Shooting Jazz Documentary W/xl2 Suggestions? at DVinfo.net

Joseph Andolina · December 8th, 2006, 12:37 PM

Hey all, I'm about to shoot some interviews with elderly Jazz musicians in Seattle for a documentary I'm doing camera for, and will be using my XL2. I want to obviously create the right mood in lighting, with anything in the background related to their craft. I know there will be some great stories to be told since most of them have worked with Louis Armstrong and Quincy Jones. Now this shoot is being done on a very low budget. We have no DP, and the director is relying on me to film it. I'm doing it as a favor since the Director is a friend. Her and I have met for preproduction and have given a bunch of thought to what this documentary is going to get across.(It's about each of the individuals roots in the craft and how they're coming together to jam) The only type of lighting I'll have to work with is two Tota lights with umbrellas to light the tallent, and probably a few smaller photography type domed lights that can clamp on to something to light the background. (was suggested to use 75watt hollagen bulbs in them w/ blue gells to be used to light the background) I will be trying to character light the subjects being interviewed to show the lines in the faces, etc.. and hopefully pull it off. In post, the footage will probably be turned into B/W, although no final decisions have been made with that. The over all final look of the interviews more than likely will be sonewhat grainy & contrasty (I want the blacks to really be black) Any suggestions on XL2 settings and perhaps lighting. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

Joe

December 8th, 2006, 12:37 PM	#1
Joseph Andolina Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 178	Shooting Jazz Documentary W/xl2 Suggestions? Hey all, I'm about to shoot some interviews with elderly Jazz musicians in Seattle for a documentary I'm doing camera for, and will be using my XL2. I want to obviously create the right mood in lighting, with anything in the background related to their craft. I know there will be some great stories to be told since most of them have worked with Louis Armstrong and Quincy Jones. Now this shoot is being done on a very low budget. We have no DP, and the director is relying on me to film it. I'm doing it as a favor since the Director is a friend. Her and I have met for preproduction and have given a bunch of thought to what this documentary is going to get across.(It's about each of the individuals roots in the craft and how they're coming together to jam) The only type of lighting I'll have to work with is two Tota lights with umbrellas to light the tallent, and probably a few smaller photography type domed lights that can clamp on to something to light the background. (was suggested to use 75watt hollagen bulbs in them w/ blue gells to be used to light the background) I will be trying to character light the subjects being interviewed to show the lines in the faces, etc.. and hopefully pull it off. In post, the footage will probably be turned into B/W, although no final decisions have been made with that. The over all final look of the interviews more than likely will be sonewhat grainy & contrasty (I want the blacks to really be black) Any suggestions on XL2 settings and perhaps lighting. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time. Joe