model, like a more robust pushbar design. For a detailed look at the dolly system, download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

One of the fantastic panels at NAB 2008 was the A Million Dollar Look on a Thousand Dollar Budget Super Session that featured Stu Maschwitz, Dave Basulto, Alex Lindsay, Taylor Wigton, and Brian Valente of Redrock Micro. You can watch about 45 minutes of this EXCELLENT discussion at ProLost, thanks to a bootleg video obtained by Dave Basulto and Mark Christiansen. In addition to sponsoring/organizing the panel, Redrock Micro brought the FreshDV film crew in afterwards for a personal Q&A with the panel of filmmakers. We will be releasing that video very soon, so stay tuned.

I was looking for some lightweight NLE/cutting software solutions recently. Obviously Windows users have Windows Movie Maker, and Mac users have iMovie. Neither are particularly lightweight, and both have a number of feature restrictions. So in the interests of sharing info, here are a few other NLE options. Note that I haven’t had time, resources, or the inclination to thoroughly test all these software packages. Please report back in the comments if a particular solution was helpful or if you experienced any issues.

SimpleMovieX
www.aeroquartet.com/SimpleMovieX/
Free “unlimited trial” for Mac. Simple editing, similar to Quicktime Pro’s interface. Has some unique features like batch processing, auto commercial detection in TV recordings, and long-GOP keyframe detection. Demo version is full-featured, but has “slower saving.” No trial time limitation.

ZS4
www.zs4.net
Free for Mac/Windows/Linux, Ubuntu, Gentoo, etc. Video Editing/Compositing. HDV formats aren’t supported directly, but there are workarounds. Lightweight, and a Portable version is available here.

Jahshaka
jahshaka.org
Free for Mac/Windows. Editing, compositing, 3d. Looks like a very interesting option, seems quite modular and flexible.

Cinelerra
cv.cinelerra.org / heroinewarrior.com (multiple versions explanation here).
Free for Linux, Ubuntu, Gentoo, etc. Mature, full-featured digital video editing software.

Kino DV
www.kinodv.org
Free for Linux, Ubuntu, Gentoo, etc. Mature standard-definition DV editing.

LiVES
lives.sourceforge.net
Free for Linux, BSD, Unix. Windows and XBOX support via bootable live CD. Mac/Darwin support if you care to compile your own.

KDENLIVE
kdenlive.sourceforge.net
Free Linux. Seems slightly limited in scope, DV editing.

Avid FreeDV
www.avid.com/products/freedv/
Free for Mac/Windows. Avid FreeDV is no longer available from Avid, but you can still find some mirrors here and there.

VirtualDub
www.virtualdub.org
Free for Windows. Not really an NLE, does capture, processing, encoding, and has extensive filter support. The Swiss Army knife of video processing.

Avidemux
fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/
Free for Mac/Windows/Linux, etc. Simple editing tools. Not really so much of a full-featured NLE as a suite of tools for working with streams and formats. A Mac alternative to VDub.

ffmpegX
homepage.mac.com/major4/
Free for Mac. Not an editor, does split, demux, crop, etc. Better at encoding, filters, handles subtitles, author DVD folders, etc. Good addition to any editor’s toolkit. Another VirtualDub-like option for Macintosh users.

Update:

DVJ Imaging
djv.sourceforge.net/index.html
Free for Mac/Windows/Linux, etc. Professional movie playback and image processing software for the film and computer animation industries.

Blender
www.blender.org
Free for Mac/Windows/Linux, etc. A mature OSS project that provides a complete suite for 3D content creation (and a great sequence editor, apparently).

This article is part of a series of tests FreshDV conducted with the Sony XDCAM PMW-EX1. Thanks to Miami rental house and Sony dealer Midtown Video for providing a XDCAM EX camera. And thanks to DSC Labs for providing test chart patterns. You can read more about ours and others experiences with this camera here.

After shooting with the XDCAM EX1 for a few days and reviewing gigs of footage, Kendal and I have a lot to talk about. This audio podcast is a discussion about my personal experiences and tests with the Sony XDCAM PMW-EX1 camcorder. We open with a discussion about the evolution of shooters and how they tend to seek upgrades as they evolve in their craft and hit the ceilings and limitations of their gear. We then cover the EX1’s ergonomics and layout, menus and image control, lens and handling, the SxS workflow with FCP, transfer software and metadata, codec and compression (and how it fares against DVCPRO HD in initial comparisons), and finally CMOS sensors and all the good and bad that comes with this variety of imager. You can listen to the discussion via our normal Podcast Feed, or download the MP3 manually below.

