Camera Adive

[Randy Robinson]

I am planning to use the SONY CCD-TRV108 to shoot my feature this summer. I was wondering if someone could tell me what is the best mode to use the camera in for my production. This camera, like many others, has many styles that I can shoot in.

Anything else, little or big things that I can do to make the picture and the sound be really good quality, will be greatly appreciated.

Here is the URL to my movie's site for more information -www.geocities.com/tourniquet_films

BTW, the look I am wanting for my production is very dark and moody.

[DAD]

Shoot in the most basic mode. If it has manual white balance, use it! If it has manual focus, use it! Stay away from using the zoom ... move the camera if at all possible. And remember to shoot to edit because that is were you will make your changes. If the camera has 16x9 format, don't use it. Use a widescreen mask when you edit. So make sure your software has the ability to format to 16x9 or Academy format for wide screen and then when you shoot, frame things so that they will look good in widescreen ... lots of head room and lots of foot room on wide shots.

For picture quality, get at least a ND filter, Polarizer, and a good lense hood to control light spilling on the lense.

For sound, get a good shotgun mic and at least two good wireless mics and a portable mixer that will handle three channels to feed that into the camera. I think yours has an external mic port.

Since you want a dark look, get lots of lights. You end up with more control over your lighting and your final image will look better because video LOVES light. If you shoot with available light, your images will end up muddy, grainy and even if they ARE focused they will look soft. Use a lot of light and just control where it goes. Always light your characters very well and use heavy shadow to accomplish a dark and moody look. Don't shoot with available light and say "I wanted a dark and moody look" you'll get a muddy/fuzzy look.

[Randy Robinson]

Thanks for the reply, DAD, it was really helpful.

Do you (or anyone else) have any idea's as to where I can the things that you mentioned to use (Polarizer, shotgun mic, ND filter, etc.). I have looked on the net and couldn't find anything. I even looked at SONY (the maker of the camcorder) and they didnt have anything either.

Thanks again,
Randy

[DAD]

Most everything I listed can be gotten at any camera shop that supports video cameras. Or you can find a lot of it on eBay online. Sometimes at VERY good prices.

[Randy Robinson]

Okay... thanks.

Also, my camera doesnt have an external mic port. Which really sucks....

[DAD]

No external mic port does suck. But you could try to find an electronic shop and see if they could add one for you. It's a fairly simple process to splice one in on the on camera mic. It just doesn't look too cool if you ever want to resell the camera.

[Randy Robinson]

Wow...thanks, DAD. I never thought of that. It would have never have crossed my mind...lol. I'm not worried about the camera looking cool. As long it does its purpose...also I dont plan to sell it. It will be mine until it is completely useless...lol.