Framing with the XL2 at DVinfo.net

Anthony Marotti · March 31st, 2008, 03:42 AM

Hello All,

I mostly direct and I haven't shot for a while, but I'm doing a few interviews myself and have a question.

I framed my shot perfectly in the viewfinder and when I captured my footage (test footage) into SC3 and used the overscan mask on the preview monitor (in CS3, not external) the image was full frame, in other words, the top of the subjects head was out of the allowable area.

I thought that if you framed your shot perfectly, it would be perfect for TV viewing, and if viewed on a computer you would get more information i.e. you would see things that were out of frame.

If you are framing for the computers full frame, then why don't they have an overlay or mask so that you can frame for TV. After all, we use to shoot mainly for broadcast, not for viewing on computers.

If you have to guess what the TV viewers are going to see, how can you accurately frame a shot??

Thanks Much !!!

AM

Jay Gladwell · March 31st, 2008, 06:05 AM

"If you have to guess what the TV viewers are going to see, how can you accurately frame a shot??"

Use a monitor when setting up the shot. That way there will be no surprises.

If you don't have the luxury of a monitor, then you have to rely on experience.

Ryan Mueller · March 31st, 2008, 08:07 AM

If you bring along a laptop with something like DV Monitor you can activate the action safe to ensure that you will not exceed the range of television overscan.

Michael Nistler · March 31st, 2008, 11:49 AM

Hi AM,

IMHO, for better TV sets, overscanning isn't as much of a problem in the action safe area:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscan
Certainly for interviewing where we are framing using the rule of thirds and the background is typically out of focus (DOF), I wouldn't see this as a problem.

As Ryan mentioned, something like DV Rack is a nice external solution and has many other benefits if you're into broadcast work - if that's your forte, by all means you need an external monitor. If your budget is limited, you might get a Varizoom LCD on-camera monitor and use Zoom1 mode.

Otherwise, if you're on the cheap and a DIY kinda guy, you might want to carefully apply some transparent tape on your XL-2 monitor screen itself. Place strips that cover the outer 10 percent - you should be able to see through it yet still be aware of the action safe area.

Regards, Michael

Anthony Marotti · April 1st, 2008, 07:41 AM

Hello Guys,

Thanks for the input!

I usually use a monitor, and I don't shoot much myself, but this is a Run & Gun project and I won't be lugging a monitor with me.

I do have a small 4" monitor, but it is less convenient than its value I'm afraid.

I might find some screen protectors, like the one used for PDFs and LCD screens and try and print on that. Or as I remember, I'll just give it 10% buffer around the subject, but in the heat you can forget about that.

Does anyone know of any printable screen protectors that could be run through an ink jet?

Thanks!

March 31st, 2008, 03:42 AM	#1
Anthony Marotti Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 263	Framing with the XL2 Hello All, I mostly direct and I haven't shot for a while, but I'm doing a few interviews myself and have a question. I framed my shot perfectly in the viewfinder and when I captured my footage (test footage) into SC3 and used the overscan mask on the preview monitor (in CS3, not external) the image was full frame, in other words, the top of the subjects head was out of the allowable area. I thought that if you framed your shot perfectly, it would be perfect for TV viewing, and if viewed on a computer you would get more information i.e. you would see things that were out of frame. If you are framing for the computers full frame, then why don't they have an overlay or mask so that you can frame for TV. After all, we use to shoot mainly for broadcast, not for viewing on computers. If you have to guess what the TV viewers are going to see, how can you accurately frame a shot?? Thanks Much !!! AM

March 31st, 2008, 11:49 AM	#4
Michael Nistler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 456	Overscanning Hi AM, IMHO, for better TV sets, overscanning isn't as much of a problem in the action safe area: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscan Certainly for interviewing where we are framing using the rule of thirds and the background is typically out of focus (DOF), I wouldn't see this as a problem. As Ryan mentioned, something like DV Rack is a nice external solution and has many other benefits if you're into broadcast work - if that's your forte, by all means you need an external monitor. If your budget is limited, you might get a Varizoom LCD on-camera monitor and use Zoom1 mode. Otherwise, if you're on the cheap and a DIY kinda guy, you might want to carefully apply some transparent tape on your XL-2 monitor screen itself. Place strips that cover the outer 10 percent - you should be able to see through it yet still be aware of the action safe area. Regards, Michael

April 1st, 2008, 07:41 AM	#5
Anthony Marotti Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 263	Hello Guys, Thanks for the input! I usually use a monitor, and I don't shoot much myself, but this is a Run & Gun project and I won't be lugging a monitor with me. I do have a small 4" monitor, but it is less convenient than its value I'm afraid. I might find some screen protectors, like the one used for PDFs and LCD screens and try and print on that. Or as I remember, I'll just give it 10% buffer around the subject, but in the heat you can forget about that. Does anyone know of any printable screen protectors that could be run through an ink jet? Thanks! __________________ AM

March 31st, 2008, 06:05 AM	#2
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	"If you have to guess what the TV viewers are going to see, how can you accurately frame a shot??" Use a monitor when setting up the shot. That way there will be no surprises. If you don't have the luxury of a monitor, then you have to rely on experience.

March 31st, 2008, 08:07 AM	#3
Ryan Mueller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Posts: 336	If you bring along a laptop with something like DV Monitor you can activate the action safe to ensure that you will not exceed the range of television overscan.