video durban Archives - GCV Video Productions Blog

Video Production Durban in pre-production for new exciting project.

Hi guys, welcome to another blog from Video Production Durban. Today I am excited to announce an awesome project commencing soon in collaboration with Pixel Craft Training.

Together we will produce a short promo video using the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. We are excited to see exactly what this camera is capable of doing. The location is Botanic Gardens, Durban at 12 pm. On set will be Manosh Seetherem and his assistant (PixelCraft Training) myself and Tristan Ambross (GCV Productions). The talent is Caitlyn Gronewald who is a young aspiring artist from Durban.

Below is a few photos taken from a preproduction location visit. We are looking at angle of sun, amount of people in the area and ambient noise. We are not closing the area off to the public so we need to visit with the public visiting the area during the shoot.

12 pm Winter in Durban means we have about 4 hours of good light but realistically we might only start filming at 1 pm. Pixelcraft will supply lighting but these are battery operated therefore we have 1 hour of actual filming time.

Looking at the deck where the Talent will be positioned

Location – Low angle camera view on the deck.

Location Recce is extremely important to get a feel for the environment and look for anything that can be a challenge when filming. Ideally visit the location at same time of day of filming. Look at angle of sun, shadows. Listen to ambient noise such as traffic noise, even the wildlife in the area. Loud birds such as the notorious Hadeda can interrupt an interview (if recording audio)

Our talent will be painting a pond scene, seated next to the pond and painting. We will work towards a similar image with the below….

Our artist will paint a picture similar to the above. We need the bright colours to bring out the Blackmagics capabilities

So our location is ready, lets look at the camera gear.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera on the Zhiyun Crane 2 ready for production. Small and steady movements are required.

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera on a Zhiyun Crane 2.

So guys that’s a wrap for the pre production, we look forward to a very exciting day ahead and lets hope for a very awesome video to come. Watch out for the next blog and my youtube page to see the final video. And please visit www.pixelcrafttraining.co.za for their amazing work done, photos and videos.

For information regarding video please contact Guy Crosbie @ GCV Productions, visit www.gcv.co.za

http://www.gcv.co.za

video production company Durban part 2 – cameras in action

Hi guys, welcome to video production company Durban. In part 1 we spoke about video cameras progression in the last 20 years. We ended in part 1 with the Panasonic 3CCD . The next camera to follow was the Sony PD170. This was an awesome camera. This was the move from 4:3 to 16:9 screen ratio. Still the mini DV cassette was used.

If ever there was a workhorse this was the camera. The Sony PD 170 was tough! It was an awesome camera to have and it got the job done.

Next on the list for GCV Productions was the Sony Z5. Here was the slow change to card format and HDV. HDV stood for High Definition Video. The dimensions were 1440 x 1080. HD is 1920 x 1080. The Sony Z5 was tape based but there was the option to attach a card reader on the back. The cards were an awesome change from the tapes as they could be used over and over again. The picture was also clearer from the card compared to the tape.

The Sony Z5 was great. I recently sold the camera so it still has a place in the market today and like the Sony PD 170 it was a great workhorse. I loved the quality from the Z5 , was an awesome camera.

Last but certainly not least is the Sony NX3, a lovely camera in HD and card only. By now the DV cassette is long gone. Card is the only way forward with the NX3. The camera looks identical to the Sony Z5 but really the only difference is it shoots in HD unlike the Z5 which is HDV.

Today we are still using this camera, awesome piece of recording machinery. I have been very happy with it for the last year now and hopefully many more years to come.

For further information regarding any filming or editing please contact Guy Crosbie on +27721281823 @ GCV Productions

Video production company Durban – update

Hi guys, welcome to another blog for video production company, Durban. Whats news…lots. We have been busy with all sorts of productions in and around KZN as well as JHB. I have mentioned it all in the previous blog so please read it there.

So for 2019 we want to really make a difference for our clients. Improve, innovate and adapt. Always look and ask yourself what can be done to offer your customers the best possible product. Look at creative skills and gear. Gear is important because video equipment is always improving. Its funny how sound recording has basically stayed the same over the last 10 years but look at video.

Video – 2010 – 2019 HDV, HD, 4K, UHD, 8K. Equipment for us over the last 10 years. Sony PD 170. Sony Z5. Sony NX3.

