Letterbox while shooting?

Mark Tarman · May 19th, 2008, 01:50 PM

I just shot a wedding with my panasonic dvx100 and i shot it with letterboxing. I read a forum where someone was talking about letterboxing during editing once you are completed all your editing. Does anyone know if he was right? And is letterboxing different from anamorphic 16:9? thanks, mark

Noah Kadner · July 15th, 2008, 05:22 AM

Letterboxing=4:3 with black lines superimposed on the top and bottom to simulate a widescreen aspect ratio. Squeeze= 16:9 aspect ratio electronically simulated- which is preferable if you actually want something to play on a 16:9 display.

In general I strongly advise against 4:3 letterbox because it ties your hands in post. If you shoot standard 4:3 you can easily letterbox in post production with a widescreen matte, and you have extra room at the top and bottom of every shot to re-frame if you'd like. Not to mention you can go 4:3 unmatted if desired. Though it's becoming less and less of an issue, some folks still prefer full frame 4:3. Here's a link that might give you a better idea of the differences:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...ic185demo.html

-Noah

Cole McDonald · July 15th, 2008, 01:56 PM

I specifically shoot 4x3 in camera and letterbox in post so that I can reframe while editing. If you watch any of the David Fincher BTS (se7en, panic room), they cover this. (Panic room, btw is one of the best box sets for BTS ever put out on DVD :) )

The se7en color grading video is out there somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it now :( They deal with the reframing in that one.

Perrone Ford · July 15th, 2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole McDonald

The se7en color grading video is out there somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it now :( They deal with the reframing in that one.

I learned a TON about grading from that BTS. I'll have too look for the Panic Room one now. :)

Cole McDonald · July 16th, 2008, 01:44 AM

The panic room BTS in in a 3 dvd set. 2-1/2 DVDs dedicated to BTS and segmented from pre-prod to prod to post.

May 19th, 2008, 01:50 PM	#1
Mark Tarman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Roseville MN Posts: 33	Letterbox while shooting? I just shot a wedding with my panasonic dvx100 and i shot it with letterboxing. I read a forum where someone was talking about letterboxing during editing once you are completed all your editing. Does anyone know if he was right? And is letterboxing different from anamorphic 16:9? thanks, mark

July 15th, 2008, 05:22 AM	#2
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 184	Letterboxing=4:3 with black lines superimposed on the top and bottom to simulate a widescreen aspect ratio. Squeeze= 16:9 aspect ratio electronically simulated- which is preferable if you actually want something to play on a 16:9 display. In general I strongly advise against 4:3 letterbox because it ties your hands in post. If you shoot standard 4:3 you can easily letterbox in post production with a widescreen matte, and you have extra room at the top and bottom of every shot to re-frame if you'd like. Not to mention you can go 4:3 unmatted if desired. Though it's becoming less and less of an issue, some folks still prefer full frame 4:3. Here's a link that might give you a better idea of the differences: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...ic185demo.html -Noah __________________ Need help with Final Cut Pro and the HVX200, DVX100, EX1 or Apple Color? Visit http://www.callboxlive.com/store/storemain.php for training DVDs from Noah!

July 15th, 2008, 01:56 PM	#3
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,383	I specifically shoot 4x3 in camera and letterbox in post so that I can reframe while editing. If you watch any of the David Fincher BTS (se7en, panic room), they cover this. (Panic room, btw is one of the best box sets for BTS ever put out on DVD :) ) The se7en color grading video is out there somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it now :( They deal with the reframing in that one. __________________ http://www.yafiunderground.com Low/No Budget cinema that looks like a million bucks!

July 16th, 2008, 01:44 AM	#5
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,383	The panic room BTS in in a 3 dvd set. 2-1/2 DVDs dedicated to BTS and segmented from pre-prod to prod to post. __________________ http://www.yafiunderground.com Low/No Budget cinema that looks like a million bucks!

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