Now Jay Leno...7D shoots opening

[Bill Pryor]

It was fun being out on the fringe for awhile; but now that the Tonight Show is using the 7D, I guess we've become mainstream.

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"The Tonight Show" Opening Shot in HD video with Redrock rigs and Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Cameras

Lightweight, compact full resolution HD video DSLR rigs power the new, edgier Tonight Show opening

Hollywood, CA - On Monday March 1, Jay Leno came back to The Tonight Show after much media attention. The show has some new elements including the New Credit Open Sequence, photographed by DP Vasco Nunes using Redrock cinema accessories and the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera.

With very little time to turn around a complete show package, Director Pete Conlon and Tech Director Brian Yarnell of Wut It Is decided to go with a primarily live-action piece that depended less on their fancier post techniques and more on in-camera-magic, the kind of magic that can only be captured by a talented cinematographer. There was a need for a small, low profile, shooting strategy taking place inside of real open venues, restaurants, and exterior spaces, while augmenting natural light for strong visual frames. Shooting with a Canon DSLR camera was a natural fit.

"(Director) Pete Conlon wanted an imperfect, spontaneous and present feel to the footage," said Vasco Nunes, Director of Photography for the shoot. "We used a combination of Canon EOS 7D cameras on Redrock support rigs to capture the energy of Los Angeles and the City's night life without competing too much with the spaces we were entering. The camera and rig were perfect for the shoot."

The production team relied on key features of these rigs: small compact rigs that are lightweight and ultra-mobile, extreme low light capabilities for capturing natural light, and a complement of equally small and unobtrusive accessories to keep production costs down and production values high.

"Canon video-capable DSLRs are fantastic, but lack the form factor that today's professional cinematographers are accustomed to, especially for extended shoots," said James Hurd, Chief Revolutionary for Redrock Micro. "The excellent work by Vasco Nunes on The Tonight Show opening clearly demonstrates the combination of Redrock cinema accessories and Canon DSLR Cameras can deliver the highest level of production at a fraction of the traditional cost."

The Tonight Show opening was produced by Wut It Is and Mirror Films, and was photographed over a 3 day period in Los Angeles. In addition to Redrock accessories and the Canon EOS 7D camera, the team also used Nunes' own custom bike mount rigs and handheld accessories, along with Dedolights, LitePanels LED lighting, and Marshall monitors to round out the critical accessories.

About Redrock Micro

Redrock Microsystems designs and delivers high quality cinema accessories for digital filmmakers at revolutionary prices. Redrock Micro's products are designed to enhance DV, HD and video DSLR cameras including Panasonic, Sony, Canon, and JVC for true cinema-style shooting. Redrock's award-winning products include the M2 Encore cinema lens adapter, video DSLR support rigs and accessories, and cinema add-ons for video cameras including Red One from Red Digital Cinema. Through a unique business approach of direct-to-customer and build-to-order, Redrock delivers the quality and features of premium solutions at a fraction of the price. This approach is ideal for independent filmmakers, owners/operators, film educators and students, and budget-conscious moviemakers. Redrock Micro has offices in Dallas, Texas, and Hollywood, California. Redrock Micro can be reached at info@redrockmicro.com and www.redrockmicro.com.

[Chris Hurd]

Thanks Bill -- I replaced your link with the full text of the press release. For future reference, on press releases please just post them directly instead of linking through a third party. Thanks in advance,

[Chris Hurd]

And it's not just The Tonight Show... the opening credits of the current season of Saturday Night Live were shot on a 5D Mk. II.

[Craig Campbell]

Do opening credits still have the same technical guidelines that the actual shows have to adhere to? I'm just curious which broadcasters consider the 7D and 5D an acceptable HD camera?

Thanks for the link, just actually read it on Studio Daily!

[Jonathan Palfrey]

I presume as its under the time limit/percentage for using non broadcast HD video as openings are normally no longer than 30 seconds or so.

[Richard Hogben]

This reads like a plug for redrock and canon rather than a piece about a new opening scene.

[Charles Papert]

Currently airing on the CW is a reality show about NY socialite Tinsley Mortimer called "High Society"; Vincent Laforet and I shot the opening sequence last fall with the 1DMKIV and got incredible images. Unfortunately it's really hard to find the sequence on the web--the episodes are on the CW's site but you have to download their player etc.

It was this shoot, not long after "Nocturne", that made a believer out of me of the 1D.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Richard Hogben

This reads like a plug for redrock...

Of course, because it's a press release issued by RedRock.

[Kirk Candlish]

Originally Posted by Craig Campbell

I'm just curious which broadcasters consider the 7D and 5D an acceptable HD camera?
!

Shooting HDSLRs is saving networks a ton of money and the guys shooting it are having fun.

That about sums it up.