New York shoot - is Red the best option?

[Scott Brown]

Hi Folks

I'm planning a shoot in New York for mid July and I'm wondering if our newly arrived Red is really the best camera for this job?

A little more information - the NY shoot will form part of a documentary that we have been filming over a period of two years and so far ALL footage has been shot on HDCAM (1080 25P), some on the F900 and most on a HDW750.

The New York filming will consist of filming several key interviews, lots of NY GV's + we'll be following a businessman around as he travels to meetings, plays golf etc.

We may need to react and move quite quickly and I'm concerned that the Red may not be suitable for this "run and gun" style of shoot.

If we do shoot on our Red, we'll need to hook up with a New York based cameraman with experience of this camera, we'll also may need some backup help to set up the shoot, perhaps sound + lighting, if we don't bring our own crew out.

Non Red options are - we continue to shoot HDCAM and hire in a F900 in NY, alternatively I'm keen to try out the Panasonic HPX3000 as I've heard good things about this. Again a NY hire would be sensible for us.

Anyone able to give me some advice here? As I said our Red has only just arrived and I'm nervous taking on an important job with little or no experience with the Red so far.

Many thanks

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Obin Olson]

I would stick with your Sony camera for this type thing. RED is like shooting 35mm motion picture. Your not really going to have an easy to move fast and throw in on the shoulder type rig...some will say otherwise..I have shot plenty of both...I would not want to use my RED for run-n-gun.

 

[Obin Olson]

Not to mention that you should get to know your RED for alteast a 3-5 day shoot before you start using it for money

 

[Noah Kadner]

Yeah stick with the F900 it sounds like there's really no point or benefit to shoot with RED in this case, other than it's sexier...:devil:

Noah

 

[Bob Gruen]

When 32GB P2 cards become prevalent the Panasonic P2 cams will dominate 'Run and Gun' situations. Sadly, not there yet...

 

[Mike Prevette]

Stick with the Sony. It's irresponsible to switch it up at this point.

 

[Scott Brown]

Thanks Guys

yes, I'm thinking you're right and that perhaps we should stick with HDCAM for the NY shoot.

I'm going to cost taking our own crew out but I'd be keen to cost out using a NY crew.

Anyone suggest a good New York based HD lighting cameraman, experienced on the F900?

Many thanks

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Francis Kenny]

Don Lenzer may be the best handheld cinematographer in the country. He lives in New York. I think he owns a Sony F900. Lenzer is a Yale graduate, speaks fluent french, has shot about 10 documentaries that have won Academy Awards, and blows me away whenever I see his work. I wish I had his skill. He would be my first choice (besides taking your cinematographer with you). If he is not available he will recommend someone good. Good luck and enjoy NYC. It is an amazing city with great energy. Francis

 

[Scott Brown]

Hi Francis

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll talk to Don and check if he's available in July. His resume is quite something....

I've only been to New York once and loved it, can't wait for this trip.

Best wishes

Scott

 

[J. Eric Camp]

If you are still thinking about shooting RED in NYC, look us up.

If you need production support in NYC, again look us up.

Good luck to you.

cheers

J. Eric Camp
Offhollywood Pictures
580 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10012
p 212.260.8400 f 212.260.2437
c 703.869.9484

www.OffhollywoodStudios.com

 

[J. Bernard Vallon]

All the same, interviews look great on the Red, simply because everyone is so used to seeing them on 1/3, or 2/3 inch sensors.