:60 spot posted--Mini35/DVX100a at DVinfo.net

Charles Papert · October 26th, 2004, 07:30 PM

Here's a spot I shot and edited recently; think you guys might enjoy it. It's in the Christopher Guest mockumentary vein. We shot the testimonial section with a Mini35/DVX100a and two standard DVX setups for the classroom.

The actor playing the acting coach improvised the whole thing. The footage will eventually be made into a short film. It's priceless stuff, I had a hard time shooting it while suppressing the giggles. My actress girlfriend (who is the poor soul face-planting off the stairs) tells me that this is barely exaggerated from some of the acting classes she's attended, which is somewhat frightening!

The spot was directed by Ahmed Best, a very nice chap who happens to have played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars 1-3.

http://homepage.mac.com/chupap/Film/...Theater32.html

Jesse Rosten · October 26th, 2004, 11:55 PM

Thanks Charles. That's some seriously funny stuff.

I liked the subtle camera movment in the interview shots: were you on a dolly?

Charles Papert · October 27th, 2004, 06:28 AM

Yes Jesse, it was a Losmandy Spider dolly in the simple 3-wheel mode, on their Flextrak. We just rolled back and forth. The whole thing was shot in one room, a rehearsal studio. We did a bunch of interviews with the participants which weren't used for the spot but will likely be in the short film version.

Richard Alvarez · October 27th, 2004, 07:01 AM

Charles,

Very funny stuff. And yeah, it's not too far removed from reality. I always hated directors and teachers who used their authority to inflict "Psycho-drama" on their students. I am not sure which is worse, psychiatrists who think they're directors, or directors who want to be psychiatrists.

Imran Zaidi · October 27th, 2004, 07:31 AM

Having been through an acting class recently, I find it hysterical. Anyone who's taken an acting class will recognize the tearing out of one's heart and the seemingly silly games that occasionally happen. They're sincere at the moment, but to laugh about it is great!

Great work, yet again!

Rob Lohman · October 31st, 2004, 08:48 AM

Charles: was that Amy Jo in the red top? How do you like the
spider dolley with the flextrack? I was wondering how on earth
the track is not going to move and such....?

Charles Papert · November 9th, 2004, 09:55 PM

Sorry Rob, didn't see your post--my damn email notification feature doesn't seem to work anymore.

Yup, that's Amy Jo doing the cat lick or "playing the cello" as we call it when our furry pal engages in a little grooming taste treat.

The track stays put pretty well. I usually put a sandbag on the ends. They supply some rubbery mat that helps keep it from sliding on slick floors. I like the spider dolly a lot, but I'd like to make it the ridable version (can't really justify the expense of upgrading for the amount I use it, though).

Miguel Lopez · November 10th, 2004, 06:54 AM

Do you have a picture of the mini35 attached to the dvx100?

Charles Papert · November 10th, 2004, 07:11 AM

Try this , it's clearer than any stills I might have.

Miguel Lopez · November 10th, 2004, 07:18 AM

Did you use photographic lenses or cinematographyc lenses?

I ask this because i still do not quite understand the porpous of using mini35, because the rent should be more or less the same than renting a high end ENG camera. Then why using a mini dv when you could be recording in much better formats?

Or is it the rent of mini35+cinematographic lenses soooooo cheap that it is a better solution?

Charles Papert · November 10th, 2004, 07:35 AM

Miguel:

It's not really about economics, more like achieving a look.

I like the Mini35 because it makes the most out of DV. Since shooting the Seinfeld/Amex spots I've been sold on the look of this combo when it comes to web delivery, where the compression issues of the DV format become irrelevant. For a higher-end production, the same technology is available with a B4 mount (standard 2/3" ENG camera as you described) as the Pro35 at a higher price tag of course.

