Anniversary Party insights at DVinfo.net

Adam Lubkin · November 27th, 2003, 10:22 AM

I don't have any but hoping you do. Besides being shot by a top-notch DP with a full crew, does anyone know of any dv specific adjustments (filters, etc) and specific lighting setups that Mr. Bailey and his crew used?

Rob Lohman · December 2nd, 2003, 04:02 PM

Which movie is this?

Aaron Koolen · December 2nd, 2003, 04:18 PM

Rob, it's Anniversary Party. Starred Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh. I really liked the film, well worth a look.

Adam, sorry I can't help you there. I did watch some special features but can only remember some of the acting bits and adlibs they did - not much else.

Was impressed when I found it was shot on digital though.

Aaron

Rob Wilson · December 2nd, 2003, 04:23 PM

Adam,

I've got the DVD so if there is any specific info you would like from it, let me know. BTW, I bought the DVD when I found out it was shot on DSR500's, not a bad flick but I haven't recommended it to anyone.

Chris Sorensen · December 2nd, 2003, 04:23 PM

It was shot on a Sony DSR-500 per IMDB.com.

Adam Lubkin · December 2nd, 2003, 05:36 PM

Thanks guys. I watched all the extras on the dvd but there's very little regarding the cinematography. I also looked up several interviews with John Bailey, the DP, but again little info, although he's a highly intellegent and interesting person from what I can tell. On the "making of" shots you can see a mattebox on the camera, but I couldn't tell what filters were in it :)

As for the movie, I didn't find it dramatically compelling but otherwise I loved it.

Wayne Orr · December 2nd, 2003, 06:02 PM

The movie was shot with two DSR500W PAL cameras, and a couple times with three cameras. The underwater material is film. The lighting was accomplished using a truckload of kino flos that were stuffed into every nook and cranny. Harder lighting units were used for kickers.

Mr. Bailey delivered what is known as a "fat negative." That is, he made sure none of the blacks were crushed, and avoided clipping the highlights, except for a few exteriors seen through windows. The edited footage was later subjected to extensive color correction to create the final "look" which you see on the dvd. Interestingly, you can rent the vhs of this movie and see what the video looked like before it was color corrected. For what must obviously be economic reasons, the vhs tapes were struck from the original footage before the color correction, which was a terrible disservice to Mr. Bailey. This version has been described as looking like "bad home videos." And indeed it does look bad, if you don't know the workflow, and where it is headed.

In regards Mr. Lubkin's comment, "As for the movie, I didn't find it dramatically compelling but otherwise I loved it."
That remark belongs right up there with, "The operation was a success, but the patient died."

Wayne Orr, SOC

Adam Lubkin · December 2nd, 2003, 07:19 PM

Mr. Orr,
Thanks for the information. Do you know if Mr. Bailey used any lense filters?

Glad you enjoyed the comment.

Adam

Wayne Orr · December 2nd, 2003, 08:05 PM

Nope. No filters.

November 27th, 2003, 10:22 AM	#1
Adam Lubkin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Frederick,MD Posts: 61	Anniversary Party insights I don't have any but hoping you do. Besides being shot by a top-notch DP with a full crew, does anyone know of any dv specific adjustments (filters, etc) and specific lighting setups that Mr. Bailey and his crew used?

December 2nd, 2003, 04:02 PM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Which movie is this? __________________ 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

December 2nd, 2003, 04:18 PM	#3
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Rob, it's Anniversary Party. Starred Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh. I really liked the film, well worth a look. Adam, sorry I can't help you there. I did watch some special features but can only remember some of the acting bits and adlibs they did - not much else. Was impressed when I found it was shot on digital though. Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

December 2nd, 2003, 04:23 PM	#4
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Adam, I've got the DVD so if there is any specific info you would like from it, let me know. BTW, I bought the DVD when I found out it was shot on DSR500's, not a bad flick but I haven't recommended it to anyone.

December 2nd, 2003, 04:23 PM	#5
Chris Sorensen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 61	It was shot on a Sony DSR-500 per IMDB.com.

December 2nd, 2003, 05:36 PM	#6
Adam Lubkin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Frederick,MD Posts: 61	Thanks guys. I watched all the extras on the dvd but there's very little regarding the cinematography. I also looked up several interviews with John Bailey, the DP, but again little info, although he's a highly intellegent and interesting person from what I can tell. On the "making of" shots you can see a mattebox on the camera, but I couldn't tell what filters were in it :) As for the movie, I didn't find it dramatically compelling but otherwise I loved it.

December 2nd, 2003, 06:02 PM	#7
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	The movie was shot with two DSR500W PAL cameras, and a couple times with three cameras. The underwater material is film. The lighting was accomplished using a truckload of kino flos that were stuffed into every nook and cranny. Harder lighting units were used for kickers. Mr. Bailey delivered what is known as a "fat negative." That is, he made sure none of the blacks were crushed, and avoided clipping the highlights, except for a few exteriors seen through windows. The edited footage was later subjected to extensive color correction to create the final "look" which you see on the dvd. Interestingly, you can rent the vhs of this movie and see what the video looked like before it was color corrected. For what must obviously be economic reasons, the vhs tapes were struck from the original footage before the color correction, which was a terrible disservice to Mr. Bailey. This version has been described as looking like "bad home videos." And indeed it does look bad, if you don't know the workflow, and where it is headed. In regards Mr. Lubkin's comment, "As for the movie, I didn't find it dramatically compelling but otherwise I loved it." That remark belongs right up there with, "The operation was a success, but the patient died." Wayne Orr, SOC

December 2nd, 2003, 07:19 PM	#8
Adam Lubkin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Frederick,MD Posts: 61	Mr. Orr, Thanks for the information. Do you know if Mr. Bailey used any lense filters? Glad you enjoyed the comment. Adam

December 2nd, 2003, 08:05 PM	#9
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Nope. No filters.