Production - White Balance and Colour Temperate

Colour Temperature

An aspect of visible lighting that can be used as a method of measuring and describing colours given off by certain lights and situations It can change a scene to make it look normal, hot, cold or depending on what mood you want, it can make it look romantic, sad etc. 

What do we measure Colour Temperature in?

We measure colour Temperature in kelvin (K)

Why is setting the white balance important?

Setting white balance in the camera is important because it prevents unrealistic casts of light and reproduces an image similar to the human eye. 

However, by setting the white balance different than the colour temperature at your location, two things can happen:

. The image will become blue
. The image will become orange

This effect can be used subtly to create a cold (sad) or warm (happier) scene. 

Camera angles.

Camera Angles

1. The Bird's-Eye view

This is shot from above and shows the scene from above. Making the viewer god like.

2. High Angle

The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview of the scene.

3. Eye Level

A fairly neutral shot. The camera is positioned as though it is a human observing the scene.

4. Low Angle

A low angle is where the camera is placed on the ground looking up at someone. This makes the person on the shot look like the powerful person. 

For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReHAg29c-64

5. Oblique/Canted Angle

Sometimes the camera is tilted to suggest imbalance, transition and instability.

Post-Production

A Dummys Guide To Final Cut

Making A Folder

The first step in using Final Cut Pro First step is usually deciding where the media will be stored.
Make a folder in which you will save the unfinished project and finished  project in. This can be internal or external.

You also need to ensure that any additional files that have not been captured through log and transfer are included in the folder you are working in.

These include files taken directly from a DSLR, Panasonic, external audio recorder or from the internet.

Scratch Disk



Setting scratch disks on Final Cut Pro is an important part of the editing process.

It dictates where the any footage captured (log and transfer) will be stored, including rendered files, waveform, cache and autosaves .

Project and Sequence

Sequences relate to the timeline that you are currently working from

You can have multiple sequences within an individual project.


This is useful when creating rushes to preview footage and receive feedback

Exporting footage

In some cases, you may want certain file formats for exported footage


It may be because the client wants the video for mobile content, web use, DVD or even uncompressed allowing for high quality viewing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cje0TM2SW50


1.QuickTime Movie (This is a high quality compressed version of your current sequence in a .MOV file – an Apple developed format)
2.Quicktime Conversion (This allows you to choose from multiple file formats, the resolution it exports and quality of the finished product)

Understanding Video Technology

PAL

PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is the colour encoding conversion standard that is used in much of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East for television, video and DVD playback. It was invented by Walter Bruch at Telefunken AG in Germany during the 1960's. PAL uses a screen resolution of 720 x 576 pixels and has a refresh rate of 25 frames per second.

NTSC

Short for National Television System Committee. The NTSC is responsible for setting television and video standards in the United States. The NTSC standard for television defines a composite video signal with a refresh rate of 30 fps. Each frame contains 525 lines and can contain 16 million different colours. Because this runs at 30 fps it provides a clearer, smoother image which is good for fast motion (driving, sports, action).

Secam

Work on SECAM began in 1956. The technology was ready by the end of the fifties, but this was too soon for a wide introduction. Initially, a version of SECAM for the French 819-line television standard was devised and tested, but not introduced. Following a pan-European agreement to introduce color TV only in 625 lines, France had to start the conversion by switching over to a 625-line television standard, which happened at the beginning of the 1960s with the introduction of a second network.

Satellite

Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic reflector generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an external set-top box or a satellite tuner module built into a TV set. Satellite TV tuners are also available as a card or a USB peripheral to be attached to a personal computer. In many areas of the world satellite television provides a wide range of channels and services, often to areas that are not serviced by terrestrial or cable providers. Services such as Sky provide this service.One advantage to sky is the wide range of channels. However due to the method of transmission its very expensive. 

Freeview

Freeview is the only prevailing free-to-air UK digital terrestrial television service. It is delivered by the company DTV Services Ltd, a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BSkyB and transmitter operator Arqiva. It was launched in 2002, when the company was known as DWSCO 2284 Ltd. The service provides consumer access via an aerial to the six DTT multiplexes covering the United Kingdom. In August 2013 it had some 60 DVB-T TV channels, 26 digital radio channels, 4 HD channels, 6 text services, 11 streamed channels, and 1 interactive channel. Some ten additional feeds, whereof five more HD feeds, are expected for the first half of 2014, and up to 10 new HD channels are planned to be launched later in 2014, from a new group of multiplexes awarded to Arqiva.

Cable

Cable television is a system of distributing television programs to subscribers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables. This contrasts with traditional broadcast television (terrestrial television) in which the television signal is transmitted over the air by radio waves and received by a television antenna attached to the television. FM radio programming, high-speed Internet, telephone service, and similar non-television services may also be provided through these cables. Virgin is the main provider in the UK along with B.T.

On Demand 

Internet television (or online television) is the digital distribution of television content via the Internet.

