Commission: Camera man

Given I've never really filmed with the Panasonic 4K camera before part form in a workshop, I am use to using the Sony EX, so I thought it would be worth my time doing a little research into filming with the Panasonic cameras.

In order to further this basic knowledge, I wanted to find out how I could really make the most of filming with a 4K camera, and show it off for its true potential. Anyone can pick up a camera, but very few know how to use it to its full capability. So for example, when shooting outside, its important to turn the gain down. "Gain is an electronic way to boost the brighness of your video images. When shooting in low light conditions (e.g. at night) the iris is will be fully OPEN at f1.6 but, the camera may still needs more light to produce a picture. (http://www.urbanfox.tv/workbooks/sonyz1/z1gain.htm)
This will help prevent more over exposure. Also it's a good idea to make the most of the resources I have, that being a tripod. A fluid tripod helps with those crisper shots. Its good not to get too intimidated by other fancy equipment like a dolly or jib, because with a tripod I can get some just as creative shots, by tilting and pulling in manually. However, with this piece, I really want to push the boat out and so I have decided to use a track to get this cinematic, fluid look. I really enjoy the cinematic look of  the track mixed with the 4k camera. 

The Panasonic DVX200 camera is a large-sensor camera with the ability to film 25fps and 60fps. It has a built in stabilisation and the option to shoot in v-log, allowing much more colour information to be captured and then more to play with in post-production. The camera also uses SD cards rather than c-fast cards which can be very expensive. However, this does mean you'll require a higher grade and process powered card in order to film in 4K. When testing out the cameras, we tried out the built in stabilisation, which worked surprisingly well.

The only previous issue I had with this camera was its complicated menu which was at first quite intimidating. However, having played around with it a bit more and watched some tutorials online, I think its something I could get use to and is always going to b an issue when using a different camera.  I also don't like that you can't change the lens's on the camera so you're limited on what sort of look you can get. The look that comes stock however is gorgeous, and I really look forward to filming with  it. With the built in stabilisation it should look really cool again.

In my research into the art of cinematography I stumbled along Danny Cohen, an Oscar and Bafta nominated cinematographer who has worked on films like 'The King's Speech.' He said his job is to help the director realise what is in is head by putting it on screen. I am the director and cinematographer so I can hopefully recreate exactly what I want when filming. He says:
"The cinematographer creates a consistent look for the film and makes images that help tell the story. It's what's in the frame, the lighting, getting the mood right - getting images that push the story along and keeps the audience inside, not outside, the film." (Cohen, BBC, 2011). Reading on through the rest of this article, I became really intrigued with the way cohen actually works and wanted to see an analysis of it ad so I came across the following video:

Much of the analysis was really unconventional to traditional cinematography, like the eye gase and frame space which in many ways defied the 'rule of thirds'. "the viewer’s eye will naturally gravitate towards the top-left anchor point, and many people will spend longer dwelling on this area than other parts of the shot, making it a logical point at which to position the main area of interest in your shot" (http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/01/05/marketing-videos). This is different and although I'm not shooting a film, such unfuliences can really help my project. I too filmed people as I wanted actuality, and so this has in many ways taught me that its kay to not use the most conventional methods.

In my filming I did try to break the rules a little, nut unfortunately this didn't work as well for me as what it did with Danny Cohen. I attempted to break the 180 degree rule by filming a 360 degree shot which didn't work very well. It was an experiment and so I tired it with applying the 180 degree rule and it worked out much better.

"If you don't follow the 180 Degree Rule, or break it intentionally, it disrupts the scene disorients the audience."
(Allen, 2011)

Luckily in one of the attempts of doing the 180degree rule version someone entered the studios to go to the reception so the camera almost followed them which was great for actuality. I then attempted to re-shoot this under the 180 degree rule, which worked a lot better.

References:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12540386(2011)

(http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/01/05/marketing-videos)

Andrea Allen, (2011) https://vimeo.com/blog/post/180-degree-rule-explained