Digital Filmmaking, Dslrs
Digital Filmmaking, Dslrs
The world of digital feature film making is being transformed by the low cost Dslr consumer cameras. These cameras, many selling for under 1,000 dollars are making the dream of producing a Hollywood quality film a reality for the low to micro budget film maker.
These cameras are the Canon t2i, the Canon 7d, the Panasonic Gh1, Gh2 and the brand new Gh3. The Canon 7d and the Gh3 can basically shoot world class digital footage right out of the box. The Canon t2i along with the Gh1 and Gh2 are best to work with once they have been hacked.
Hacking a Dslr is not as difficult as it sounds. You do not have to break it open and do any major work. All you have to do is download and add hacks to the firmware of the camera. All the information to do this can be easily found online. Most of it is available on Youtube. Now you might be asking why do you need to hack a dslr if they are already capable of producing quality video footage. The answer is that these cameras need to be taught how to perform like a motion picture camera. The number one thing is that they have to shoot at 24 frames per second. They also need to be able to record better video quality. The good part of the equation is that these cameras can produce amazing video when encouraged to do so.
The one major down side to using these dslr cameras for movie making is that they do not record sound well. Either you are going to have to add a quality mic along with a mixer or your are going to have to record the audio using an external set up and sync the sound in post. For the Dslr cameras I recommend that you use the built in mic for a reference, but you record with external means. One of the best and most cost effective is to use the Zoom h1, 2, or 4 to record you audio. There are tutorials online that can show you how to attach them to boom poles.
This post is not a let me tell you everything that you need to know about making a digital feature, it is about the Dslr cameras and I highly recommend that you do your research well before you pick your Dslr camera. Being a digital film maker is like doing any other job that requires the daily use of an electronic device. You need to find a device that you are comfortable with. As a film maker this along with the computer and the software that you will select to edit you film on with be your biggest purchases. Also the dslr that you pick to make your movie is going to become part of your life for a while. Treat it in the same way that you treat buying a car. Like your car this camera is going to be your baby.
If you are unwilling to buy one or can not afford a Dslr you can rent them for your production. In most major cities there are motion picture retail companies that will have Dlsr packages available. These packages will include all the different lenses that you may need on your production. Also if you are not good or comfortable with using a camera you can always hired a Dp (director of photography) who will come with his own equipment. You can check local film sites or you can go on Craigslist and advertise for someone skilled with their own professional Dslr set up.
Good luck learning about Dslr cameras. There will be future post on this important subject. Please take a moment to share this post and to stumble us on stumbleupon.