Shooting my first film (advice)

[shatek king]

Tomorrow I'll be shooting my first scenes should I shoot in WS or Full screen? Opinions and thoughts pls

 

[Phil Holland]

The biggest question you first need to ask is what is your target delivered aspect ratio?

Then the next question to ask is if you want the freedom to crop into an image or not?

If you're targeting an 16x9 or 1.85 ratio and shooting 4K on the Scarlet, I'd go for the 4K Full Frame option.

If you want something more 2.40:1 4K WS is just fine.

 

[Matthew Scott]

Another useful couple of questions could be:

Do you require a frame rate higher than 23.98?

Do you require a compression ratio lower than 6:1?

If the answer to both of those is no, then you would be silly to shoot 4K WS.

 

[Christopher Barrett]

Just keep in mind that if you're considering a a WideScreen finish, you should definitely frame for it even if you're shooting full screen. Frame guides are your friends here. Sometimes I'll even tape off the frame on the Director's monitor.

CB

 

[Maik Müller]

Yep, simple to answer, shoot full 4k (with frame-guides) as long as you don't need lower compression or higher fps or feel the need to save some space on your redmags. Keep in mind, save zones are useful for re-framing and stabilizing, and of course, you'll always have the option to remaster a 16:9-version.

As Matthew said, if none of the above reasons apply, it would be silly to throw that additional information right away.

BTW, i think you can darken the "unused" areas around your frameguide.

 

[Matthew Scott]

Just keep in mind that if you're considering a a WideScreen finish, you should definitely frame for it even if you're shooting full screen. Frame guides are your friends here. Sometimes I'll even tape off the frame on the Director's monitor.

CB

No need for tape, you can blank it out in camera....

 

[Marc Wielage]

Doh, not a great question to be asking the day before the shoot.

My advice is to shoot tests and try it several different ways. Most of the major Hollywood studio films have shot in some variation of 16x9 sensor, masked off to the final delivery format. Michael Cioni's excellent piece on the 2.40 5K framing for Ender's Game makes a lot of sense and provides a lot of options for post.

 

[Glen Powell]

Doh, not a great question to be asking the day before the shoot.

Exactly... Makes me wonder what else you haven't prepared for.

To many variables unknown about your production, deliverables, and the aesthetics that you wish to achieve in your production for me to give any other comment or advice.

Good luck!