Web television is a similar term often used to characterize short programs or videos created by a wide variety of companies and individuals, or Internet Protocol television (IPTV) - an emerging Internet technology standard for use by television broadcasters. Some Internet television is known as catch-up TV. Internet television is a general term that covers the delivery of television shows and other video content over the Internet by video streaming technology, typically by major traditional television broadcasters. It does not describe a technology used to deliver content. Internet television has become very popular through services such as RTÉ Player in Ireland; BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player (also STV Player and UTV Player) and Demand Five in the United Kingdom.

Production Equipment

The Camera - A motion picture camera takes a lot of pictures at once to create the illusion.

First patented film camera was made in 1888.

Early frame-rate was from 14 to 20 fps.

Kodak in 1923 launched 16mm film stock for cameras. This is a lower cost for the 35mm.

Color cameras were introduced in the 1950's and 1960's.

Early mini Dv's were a tape based format. followed by DVD, HDD and SD cards.

Mini Dv's allowed for 720x576 (standard recording) in PAL (0.4 megapixels).

HD cameras 2920 x 1080 (2 megapixels).

Current industry film standard 35mm (10-24 megapixels).

Some films are now recording at 6k (19 megapixels).

Film is inside the camera. The shutter lifts up and the light travels through it. This exposes the film or sensor. The shutter closes and the next bit of film moves into plane.

General rules of sensors:

Small - Higher frame rate - grainy at night

Big - Better quality images - good quality at night

3 main elements that effect exposure:

-Smaller speed (How quickly image is captured)

-Aperture (Controls the depth of field)

-ISO (Sensitivity)

Lighting

Back Light - Background lighting.

Key light - Main Light.

Fill Light - Eliminate shadows.

Sound

Shotgun Microphone - Point straight to the person. Eliminates background noise.

Dynamic Microphone - Presenters use it as well as singers.

Condenser Microphone - Podcasters and commentators use these microphones.

Group Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wsm2q5vvmg

Our group video was pretty good. The script was pretty well written and also the mic sound was clear and no background noise was heard. Also the lighting was very good as there was minimal to no shadows.

If I was to do it again then i would have changed the acting. You could tell that it was read from a script.  Also the editing could have been improved because the transitions left black spots between the each clip were a transition was used.

How To Import footage using log and transfer

How To Import Files

How To Add A Crossfade, Crop And Cut Clips

How To Export

CABLES

Composite video (Analogue)

Analogue transmission that carries standard definition (480i or 576i signal)

Used for standard formats such as NTSC, PAL and SECAM

Only carries 1 signal, unlike S-Video or Component

For example all dem n00bz who record their 1080 no sc0pez with the dazzle recorder.

S-Video (Analogue)


Analogue cable carrying standard definition (480i and 576i)Separates black and white colour signals, achieving a better image than composite, but lower resolution than component videoEach pin has its own ground pin (hence why there are four pins (fifth, bottom pin is for holding purposes)

Component Video (analogue)

RGB distributes the colour signal three ways (red, green, blue)It allows for full HD resolution, however due to the nature of digital TV’s, extra conversion must take place therefore creating artifacts (edge clarity)Not all HD sources support progressive output, so it may be limited to 1080i

VGA (Analogue)

VGA is typically used for computer monitors and connects to video cards, HDTVs, laptops, netbooks and an array of other equipmentUses the same RGB method as a component cableAllows for higher resolutions, ranging from 640x400 all the way up to 2048x1536The higher resolution cables often require coaxial wiring and insulation for a higher qualityVGA does not carry audio

DVI Cable

DVI is a digital cable, meaning no loss in quality

It is often found on HDTVs and Video cards

There are three main types of DVI cables;(DVI-D, DVI-A and DVI-I)

The cable comes in single and dual link

Resolutions up to 3840x2400

No audio

HDMI (Digital)


HDMI is used on many different devices ranging from computers, cameras, monitors, and blu-ray playersHDMI is a single cable that carries video and audio signals digitally, meaning no loss of signal
Version 1.0 allowed for 1920x1080pVersion 1.4 supports ethernet, 3D and 3840x2160p at 30fpsVersion 2.0 supports 3840x2160p at 60fps

RCA Connector

RCA cables are used to carry video and audio signalsPrimarily used for stereo equipment, often consumer gradeStill used by many devices before and after the digital switchover (VHS, DVD players, TVs)Loss of quality over distanceSusceptible to hum and noise

1/4 jack and 1/8 jack (3.5mm) (Phone Conector - Analogue)

3.5mm is found on phones, DSLR’s (these cables are intended for short runs) 1/4 jack is used for audio recording equipment, stereo equipment, guitar and bass leads

XLR connector (Digital)


Most common cable used for microphones
3 pins, similar to the balanced connection on a 3.5mm or 1/4mm jackFemale is usually source, male is the inputDue to the design, the microphone won’t disconnect on its own accord