Going to shoot a tv series, no budget, no experience (this will be good)

[jaysodyssey]

First off I want to say that this community has treated me with the utmost respect and has given me their blunt advice and opinions, even when we could not agree the information retained its valuable nature, thank you to all of you. The first thread that this whole thing started from is found here

Its a good thread if your having trouble with a nikon d3200 with noise issues (

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/372990-Looking-for-Noise-Reduction-Suggestion-Settings

Now with this out of the way Ill start my new topic in the reply

[jaysodyssey]

Background:

I am taking a round the world trip and will be filming a TV series (think parts unknown without the million dollar budget and crew), I will be travelling on a bicycle mostly, for the most part it will be me and me alone for the camera crew. i have nudged a few tv networks about carrying the program but they have been on the fence! I will be using two cameras (one gopro like camera for scenes that could not be filmed with other cameras) and a semi professional camera rig for location shooting/interviews

Training: I am an accomplished photographer, a very amateur videographer, a camera has not been selected yet.

Research: I have been taking extensive research anc classes learning how to run a camera, run sound, setup a location, select and light an interview, on location shooting, post production, production, you name it. I am absorbing information at a rapid rate in the hopes of success!

Budget: does a stick of bubble gum and earwax count? But seriously this project will be funded by my own pocket, therefore the goal is to strike a happy medium between breaking my bank and making good television. My goal is to buy a slightly older but still HD rig and shoot on DV tape, while this will inherently add costs in some areas it will cut them in others.

Equipment list:

hd dv camera (used but in good shape)
Videolight of some sort that is portable
DSS (Dual system sound) as a backup only, my goal will be to run the mics from the camera since most cameras have excellent preamps already on board
A sturdier tripod, also looking into mono pods with feet to get nice simul dolly shots (tripod needs to be very lightweight but able to hold the camera)
I will use a rode videomic as I have found an adapter to plug it into the canon xlr input, plus it makes a great boom mic (Already own this)
I cannot travel with a boom pole, but I have an idea on using a heavy duty selfie stick , if i need further reach on a shoot I can use gaffers tape to wrap it around a pole or tree branch or whatever, its the best use for those stupid sticks ever, plus the videomic weighs (nothing)
the necessary cables and adapters needed
still not sure what to get but I need a way to convert the tapes to digital (firewire to ???)
I will purchase 50 DV tapes, take ten with me, and send them home when they are done, and exchange them for more, that way the originals will be kept safe in the USA (not sure on how that will work yet)
I already own my lav mics, but I might look into getting a better brand
Extra batteries and charger of course
tape cleaner device
I want to modify my steadi rig to fit this camera, so I can mount it if need be
I will take a car backup camera monitor along with a 12v rechargable battery pack to make a field monitor on my rig
pair of portable but solid headphones for shoot monitoring from the canon sound
Some sort of $150+ digital point and shoot to at least capture photos
An external drive (which I already have, but its a 5400 rpm in an enclosure) to store the footage converted from tape
LW as the primary editor, with Blufftitler DX Super pack, to handle title sequences and end sequences, Adobe fireworks to handle minor graphics adjustment, ( I wanted blackmagic fusion, but when I tried to run it I got an error about my video card, so this ultrabook is obviously not powerful enough)
The episodes will be shot, edited then produced and uploaded

Post production:

I am going to try to avoid ADR or Foley or post sync, I think if i shoot this straight up while not perfect at least it will be real, my edits will only be to shave off pre and post roll on a cut, the rest will be kept in!

Tenative shooting schedule:

day 1 (on the ground location and shot schedule research)
Day 2 + 3 (shoot days)
day 4 (edit day)
day 5 (upload)
day 6 + 7 (rest days)
Recycle for next episode

Goal: to interest enough of an audience to be picked up by a major network, if not at least enjoy the whole experience for what it is!

[jaysodyssey]

http://www.reelseo.com/run-gun-video/

Loved this article, however I am sure my shots will be more researched and composed then that!

Still brings back the days of AP work when we had to run up to a burning building!

