Here's a big DV Info / XL2 Watchdog salute to Matthew Cherry for his XL2 Setup Sheet -- this is a document he uses to maintain a hard copy listing of camera setup values. Frankly I think this is an indispensible document, simply a "must-have" for XL2 owners.

Download it from Matt's site (lots of other useful stuff as well) at:

http://www.birthofthecool.com/preproduction.html

The actual PDF document is located at:

http://www.birthofthecool.com/Forms/camera_setup.pdf

Matt -- if you're reading this, please contact me via private email and shoot me your mailing address. Your awesome setup sheet has earned you a pack of Canon swag!

Sniff, sniff,

You like me, you REALLY like me......

Thanks, I should probably make one that doesn't have that silly Birth of the cool thing on it and post that so that others can take a look at it.

I'll send you my address, and gladly accept swag.

But if anyone can help wit the problem I'm having below, I'd be really grateful. I have some other forms coming for the shooting with this camera so if you're actually interested, I'll send them to you.

Matt

I know you wanted your FCP thread left here -- but have you tried our Mac Editing (FCP) board? Out of 15,000 members worldwide surely somebody will have some helpful input.

Maybe I should, it just seems from the research I've been able to do that the problem I'm having has to do with the fact that I'm shooting native 16:9 and since most dv cameras don't do that, I thought this would be the place (surely there are some XL2 users using FCP).

However, that said, if I don't get a response, I'll try posting there.

I sent you an email. If you want to send me your logo, I'd be happy to make a DVinfo version of the form for forum members and host it.

Thank you again!

Matt

That really is some sheet :~).

I made one as well, but it's not as spiffy. I did put dashes between the end boxes and a box in the middle, to more accurately record the settings.

Good work.

Thanks for the forms, Matt! I'll be using the camera setup sheet right away - sure beats my index card notes.

I'd be interested in having a form without the logo but you should place "copyright Matthew Cherry" somewhere - you deserve the credit! Very professional job, thanks again (and thanks Mr. Hurd for posting it).

Mark, those are check boxes. Where I would denote a vairable (+1 color gain for example) I left a blank space to just right that in.

What I mean is, in the Color Repro section, when you are in the camera's menu, there are sliders for color gain, coring, Ped, etc. I put in the intermediate steps on my set up sheet.

On the slider, there is a box at each end, with one in the middle. There are six intermediate steps between each box (I think). I put in dashes between the boxes so you would know exactly where you are on that particular slider. By having the slider reproduced on the set up sheet, you will have a more accurate record.

To each his own, personally it would confuse me to draw in the notch on the sliding scale or circle a hatch mark. I like having a numerical reference, and personally wish that that's how canon had designed their menus. Maybe I'm not explaining what I do well?

For example, right now I have my coring set up "two notches" on the slider, or two positions past the center box. I just write +2, which allows me to accurately reproduce that setting. If it were in the center position, where you would see a little box, I just write 0. I don't see how representing that information graphically would lead to a more accurate record of the information, but everyone likes to reference information differently, so perhaps it makes more sense to you that way. I just thought this was cleaner and easier to use

I'm very particular. As you indicated, it's a personal preference.

Matt,

You have a great eye, and a great sense of timing (robe covering the breasts just in time as you zoom out). I like how you made your abode look like a period setting. If you would have switched out the modern door hardware and closet wire-work, it would have put me back in the 50s :-)

Great eye man !!

I would be very grateful for any of your forms!!

You can get my e-mail by clicking that little button down there :-)


PS Where do you work out of?

I shoot all over, maybe we can work together some time !!

Anthony

For some reason all i get is a blank page when I click any of Matt's PDF links. My PC can read PDF files so I'm not sure what's up with the links. I'd like to check out all the stuff on the site.

Right-click the link and choose "save target as" to download it.

Thanks Chris :) That stuff is great by the way.

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Sasahara : I'm very particular. As you indicated, it's a personal preference. -->>>

I'm sure you are. I'm glad you have something that works for you.

Matt

Anthony,

I live in Stamford, CT and work out of Greenwich, CT but film is just a hobby of mine. Right now I'm working on a short film where one of the scenes is shot at that same dining room table (but there will be multiple locations for this). You can see the problems I'm having figuring out the lighting for this seen in the lighting section of this board.

If you're ever in my area or have a creative project where you need help, do let me know.

Best regards,

Matt

Hey Matt,

Same here, I am in Rochester, NY (upstate) and I do get around.

I think you have a great eye and sense of timing, I assume that you are a musician and that may contribute to your timing and artistry.

Hope to work with you some day :-)

HI

thanks for the pdf files. I also looked at your movie. VEry profesional lighting, but you can see you lack a more natural way of editing. YOu can see it when the man grabs the bottle of alcohol and starts pouring it in a glass. It looks very stiff and typical. I almost felt you were going to zoom in there. Try to edit it more loosely. I couldn't hear your music cause the link didn't work.

Good luck with the full movie.

not sure how much of that stiffness is the editing or me (I am NOT an actor)!!! But if you have any suggestions, please spit them out, I'm all ears (er, eyes).

Matt

try to blend everything. Don't do cut out, cut in-cout out- zoom. Try to add more dynamic shots, for instance.....a strange zoom of your glass pouring (do it with your hand; don't use tripod).

Hello Matt,

I never received the PDF files, could I get them?

Thanks !!

do you have a link where you got info how to build that dolly?

Anthony,

Hmmm.... I did send them - you wanted them without the logo right? I sent you word docs so that you could modify them at will.

Stephen,

No, I just sort of made up myself one day. I don't have plans or anything, but I think the pictures are self-explanatory. If you have questions, just post and I'll do my best to answer.

Matt

Hello Matt,

Sorry, I didn't get them, maybe my spam program deleted them. If you give me your e-mail address that you would be sending from, I will put it in my friends list, otherwise you could cut the following line and paste it into the subject line:

TO ANTHONY PER YOUR REQUEST

Thanks Matt !!

Matt, I was looking at that dolly too...

The wheels...Skateboard, in-line skates???
The Rails...did you have them specially made, or were they available as something else??