If you haven’t heard about this event, you should check out this video, and stayed tuned for the exciting results…

This event, the Camera Assessment Series, “the shoot out”, was a chance for the ASC and it’s members, and really all of us in the industry,  to put various, next generation HD cameras side by side, to see what all of these flavors of HD/4K have to offer.  This is the first, truly industry sponsored chance to see the advantages and disadvantages of these cameras and thier post production work flow.

We here at Studio B are anxiously awaiting the results of this test, as two cameras in our inventory were part of this test- The RED ONE and the new Panasonic VARICAM 3700.

I have a good feeling that the 3700 and the RED ONE, both, will stand up next to these other high end cameras.  I believe that these two cameras have something to offer our filmmaking community and industry, besides smaller budgets.  I think these cameras look great and are relatively easy to use, both in the field and in the edit room, especially in comparison to some of these other cameras.  The 3700 can shoot- stand alone- untethered from any external recording device and then the P2 workflow is slick these days.  The Red is very similar, perhaps a bit more difficult to navigate and manipulate, but also eleminates a lot of the combursome set ups of cameras, like the Viper or the D21.

At any rate, all of these cameras have their strong points and thier applications.  They all have the project that is right for them.

We, here at Studio B, are simply pleased to offer at least two of these HIGH END cameras when you shoot with us, or if you are needing that next level rental! Stay tuned for the results of this test and more comments as Studio B gets deeper into this realm of next gen’ HD…

Tags: ASC, Assessment Series, Camera Test, Films, HD, High Def, RED ONE, Rentals, Shoot out, Studio B, Varicam, video

Studio B Films had the good fortune to co-produce (with Peachpit Press) Marty Neumeier’s first DVD entitled, Innovation Workshop: Brand Strategy +Design Thinking =Transformation.  Marty has published three successful books and frequently gives workshops on branding, innovation in the workplace and design.  In condensing the content of three books into one 47-minute DVD, there were many factors to consider – most importantly, how to translate written content to video.

In Innovation Workshop, Marty demonstrates how to make your company more innovative in order to thrive in the new economy. Using memorable principles and simple exercises, he leads the viewer on a lively journey from traditional business thinking to “design” thinking. The DVD is designed to help companies become powerhouses of nonstop innovation.

In the following conversation, Marty Neumeier speaks with Studio B about the process of translating his written content to video.

You have published 3 successful books and use much of the content in a series of workshops.  How was the experience turning your written content into video content?
Overall, I found the process often thrilling and sometimes difficult. I was a video virgin, and I didn’t know WHAT to expect. The part that was most difficult—but most rewarding—was watching myself from the audience’s point of view. Is that how my voice really sounds? Does my hair really look like that from the back? Do people really talk like this way?

Actually, writing the script was the easiest part. I write in a conversational tone anyway, and since I’m a big movie fan, I totally get the concept of storytelling, scenes, pacing, continuity, and so forth. Where I’m weak is acting. You could argue that acting in an educational video is not really acting, but even if your goal is to be yourself, it’s still acting. When you have five or six people hovering around with a quarter million dollars worth of equipment, and the director calls “Action,” being yourself is not an option. You need to somehow translate your written excitement into cinematic excitement.

What was the most surprising aspect of this translation process?
Speaking for myself, I found that it helps to exaggerate the emotional content of a scene. It’s not quite like being on stage, where you need to exaggerate EVERYTHING to connect with an audience, but neither is it like having a conversation with a friend over lunch. I plan to be a tiny bit more “dramatic” on the next one.

What role did Studio B play in helping to translate your ideas to the screen?
Studio B was awesome. They organized the shooting schedule. They kept the work on track. They watched over continuity. They made a lot of smart decisions on the fly, which is hard when you’re shooting out of order and working on a discontinuous schedule. I was impressed with their grasp of filmic nuance. And of course, their production and editing skills are rock solid. My hat’s off to David and Maris, and also to Mary Sweeney of Peachpit.

How do you think the DVD compliments your books?
It’s a useful complement to the books, because it brings them to life with workshop exercises. You can read all the books and get yet another experience from the video. You can actually unpack the 45-minute video to host a one-day workshop for a few dozen people, and come out with usable content for your company or brand.