[jaysodyssey]

I am going to use this post as a running list of the cameras I am considering

first up

Sony HVR-A1U Digital HDV 1080i HD (looks like when it breaks down it becomes very small, which could come in handy on the bike)

Canon-XH-A1-Black-HDV-20x-Camcorder (only a few of these kicking around)

[julitomg]

Are you sure about a tape based camcorder? (specially if it´s a used one)..tape mechanisms can fail, tape jams, etc...

[jaysodyssey]

Are you sure about a tape based camcorder? (specially if it´s a used one)..tape mechanisms can fail, tape jams, etc...

Hello & thanks

Yes I feel that with my limited budget Tape will allow me to get a really strong rig without so much money (since everyone is so hung up on sd cams nowadays)

I am aware of the risks, but also take lasts forever, I recently took a minidv tape from my gfs camcorder, I watched the entire thing on our big screen tv, while the audio was horrible and so were the camera movements, the video was flawless!

I would like to try this medium

[smrpix]

I don't want to be a downer, but your budget, schedule and equipment are totally inadequate for a major network -- unless you actually find and interview Bigfoot. It could make a decent video blog however and would showcase your talent if well done. Be aware that another downside of tape is real-time digitizing. Also, GoPro material is technically a pain to cut and usually needs transcoding -- again, time will be an issue on your proposed schedule.

Warnings aside, best of luck.

[poisondeathray]

Content is king. If you have a great idea, and at least decent execution - the other issues become less important

Just to echo what smpix was saying - If were you hoping/expecting this series to be picked up by someone like Discovery, BBC, NBC etc... there are "minimum" acquisition specs that you have to meet. 4:2:2 is the big one that nearly all networks require (The XF-100 meets it on your list on the other thread). (There have been a few exceptions, but those are very rare) . Only the small local stations will waive those requirements - e.g. something like a local interest piece. Those are about the only ones that might accept SD as well.

[jaysodyssey]

I don't want to be a downer, but your budget, schedule and equipment are totally inadequate for a major network -- unless you actually find and interview Bigfoot.

i do not think I will see him, but if I do I hope to at least have a sit-down, course that stupid "finding bigfoot" show has been running around for years and they never find him, and they are using basic cameras!

I know my shot is slim, but the focus will not be on the fact ill get picked up, though that would be nice. The focus will be on producing good content with a solid production value!

[jaysodyssey]

Content is king. If you have a great idea, and at least decent execution - the other issues become less important

Totally Agreed

Just to echo what smpix was saying - If were you hoping/expecting this series to be picked up by someone like Discovery, BBC, NBC etc... there are "minimum" acquisition specs that you have to meet. 4:2:2 is the big one that nearly all networks require

Yeah I am not thinking they will pick up the current material, but they may allow for a better camera/crew when that time comes, I am sure they will at least watch the demo!

(The XF-100 meets it on your list on the other thread).

Yeah that one is a bit above the spend limit, its a nice camera though

I am thinking 4-500 for the camera, I ll keep shopping

[jaysodyssey]

Wonder if the networks would like my show if it was shot with this

[newpball]

Wonder if the networks would like my show if it was shot with this

Depends on the content.

Do you know how much work it is to get this thing to even start up?

You can rent them for a couple of hundred bucks a day if you want to try!

[jaysodyssey]

Depends on the content.

Do you know how much work it is to get this thing to even start up?

You can rent them for a couple of hundred bucks a day if you want to try!

It was a joke, I know if I have to use something like this to make my show, I already failed! I want to do this the way I have done everything so far in life, the "interesting and creative" way.

I can imagine that camera has quite the start up sequence

I was once told by the person who trained me to be a photographer, that it is "never the camera, but the person behind the lens that makes the picture" And while his words of wisdom have their technical limits, they are true to this day. i can imagine they will carryover to videography as well!

[jaysodyssey]

Well tonight I continued to gather information

I read a great article on the different types of cameras, sensor sizes, transition to CMOS from ccd as the norm, of course this article was from 2009 but it was good knowledge to have.

I also learned the difference and benefits and drawbacks to Dual system/Single system sound. No matter how you slice it I think I would be fine with Single system. The majority of times Dual system seemed to be a good idea was A. if you were using lots and lots of tracks and B. if you were using a DSLR, which has the annoying AGC gain issue and low quality preamps.

