Live Play Recording Settings at DVinfo.net

Cliff Elliott · August 2nd, 2004, 02:59 AM

Hi all, I have a question regarding settings used by other XM2/GL2 users when shooting live plays on stage.

I have had to record two sepperate plays recently and found them very difficult regarding on stage lighting.

I have tried using the spotlight setting and yes it prevented the hot spot of light whiting out the faces of the actors but left anyone near by almost unseen, I then tried a number of manual settings but was still disapionted.

I wonder if the problem is the limitation of the DV format?

Any Ideas any one?

Thanks. Cliff Elliott

Robin Davies-Rollinson · August 2nd, 2004, 03:17 AM

It's not the DV format in particular, rather that the stage has been lit for a stage performance and not for video. Therefore the contrast ranges are too extreme. Most video cameras would be struggling to cope. You would really need to ride the exposure, but this isn't easy without a proper manual iris - the XM2 will just give you steps betwen lens stops.
If you've been hired to shoot these plays, could you possibly have a word with the Lighting Director to even things out a bit? Either that or adjust your exposure manually as best you can and see if there's a cutaway you could put in to bridge the exposure shift.
Also, you could expose for the brightest area and bring up the darker areas in post - assuming that there's not too great a variance. It's easier to lift exposure to a certain extent that to reduce it.

Robin

Boyd Ostroff · August 2nd, 2004, 05:59 AM

This topic comes up regularly, have a look at these threads:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18431
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=5156
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=8525

Cliff Elliott · August 3rd, 2004, 04:46 AM

Just a word of thanks for the response Boyd and Robin.
I have had a look at the other threads on this subject Boyd and have found them very interesting.

It would appear there is no easy way to perform this task and a lot of planning and pleading with lighting managers is required, I will continue to experiment and if I learn anything will pass it on to the list.

Again, Thanks.

Regards, Cliff Elliott

August 2nd, 2004, 02:59 AM	#1
Cliff Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 71	Live Play Recording Settings Hi all, I have a question regarding settings used by other XM2/GL2 users when shooting live plays on stage. I have had to record two sepperate plays recently and found them very difficult regarding on stage lighting. I have tried using the spotlight setting and yes it prevented the hot spot of light whiting out the faces of the actors but left anyone near by almost unseen, I then tried a number of manual settings but was still disapionted. I wonder if the problem is the limitation of the DV format? Any Ideas any one? Thanks. Cliff Elliott

August 3rd, 2004, 04:46 AM	#4
Cliff Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 71	Thanks Just a word of thanks for the response Boyd and Robin. I have had a look at the other threads on this subject Boyd and have found them very interesting. It would appear there is no easy way to perform this task and a lot of planning and pleading with lighting managers is required, I will continue to experiment and if I learn anything will pass it on to the list. Again, Thanks. Regards, Cliff Elliott

August 2nd, 2004, 03:17 AM	#2
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	It's not the DV format in particular, rather that the stage has been lit for a stage performance and not for video. Therefore the contrast ranges are too extreme. Most video cameras would be struggling to cope. You would really need to ride the exposure, but this isn't easy without a proper manual iris - the XM2 will just give you steps betwen lens stops. If you've been hired to shoot these plays, could you possibly have a word with the Lighting Director to even things out a bit? Either that or adjust your exposure manually as best you can and see if there's a cutaway you could put in to bridge the exposure shift. Also, you could expose for the brightest area and bring up the darker areas in post - assuming that there's not too great a variance. It's easier to lift exposure to a certain extent that to reduce it. Robin

August 2nd, 2004, 05:59 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	This topic comes up regularly, have a look at these threads: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18431 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=5156 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=8525