What camera would be best for me when it comes to color grading?

[Ryan Elder]

Oh okay, well so far for this story situation, I was going to have the long lens panning shot, be mostly a mastershot, I would cut back to whenever I please.

Then I was going to do all these other shots closer up to the action. But I could have the a car tracking shot as a master shot, if that's better.

[Pete Cofrancesco]

Originally Posted by Ryan Elder

Well I wanted to do a test there but it costs a lot to shoot there, and that would be an extra day of costs to do a test. I tried just going there to do the test without it being a shoot day, and just see if I could do it, but they would not let me. That's why I didn't choose there. But I thought that the park test, would also suffice for the outdoor chase as far as tests go.

Why can't you go to the garage at an off peak time to a level no one is on and do some unobtrusive tests hand held with your camera? Or find a similar garage.

[Ryan Elder]

I tried going at 10 at night when no one was around and two security guards came out the door and asked me to leave before I could even set up the tripod.

[Brian Drysdale]

Perhaps the concept of a master shot is holding you back with a chase scene.

[Ryan Elder]

Oh well I felt the other shots would be easier, it's just the master I was asking about since I would want more DOF in it theoretically since it's a longer focal length. However, would it be better if I had a tracking car shot as the master shot instead?

[Pete Cofrancesco]

Originally Posted by Ryan Elder

I tried going at 10 at night when no one was around and two security guards came out the door and asked me to leave before I could even set up the tripod.

What part of unobtrusive don't you understand? Find another garage that has many floors, be mindful of their security cameras and do hand held tests. Or shoot from in the car. You give up so easy.

[Ryan Elder]

But I can't do a handheld test on a telephoto though, for a telephoto panning shot. If I am trying to do the same telephoto shot panning shot, I need a tripod. If I do a car tracking shot as a test, then I need to drive around with a car while shooting. These are not handheld shots we are talking about here.

[Brian Drysdale]

Use your storyboard to plan shorts, have overlaps. Most of the time master shots never get used, so don't waste too much time thinking about it.

[Ryan Elder]

Well it's just in the past when I didn't use a master, I felt I need more coverage later, so going by my own experience, masters are good to have. What do you mean by 'overlaps' in this context?

[Brian Drysdale]

Overlap the action between the shots, so that you've got a choice of cutting points.

If all the action within the scene isn't seen in the shot, it's probably not a master shot.

Having the storyboard means that you won't leave out shots. There probably isn't a master shot in the Psycho shower scene because elements (if not the whole scene - still up for debate) were storyboarded by Saul Bass.

[Paul R Johnson]

Your film course really was rubbish Ryan. They don't seem to have covered any of the craft, just the art - and that in a very haphazard way. Have you noticed that Pete, Brian and myself often do things differently through choice, but easily understand each other, and what they are trying to tell you - but you don't?

Overlaps, in the context used above is perfectly straightforward and obvious. If you can't get it - then our help is pointless.

And yes - you give up so easily I'm amazed you even get anything shot.

[Pete Cofrancesco]

Originally Posted by Ryan Elder

But I can't do a handheld test on a telephoto though, for a telephoto panning shot. If I am trying to do the same telephoto shot panning shot, I need a tripod. If I do a car tracking shot as a test, then I need to drive around with a car while shooting. These are not handheld shots we are talking about here.

There are many purposes of a test. Can you shoot with existing light? Is the lens too slow or not enough dof. The point is not to do a perfect pan it's to determine whether the shot viable at that location. You might even discover that you don't want a telephoto because there isn't enough room. That the whole panning idea doesn't work in this location! If you must setup a tripod do it quickly not in view of security or surveillance cameras, inside the car, behind a pillar...

You turn everything on it's head. You've predetermined this panning shot is necessary when it's probably not.

[Ryan Elder]

Originally Posted by Pete Cofrancesco

There are many purposes of a test. Can you shoot with existing light? Is the lens too slow or not enough dof. The point is not to do a perfect pan it's to determine whether the shot viable at that location. You might even discover that you don't want a telephoto because there isn't enough room. That the whole panning idea doesn't work in this location! If you must setup a tripod do it quickly not in view of security or surveillance cameras, inside the car, behind a pillar...

You turn everything on it's head. You've predetermined this panning shot is necessary when it's probably not.

Well I managed to get a bit of footage before I was kicked out with the telephoto lens. I think there is enough room, the pans just won't be really long.

I also did some handheld tests. Without lighting, I have and the existing light, I would have to shoot at ISO 800, shutter 1/50, and the aperture open to f2.2.

But with a better camera, perhaps I could close that aperture more for the action, and not have as much noise, but also more lights?

[Pete Cofrancesco]

Originally Posted by Ryan Elder

Well I managed to get a bit of footage before I was kicked out with the telephoto lens. I think there is enough room, the pans just won't be really long.

I also did some handheld tests. Without lighting, I have and the existing light, I would have to shoot at ISO 800, shutter 1/50, and the aperture open to f2.2.

But with a better camera, perhaps I could close that aperture more for the action, and not have as much noise, but also more lights?

Again if you already have done the test and have determined that is what you want then why are you asking us?

[Paul R Johnson]

How much lighting will you need for a car park? If you got chucked out with a small tripod, how will you get access for a day to set up lights? Not really viable as a guerrilla shoot.