I also learned through a in depth article on how sound is done, it took me through the mixer bag, all the way to the shock mount to the microphones to things called IFB (which allow audio to be sent anywhere on set). The guy had great info but also had a penchant for telling me to buy the most expensive of everything there ever was.

On the flipside I got to watch some really cool videos on how to make homemade boom mic poles, shock mounts, and blimps. Those videos always give me a smile, who knew a light bulb changing pole could be so interesting.

I also looked at a few cameras, i really like how smooth the Sony Professional HVR-A1U was, even with fast pans in the test footage I saw almost no rolling shutter, but you can see for yourself at this review

http://epfilms.tv/eps-sony-hvr-a1u-review-semi-professional-video-cameras/

Obviously there are more expensive cameras out there, but this one may just fit the bill. I liked how in this video the guy broke the camera down to almost nothing (which I imagine would be great for transport)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q300-kN5elY

I also read in all my research at least at the time they were popular , there was a way to get a media recorder to write the footage to a storage unit as well as tape, I imagine this unit could be plugged in by simple USB. Course I would think that would make the whole tape unnecessary to begin with, but that article was written during the transition to removable media as well.

So lots learned and lots researched. The takeaway tonight is you can not tell a good story without solid audio, as well as many cameras can tell the story, and the "perfect" one for some filmmakers may not work for others

Exhausting but fun

Tomorrow Ill continue to look at cameras, If anyone has any suggestions that would be welcome, i am still shooting for HDV Tape unless I can find a real good deal on a newer camera with low light, but it seems like the older Mini HDV still falls in my price range!

[glenpinn]

Wonder if the networks would like my show if it was shot with this

My son is currently shooting his 3rd year Uni major short (a 20 minute sci-fi called "After Today") with this same camera (different lenses) mounted on all sorts of hand held rigs and tripods.

Now, back on Topic, the only thing i can add from a travelers point of view and shooting serious video, be very aware of your day to day surroundings, and travel as lightly as you can, especially if you are on your own, and riding a bike.

Camera gear will push the limits, so keep your camera choice to as small (or as light) as you can, try and avoid a tripod, and just take a monopod, you can adapt to those fairly easy (the small fold out base is pretty useless in my opinion, although i did buy one from china to fit on my custom monopod.

I use a small custom made camera rig myself, designed and made by me out of 3/4" electrical conduit with sponge tubing over the handles, and i have 2 hot show mounts on the rig to clip on 2 small LED lights if i need them when shooting at night.

This link will take you to the gear i travel with, just to give you an idea, all you need is a better camera.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gzpnla97wa0ov0r/AAAVjDeZTO2_aSDqAE1AQWAEa?dl=0

Cheers, and good luck.

Oh, and btw, i have just bought a Flycam Nano HD stabilizer to add to my kit, and i am hoping it will be used on all my shoots where the conditions will allow it, otherwise, in some scenarios, the hand held rig will be used, and contrary to what one member in this forum has been saying, hand held rigs like mine can produce very good, and very stable video, even when shooting video in roaming mode like i usually do, but i may have to modify it slightly and add a fitting to the pole for one of my lights.

Edit: btw, where will your travels take you ?

[jaysodyssey]

Glenpinn,

Thanks for your great words of encouragement. Thats why I really like the Sony, because as you could see in that video it breaks down to almost nothing. I am currently trying to track down the successor to the XL2 ( I really wanted that camera) and think I have found a page with the model line on it. my current budget should allow me to get something right up to the time they went to tapeless (which I do not want anyway).

As for the monopod, yours is like the one I was suggested to buy, however I really do think some shots will require a tripod, further research will let me know that, also I already travel with a manfrotto tripod, (this one is not strong enough for anything above a small DSLr) so the weight will probably be not noticeable. Those legs on the bottom are supposed to do great things for dolly shots, its sounds like you disagree on that.

Your rig is so cool, I have something similar to that, it was designed by the frugalfilmmaker (scott) who is a genius , but I do not have all the attachments you do, here is a couple pics of it.