 Sony XDCAM EX1 Discussion [1:06:49m]: Download

Thanks again to both DSC Labs and Midtown Video for making this EX1 test series possible. Stay tuned here or at our EX1 link page for more test results.

This audio podcast is a discussion with video guru Adam Wilt about his experiences with a pre-production Sony XDCAM PMW-EX1 prototype camcorder. The interview was recorded prior to the holidays, but we feel it remains relevant and informative even with some of the changes made in final EX1 production models. Adam talks about the camera’s ergonomics and handling, display and evf options, image controls, latitude and sensitivity, CMOS rolling shutter issues, his opinions on the HDV format and HDV vs XDCAM, the EX1 codec implementation, on Mike Curtis running, lens operation, the requisite vignetting discussion, sharpness and resolution, the SxS workflow and data wrangling, HD-SDI output and colorspace, and finally Adam’s picks on what areas the EX excels in, and what drawbacks it brings to the table.

You can listen to the interview via our normal Podcast Feed, or download the MP3 manually below.
Read more about Adam Wilt and his extensive DV research at adamwilt.com.

 Adam Wilt XDCAM EX1 Interview [41:31m]: Download

 FreshDV Film School [54:00m]: Download

FreshDV had the opportunity recently to speak with Jerome Courshon on the marketing and distribution of movies and films. Jerome offers a full course in the “Secrets of Distribution” . If you are a filmmaker of any kind you owe it to your crew, your cast and yourself to watch this segment. From contracts, residuals, and pitfalls to avoid Jerome covers the 101 basics of film distribution and helps prepare you for what you need to know once the ink dries on the DVDs. In Jerome’s words:

So you’ve taken the Sisyphean journey and made a movie, maybe your first. Congratulations! Now what? What do you do to ensure the final step of your filmmaking journey, getting distribution? What is the ‘correct’? strategy to take? Is there even one??

The answer is a resounding YES. Whether you’ve just finished your final cut or are already on the film festival circuit or EVEN if you’ve been turned down by distributors already there is a strategy for successfully getting Movie Distribution that MOST producers & directors do not know. Consequently, most filmmakers give up after spending a year or two spinning their wheels, with only the inner satisfaction of having made the movie.
Continue reading ‘FreshDV Film School: Distribution 101′

FreshDV’s full review of 5 seperate follow focus units is in the October print issue of DV Magazine, and also available online at DV.com. While we had the follow focus systems in our possession we also took some time to capture video footage of the units in action. In these video clips, I walk the viewer through the major features of each follow focus system, mount the units to our test rig equipped with a 35mm adapter, measure gear lash, and finally use them to drive a 35mm PL-mount cinema lens. Each unit we tested has unique strengths and weaknesses, we encourage you to view each of these videos and look for a system that meets your unique needs and requirements.

 Introduction and Chrosziel DV Follow Focus Review [8:57m]: Download
 Cinetech Titanium SL Follow Focus Review [5:32m]: Download
 Redrock Micro Follow Focus Review [5:33m]: Download
 Petroff Mini Follow Focus Review [7:27m]: Download
 Indifocus Follow Focus Review [9:51m]: Download
 Follow Focus Accessories [2:16m]: Download

You can view the video reviews in either Quicktime MOV format (links above) or as Flash video streams (embedded below). Note that the above Quicktime versions are higher resolution and quality. You may also be interested in our informative three-part series on the role of a First AC and Focus Puller.
Continue reading ‘FreshDV Reviews Five Follow Focus Systems’

Image focus is one if the most critical aspects of film and video production. It can also be one of the hardest to get right. Keeping your images in focus become particularly difficult when shooting with your lens aperture wide open, during fast-moving action, and when shooting video film-style with a 35mm lens adapter. On a production set the crew member generally tasked with image focus is the First Assistant Camera position. Depending on the size of the crew, other tasks for the 1AC may include building and breaking down the camera rig, setting the lens and aperture, keeping lenses clean, slating, and loading/marking film canisters. It is an important position, and a good AC effectively frees up the DP/Cinematographer to better perform his job.

