Should I shoot this in 60i or 24p?
by Chris Constantine
on
Jun 22, 2008 at 7:51:10 pm
Here is yet another 60i vs. 24p forum question! I've reviewed many similar posts, but wanted to hear your input for this project. I'm really on the fence as to which camera and format to shoot this with, even after many days of thought and research.
I'm shooting a documentary project, which will be shot primarily inside a prison. The footage will consist of interviews with inmates, lots of prison footage (much shot 'on the fly' - walking around, cell blocks, exercise yard, cafeteria, and offices with little setup time), in both low and mixed light situations, and in many situations where we'll have to very quickly set up and shoot without proper lighting setup (drives me nuts, but that's the reality). We'll also be shooting footage with families and locations outside the prison at which we'll be much more able to control the lighting at properly set up the shot.
I've shot with a wide range of cameras, and on the miniDV format have shot some test footage for this project on both the Sony FX1, Z1, and the V1u. To be fair, I have far more experience shooting 60i vs. 24p, although I have shot quite a bit of film in the past. I currently own the FX1 and Z1, however I can move to 24p cameras if necessary.
The end use of this will be the film festival route (primarily), then DVD distribution. It will not be converted to film, but will remain in digital format throughout it's anticipated distribution.
I am leaning towards shooting this in 60i using the FX1 and Z1, since they'll be easier with the motion issues, and better in lower light situations. This is more of a Cinéma vérité style project vs. a theatrical performance, so 60i might not be a bad thing. But then again, I do like the look of 24p, and I'm wondering is the viewing audience might not favor the look of 60i when shown back-to-back with films shot at 24p. And back and forth I go.
So, my specific questions for you.
1. Does shooting 60i make sense, given the above description of the project?
2. If I do shoot at 60i, should the final cut be converted to 24p using DVFilm maker or a similar product to give it a more filmic quality? Or, given that it's a 'real-life' documentary, would the 'video look' be ok, or even an advantage?
3. Any specific camera suggestions for this (note that i generally favor the Sony cameras).
Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have this type of documentary experience.
I say 24P by Michael Palmer on Jun 22, 2008 at 8:10:00 pm
If you are renting a camera I would first look into the XD Cam EX1, better in low light, every HD format, under crank/over crank abilities. If for some reason you end up shooting a second HDV camera it would cut very nicely with the EX1. The EX1 right now is the best HDV tapeless recordable image with true 24P files to edit with. I would shoot only 24p for this project and the second camera would be the Sony V1U recording 24pA mode.
I feel that 60i is a better option as you're shooting documentary, which is generally more real-life than cinematic. You can always go the 24P later in DVFILM. Motion is far more natural in 60i, so the realism is retained. I shoot doccies, and always shoot interlaced for this reason. Drama is a different story....
I'd go for the Z1/FX1/Z7 option which is less obstrusive in the environment you're shooting in.
Derek Antonio Serra
Filmmaker
www.controversifilms.co.za
www.indv.co.za
Re: Should I shoot this in 60i or 24p? by Ryan Atkins on Jun 24, 2008 at 3:00:45 pm
I would shoot on the FX1, mainly because I own it and it works perfectly. I would honestly either shoot in Cineframe 24 or 30p, this way you can get as close to the film look as possible. Though real time footage (60i) might be more realistic to some people, it may look more "chinsey". I think shooting it in the 24p mode will make it look more professional anyway.
Re: Should I shoot this in 60i or 24p? by Don Greening on Jun 24, 2008 at 6:24:09 pm
I liked what Gary Adcock said in an interview some months ago at, I believe it was at the last IBC Expo:
"Interlaced is a delivery format, not an aquisition format."
Re: Should I shoot this in 60i or 24p? by Kevin Shaw on Jun 25, 2008 at 10:46:12 am
Given the 'run and gun' nature of the shoot I'd say stick with your Z1/FX1 cameras, which are well suited to this type of project. If you can take a few test shots at the location to see how you feel about 60i vs Cineframe. For really dark shots try locking the shutter speed at 1/30 to get an extra stop of sensitivity. Good luck!
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Kevin Shaw
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