Also I tried to make a hollywood style gimbal rig, I did succeed in building it, but it was poor quality and very heavy and it was not going on my trip. i ultimately destroyed it and returned a lot of the parts, but it was cool to build. here are some pics of that.




Your last question about where I will travel can be answered by going to this link.

http://bit.ly/1SNgQLc

Again thanks for the encouragement, i think any filmmaker that is planning on travelling the way I do will need a light kit, (in weight) but the truth is i probably wont get away with under 30 pounds when it comes to gear!

[aedipuss]

not sure what the pvc rig is supposed to do but a simple handle would probably be better.

[jaysodyssey]

In reply to aedipuss, one handle would not stabilize a camera like that rig does, but I was only showing the old rig for dslr.

Also I did some research it APPEARS that Canon made the successor to the popular XL2 in HD, it was known as the XL-h1, its still going for stupid amounts of money and is just out of my budget range. however I did see that right after the XL-h1 they made the highly successful XH-A1 which I have seen lots of footage on youtube of. it looks like a lightweight, HD capable, solid rig to start working with. The only thing I do not like about the XH-A1 is the eyepiece all the way in the back, maybe I can get some sort of modifier to bring that more of an angle like the XL2 had.

This movie was also shot on the XH-A1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNXF8FQ12zg

The search continues

[glenpinn]

@ jaysodyssey ..... yes my rig was inspired from watching Scotts videos, as well as a few others who took the designs and made them differently, and i did make one like the cage you show in you last image, but i found it very hard to operate, so i put the handles downwards and added the screw on neck brace, as well as the removable chest bar, which i now use all the time.

I can shoot all day with that rig, i absolutely love using it.

My monopod was a $15 cheapie from china, i made my own camera mounting plate and screwed that on, then i added the manfrotto release plate, so now, i just move my cameras from one device to another without haveing to change the release plate adaptor on my cameras, everything is manfrotto based.

not sure what the pvc rig is supposed to do but a simple handle would probably be better.


[Attachment 32888 - Click to enlarge]

The type of setup you show in your image is very badly designed ergonomically wise, when you grab the handle it does not conform to the natural way your hand should be while shooting the video, and having the hand holding a small bar like that just above the camera is no better than holding the camera in your hand, because it only allows for single handed use, making it near impossible to shoot stable video.

Rigs like ours allow you full control over the cameras using both hands on the grip bars on either side to help stabilize the camera, again, i still have my image stabilization turned on because i walk with my rig, the IS just prevents the video from shaking when the camera makes any sudden jerks.

As soon as i get the right sound track sorted for my car show video and slideshow, i will post up the link for the video so you can see how i shot that sing my Rig, and yes, it will have movement in it, because it is not stabilized in any way like those Glidecams are, it is all completely up to our hands to maintain the steadiness of the video.

My rig cost me $50 to make, including the manfrotto release plates,, the light are $25 each, and thats it.

[jaysodyssey]

Just wanted to update here, i have narrowed my camera choices down to the following three models (all are HDV)

Sony HVR-A1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD7q3ha8vuo

Canon XH-A1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU5nTH_WU_4

Love that short story, watch it!

Canon XL-H1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExhPCsaHB2E

This was apparently a movie filmed as a promotional video for canon, but this camera is amazing, It is out of my budget but I will scrimp to get it, I am curious on every ones take. This video is AMAZING

[glenpinn]

How would you manage a XL-H1 while traveling, it is a pretty big, and heavy camera to be lugging around.

I used to shoot weddings many years ago with the XL-2 and it was a great camera, but a prick as far as ergonomics goes, too difficult to handle and i could only use it on a tripod, ended up selling it.

For me, the Sony HVR-AIU or the XH-A1 will be a more manageable camera to lug around, but i cannot offer you any advice or opinion about its use or quality because i have not used them before.

Every camera i have ever owned since the late 90's up to 2009 have always been Panasonic (3CCD) cameras, with a brief stint using the XL-2, all shooting SD video on mini tapes, and in 2007 or 2008 i got a HVX200 which shot HD video to P2 Cards and SD video to mini tape.

