Scarlet Workflow for TV Series

[Christopher Bye]

So I just got a job DPing a network TV show (reality based). The company tends to use owner/operators for their crew, and they edit on Avid.

I brought up the fact that I own a RED, but their editors pushed back; they don't want to deal with the workflow (file size mainly I think) since this is such a tight turnaround show with virtually no color correction. However, I still want the rental and to be self-sufficient without them having to rend me a C300.

So my question is: would it be worth it to record to an external recorder via SDI, to something like the Atomos Samurai (once it's released) to 8-bit 4:2:2? Or would a redrocket expedite everything on my end so the files would drop right into Avid? I'm not a post-guy so forgive my ignorance.

I'm also looking for a baked-in look out of camera that would be downloadable or keyed in manually if anyone has suggestions. Most episodes are shot on either C300 or F5, but every episode is only one of these cameras.

Cheers folks.

 

[Colm O'Rourke]

You could use a Samurai or pix240. the samurai can record 8 or 10bit dnxhd quicktimes, these will quick import in to avid, same speed as canon c300 files would import. I would also use a free software called metacheater which will read the quicktime and create an ale file, it will take the quicktime filenames and use them as reel numbers. Then import ale file in to a bin and batch import quicktime to bin. This will give you more options if you want to conform back to the raw files. If you are sure you will never go back to the raw files you could skip the ale step.
I would suggest you power the samurai with a d-tap cable off camera battery plate and keep in on the camera where you can see that it is recording. If you are shooting lots of high frame rates then this workflow won't work very well.

 

[Christopher Bye]

Thanks a lot, very helpful!

You could use a Samurai or pix240. the samurai can record 8 or 10bit dnxhd quicktimes

I was under the impression that the Scarlet only outputs an 8-bit signal, but recording in 10 bit would still yield better results?

I would suggest you power the samurai with a d-tap cable off camera battery plate and keep in on the camera where you can see that it is recording. If you are shooting lots of high frame rates then this workflow won't work very well.

Absolutely, and I'm using a Scarlet so high frame rates aren't really a viable option. All the footage will be going directly to post, so I don't forsee them ever needing or wanting RAW files.