GH13 News Story

Dave Mercer · December 30th, 2010, 04:10 PM

I just shot my first news story with the G13. It was fun ... but challenging. I'm used to shooting with a tiny-chip HDV camera, so it's been a STEEP learning curve.

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jim Forrest · December 31st, 2010, 11:22 AM

Very nice, well told story. Liked the shallow DOF.

Dave Mercer · January 1st, 2011, 07:37 PM

Cheers Jim.

What I really need to practice is using a deep dof to film more action shots (people doing things). And a good handheld solution to allow me to follow people (walking shots) and that sort of thing.

One award-winning filmmaker who uses a 5D for feature docs said he uses a monopod and an elastic camera strap to get some nice floating shots.

My only issue is that the channel I do work for converts the footage to 1080i50 for broadcast ... and motion doesn't convert very well.

Any suggestions welcome!!

Jim Forrest · January 1st, 2011, 09:02 PM

I appreciated that all the shots were rock steady, shot off a tripod. I am not much of a motion person unless it is shot off a steady cam type of stablized device like the Blackbird or Merlin.

Jesse Haycraft · January 5th, 2011, 05:57 PM

THANK YOU for not doing everything handheld. MUCH appreciated.

I had to go back and re-watch it for camera stuff because I got engrossed in the story about a quarter of the way through and forgot why I started watching it...

Mike McKay · January 6th, 2011, 07:41 PM

Interesting choice of left, right channel audio. Found it a bit odd at first, is that something that is consistent with the channel?
Overall, really well done and a refreshing look to a news story from the 'everything in focus' lower bit rate HDV looking stories normally associated with this type of work.

Dave Mercer · January 6th, 2011, 10:29 PM

Thanks guys. Nice to have some feedback.

Jesse - glad you liked the lack of camera motion ... and the content of the story. Aquaponics is pretty fascinating stuff actually.

Mike - I forgot to mix the audio, as I send FTP to the channel unmixed (and let them do the rest). I'll have to remember to mix it next time. Thanks for pointing it out.

December 30th, 2010, 04:10 PM	#1
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	GH13 News Story - Maui Aquaponics I just shot my first news story with the G13. It was fun ... but challenging. I'm used to shooting with a tiny-chip HDV camera, so it's been a STEEP learning curve. Any feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks. Maui Aquaponics on Vimeo

December 31st, 2010, 11:22 AM	#2
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Very nice, well told story. Liked the shallow DOF.

January 1st, 2011, 07:37 PM	#3
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Cheers Jim. What I really need to practice is using a deep dof to film more action shots (people doing things). And a good handheld solution to allow me to follow people (walking shots) and that sort of thing. One award-winning filmmaker who uses a 5D for feature docs said he uses a monopod and an elastic camera strap to get some nice floating shots. My only issue is that the channel I do work for converts the footage to 1080i50 for broadcast ... and motion doesn't convert very well. Any suggestions welcome!!

January 1st, 2011, 09:02 PM	#4
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	I appreciated that all the shots were rock steady, shot off a tripod. I am not much of a motion person unless it is shot off a steady cam type of stablized device like the Blackbird or Merlin.

January 5th, 2011, 05:57 PM	#5
Jesse Haycraft Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 57	THANK YOU for not doing everything handheld. MUCH appreciated. I had to go back and re-watch it for camera stuff because I got engrossed in the story about a quarter of the way through and forgot why I started watching it...

January 6th, 2011, 07:41 PM	#6
Mike McKay Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 125	Interesting choice of left, right channel audio. Found it a bit odd at first, is that something that is consistent with the channel? Overall, really well done and a refreshing look to a news story from the 'everything in focus' lower bit rate HDV looking stories normally associated with this type of work.

January 6th, 2011, 10:29 PM	#7
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Thanks guys. Nice to have some feedback. Jesse - glad you liked the lack of camera motion ... and the content of the story. Aquaponics is pretty fascinating stuff actually. Mike - I forgot to mix the audio, as I send FTP to the channel unmixed (and let them do the rest). I'll have to remember to mix it next time. Thanks for pointing it out.