My target output is BD "direct to DVD"

[Peter Hodgins]

My target product is BD DVD.
I plan to go direct to DVD.
I don't appreciate the "film look" above all else so 24fps or shallow DoF is not a prime concern.

what camera setup is 'best" for this goal ... (direct to DVD)

either a Scarlet with RPP's (I've already ordered the RPP's)
or
a 2/3" Panasonic ENG style camcorder.

if I shoot 4K with the Scarlet, then go through all the required steps to go direct to DVD ... how will the final result compare to a 2/3" Panasonic (using AVC intra) going direct to DVD?

 

[A. Bastaki]

actually.. if you dont want a film look... or 24p or shallow dof...
you might as well shoot with a webcam.

like you said.. pana's are ENG... not exactly what you want for drama stuff. Those camcorders pretty much have one and only one great purpose, and that is... ENG.

RED = Narrative.
Video Camcorders = News Gathering Documentaries.

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

In your case the ENG style camcorder might actually be a better option if only because it makes post production less of a hassle.
Though you could probably go with the EX1 instead and save yourself a fair amount more.

 

[Peter Lundström]

Agree with CraigWB. The EX1 alternatively the EX3 are both excellent for both ENG and film production. They have probably the best picture quality for the price as well.

 

[Craig Parkes]

If your target is direct to DVD or Blu Ray market you should think about what competing films are shooting on and your target demographic.

With the comparative low cost of Red ONE shooting to traditional 35mm or even 16mm indie film making can really up it's game, and your competition will certainly be doing so.

What might have been acceptable in the DVD market in the past may not be what is acceptable in the future, so you have to look at how to make the best production you can for the dollars you have in relation to your competition and what will serve the style of film you are making.

If it's narrative - I would think very carefully before passing on a more cinematic format, people are bashing Public Enemies for not looking cinematic and that's a movie starring Johnny Depp -

 

[Peter Hodgins]

people are bashing Public Enemies for not looking cinematic and that's a movie starring Johnny Depp -

Who are these people? Are these the "film people", who have a vested interest in "out of focus", "jerky", footage? ... let's see how the film does at the box office ... but maybe it could be just a bad pic. It's an interesting phenomena ... the love of the "out of focus", "jerky", film look ... like most prejudices ... it will die a slow death. Will the "home owner", with his new 65 inch screen come to demand razor sharp, in focus images .... or will he prefer the "out of focus", "jerky", film look, on his 65 inch behemoth?

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

The reality is the look of the film doesn't really matter to the general public, what you really have to do is a good clear sound mix.

 

[Peter Hodgins]

The reality is the look of the film doesn't really matter to the general public, what you really have to do is a good clear sound mix.

This is probably very true ... what do you think will be the best way to achieve quality sound on the S35 Scarlet? How is best sound achieved on the RED ONE?

 

[Dustin Cross]

Film look is not "out of focus" or "jerky" unless it is done improperly. When properly done the focus is controlled so you see that the filmmakers wants you to see. Jerkyness only happens when the camera is moved too fast or if the filmmakers changes the shutter angle for creative reasons.

What are you planning to do? If you are doing a wildlife doc then an ENG cam with 60p will look amazing. 60p looks hyper real.

If you are doing a narrative project (movie) distributors look for film look as the first sign of quality. Film look is the standard and the reason filmmakers have been trying to make video look like film for the last 10 years.

 

[Shane Betts]

Who are these people? Are these the "film people", who have a vested interest in "out of focus", "jerky", footage? ... let's see how the film does at the box office ... but maybe it could be just a bad pic. It's an interesting phenomena ... the love of the "out of focus", "jerky", film look ... like most prejudices ... it will die a slow death. Will the "home owner", with his new 65 inch screen come to demand razor sharp, in focus images .... or will he prefer the "out of focus", "jerky", film look, on his 65 inch behemoth?

Perhaps Mini-DV? You could pick up a 2nd hand PD150 pretty cheap:willy_nilly:

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

This is probably very true ... what do you think will be the best way to achieve quality sound on the S35 Scarlet? How is best sound achieved on the RED ONE?

I wouldn't know, it doesn't really matter though the real sound work happens in post with ADR, foley and mixing.

Getting great audio on set just means less ADR.

 

[Craig Parkes]

Who are these people? Are these the "film people", who have a vested interest in "out of focus", "jerky", footage? ... let's see how the film does at the box office ... but maybe it could be just a bad pic. It's an interesting phenomena ... the love of the "out of focus", "jerky", film look ... like most prejudices ... it will die a slow death. Will the "home owner", with his new 65 inch screen come to demand razor sharp, in focus images .... or will he prefer the "out of focus", "jerky", film look, on his 65 inch behemoth?

Some are Critics, some are film fanatics who expect a certain style with a certain film, some are Joe Public viewers who just say something along the lines with "What was up with that film".

It doesn't matter who has something against the film specifically, as Michael Mann making a movie with Johnny Depp can afford to rock the boat aesthetically a bit - call it artistic licence.

If you are trying to make a solid film for the DVD/Blu Ray Market that's going to be brought not because of whose in it, but because it's a good film, then you want to give distributors as few reasons to turn it down as possible.

Great Story, Great Acting, Great Subject matter all come first and foremost. Looking like a 'Dramatic Film' based on THEIR preconceptions is what you have to worry about.

As an indie you shouldn't be worried about what the box office says as qualification as a look or not - you should be worried about what Distributors are saying - so unless the POINT of your film is to look visually very different (like the Blair Witch for example) then I think a good goal would be to make a film that is very recognizable as a great example of it's genre with it's own unique elements in terms of story and acting and yes perhaps cinematography - but bare in mind that some people have pre conceptions, and those are the people you are trying to sell the film to (distributors) and if you don't have a reasonable answer to why they will look past their preconceptions in your case then you might want to reconsider your plan.