I am a video guy at heart and I could talk about video cameras for hours. When our creative team decided that “Velma’s Diner” should be a sitcom style shoot it brought up a unique opportunity to put our hands on some video gear that we don’t normally get a chance to use.
Enter Steve Thomason and High Definition Events. Steve did an outstanding job of partnering with us and delivering a portable video rig that was perfect for our situation. We used 4 Panasonic HPX500 studio configured cameras on the Velma’s shoot. These cameras allowed us to record isolated footage at the camera onto P2 cards as well as in our temporary control room from a switcher. Steve supplied the HS400 multi format switcher as well as a P2 recorder for a live P2 capture of the switchers video feed. That unit was the HPM200.
When it came to video format we decided to shoot HD in 720P in 60 frame mode. Stylistically this kept the sitcom looking very ‘live’ and not overly theatrical. For camera positioning we affixed one camera on a small dolly, one camera on a portable field jib and the final two cameras were on fixed tripods. This set up gave us a tremendous amount of flexibility to move our camera positioning on the fly.
Ultimately it has been a great learning experience and the huge number of people involved in this project have been amazing to work with. Have you guys ever shot anything sitcom-style? What have you learned along the way?
December 7th, 2009 at 9:52 am
David,
thanks for this post. those videos look great and it seems like such a unique idea! LOVE IT!
I was wondering if you could do a basic camera/video overview post. I am the production coordinator for a church plant and we are learning a ton as we go, but actually knowing what we need to learn can be the tricky bit. I don’t know, just a request. I love that you guys blog like you do - keep it up!
December 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Wow,
I went to college with the guy in the second screen capture! Awesome! Go Eric Mendenhall!
December 7th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
How did you guys create the beginning title sequence?
December 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Really like what you have put together. The acting is good - and the scripting/character development is cool too. I am missing not hearing canned laughter and audience response. Other than that it sounds and looks like a real sitcom. Great message… I wanted to do something with that poster too!
December 8th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Hey guys-
Great feedback. I am loving the comments.
Josh I will talke to the live production guys here at North Point and see if they would like to weigh in on the subject of multiple cameras capturing a live service or event.
Dave P-Small world! Eric is a talented actor and we have had the privilege of having him act in several of our productions in the past as well.
Matt G-Great question. That is more in a Matt Gibson or Brad Bretz question. Sure, I kinda know but honestly those guys are pros and really can unwravel what they did more clearly than I ever could. I think they may have posted on that in a previous entry.
Paul-Great comment about the laugh track. We had a long discussion about this issue as we worked through the pre-production process. We ultimately decided against a laugh track as these videos were being produced for a live Sunday audience who will hopefully laugh at the approprioate times. We may ad a laugh track as we go to DVD.
Great thoughts guys.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:26 am
David - when we do something like this, we don’t add a laugh track for DVD. We just mix in some of the audience mics with the original video’s audio. Something to think about…
I met Steve Thomason when I was in town for the Facedown songwriters conference. Great guy. So talented in so many ways! Man, those HPX500’s are killer!!!
December 15th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I had a question. What piece of music is used at the end of Velma’s Diner when you show the graphic that says “An Unexpected Christmas”? I love that and really wanted to nab it off iTunes (if possible). Thanks!
December 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
“One Christmas Wish” from http://www.firstcom.com (music library). Thanks Jen!
December 26th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Incredible skit. Agree with Jen– what about the song with the lyrics about the baby changing everything?
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:55 pm
¿how do you configure it to work like studio camera??