The idea behind all this is to a) allow the use of the superior and more varied optics found in the 35mm world and b) to deliver the shallow depth of field typical of 35mm. No stock ENG camera can do this, nor can the currently available HD cameras. For instance, I'm about to start shooting a feature with the Sony Cinealta HD camera and the Zeiss Digiprimes, which is a fantastic setup, but I will have more than twice the depth of field of my little DVX equipped with the Mini35 (I could have potentially used the Pro35 with a film lens package, but the budget precluded this).

The bottom line is that if we had set up a good 2/3" camera like the SDX900 alongside the DVX with the Mini35 for the same setups in this particular spot, and I had shown you guys a split-screen comparison, I'd be willing to bet that the shallower focus of the Mini35 footage would have gotten the thumbs up from the majority of viewers. Had that same test been screened on broadcast monitors, it may or may not have had the same result; had it been projected digitally onto a large screen (where the increased resolution/reduced compression in the SDX would become more apparent), that may have had yet another result with the viewers. Hard to say!

Miguel Lopez · November 10th, 2004, 07:42 AM

Where can i see those Seinfield and superman spots?

I can notice that the far outfocused areas of an image shot with the mini 35 adaptor have some fake bluriness. Why does this happen?
Yes, perhaps you have less depth of field but images show that strange blurriness that we should not like.

So in the end, a 2/3" camera wouldn´t be better?

Charles Papert · November 10th, 2004, 07:53 AM

Miguel:

I don't know exactly what you are referring to as looking "fake"--the images are a good representation of a 35mm depth of field, and would have the same characteristics if shot on film. Perhaps the web compression is making it look funky to you or something.

It appears that American Express has pulled the Seinfeld web movies from exhibition.

Joe Carney · November 10th, 2004, 10:52 AM

The current episode of Frontline titled "The Persuaders" features several shots from the Seinfeld/Superman commercials. Check your local PBS listings.

Jose di Cani · November 10th, 2004, 04:47 PM

Damned. That was acted like profesionals. It looked real. I laighed when the actor went all crazy, shaking his cheeks and everything. I wanted more of those moments in the movie! quality is top notch. I can't find any differences between this and a tv-movie really. It is al about the script and the origanilty.

October 26th, 2004, 07:30 PM	#1
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	:60 spot posted--Mini35/DVX100a Here's a spot I shot and edited recently; think you guys might enjoy it. It's in the Christopher Guest mockumentary vein. We shot the testimonial section with a Mini35/DVX100a and two standard DVX setups for the classroom. The actor playing the acting coach improvised the whole thing. The footage will eventually be made into a short film. It's priceless stuff, I had a hard time shooting it while suppressing the giggles. My actress girlfriend (who is the poor soul face-planting off the stairs) tells me that this is barely exaggerated from some of the acting classes she's attended, which is somewhat frightening! The spot was directed by Ahmed Best, a very nice chap who happens to have played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars 1-3. http://homepage.mac.com/chupap/Film/...Theater32.html __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 27th, 2004, 06:28 AM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Yes Jesse, it was a Losmandy Spider dolly in the simple 3-wheel mode, on their Flextrak. We just rolled back and forth. The whole thing was shot in one room, a rehearsal studio. We did a bunch of interviews with the participants which weren't used for the spot but will likely be in the short film version. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 31st, 2004, 08:48 AM	#6
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Charles: was that Amy Jo in the red top? How do you like the spider dolley with the flextrack? I was wondering how on earth the track is not going to move and such....? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 9th, 2004, 09:55 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Sorry Rob, didn't see your post--my damn email notification feature doesn't seem to work anymore. Yup, that's Amy Jo doing the cat lick or "playing the cello" as we call it when our furry pal engages in a little grooming taste treat. The track stays put pretty well. I usually put a sandbag on the ends. They supply some rubbery mat that helps keep it from sliding on slick floors. I like the spider dolly a lot, but I'd like to make it the ridable version (can't really justify the expense of upgrading for the amount I use it, though). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 10th, 2004, 07:11 AM	#9
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Try this , it's clearer than any stills I might have. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 26th, 2004, 11:55 PM	#2
Jesse Rosten Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Redding, California Posts: 114	Thanks Charles. That's some seriously funny stuff. I liked the subtle camera movment in the interview shots: were you on a dolly?

