FOCUSING ON CAMERA ADJUSTMENTS AND FILMLOOK

Fall '98

When comparing the adjustments and engineering necessary to set up a video camera versus a film camera, one is suddenly struck by the realization that--Video is hard, film is easy. Why is that? Isn't technology supposed to make things easier?

All motion picture film cameras--from 8mm to 70mm --have just five basic adjustments, three of which are on the lens itself: Focus, aperature, zoom (unless it's a primary lens), shutter angle and film speed. Even an experienced still photographer can get great images the first time out with a professional motion picture camera if the basic tenets of exposure, focus and composition are followed.

Broadcast video cameras on the other hand, are far more complicated. There are additional adustments for white balance, knee, RGB control, gain, gamma, pedestal, detail enhancement, high speed shutter, etc. Each one of these adjustments must be carefully made or else the resulting video is severely compromised.

Logically a video camera operator should be paid more than a film camera operator since it is harder to get good video; it takes more skill and it takes longer to set up a video camera. Alas, we know the truth. So what can be done to optimize the video camera for achieveing the best images possible for FILMLOOK processing?

First, be extremely familiar with the broadcast camera and its adjustments, or find a good video d.p. or operator who is. The "Factory Preset" on the camera or the adjustments made at the rental house where the camera came from may not necessarily be the best settings for the conditions you are shooting under. Be careful not to unintentionally overexpose the video since, unlike film emulsion, the CCDs in the video camera can be very unforgiving of overexposures! Never use the high speed shutter or high detail enhancement, since even normal video without FILMLOOK will look electronic and unnatural.

It is important to have good exposure, and to think in terms of "film" when lighting a scene. This implies using dramatic film-style lighting techniques as well as using optical filters on the lens, such as Tiffen Pro-Mist®, polarizers, ND filters or any other filter you would normally use for film.

The skill of a good camera operator can not be overemphasized especially in video. It is far more of a technical challenge to create film-style images in video than to shoot film. However, the time spent in setting up a video camera is a wise investment when comparing costs in film versus video, especially in postproduction.

FILMLOOK GETS BIG

HOLLYWOOD--Miramax films is releasing the the critically acclaimed documentary "The Big One" on video, which was recently transferred for home video release by FILMLOOK.

During the film simulation process, color and contrast levels of the motion picture were supervised by producer and star of "The Big One," Michael Moore. Adjustments were made on a scene-by-scene basis and the feature was recorded on a separate D2. Although "The Big One" originally was shot on video and transferred to 35mm film for theatrical release, Miramax films selected FILMLOOK for the home video release as did New Line Home Video for their documentary "Hoop Dreams." "The Big One" is currently available at Blockbuster and other home video outlets nationwide.

FILMLOOK would like to welcome four series this fall. New this fall is Jim Henson's "Brats of the Lost Nebula," MTV's "The Revue," CBS's "Unsolved Mysteries," and UPN's "Guys Like Us." Filmlook would like to welcome returning hit Canadian series "Diva" for its second season and series segments for "JAG", "Pensacola" and "The Nanny". FILMLOOK congratulates the cast and crew members of these series and we thank the producers for choosing FILMLOOK for their film simulation.

NEW YORK-Zohe Productions has produced the miniseries "An American Love Story", a six part documentary shot in video and processed in FILMLOOK.

The documentary follows one interacial New York couple and their children on their daily struggle with city life, racism, vacations and boyfriends. It was shot in 3 CCD Hi8 over the course of several years and then processed in FILMLOOK. The American Playhouse-featured series can be seen on local PBS stations nationwide.

TAKING STOCK IN FILMLOOK

Some production companies and projects using FILMLOOK...Quantum Television, "Sunworks" Tanning Lotion Infomercial...Triage Productions, HBO First Look: "Saving Private Ryan"...The Jones Group, "Moneyguard" financial video...Lakeshore Productions, Golden Tee Golf "Chimp" spot...Taco Bell Europe, food product shots...The Big Picture, "The Tupperware Challenge" infomercial...Pittmobile Records, "She Was Never Her" music video...Strategic Perception, "Skandalakis for Lt. Governor" political spots...Golden Tapa Productions, World Youth Network--"Living from the Inside Out."

DIRECTORY

HOME

FILMLOOK GETS RUDE

LOS ANGELES--Showtime networks and Columbia Tristar television is producing the irreverent comedy "Rude
Awakening," a series entirely
shot in video and processed by
FILMLOOK.

The series stars Sherilyn Fenn as a
recovering alcoholic with a formerly self-destructive lifestyle. Her less-than-maternal mother (Lynn Redgrave) and sleazy movie producer boss (Richard Lewis) are constant reminders of her sordid past. The show is d.p.'d by Alan
Walker whose NBC series "The John Larroquette Show" was also processed by FILMLOOK. "Rude Awakening" can be seen on Showtime Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. Encores are on Sundays at 11:30 pm and Thursdays at 10:00 pm.

LOS ANGELES--Premiering on
PAXnet is the series "It's a Miracle," a talk show studio-based series which features interviews and re-creations of miracles shot in video and processed in FILMLOOK.

The PAXnet series is one of the first programs featured on the new network that is dedicated to family oriented cable programming. Check local listings for air times of "It's a Miracle."

NEW YORK--FILMLOOK has
processed "My N.Y.," a series of
ideo shot vignettes featuring New
York natives Robert Klein, Yaphet Koto and Lainie Kazan.

The three minute video profiles,
produced by Playground 11, are
being shown on the MSG Metro
Guide channel in New York and
tristate area. The profiles feature
other celebrities such as Robert
Wuhl and former mayor Ed Koch
and the places they call home.

FILMLOOK is environmentally
conscious. There are no harsh
chemicals used for FILMLOOK
processing, no toxic waste and zero emissions. Yet, we look for ways to help the environment further. If you are able to access the FILMLOOK website Newsletters at http://www.filmlook.com/news/
newsletterdirectory.html, please let us know by e-mail (lookinfo@filmlook.com) of your name, company, and address so that we can save a tree and voluntarily remove your name from our newsletter mailing list.

© 1998 FILMLOOK, Inc. All Rights Reserved. FILMLOOK is a registered trademark of FILMLOOK Inc.