Video Mastering

shaneadkins wrote on 9/14/2003, 10:01 AM

I've been tinkering with my camera (VX2000) and Vegas for a little while now and I'm getting pretty good (relatively) at editing and making my videos FLOW.

However, when I burn them to DVD they still have the camcorder look. I've noticed on a few movies, in the outtakes real, that their shots LOOK like mine, but apparently they have some type of mastering program.

How do I achieve the finished look?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

Jessariah67 wrote on 9/14/2003, 2:27 PM

Sounds like you're in the Film vs. Video look dilemma. One thing about Sony cameras is that they tend to be sharper, which gives it that "video" look. What you see in the outtakes is often shot on a video camera as opposed to a film camera.

There are software packages that add blur, etc., and you can also play with this in Vegas as well.

Physical filters are another option. If you go to Tiffen's site, you'll find a lot of lens filters. I have a Soft/FX 1 on my GL1 and am very happy with the results. It still doesn't look like film, but it doesn't scream "video," either.

HTH

BrianStanding wrote on 9/15/2003, 10:50 AM

Before you spend money on a filter, try this. The VX2000 should have a "Custom Picture" setting, where you can specify sharpness, color balance bias, saturation levels, etc. for the video image.

Try playing with these with the camera hooked up to a calibrated NTSC/PAL monitor until you get a look you like. Once set, you can switch your custom image on or off and the camera will remember your settings.

johnmeyer wrote on 9/15/2003, 10:56 AM

There are many other things that get done to the film to give it that "finished" look, and help explain why the DVD extras often look like home movies. Jessariah and BStanding provide several explanations. In addition, the film used for final distribution has been color corrected to ensure consistency between scenes. Also, the outtakes often come from a daily rush print which is done on cheap stock and with quick processing. It usually gets badly handled. Thus, you usually see a very contrasty, off-color, dust-laden clip. The sound usually doesn't include foley effects, nor have the actors looped their lines so you get whateve sound was being picked up on the set at the time.