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Arrested Development Music Video Shot on Canon 7D

J

James Edwin Myers Jr.

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A couple of weeks ago I got to shoot a music video for the hip hop / r&b group Arrested Development entirely on the Canon 7D. The video was released online tonight, and has a television broadcast premier in Japan in November.

We were all very happy with the results from the camera. I'm curious what the RED crowd thinks.

Here are links to the video on youtube and vimeo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZImykVfeSY

http://www.vimeo.com/7371280
 
Hard to say from the youtube/vimeo output but something feels plasticky about it.
 
looks good, clean, simple... nice job.
That little Canon is a good thing. Cheap, fast, worth owning.
I am a BIG RED FAN but I do respect what Canon are doing also with there DSLR program. Cheap quality images.
If you could grade and push the Canon images around like you can with RED R3D's , Id jump ship myself.
Regardless of that, great job James, Keep up the good work.
 
Looks good James. You used the camera correctly and minimized it's weaknesses.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Mark, I definitely agree. "Fast" was an incredibly important factor with this project. The portability was a blessing, and shooting with a flattened picture profile, we did have a little bit of wiggle room in post.

I am definitely looking forward to working with a RED in the future. Scarlet has been taunting me for a year already!
 
I think this is a great example of a good use for the 7D. Though it has its weaknesses (like every camera), it really can put out some awesome images if you know what the hell you're doing. I love the second half of the video that took place outside, looked really nice and clean. I'm actually really surprised there wasn't any moire on the Hobo clown's blazer, which had a very small plaid print on it.

Great work!
 
Jonathan, it's funny you mention the hobo clown's blazer. That was me.

Originally I had another guy cast as the clown (the only onscreen extra in the entire video) and he backed out at the last minute. I had our stylist specifically avoid patterns that might cause moire, and then I ended up playing the clown in my own blazer... with a tight plaid print. I fully expected to see moire in the footage, but upon playback everything seemed ok. Fun fact: I directed for another two hours in clown makeup, but somehow, the crew wasn't taking me quite as seriously...

We had sharpness and contrast each all the way down in-cam. May have helped prevent the moire?

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement!
 
James Edwin Myers Jr. said:
Jonathan, it's funny you mention the hobo clown's blazer. That was me.

Originally I had another guy cast as the clown (the only onscreen extra in the entire video) and he backed out at the last minute. I had our stylist specifically avoid patterns that might cause moire, and then I ended up playing the clown in my own blazer... with a tight plaid print. I fully expected to see moire in the footage, but upon playback everything seemed ok. Fun fact: I directed for another two hours in clown makeup, but somehow, the crew wasn't taking me quite as seriously...

We had sharpness and contrast each all the way down in-cam. May have helped prevent the moire?

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement!
Click to expand...

haha! that's awesome! So, how does turning the sharpness and contrast down all the way help you? More room for correction in post?
 
Yeah, it gives you a bit more latitude in post. Kind of a nod toward RAW in a way. We can add it back in post, but we don't lose the information when the image is burned and compressed in-camera.

It seems like a lot of the moire effects we're seeing in test footage are a result of in-camera sharpness being added, but I could be wrong.
 
Everything in life changes... Amazing how quickly so many projects for mainstream broadcast are being shot on 7D/5D that would have otherwise been shot on RED or Vid cam+DOF adaptor. So many detractors on these forums post about what can't be done with the VDSLR's. The fast uptake of these cams for "Real" productions is great to watch. Over the past 2 years I have watched how quite well known artists/record labels have gone from shooting 35mm film to RED... and now from shooting RED to Canon DSLRs. Amazing.
 
Great, just great! Yeah, to a trained eye you could tell the lack of definition in spots but after a minute I just forgot about it and couldn't get over how awesome everything looked. When people talk about the lack of resolution on these cameras, I think that they're forgetting the biggest selling point of VDSLR's, it's how they render images in a native 35mm fashion and at a price everyone can afford. This video almost makes me want to go out and buy a 7D right now, great job!
 
Very nice - Certainly shows the strengths of the 7D with the proper lighting
 
Yeah James I happen to come across your vide today, and was blown away. Like many I'm in anticipation of the eventual Scarlet release, but couldn't wait until the dates dropped, so i went out and got a preorder on the 7D, and haven't looked back regretting it since. I must say i had my worries when their was an announcement of the announcement. But low and behold on the 30th when Jim announced the eventual Nov. announcement I was out on set, shooting with my 7D, which I had in my possession for 2weeks by then. Instantly after reading the threads I found myself feeling happy that I had purchased what I did, when I did.

Now after seeing your video i am furthermore happy with what can come from these cheap tools. They are tools, to get out our visions, and kudos to you for what you've done with yours.

I am in extreme excitement for the Scarlet, but won't allow anticipation turn into de-motivation. I'm gonna use the tools I have, RIGHT NOW to accomplish my goals. Then when Scarlet comes out I'll re-evaluate my situation, and plan accordingly.
 
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