Re: XDCAM workflow

Walter,

I would like to know how you "shot" the footage... what kind of lights, how they were set up, the camera settings, etc.

THEN: I'd like to know how you cut the material, and how you tried to key it out! (i.e. FCP, Avid, Premiere, After Effects, Vegas, what?)

I have TONS of experience in chroma keying footage, and got the same results I would from ANY high end camera (for use on TV, not film) out of the EX cameras.

I would say 90% of keying is LIGHTING, LIGHTING, LIGHTING! If the light set up is done properly, I might even be able to key shots with "Hi-8!" An exaggeration, for sure, but I've done amazing things in "mini DV!" I've keyed stuff that people say "can't be done!" HOWEVER, my set up for EVERY format is the same! The way in which we use it, is THE SAME!

In fact, in my presentation at the SONY booth during the NAB show this year, I PROVED keying with 4:2:0 footage is easy and clean, provided the shooter used the right equipment in the proper manner.

YOU MUST USE a waveform monitor to ensure a clean key... there is no other way around it... try it, and you'll see. There is NO guess work in exposure when a waveform monitor is used.

If you use a WFM, and expose the background properly, you'll find that you can do most keys in After Effects with the Keylight effect in under five mouse clicks! I've done it with the EX line, the XD Cam HD line, HD Cam, DVC Pro HD, Beta SP, DigiBeta, DV Cam, DVC Pro and even Mini DV! Some formats have "better uses" than others... For example, I'd NEVER take a mini DV key and put to film as a main playback, but for TV, it works fine. Most clients BEG me to teach them how we perform chroma keys, because they work, and work BEAUTIFULLY on the first pass! It's all in the equipment and the way it's used.

I'm not talking about "fancy lighting set ups" either... the one constant we use, no matter what, is a waveform monitor. It is the KEY ingredient in pulling off a chroma key! (Yes, pun intended!)

So to clarify, I'd love to know the ENTIRE process you went through to get such "horrendous" keys. Perhaps I can help clear up some of the workflow.

Curt

Curt Pair
Picture This Productions
Sony ICE Team
F900/F800/F350/PDW700/EX1/EX3/D790/D600
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 HD/Matrox
Phoenix, AZ