FreshDV recently sat down with Bob Sanchez, a Chicago-based career 1st A/C with 30 years of feature filmmaking experience. In part one of our video series with Bob, Kendal Miller interviews him on what exactly it takes to do the job, and the tips and tricks he’s learned over the years. Bob explains his unique method of focus pulling with a speed crank, how he approaches measuring and marking a scene, and the tools he uses on a daily basis. This was a very informative experience for us, and we feel you will agree when you watch it. Watch the Part 1 video below. Part 2 and Part 3 are both now online. Part 3 is the unique segment where we take you behind the lens as we demonstrate the techniques Bob uses. You may also be interested in our video review of 5 popular Follow Focus systems.

Continue reading ‘FreshDV Film School: The Art of Pulling Focus (Part 1)’

 How To Calibrate a Light Meter For Digital Video [6:28m]: Download
 How To Calibrate a Light Meter For Digital Video [6:28m]: Download

You can subscribe to our complete podcast here.

A light meter can prove to be an invaluable tool on any set, allowing you to quickly and efficiently set lights and know the correct exposure values of those lights. Light meters were initially designed for still photographers and cinematographers can easily calibrate them to a given film stock speed for shooting film. But what about today’s digital cinematographer? I’m glad you asked. In this tutorial I’ll show you how you can use a light meter to quickly and efficiently light a scene, and gain better control over your camcorder’s exposure.
Continue reading ‘Calibrating a Light meter for Digital Video’

 Bruce Allen Podcast Interview [38:43m]: Download

Bruce Allen is a filmmaker, compositor, and editor located on the West Coast. He recently attended Cine Gear, and we were anxious to hear his thoughts on the expo and recent product developments. Some of the hot topics we discussed were the Phantom HD high-speed cameras (capable of 1000fps @ 2K), Redrock’s updated Mattebox design and killer new HV20 shoulder rig, and Wafian and Codex Digital high-end recorders.

You can get the audio podcast via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed or the Download link above.

We also discussed Bruce’s extensive testing of the Canon HV20 camcorder, and how it behaves in latitude testing on a Stouffer Wedge chart. Bruce shares some insightful details on how to optimally setup the HV20 for maximum latitute. He also shared details on the handheld rig that he’s putting together for his HV20, SGPro, and homebuilt monitor (using some Zacuto components). Bruce talked about the Nikon lens tests he’s been conducting, some of the problem areas of still lenses vs PL cine glass, and dished on some comparisons between the Redrock M2 and SGPro 35mm adapters.
Continue reading ‘Interview with Filmmaker Bruce Allen’

 Scott Kirsner on Alternative Distribution [48:31m]: Download

Variety columnist and brains behind Cinematech, writer Scott Kirsner spent some time with the FreshDV team recently and dished on alternative distribution options for indie films and where the market is heading. We discuss the challenges of self-distribution, the state of the mainstream film industry, and Hollywood’s perceived reluctance to embrace new digital business models. It was a very informative and helpful conversation, and one that independent filmmakers should not miss.

A few links that we mentioned in the podcast:
The Future of Web Video (book or PDF)
Illegal Bittorrent Usage Survey
Getting Paid: Sites that Pay for Video
Customflix
Amazon Unbox

Click the Download link above or listen via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 NAB Wireless Audio Challenges [2:52m]: Download
 NAB Wireless Audio Challenges [2:52m]: Download

During the course of our experience at NAB 2007 we received a lot of positive feedback on the interview audio quality of our video podcasts. I wish we could somehow take credit as the NAB Audio Gods, but we can’t. All the praise goes to the Sennheiser Evolution Wireless G2 system we used (and abused) during our extensive coverage of the NAB tradeshow. In the video attached to this post we talk about the challenges of the shoot, and how the G2 handled them with ease. In particular, it’s ability to quickly auto-scan for open frequencies and multiple banks of frequency ranges were essential…the tradeshow floor is like the wild west of wireless traffic.

The EW100 (EW112PG2) package comes with a wireless transmitter beltpack, lapel mic, and a camera-shoe mountable receiver unit with adapter cables for both XLR and 1/8″ mini audio jacks. The optional handheld microphone we used primarily for our NAB interviews is the Super-Cardioid SKM545G2 handheld transmitter. It does a wonderful job of rejecting off-axis noise and was essential for obtaining usable audio on the noisy and distracting NAB showroom floor.

Note: Before purchasing a G2 Evolution wireless system, you should use the Frequency Finder to determine the correct range for your needs…A, B, or C. You can also check out the official specs at Senn’s USA site.

Click the Download links above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.