This IS the Avid L2: Re: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Re: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers

my 2 cents:

Don't slate too much, takes time. Use TOD tc and give the guy who is
supposed to hold the slate a good watch.

If you shoot dual system sound, use timecode, no matter how. (LTC on an
audio track can help with el-cheapo cams and even on the ZOOM cheapo
recoder, and Avid reads it. Othewise i've got a tool to do so.)

Don't play film shooting, do not shout ACTION, do not shout ROLLING, as it
only stresses out everyone (not alone on set, i hate it in my studio.)
A simple nod will do just fine in most circumstances

Do not shoot with 'high end' gear like RED, or anything that works with LUTS
or other things you don't understand, and have no time / money to render
out.
You can shoot very decent with any cam if you're using it right. Concentrate
on what's really important.
(Look at YouTube movies. The ones shot with phones, one take of something
stupid get way more attention than a short by a student)

If you shoot with a cheap cam, do NOT play 'pro' and shoot as flat as
possible. Chances are big it's an 8 bit image, so for CC get it 'as right'
as possible.
Do shoot a bit under if there are highlights though.

Do not look in the viewfinder / monitor too much. Look at the set. If your
eye can see something not belonging there, the cam can as well.
This is better and faster.

If you want to mask / do effects, put the cam on a solid tripod or be warned
your effect is gonna cost 100 times more.

well, all in all, do NOT play 'pro', BE a pro and prepare, test everything
before shooting.

(Or as Yoda sez, do not try, do or do not do)

Bouke

VideoToolShed
van Oldenbarneveltstraat 33
6512 AS NIJMEGEN
The Netherlands
+31 24 3553311
www.videotoolshed.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "john.maio5011" jmaio@mac.com>
To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 7:58 PM
Subject: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers

On February 17th, I've been asked to give a group of low/no budget
filmmakers a short (1-2hours with Q&A) talk on the theme "Shoot for Post" .

The idea is to give some examples and tips on how to do avoid common
mistakes in filming movie shorts and documentaries that have a good chance
of being watchable by avoiding things that can't be fixed in post - at least
not within the budget and time constraints small independent filmmakers
have.

Many of these folks are of the run and gun variety and most have never heard
of a lined script, much less the importance good slating and note taking, to
say nothing of great camera work.

I have a long list of simple things to talk about like most everyone else on
here does - even with not so low budget productions. I'd like it to be a
helpful exchange, not a critical one. Just pointing out some common things
that could easily be handled in planning and production, rather than post
from an editor's POV.

If you have some good examples of tips for small independent filmmakers, I'd
like to hear them.

Thanks