Sound – 2010 – 2019 Sony UWP – V1

Here is a review of the microphone below.

Amazing don’t you think…Video has come a long way and audio stays the same. I love my lapel mic, damn trusty microphone that never ever lets me down.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed it. The next blog will follow soon.

If you require more info regarding video please call us at GCV Productions.

Thank you

video production durban – todays shoot part 2

video production durban yesterday spoke about the interview and getting smooth transitions from 1 shot to the next. We had a transition that went from a wide shot to a close up. Feedback was the transition was too abrupt. So…how does one go about fixing it. Lets look at the options. 1. Reshoot the whole interview. 2. Reshoot part of the interview or 3. Cutaway.

If you chose option 1 you in for lots of work. Its not easy for the person in front of camera to do the whole interview again without a mistake. Option 2 is workable but make sure the original reasons for the bad transition dont come back again. The part has to be presented perfectly and everything in the shot must remain the same. For example we had small amount of light coming through the window. Time of day means different amounts of light. We dont want from very bright to no sun at all. Props on the set change or the camera position changes. These are all obstacles to getting a great interview. Yesterday we decided to go with option 3. Welcome to the cutaway.

Read part 3 to learn more about the cutaway.

For more information regarding video or you need a video made please contact Guy Crosbie

no1 video company durban, lighting on set

Hi guys

Welcome to no 1 video company durban, www.gcv.co.za, lets talk video lighting. When are lights used and for what purpose? How has lighting on set changed over the last 20 years?

I will tell you when I was studying 1997 – 1999, there were 2 lights available for us to use, Redheads and Blondes.

redhead

A redhead is a 800 watt tungsten light with barndoors, a very sturdy light that was used wherever a shoot was going on. Adjustments allow movement for the light as well as a bulb adjuster which moves the bulb forward and back therefore more / less spot.

Now, if a stronger light was needed we used a Blonde, this was a bigger light, brighter and heavier than the Redhead.

Blonde

The Blonde is a 200 watt tungsten light ideal for stage lighting or needing to light a big area. It has a similar design to the Redhead with barn doors, adjustable parts and both lights mount onto light stands.

Now I am sure you can figure out the names given to the lights…red for the red casing and blonde for the blonde / yellow casing. I dont recall using the Blonde too much, our video shoots were smaller and more intimate. These lights are still used on sets to day but over time lights have made advancement with LED (light emitting diode)

GCV lights 1

So the above is typically what is used today, LED panel on a light stand either plugged into power or battery operated.

The lights brightness can be adjusted as well as the colour temperature (outdoor / indoor light). These lights can run on battery which means no cables which is a big positive. And they last very long due to LED low power usage. So today LED is the way to go. Another positive for LED is they emit very little heat compared to Redhead or Blonde. LEDS seldom ever need to be replaced unlike tungsten bulbs.

I hope the above helps when you deciding what light to use. We will discuss using lights in the next blog.

Until then guys…happy filming

GCV Video Productions1

The new DJI Osmo – Video Durban

Hi everyone

Last week I purchased the new DJI Osmo camera. What is the DJI Osmo…

Motion without blur. Action shots without shake. Perfect video even when you move. Thanks to advanced technologies specifically designed to keep the camera flat no matter how you move it, the DJI Osmo helps you record videos and take photos like never before. It is much more than just a camera. It helps you create with more freedom than ever.

From www.dji.com

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So I’ve had the DJI Osmo for a week now and have tried a couple of practice shots….very impressive using it video durban.

First up was filming at the local running club. The Osmo comes in a very protective case with 2 batteries and my purchase included a microphone which definitely helps with our video production. Your cell phone acts as a viewfinder and connects to the Osmo via built in wifi. A DJI app needs to be downloaded before operation.

Without searching for any operation techniques I switched the Osmo on, attached my phone and presto…ready to film. The shot I got was filming my friend run a lap around the field. I literally ran behind him, no special technique. Have a look at the attached video sample:

Pretty good don’t you think? The Osmo seems to steady out the faster it goes. Very easy to grip and operate. I still need to view videos on how best to operate the Osmo.

Another example we have was done a few days ago. A friend and I used the camera while on a roadtrip, it got some steady shots

The camera will be used professionally next week so we looking forward to seeing the results. We will definitely keep you all posted with the results.

If we do not send out another blog this year we wish everyone a Happy New Year!