October 27th, 2004, 07:01 AM	#4
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Charles, Very funny stuff. And yeah, it's not too far removed from reality. I always hated directors and teachers who used their authority to inflict "Psycho-drama" on their students. I am not sure which is worse, psychiatrists who think they're directors, or directors who want to be psychiatrists.

October 27th, 2004, 07:31 AM	#5
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	Having been through an acting class recently, I find it hysterical. Anyone who's taken an acting class will recognize the tearing out of one's heart and the seemingly silly games that occasionally happen. They're sincere at the moment, but to laugh about it is great! Great work, yet again!

November 10th, 2004, 06:54 AM	#8
Miguel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 187	Do you have a picture of the mini35 attached to the dvx100?

November 10th, 2004, 07:18 AM	#10
Miguel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 187	Did you use photographic lenses or cinematographyc lenses? I ask this because i still do not quite understand the porpous of using mini35, because the rent should be more or less the same than renting a high end ENG camera. Then why using a mini dv when you could be recording in much better formats? Or is it the rent of mini35+cinematographic lenses soooooo cheap that it is a better solution?

November 10th, 2004, 07:35 AM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Miguel: It's not really about economics, more like achieving a look. I like the Mini35 because it makes the most out of DV. Since shooting the Seinfeld/Amex spots I've been sold on the look of this combo when it comes to web delivery, where the compression issues of the DV format become irrelevant. For a higher-end production, the same technology is available with a B4 mount (standard 2/3" ENG camera as you described) as the Pro35 at a higher price tag of course. The idea behind all this is to a) allow the use of the superior and more varied optics found in the 35mm world and b) to deliver the shallow depth of field typical of 35mm. No stock ENG camera can do this, nor can the currently available HD cameras. For instance, I'm about to start shooting a feature with the Sony Cinealta HD camera and the Zeiss Digiprimes, which is a fantastic setup, but I will have more than twice the depth of field of my little DVX equipped with the Mini35 (I could have potentially used the Pro35 with a film lens package, but the budget precluded this). The bottom line is that if we had set up a good 2/3" camera like the SDX900 alongside the DVX with the Mini35 for the same setups in this particular spot, and I had shown you guys a split-screen comparison, I'd be willing to bet that the shallower focus of the Mini35 footage would have gotten the thumbs up from the majority of viewers. Had that same test been screened on broadcast monitors, it may or may not have had the same result; had it been projected digitally onto a large screen (where the increased resolution/reduced compression in the SDX would become more apparent), that may have had yet another result with the viewers. Hard to say! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 10th, 2004, 07:42 AM	#12
Miguel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 187	Where can i see those Seinfield and superman spots? I can notice that the far outfocused areas of an image shot with the mini 35 adaptor have some fake bluriness. Why does this happen? Yes, perhaps you have less depth of field but images show that strange blurriness that we should not like. So in the end, a 2/3" camera wouldn´t be better?

November 10th, 2004, 07:53 AM	#13
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Miguel: I don't know exactly what you are referring to as looking "fake"--the images are a good representation of a 35mm depth of field, and would have the same characteristics if shot on film. Perhaps the web compression is making it look funky to you or something. It appears that American Express has pulled the Seinfeld web movies from exhibition. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 10th, 2004, 10:52 AM	#14
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	The current episode of Frontline titled "The Persuaders" features several shots from the Seinfeld/Superman commercials. Check your local PBS listings.

November 10th, 2004, 04:47 PM	#15
Jose di Cani Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Holland, Europe Posts: 214	Damned. That was acted like profesionals. It looked real. I laighed when the actor went all crazy, shaking his cheeks and everything. I wanted more of those moments in the movie! quality is top notch. I can't find any differences between this and a tv-movie really. It is al about the script and the origanilty.