In your new DVD you stress the importance of innovation within the workplace. This seems like a very timely, especially in the current economic downturn.  How do you see your approach to innovation especially viable in the current competitive marketplace?
Actually, there’s never been a better time for innovation. Business-as-usual is no longer working, so companies and customers are open to radically different products, services, and ways of connecting. The future belongs to people who can let go of preconceptions, reject standard options, and imagine new ways to bring value to people’s lives.

Studio B Films is a Bay-Area production company.  In the last 16 years, we have brought countless videos to life.  We specialize in educational DVDs, corporate videos, marketing videos and PSAs.  Please contact us at: www.studiobfilms.com

Tags: DVD, Marty Neumeier, Peachpit Press, video, Video production

We have the new Panasonic Varicam and it rules!   Really, this is the ULTIMATE digital cinema camera…

Almost seven years after the debut of the original groundbreaking Varicam, Panasonic has released a new, and much improved, Varicam – the 3700.  It includes all of the features of the original with the addition of P2 card recording, a new imager and paired with a new 10-bit “Master Quality” codec (AVC-INTRA), this camera is what we’ve all been waiting for.

I have always been a big fan of the old Varicam – it shoots great images.  It always had the most “filmic” look of any “digi-cinema” HD camera without the digital noise of video.  Back in the day, the Varicam made me believe in HD, when I was just starting out in the biz.
We can talk about image quality for days on end and make comparisons to other cameras but, really, do I have to?  Can’t we just agree F-900 looks great, RED looks great and this camera stands up to or stands above these other cameras.

So, to sidestepping comparisons, I want to talk about the other benefits of the 3700, namely the workflow.  It’s the workflow that truly makes me love this camera.  I always hated digitizing tapes; it just took so long and could give you major troubles and headaches – tapes get eaten, aborted ingests because of time code breaks or tapes ingested at the wrong frame rate.  And to make it worse, digitizing required an expensive VTR machine.  Now you can turn this footage around fast, with an inexpensive card reader and three clicks of the mouse.  In Final Cut Pro, which we use here at Studio B, all you need to do is slide your shot cards into the card reader, open up Log and Transfer, choose the clips you want to import – and then hit the button. Walk away for an hour or so, and all of your clips will be sitting in FCP as QuickTime files, ready to edit.

People are often worried about tapeless formats. They worry about archiving and losing footage or just running out of space on a shoot.  All of these are legitimate concerns and can stand for some improvement and streamlining, for sure. But the benefits of tapeless far outweigh these concerns for me.

Just like any tapeless camera, every time you start and stop recording on the 3700, a new clip is created.  So, you have this non-linear recording going on, with each clip treated to its own name and place on the card.  This gives you the option, in the field or when first beginning post-production, to make choices.  You can delete clips or whole strings of clips. It is a good way to stay organized and save a lot of time for you or your editor when pulling selects.  Right there in FCP’s Log and Transfer or in Panasonic’s clip browser you can view clips, rename clips, erase clips or add notes.  If you have a long format shoot or simply a shoot with a lot of takes, you can easily ditch the bad takes.

Many people also are hesitant to go tapeless while shooting documentary work or perhaps while covering a live event.  With this Varicam, you need not worry.  There are five P2 slots, if you fill them with 32gb cards (or soon 64gb 128gb cards) you have hours and hours of time before you need to off load.  But if you really think you’re going to run out of space, the good news is the cards are hot-swappable, so you can trade out shot cards with empty ones without losing a frame.

If you are shooting green screen, this camera is ideal.  The resolution and virtually lossless recording will give you great keys or composite shots. Here at Studio B, we do a great deal of green screen work and since receiving our Varicam 3700 about two months ago, we have done a lot of green screen shoots with it.  When we have brought it back to key and color correct, it has been a breeze, it’s so crisp, there isn’t a lot of clean up to do.

This camera isn’t for every project or for every budget.  But it is THE camera to use for any high-end work or when you want its great ‘film look.’  I recommend it to anyone who has shot with the HDX900 or Sony’s F-900. With Panasonic’s legendary film-like gamma options, “film rec” mode, coupled with a new imager, this camera is sure to uphold the legendary status of the original Varicam.

Make the switch, GO TAPELESS!

Tags: AVC-INTRA, Berkeley, Camera, HD, HPX-3700, P2, Panasonic, Rental, San Francisco, video