Ernesto Mantaras

Thanks for the input, guys. Now, things look worse right now. I'm gonna fight it though, because it would be a shame if we made our film with less than the best we can get, since so much effort is being put on this. I'll go step by step.

@Matthew Wauhkonen: we have absolutely NO BUDGET. The school is public (meaning it's not private; nobody pays a fee to study; it's free for anybody to study there), and this project (which goes through it's second year, so the second film is ours) was implemented mainly by proffessors (Atilio Perín among them) and there is no official instrumentation on the program. Although this is about to change. So, there's no way we can rent a camera or a light equipment. So, in HD the HV20 is our only option. Or the PD170, that belongs to the school. And then the lights are from the school and some very cool equipmente lent by Atilio and brought from Buenos Aires. So, we have very few resources. This is made solely out of our strength and the good will of a lot of people.
Anyways, commenting on the sensitivity comparison of the two, the PD170 wins, but like I said, in this movie we luckily have some good lights, so we're not worried about low light, really.

Addressing some other comments (among Matthew's), pulldown is no problem, since we plan on using Cineform. Although the trial wouldn't be enough (I barely managed to edit my only HD short film in 15 days... :S). I was actually wondering how to do to get a license, but we'll figure something out (I have 2 kidneys after all... :P). But I know Cineform just ROCKS and means beautiful HD for almost anyone. Firsthand. So, again, pulldown isn't a problem, as isn't postproduction, and neither 35mm blowup, at all (I could deliver every single frame in whatever format they wanted in just 3 clicks through this workflow). Also, hardware isn't a problem using Cineform. Known firsthand too. So that's another issue solved.

Now, sound was a concern for us, mainly because of control (but also because of quality... I think that for dialogue HDV sound is OK, but just in this case, considering controls and comfortability for both Photography and Sound departments, it's better to use an external recording unit), we are looking for other options to record sound.


Going back to the beginning of this post, things are worse because today I heard that the Secretary in charge gave the order that our Photography Professor closed the HV20 option. They want just the PD170. But, I wanted to make tests so that deniers would believe! Just like Charles Papert suggested. And, our professor listened. He IS quite sensible. And also, has used the HV20 and likes it better than many other cameras (final image-wise, he says in his opinion it blows the Z1 easily... my saying for a long time... :P). But, he does encounter one problem (that I thought is a valid concern): he said that the controls aren't comparable, and that the final result of the film doesn't come only out of what you put in front of the camera and how this camera takes it... It also depends on how good was the work. And if you're struggling uncomfortably against your camera's controls of aperture and focus and so, for 25-30 days, things might not turn out as beautiful... He has a point.
Still, we ARE doing the tests. Because, nevertheless, there are pros and cons, and thus what we (as a team) want to see is whether or not the HV20 advantages are worth the hassle. I personally still choose the HV20, but only the tests will tell. Tomorrow a professional movie is being shot (shooting ends this week): "Andrés no quiere dormir la siesta", with Norma Aleandro. Our Camera Operator and our DP are going to make some test shooting filming the same scenes that are lit and shot for the feature so we can see how each camera responds (in exterior-day, interior-day, exterior and interior night, etc...). Afterwards we'll do specific tests of certain aspects of each camera (such as smearing and rolling shutter, among others), and we'll put together a reel to watch the results. We'll watch it on a theater. But, sadly, it'll be out of a MiniDV tape. No HD projection, because the theatre doesn't have that capability. So, we won't see the whole splendor (and advantages) of the HV20. But, I hope it'll still be enough.

Anyways, thanks again for the input. I'd appreciate if you made more comments on what I've updated you with.
I'll just keep working and update you with whatever advances we have (and hopefully post the final tests for you to enjoy and discuss!! ^_^)

I'll be writing soon. Regards.

__________________
"Because the guy who wants too much risks losing absolutely everything.
Of course, the guy who wants too little from life might not get anything at all."