Filming a Gladiator style ambush at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XH G1S / G1 (with SDI), Canon XH A1S / A1 (without SDI).

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 29th, 2007, 04:48 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Antwerpen, Belgium
Posts: 60
Filming a Gladiator style ambush

Hello,

for a fantasy project of mine I want to film an ambush in the style of the intro battle in the Gladiator movie (when the Romans battle the Germans).
Do I need to do that in 25f (live in PAL land) so that the motion is not so smooth when I move the camera quickly around?
The goal of that shot is actually to show an ambush without the viewer being able to see who the enemy is, I want to create the illusion that the viewer looks through the eyes of one of the ambushed people.
Also what should the shutter speed be: 1/50 or 1/25?
Jeremy Naus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 29th, 2007, 09:58 AM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK
Posts: 32
Generally when shooting 25f you want to have at least 1/50 for smooth motion. If you experiment and turn it down to lower numbers you should get effect you're looking for. Best bit about that sequence for me was the interpolation of those jumpy shots with really high shutter speed shots to create a real sense of chaos and energy.
Joe Rizzo-Naudi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 29th, 2007, 10:21 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Philly,PA
Posts: 360
plenty of light and a very high shutter speed...like 1/1000+
you can start testing speeds now by filming things like running water, rain, etc. when you can get the individual drops crisply defined, that's roughly the speeds you are looking for.
Eric Weiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 29th, 2007, 10:28 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 157
Yeah, the Gladiator style effect comes from a very high shutter speed. So, open your iris all the way and crank the shutter to 1/1000 or higher.
Steve Yager is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 29th, 2007, 04:40 PM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 393
There are two effects in Gladiator which you could be referring to.

The shutter at the end of the beginning battle is something very slow, like 1/15 or 1/8. That's an artsy effect and they used it because they ran out of sunlight.

In the battles afterwards the shutter is a lot higher. Probably something like 1/100-1/500
Mikko Lopponen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 30th, 2007, 06:23 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Antwerpen, Belgium
Posts: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikko Lopponen View Post
There are two effects in Gladiator which you could be referring to.

The shutter at the end of the beginning battle is something very slow, like 1/15 or 1/8. That's an artsy effect and they used it because they ran out of sunlight.

In the battles afterwards the shutter is a lot higher. Probably something like 1/100-1/500
I mainly mean the battle in the beginning. Where Maximus is still general and charges his cavalry into the German horde.

That's a battle where the camera is continually moving quickly. Yesterday I tried quickly outdoors in 25F with a fast shutter (1/500 and more), but the image became much to dark and the image stayed to clear (i.e. you could clearly see what I was filming). In the first battle in Gladiator you don't really have a clear image on who's fighting who when the camera moves quickly.
My goal is to have the camere move quickly so that the viewer never gets a clear picture of who is actually ambushing the other people. That way there is still a mystery as to whome did the ambush.
Jeremy Naus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 30th, 2007, 06:53 AM   #7
Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 4,449
If you're looking for a strobing effect, a slower shutter speed will do that, and will also blur some, depending on how slow you go. Or you can shoot it normal and strobe the shot when you edit.
Bill Pryor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 30th, 2007, 07:13 AM   #8
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Philly,PA
Posts: 360
For that, go handheld with a slow shutter speed. If it's too bright add the ND filters.
Eric Weiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 30th, 2007, 09:50 AM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 259
In Gladiator they also filmed at either 12 or 10 frames per second which can be achieved somewhat in post but helps if you have something like an HVX or Varicam which has more variable frame rates.... The high shutter speed and 24p will give a reasonably good strobe effect... You can push it in post though...
__________________
"The only thing the camera sees is light..."
http://www.GoWildOlive.com
Doug Davis is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:49 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network