EX3 to film-out at DVinfo.net

David C. Williams · February 18th, 2009, 05:27 AM

I'm involved with a low budget feature shooting in about 2 months. We are using an EX3 and an EX1, and the final product will be a 35mm print. We plan test shots and a 35mm print, and the Director has done 35mm film-outs before, but none of us have seen any EX footage treated before.

I would like to talk production into using a NanoFlash or FlashXDR, which will basically double our chroma resolution. I can't see a down side to that when blown up? We won't be using 35mm adapters at this stage.

Has anybody done film-out from and EX before, and have any handy hints along the lines of profiles, etc?

Mark David Williams · February 18th, 2009, 02:05 PM

David sounds expensive. Any reason you're not using super 16mm?

David C. Williams · February 18th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark David Williams

David sounds expensive. Any reason you're not using super 16mm?

It was originally a Red project, but finance bailed as a result of the current fiscal panic. I have an EX3, the director can source an EX1, so that's our solution.

I think the EX's will do a good job with good planning, so I want to get as many setup options as I can to try for our testing. The director hasn't decided on the look of the final output, but I'm leaning colour wise toward the over exposed, earthy BSG look, if not with the wobbly camera and zooms. The script is a hard edged thriller, violent with supernatural undertones.

Michael P. Yates · February 18th, 2009, 08:09 PM

You can try using an IO device to capture a better codec from the EX such as AJA or MXO2. I use an MXO2 with my ex1, and the results are wonderful. You can output via HD-SDI to HD Prores 422 HQ or even Uncompressed 10bit if you have a Mac desktop on set (cumbersome, but well worth it), or DVCPRO HD on a Macbook Pro. Any of these formats will output to film much better than the XDCAM EX codec which would need to be upresed to something like Prores, anyway. Color correction, effects, keying, all benefit from a higher bit rate and color space, and transferring to film will be much easier with native intra-frame only footage.

David Issko · February 18th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David C. Williams

I would like to talk production int o using a NanoFlash or FlashXDR, which will basically double our chroma resolution.

David, the XDR is available but currently it seems with some reservations & limitations. The nanoflash will not be available for some months yet. I have one on order and I am patiently waiting for it.

Best wishes for your proposed project.

David C. Williams · February 18th, 2009, 11:25 PM

Thanks guys, yes external recording is what I'd prefer to maximize the EX vision quality. Whether the budget will stretch is the issue. Quite a bit will be on Steadicam, which rules out PC recording mostly, unless we can get a HD-SDI transmitter, tethering is not a good option on most shots. More cost though.

Hopefully the NanoFlash will be out in April as Convergent are planning. It's small size will be a boon.

Bruce Rawlings · February 19th, 2009, 05:38 AM

I saw the Flash XDR yesterday- it really does record outstanding pictures. I am not sure the Nano Flash is coming so soon. Surely your big project can stand a few thousand dollars to use tried and tested kit. It seems a bit risky to be using beta testing gear on an important project.

David Hutchinson · February 19th, 2009, 05:58 AM

[QUOTE= I use an MXO2 with my ex1, and the results are wonderful. You can output via HD-SDI to HD Prores 422 HQ or even Uncompressed 10bit [/QUOTE]

David is there a similar PC solution?

Micheal McAlexander · February 19th, 2009, 07:26 AM

hey david,

i'm very curious about this topic too. i'm planning an ultra-low budget feature this summer with my EX3 and I want to goto film-out eventually (or at least have the option should I pick up a distributor)

I too have a nano-flash on order and that was my plan to keep my rig mobile. the XDR is a bit bulky for mobile shots.

let's keep this thread alive!

have you contacted any labs that do the digital-to-film-out for info?

Micheal

David C. Williams · February 19th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hutchinson

David is there a similar PC solution?

PC means personal computer to me. Recent mistakes in jargon by marketeers I try to ignore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micheal McAlexander

have you contacted any labs that do the digital-to-film-out for info?

Not my jurisdiction. I'm camera and steadicam, the director/writer/producer has that ball. I just want to draw in as much info on EX3 to film-out as I can as I'm the one pushing buttons and pointing things. I need to make it do what they want, or tell them why it can't.

This project is still months away from shooting, but I'll drop as much info as I can on the subject for those who are interested. And pose quite a few questions as well :)

February 18th, 2009, 05:27 AM	#1
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	EX3 to film-out I'm involved with a low budget feature shooting in about 2 months. We are using an EX3 and an EX1, and the final product will be a 35mm print. We plan test shots and a 35mm print, and the Director has done 35mm film-outs before, but none of us have seen any EX footage treated before. I would like to talk production into using a NanoFlash or FlashXDR, which will basically double our chroma resolution. I can't see a down side to that when blown up? We won't be using 35mm adapters at this stage. Has anybody done film-out from and EX before, and have any handy hints along the lines of profiles, etc?

February 18th, 2009, 08:09 PM	#4
Michael P. Yates New Boot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Yellow Springs, OH Posts: 7	You can try using an IO device to capture a better codec from the EX such as AJA or MXO2. I use an MXO2 with my ex1, and the results are wonderful. You can output via HD-SDI to HD Prores 422 HQ or even Uncompressed 10bit if you have a Mac desktop on set (cumbersome, but well worth it), or DVCPRO HD on a Macbook Pro. Any of these formats will output to film much better than the XDCAM EX codec which would need to be upresed to something like Prores, anyway. Color correction, effects, keying, all benefit from a higher bit rate and color space, and transferring to film will be much easier with native intra-frame only footage. Last edited by Michael P. Yates; February 18th, 2009 at 08:53 PM.

February 18th, 2009, 02:05 PM	#2
Mark David Williams Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hertfordshire UK Posts: 414	David sounds expensive. Any reason you're not using super 16mm?

February 18th, 2009, 11:25 PM	#6
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	Thanks guys, yes external recording is what I'd prefer to maximize the EX vision quality. Whether the budget will stretch is the issue. Quite a bit will be on Steadicam, which rules out PC recording mostly, unless we can get a HD-SDI transmitter, tethering is not a good option on most shots. More cost though. Hopefully the NanoFlash will be out in April as Convergent are planning. It's small size will be a boon.

February 19th, 2009, 05:38 AM	#7
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	I saw the Flash XDR yesterday- it really does record outstanding pictures. I am not sure the Nano Flash is coming so soon. Surely your big project can stand a few thousand dollars to use tried and tested kit. It seems a bit risky to be using beta testing gear on an important project.

February 19th, 2009, 05:58 AM	#8
David Hutchinson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 13	[QUOTE= I use an MXO2 with my ex1, and the results are wonderful. You can output via HD-SDI to HD Prores 422 HQ or even Uncompressed 10bit [/QUOTE] David is there a similar PC solution?

February 19th, 2009, 07:26 AM	#9
Micheal McAlexander Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frostburg, MD Posts: 47	hey david, i'm very curious about this topic too. i'm planning an ultra-low budget feature this summer with my EX3 and I want to goto film-out eventually (or at least have the option should I pick up a distributor) I too have a nano-flash on order and that was my plan to keep my rig mobile. the XDR is a bit bulky for mobile shots. let's keep this thread alive! have you contacted any labs that do the digital-to-film-out for info? Micheal