From 2009 i have had a variety of AVCHD cams shooting onto SD cards, again all of them Panasonic, simply because they had the best image stabilization and auto focus system out of any of the camera manufacturers, and from the TM700, right up to the SDT750 cams i currently use, all have the 3MOS sensor, and these cams all produced the most amazing true to life color as well.

Be aware that using tape in very humid climate can be an issue, so be sure to keep them stored in an air tight container (made from tin) well that is what i used to carry my mini tapes in, and if you are taking a small laptop, be sure it has Firewire and a decent Hdd, because i would suggest you transfer your video to the laptop as soon as you can, just so if something happens to your tapes, you have a backup copy of the videos.

I shot a lot of HDV in asia years ago using my HVX100 camera, and i had problems with a few tapes, which i had not backed up, so i lost the footage that i had shot over the previous 4 or 5 days.

Anyway, thats my take on things, just make sure you are happy with the camera you buy, and learn how to use it.

Have you actually found any of those 3 cameras for sale yet, and if so, how much will you be expecting to pay for them.

Cheers

[jaysodyssey]

glenpinn,

good stuff, and important to answer, Ill take them one at a time

As for travelling with the camera I have panniers that I store my gear in, I would simply wrap that in a foam pad and load it lens down into a pannier, they are extremely large panniers and most of my video gear fits in one of them (sans tripod) which gets strapped to the back rack.

Those XL-H1 have been praised so many times i cannot count, from small movies, to college shorts, to ministry worship, to underwater filming, to extreme temps in a molten steel mill, to a hollywood style production all the way to a simple food show as well as some Lifetime tv series. I cant say what they said, but I have read it all!

If your interested in what they all had to say you can click this link, any of those case studies are astounding, of course I am aware they are canon cameras and canons site, so its biased, but I simply couldn't find anything bad said about that camera, and in that day it was the thing to have. Several of them mention the ergonomic friendliness of this camera as well.

http://www.usa.canon.com/app/html/HDV/XLH1/case_studies.shtml

I have never had experience with P2 cards, I know they were the thing back in that day, Any references to them I can find on the web all point to them having been a PITA, but as I said I never used them,

The humid climate was something I was thinking about, but lets face it even sd cards don't like to get damp, I have lost several of those in the past. I like your idea of the tin container, while it would add weight that's not a bad idea, i was simply going to keep the tapes sealed in their wrapper and then put them in an airtight heavy duty double seal ziplock until use.

I am taking a laptop, and sadly no it has no firewire, as part of the weight savings of this trip i changed out all my old clunky gear for a newer model. It also has no PCMCIA slot. It is an ultrabook weighing just over 2 pounds and is razor thin but is made of carbon fibre. I will have to figure that disconnect out to get the footage to the laptop for editing and production. I looked at some firestore units online but people are still asking 300 bucks for a 30 gb firestore, I guess that technology never went away, or people are just nuts, you take your pick. best solution so far would be some sort of firewire converter box that would allow me to capture to a program like clipsync?) I forget the name??? to get the tapes safely to the hdd. I also read in the case studies that it has an sdi output, but I am unfamiliar with what that means, it seems to reference a way to send the feed to an external record, not sure if that could be my laptop, but that would be impractical for shooting anyway.

All the tapes will have a cycle for backup and archive, once an episode is produced the tape will be sealed, then once a weeks worth of tapes are accrued, they will be sent by airmail back to the states to a storage facility for safe keeping, but honestly it wont matter much, because by that time the episode will have been produced and the viewers will have seen the digital copy.

In answer to the final question I have sourced quite a few models of varying quality of the first two cameras, most are scuffed or nicked or have paint off the lens, silly stuff I neither care about nor matter since that camera will take a beating.

The last camera has been very hard to find and is still sought after it would seem, I can find them for around $1500 USD so far, I will keep my eye out for a deal, the issue is if they are TOO CHEAP something is probably wrong with them and I want a fully functional unit

Bring on any more questions and suggestions, and its obvious you went to my site, so thanks for taking the time to look at my list. It is true the camera will be exposed to mist in waterfalls, jungle humidity, rainforests, cloud forests, ocean air, dusty desert, and of course the cold of the antarctic , whatever unit I bring it will be pushed to the limits no matter what its made out of!

