Filming a feature "film" on the HVR-Z1U

Benji2000 wrote on 10/1/2005, 3:22 PM

Hi guys,

I have been a loooong time lurker here, and have finally decided to post!

Anyways, I am about to begin production on a feature length movie that will be outputted to film one day, but for the most part will be screened off of dvds.

Our production company bought an HVR-Z1U to film it on, and after doing much research I'm still not sure what the best way to film it would be and then on top of that, what the best way to import it to vegas would be.

Some say to use the cineframe 24, others say the cineframe 25, while some say to skip the cineframe and just film it in 60i and change the frame rate later.

We want this to look and feel like a feature film, and I know a lot of you have experience with this camera, as well as different ways to capture its footage.

Is there a definitive best way to do it?

Comments

farss wrote on 10/1/2005, 4:15 PM

If you are serious about a film out speak to the lab that'll be doing it. Find one that's been through the process of going from Z1 footage to film. The advice the the labs down here seem to be giving is indeed to shoot 60i but I've only heard that 3rd hand so that's about all that advice is worth. If it was me I'd be doing some tests first, even those shooting 35mm go through this process, every lab does things slightly differently so you need to know how your lighting, exposre, film rating etc fits with their processes. That's just staying within film, going from video to film obviously has even more variables so tests are more critical.
I assume you've already had quotes for a film out, this stuff isn't cheap by any means. To be honest if you can afford that then the savings of shooting on a Z1 versus say Super 16 isn't that great, it could potentially even cost more.
One obvious warning, if you make your video look like film then almost certainly by the time it's transferred to film it's going to look like garbage. One consistent word of advice from all the labs, keep the image as clean as possible.
Bob.

BarryGreen wrote on 10/1/2005, 4:36 PM

>>Is there a definitive best way to do it? <<

I can tell you the definitive worst way to do it: CF24. Do *not* use CF24.

You'd be infinitely better off using CF25 and slowing down 4% versus using CF24.

However, for recommendations on the "best" way, I'd echo what Bob said -- call the lab that you plan on having do the transfer, and ask for their recommendation.

Spot|DSE wrote on 10/1/2005, 4:48 PM

Second echo here...If you want the digital footage to look as film-like as possible in terms of cadence, then you want to shoot at 50i and convert that to 24p in Vegas. If you want a film out, like Bob and Barry mentioned, call the transfer house, but in all likelihood, they'll want either 50i or preferably 60i.
There is now quite a bit of film out media from Z1/FX1 cams, and in talking with 3 of the transfer houses that have done it, all 3 said they want 60i, and really love the 1080/60i. The more res and more frames they get to start with, the better the end result.

vicmilt wrote on 10/2/2005, 11:30 AM

test - test - test -test -test...

if some of the most experienced heads on this forum can agree on ONE thing (wow!)...

I guess you should call the lab - and do a test.

v

Spot|DSE wrote on 10/2/2005, 11:43 AM

MOST labs will do a 2 minute transfer for free as well. The only problem then, is finding a SMPTE-spec'd theatre to view the test on. My local theatre isn't SMPTE spec'd, so even for the 200.00 rental for an hour, you can't see exactly what the transfer looks like.

skibumm101 wrote on 10/3/2005, 9:18 AM

My recomendation Call up Foto-Kem out of burbank. Great lab to work with, they love to help indie filmakers understand what they need. and the best way to accomplish it.they also have a great timer, for your "color corected print"

ryon