Shoot in 2K or 4K?

[Nick Wernham]

If the REAL issue is lack of resources, SSD's etc, i.e workflow "bottlenecks" slowing Production, I would turn that negative into a prime advantage. I'd explain to cast and crew that the workflow is slowing everything down so guess what? We will be doing Old Time Movie Making!
We will actually rehearse and nail each scene during the backup/download downtimes, we will shoot less coverage and require better performances from the Actors! Rehearse each scene five times before shooting ... then do two takes (one for safety). I bet your Production will actually be better, your Actors will have more fun and be more creative, they will come up with nuances no-one considered.

Bang. On.

This, to me, is probably the biggest remaining advantage that film has over digital cinema at this point. With film, people realize that they are burning money every time the camera rolls so they are diligent and take the time necessary to get everything right. Sure, in a sense it puts more pressure on everyone, but good crews and good actors rise to the occasion. Even with digital cinema the really seasoned pros tend to stick to that traditional, old school film discipline and it results in better quality work. There is a lesson to be learned from that fact.

 

[Josef Gatti]

If the REAL issue is lack of resources, SSD's etc, i.e workflow "bottlenecks" slowing Production, I would turn that negative into a prime advantage. I'd explain to cast and crew that the workflow is slowing everything down so guess what? We will be doing Old Time Movie Making!
We will actually rehearse and nail each scene during the backup/download downtimes, we will shoot less coverage and require better performances from the Actors! Rehearse each scene five times before shooting ... then do two takes (one for safety). I bet your Production will actually be better, your Actors will have more fun and be more creative, they will come up with nuances no-one considered.

Brilliant. This is the way I work best - and such a great excuse to get my way with producers. Thanks!

 

[paulherrin]

If the REAL issue is lack of resources, SSD's etc, i.e workflow "bottlenecks" slowing Production, I would turn that negative into a prime advantage. I'd explain to cast and crew that the workflow is slowing everything down so guess what? We will be doing Old Time Movie Making!
We will actually rehearse and nail each scene during the backup/download downtimes, we will shoot less coverage and require better performances from the Actors! Rehearse each scene five times before shooting ... then do two takes (one for safety). I bet your Production will actually be better, your Actors will have more fun and be more creative, they will come up with nuances no-one considered.

There is an antithesis to this... Different sets work different ways. Directors have different styles, so do actors. Sometimes that pressure is really good and helps with performance. Sometimes, it can be negative. Personally, I like to roll during rehearsal when I can, and I like to keep things as loose and fluid as possible. I don't like doing a lot of takes. Usually the only reason that's necessary is when you overcomplicate things. Sometimes it's worth it, but my point is, that whatever the reason, it can be good to maintain freshness, and sometimes that can get lost even after the first rehearsal. Say what you will about quality of actors, but my feeling is that there's something special about the first performance that you don't want to be chasing later. Like opening night in the theatre.

 

[Nick Wernham]

I'm all for the idea of rolling on rehearsals with digital formats, but when you're making a camera or dolly move or a series of rack focuses in a shot then your crew needs rehearsals as well. Having a very well prepared cast and crew (which doing fewer takes, at least as a general rule, forces you to do) is incredibly important. I like this general workflow on set...

1) Block with the actors, 1st AD, director of photography, camera operator, and anybody else who you deem is essential to the scene privately while the rest of the crew takes a break.
2) Bring the crew in to see the product of your private blocking.
3) Actors to wardrobe and makeup.
4) Light the scene. Director either hangs out with the DP and observes this entire process or goes to be with the actors depending on what is more important at the time. Usually it is the actors (after a brief discussion with the DP), but you come back to set before they do just to make sure that you're okay with what's been set up.
6) Actors to set. While they are in transit, rehearse a couple of times with stand-ins to make sure everything is smooth on the technical side of things.
7) Either shoot right away or do a couple of rehearsals first and then shoot. With digital I guess there is no reason not to start shooting on the first take so I am with you there, Paul. It really depends on the actors though. There are some great actors who you will not get anything at all from for the first five or six takes (and in some cases even more).

I'm trying to imply that I am an expert, but in general I like the idea of being extremely diligent in execution, but laid back in terms of the general vibe and "personality" of the set. It keeps things focused while also allowing room for camaraderie. That isn't to say that other techniques do not work because as with anything else there are many ways to skin a proverbial cat, but this is just the method that I prefer (or at least a very rough outline of it).

 

[Von Thomas]

I hope I am not saying this twice, but I think one point of shooting 2K has been overlooked. You will double to lens focal length when shooting in 2K, your 50mm becomes a 100mm (so that sweet wide angle is no longer wide). This can be a problem, unless you have 16mm lenses. If this was previously stated, I apologize.

Von

 

[Omkar Gauchan]

Its not only about 4K over 2K, lens does matter, depth of field matter. Its a no brainier.

 

[Peter Dmitriyev]

don't ever shoot 2k. Unless you need to for slow motion.

 

[Josh Snyder]

Is there any comparisons 5K downscaled to 1080p and 4K downslaced to 1080? Would be nice to see real life comparison caps.

 

[ericyoung]

Is there any comparisons 5K downscaled to 1080p and 4K downslaced to 1080? Would be nice to see real life comparison caps.

Of course theoretically 5K will be better than 4K. However, downscaling by that much, seriously no one will see any difference between the two on real footage on a 1080 screen, unless maybe you're shooting test charts - and even then.

 

[Josh Snyder]

Of course theoretically 5K will be better than 4K. However, downscaling by that much, seriously no one will see any difference between the two on real footage on a 1080 screen, unless maybe you're shooting test charts - and even then.

Test charts are test charts. I'm interested in real life differences. Migh as well shoot 4K then since it saves a lot space and time in post.

 

[ericyoung]

Certainly a valid option.