Very Dark Ballet at DVinfo.net

Garrett Low · February 4th, 2011, 07:43 PM

I shot this ballet put on by a small local dance studio. It's a combination of the Nutcracker and the Nightmare Before Christmas. The director wanted it very dark. At times the only lighting used in the whole theater were from 4 black lights placed on the stage.

Shot with an EX3 and nanoFlash. Stock lens and max of 6db gain. I mostly tried to keep it at 0db or +3db.

-Garrett

Andy Graham · February 11th, 2011, 09:13 AM

I feel for you, i've done a number of ballet shows in the past and there is no worse lighting conditions. One second it can be black light and the next the full house lights come on and you have to rack the exposure down as quickly as you can then it goes back to black light, its a nightmare. I work alone when i do them so i have a second camera locked off for the wide shot and i have to just pick a happy medium with exposure.

Dave Gosley · March 26th, 2011, 08:05 PM

I'll be pleased if I can achieve the same when the time comes.

Andy Graham · March 27th, 2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gosley

when the time comes.

A bit of advice, dont tell the dance director you can edit the video differently, the one i worked with didn't know the edit could be changed because the previous videographer just gave her the finnished product no questions asked, stupidly i said "are you happy with it because i can re edit parts".....well that spelled two months of her sitting next to me editing it to the way she wanted , seriously she wanted the wide shot for a certain leg movement then back to the close up etc etc.

Moral of the story , keep your mouth shut and just hand in the dvd.

Tim Polster · March 28th, 2011, 09:38 AM

It is work situations like this that really eliminate a lot of the new era of HD cameras from being a good choice for use/purchase. As a live event shooter one really needs 2/3" SD like light gathering abilities to survive in all shooting environments.

In my opinion even though the lighting is low on purpose, people do not want to see dark video. This is a tough situation to make everybody happy.

February 4th, 2011, 07:43 PM	#1
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Very Dark Ballet I shot this ballet put on by a small local dance studio. It's a combination of the Nutcracker and the Nightmare Before Christmas. The director wanted it very dark. At times the only lighting used in the whole theater were from 4 black lights placed on the stage. The Nightmare After the Nutcracker - Trailers on Vimeo Shot with an EX3 and nanoFlash. Stock lens and max of 6db gain. I mostly tried to keep it at 0db or +3db. -Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

February 11th, 2011, 09:13 AM	#2
Andy Graham Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanark,Scotland Posts: 736	I feel for you, i've done a number of ballet shows in the past and there is no worse lighting conditions. One second it can be black light and the next the full house lights come on and you have to rack the exposure down as quickly as you can then it goes back to black light, its a nightmare. I work alone when i do them so i have a second camera locked off for the wide shot and i have to just pick a happy medium with exposure. __________________ Actor: "where would that light be coming from?" DP: "same place as the music" -Andrew Lesnie-

March 26th, 2011, 08:05 PM	#3
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	Re: Very Dark Ballet I'll be pleased if I can achieve the same when the time comes. __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk

March 28th, 2011, 09:38 AM	#5
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Very Dark Ballet It is work situations like this that really eliminate a lot of the new era of HD cameras from being a good choice for use/purchase. As a live event shooter one really needs 2/3" SD like light gathering abilities to survive in all shooting environments. In my opinion even though the lighting is low on purpose, people do not want to see dark video. This is a tough situation to make everybody happy.