harshal nachnolkar

I'm from india and here it's all still SD. I already own a Sony PD 150 and am familiar with its' workflow. I do corporate videos and small commercials. Business is good so I am planning to buy a second camera now. so here's my question - 1. If I use a Nikon D5000 to shoot 720p and down-convert it to SD in post, how does it compare to the picture of the PD150? (please separately comment about the image quality or manual features not the easy usabilty of the PD150) 2. How does this (HD -> SD) effect render times? I'm aware that I'll have to separately record audio, that's not a problem. All I need is a comparison of image quality and manual features between the two cameras?

I'm from India. I have experience with prosumer SD and HD camcorders. I make television content for regional shows. I've been approached to shoot for an indy feature. The director wants to rent an Arri D-21. Suggest possible workshops in the US where I can come and learn the detailed workflow of the d-21 from shooting to film out. Also if we cant raise the money for the d-21, we'll be shooting with a HDV camera. Although I've used HDV cameras I've never shot for a film out. Are there any workshops that will prepare me for a HDV to film transfer. Pls note that I do not have a formal degree in cinematography. I hope that this is not a problem.

I read that while shooting the deserted London scenes from 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle used a DVX100 with Panavision lenses. DVX100 has a C mount if I'm not wrong. So how's this possible? Then, can one also use standard 35mm lenses with a Canon XL-H1? (And i mean of course without a 35mm lens adaptor, but simply using the mount of the camera)

Thank you very much all of you. I have put forth your suggestions to the Entertainment Society here,it's a government organisation. Now it's up to the finance committee. but thank you very very much.

Could you say anything about the Sony EX cameras. The EX3 is totally out of my range. But the thing is, I am not alone. We are a small group investing in this camera and then are going to help each other realize our goals. So if the EX1 is really more worth over the HPX or the HVX cameras, if it has benefits which are worth the money, then I could probably convince my partners to buy the EX1. So should I buy EX1 or the HPX or the HVX ?

What effect does the compression have in formats like DVCPRO HD or XDCAM? Also how does the 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 affect it? Again I don't mean about color grading or color timing, I only mean if they cause any pixelation? Will I be able to shoot such a project myself?

I am sorry that in my HD to 35mm post I didn't mention certain details The aesthetics of filmmaking in India are quite different. When I asked about blowing up to film, I didn't mean about getting a "film look". Most movies we make have only the foreground element and as such the DOF is not an issue. To give an example from hollywood, I would say something like the movies "Cube" or "Man from Earth" where all the composition in the frame is in the foreground. Our movies are like recording a theatre performance. only the characters in the foreground are important, the frame composition in middle-ground or background is not. So my only concern is that when I take it to film my picture should not look pixelated. That is my only concern. What minimum resolution do I need so that the picture doesn't look pixelated or suggest to audience that it's been blown up from lower format?

Another thing I should have mentioned is I'm not looking for the "film" look. I don't need that kind of DOF Most of our movies are shot "flat", with only characters in the foreground. Much like recording a theater performance or a television show (not LOST, more like sitcoms and daily soaps). Just characters in the foreground saying their dialogues. that's it. All I'm looking for is enough resolution so that my picture wont look pixelated or in anyway make it obvious that it's been blown up.

What exactly do you mean by skill of operator? I was hoping that after reading books and constantly experimenting I would get it by trial and error. Is there any specific knowledge of accessories etc that can't be learned unless in film school? Or are there any other considerations while shooting on digital for a film out? I thought that since a digital camera has an LCD display I'll always know how well I have lit my scene and exactly what picture I'm going to get. Is it in no way possible that I would somehow in due course learn to use it appropriately or would I always need the help of a professional? Because the key point here is eliminating the need for professionals, because we can't afford them. Even for film institute students we have to give them a hotel stay and tours of all tourist destinations and everything, since they come from other states. There is no film institute in our state.

It would be of tremendous help if you could recommend something else. Please do.

It's a long post, but please please please do read. You'll be helping an undeveloped cinema community first let me tell give you an idea of why i'm posting 1.I live in a small and rather not so developed state in India. Cinema in our state is just beginning and is no way related to the mainstream Indian cinema. 2.but the theatres in our state are state of the art - INOX and all. 3.we are a bunch of filmmakers who normally rent equipment and personel from the main industry which is different from our native language. we have been able to do so because of government grants. 4.but since our state government can't give grants to produce more than 1 or 2 films a year our regional cinema is struggling. we intend to buy a low budget camera and the accessories. I do have Adobe Premiere on which i have compiled DV videos but my notebook is a low end one - 120GB, dual core, 1GB ram, intel GMA, windows XP SP2 My questions are Q1. will a film out from an ex1/ex3 (or any other similar budget camera you can suggest) hold on such a screen where normally 35 mm film is projected (no IMAX or those huge theatres) Q2. how much will it cost to buy the camera and necessary equipment in India? will i find it in India or ship it from US? in which case how much will i have to pay for custom duties? Q3. do i need to buy a new computer? could you please give required specifications? Please do help us in flourishing this art in our state

What minimum resolution or other requirements are to be kept in mind if I am to shoot in digital and blow it up to 35mm (HDV or DVCPRO HD)? can i use any of the following cameras 1. Sony HDR-FX1 2. Sony HVR-Z1 3. JVC GY-HD100/101 4. Panasonic AG-HVX200 5. Canon XLH1 6. Panasonic AG-DVX100 7. Sony Z7 I read on wikipedia dat danny boyle used the 6th one to shoot some scenes in 28 days later. Also tell me something about frame rates and audio capture speeds. i guess they are different for different formats. and hence can cause problems.anything you can tell me will be of great help. thank you.

I have read the previous post on this. i just have one question. what is the minimum configuration (in terms of noise and resolution) DIGITAL camera i can use to shoot a video that can later be blown into 35mm? if you could tell me a particular model or format it would be nice.

what kind of lights and lighting setup is used in traditional sitcoms like "Friends"? Any other lighting setups that can be used for sitcoms? what temperature lights can be used? any books you recommend?