[glenpinn]

Regarding the Tin for the tapes, just has to be a very thin wall type (thin metal) preferably with a snap on air tight lid as opposed to a hinged lid as they seem to be more air tight.

For now thats about it i think.

[jaysodyssey]

Glenpinn

I was thing Altoids containers, but they probably would not work for size reasons, I wonder if the tin thing then inside a plastic bag

http://www.amazon.com/3-piece-Mini-Film-Reel-Diameter/dp/B00EEBDFTO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8...words=film+tin

http://www.amazon.com/Containers-Geocache-Storage-Survival-MagnaKoys%C2%AE/dp/B00J8FFN...2&keywords=tin

http://www.amazon.com/Wide-Twist-Top-Tea-16oz/dp/B004H6TDE2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=143...4&keywords=tin

Just a few ideas, tin can get expensive lol

[glenpinn]

Item 1 nope.
Item 2 is too small.
Item 3 not sure of diameter, you may fit 3 in the upright position, but the lid is what i was referring to, good seal on those.

Mini Tapes come in a clear plastic case, so i advise you keep them in those after use, and those tape cases are 75mm x 55mm x1 7mm thick, thats why item 2 is no good, and you would probably need quite a few of them for sure.

[hanshotfirst1138]

I don't want to be a downer, but your budget, schedule and equipment are totally inadequate for a major network -- unless you actually find and interview Bigfoot.

i do not think I will see him, but if I do I hope to at least have a sit-down, course that stupid "finding bigfoot" show has been running around for years and they never find him, and they are using basic cameras!

I know my shot is slim, but the focus will not be on the fact ill get picked up, though that would be nice. The focus will be on producing good content with a solid production value!

Either way, hopefully the experience will be valuable.

[jaysodyssey]

Item 1 nope.
Item 2 is too small.
Item 3 not sure of diameter, you may fit 3 in the upright position, but the lid is what i was referring to, good seal on those.

Mini Tapes come in a clear plastic case, so i advise you keep them in those after use, and those tape cases are 75mm x 55mm x1 7mm thick, thats why item 2 is no good, and you would probably need quite a few of them for sure.

My thought instead of the tins would be just to keep them in the cases with maybe some tape around them, and then in the ziploc, Even better those wetbags used in kayaking, none of this is airtight though, Or another idea is those bags you suck the air out of to store stuff under your bed, Not sure

It probably will not be that much of an issue tbh

I am not so sure the tapes I will be buying will even come with cases, they may just be wrapped up in the plastic, I remember cassettes sometimes being sold that way back in the day!

[glenpinn]

I am not so sure the tapes I will be buying will even come with cases, they may just be wrapped up in the plastic, I remember cassettes sometimes being sold that way back in the day!

I shot on tape for 10 years, in all that time every single tape did come in the clear plastic case, whether i bought 1 single tape, or packs of 5 or 10 tapes, and the reason for that is because on one edge there is a thin plastic flap covering the tape, and a big opening between the 2 tape reels, and if the tape was not in the casing, that part of the tape would be damaged very easily just by bumping it if not protected, and you need to be careful not to get anything inside that part of the tape because it could damage it.

So yeah, if anyone was selling tapes not in the plastic case i would be very very shocked

[jaysodyssey]

My bad, all I can remember is grabbing a dv tape when I was like ten for going to the beach, somewhere I have that footage. I showed my girlfriend who knows nothing about this stuff the canon promo video and she was amazed , that camera was originally MSRP 11,000 USD, guess time whittled away at the value, it may be a gamble but I still think that camera will make amazing footage! I am currently taking s filmmaking class online, some of it like screenwriting Is funny, it would be impossible for me to write a script, I have no idea what each episode will hold! Maybe that's the beauty of it

Tapes I looked at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_12?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A281408%2Ck%3AMini+dv&keywor...nid=2941120011

[glenpinn]

I always used Panasonic tapes with all my DV cams, as well as with the XL2 when i had that, because i used to buy my tapes in bulk (100 tapes) and then on-sell them to colleagues and keep a bunch for myself.

Think i paid about $2 each back in the early 2000's and retail these were around $4.50 each.