VFX Camera workshop

On Wednesday 2nd October we had a workshop led by Malcolm Finnie, explaining how to use HD camera's for VFX filming. Here are a few notes I wrote down during the workshop:

Setting up camera (Sony EX1 - Full HD):

• Auto + manual focus (switch to manual focus so orange ring is showing)
• Zoom manual to zoom by dial
• Manual Focus
• Iris same as aperture (manual)
• Aperture measured in F stocks (makes lighter/darker)
• Smaller aperture - greater depth of field
• Gain same as ISO on SLRs (controls noise + gain) - (low)
• White balance

- All reset before beginning
- Monitor volume, turn back up
- Format media - deleting stuff off memory cards
- Video format - HQ 1920/25P
  (P for Progressive, I for Interlaced - for VFX use P)

When filming:

• Peaking - an aid for focusing - coloured line around focused object
• Exposure (what effects it): ISO/Gain, Iris/Aperture, Shutter
• White balance by zooming into a neutral colour

Camera footage to computer:

• Adobe Prelude CC to ingest
• If the footage is not ingested first and you started editing the footage straight from Premiere and gave the camera back, when you go back to Premiere - none of the footage will be there anymore
• 3D camera tracking in After Effects