Personal computing discussed

Moderators: renee, Dposcorp, SpotTheCat

 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 5:13 pm

The season finale of House airs on Monday, 5/17 (7:00 PM CDT) on FOX. The entire episode was shot using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
http://www.petapixel.com/2010/04/09/hou ... d-mark-ii/
Last edited by JustAnEngineer on Sat May 15, 2010 5:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
Chun¢
Gerbil XP
Posts: 454
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:46 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 5:21 pm

That was probably a big PITA. Don't DSLRs only get like 10 minutes of video at a time?
Image
 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 5:25 pm

In the article that I linked, the director said that they used CF cards that held 22 minutes of 1080p/24 video.
 
mattsteg
Gerbil God
Posts: 15782
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2001 7:00 pm
Location: Applauding the new/old variable width forums
Contact:

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 5:33 pm

Chun¢ wrote:
That was probably a big PITA. Don't DSLRs only get like 10 minutes of video at a time?

How many times have you seen a 10+ minute uninterrupted cut on a TV show, movie, etc.? :roll:
...
 
Voldenuit
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2888
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 7:15 pm

Chun¢ wrote:
That was probably a big PITA. Don't DSLRs only get like 10 minutes of video at a time?


My GF1 can shoot a 720p AVCHD clip the size of the SD card, which translates to ~2 hrs of video on a 16 GB card, and the GH1 can do the same with 1080p (the camera will automatically spawn a new file transparently whenever it reaches the 4 GB filesize limit of the FAT32 card).

Unfortunately, the Canons don't do that, so you have to manually restart recording when it hits the 4 GB max file size of FAT32. That translates to about 10 mins of 1080p, but as mattsteg said, 10 minutes is plenty for a take, unless you're trying to film Russian Ark. Still, this is a technical limitation that can potentially be fixed in firmware - Canon simply needs to update the container to one which allows for data to be stored across multiple files.

George Lucas is also using 5DMkIIs as a secondary camera(s) in his latest film project, and the feedback has been positive. They're a lot less bulky than traditional movie cameras, have a great lens lineup, and can be remotely controlled, which is very handy for shooting tight spaces and weird angles.
Wind, Sand and Stars.
 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat May 15, 2010 7:37 pm

Voldenuit wrote:
George Lucas is also using 5DMkIIs as a secondary camera(s) in his latest film project, and the feedback has been positive.
http://philipbloom.co.uk/2010/05/12/redtails/
 
SpotTheCat
Gerbilus Supremus
Posts: 12292
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:47 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sun May 16, 2010 9:21 am

This doesn't mean joe schmoe can make images that good. They still probably have 2-3 people controlling it, including somebody very skilled as a focus puller. They probably have it on a very specialized rig, too. They're also for sure not using it's mic, nor an external one connected to it.

Basically... so what?
 
Voldenuit
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2888
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sun May 16, 2010 11:33 am

SpotTheCat wrote:
Basically... so what?


When the 5DMkII burst onto the scene with its unprecedented video capabilities, a lot of pros said it heralded the start of a new paradigm.

Looks like they were right.

This is gear that is within reach of the average enthusiast, and I've been very impressed with the stuff the online community has been doing with this (and the 550D, and the GH1, and GF1).
Wind, Sand and Stars.
 
Skrying
Gerbil Jedi
Posts: 1792
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:37 am
Location: Missouri

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sun May 16, 2010 1:08 pm

The cost savings is significant. Not only in the camera but the lenses. In Felica Day's reddit interview she mentions how much cameras like the 5D II have helped and that it's so significant she doesn't see it has a barrier to entry anymore (considering her success I think her comments hold water).

The need for tons of other stuff depends on how you want to shoot and if it isn't possible on a projects budget then it can be thrown out. Shows like House are on an entirely different playing field and use the 5D II for different reasons than low budget efforts.
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 4:21 pm

This doesn't mean joe schmoe can make images that good.

The same is true for Joe Schmoe working a still-frame camera he doesn't understand, but if Joe can actually afford the hardware, Joe can practice. Kind of hard to practice with $20k pro movie camera rigs. But on the other hand:

$1600 for a basic SLR video jig, $2500 for a 5D body (or less if used), and $3,000 for two f/2.8 L zooms, and you've got yourself a high quality HD video system for less than $8k. That's kind of special.
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
SpotTheCat
Gerbilus Supremus
Posts: 12292
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:47 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 5:32 pm

Do we know what lenses they used?
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 7:01 pm

SpotTheCat wrote:
Do we know what lenses they used?

Yep, if you can tolerate reading a transcripted Twitter feed (ugh) -- it's there in JAE's link.

@unikissa: Ok, seriously. Can you tell us something about the lenses you used?
GY: all the canon primes and the 24-70 and the 70-200 zoom
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
SpotTheCat
Gerbilus Supremus
Posts: 12292
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:47 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 7:53 pm

Cool. I'm glad it wasn't just a canon body with a converter to use five figure studio lenses used on movies/shows.
 
bobboobles
Gerbil XP
Posts: 300
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:46 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 9:03 pm

ALL the Canon primes? :o

Wonder who they rented the 1200 from?
 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue May 18, 2010 9:06 pm

Besides the maneuverability of the $3K DSLR that allows it to shoot from more unusual angles than the $300K Panaflex or Arraflex 35mm movie film cameras can manage, one of the creative advantages of the DSLR is actually the quality and large aperture of the Canon prime lenses and the larger image area of full-frame 35mm still photography vs. 35mm movie film (which captures 24 APS-C size images per second, rotated 90° on the 35mm film strip compared to 35mm still images). The minimum depth of field with the DSLR is shallower than the professional movie cameras allow.

I haven't watched this recorded episode of House yet, but from the few minutes that I caught live when I got home the other evening, I wasn't blown away by the photography. NCIS strikes me as a show that routinely makes creative use of depth of field effects. Castle is another program with gorgeous photography.
 
Voldenuit
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2888
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Fri May 28, 2010 1:43 am

In related news, Human Target is using a GH1 (actually, multiple GH1s) as second cameras. Usually in a place where they get blown up or crushed. :p Oh well, at least they haven't dropped a grand piano on it yet:

http://www.eoshd.com/content.php/209-Exclusive-interview-with-cinematographer-Rob-McLachlan-ASC-CSC-on-Fox-s-Human-Target-HDSLRs-GH1

Also, their DP used to shoot for Macguyver. How frickin' cool is that? 8)
Wind, Sand and Stars.
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Fri May 28, 2010 2:37 am

bobboobles wrote:
ALL the Canon primes? :o

Wonder who they rented the 1200 from?

Why rent, when you could own?

(More info here :) )
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:47 pm

Finally got a chance to review this one on Hulu over the weekend. While the photographic work isn't stunning in composition or color, it looks to me like they built an extremely cramped set for the void/collapse scenes and then took advantage of the 5D's size and extremely shallow DoF capabilities to get right into the actors' faces. The shallow DoF is used to force focus transitions between characters and grab their facial expressions without being over-aggressive on cut scenes or cropping.

IOW, it's a subtle effect overall, but IMO it neatly splits the difference between the traditional approaches of building scale models and splicing action into them, versus excessive computer fakery -- i.e. build a real set at a realistic scale and then manipulate a very small camera rig within it. In particular, the secondary-collapse scene has a realistically gritty feel that pure CG never captures because the particle scatter is just too detailed and perfect.
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
SpotTheCat
Gerbilus Supremus
Posts: 12292
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:47 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:31 pm

ludi wrote:
Finally got a chance to review this one on Hulu over the weekend. While the photographic work isn't stunning in composition or color, it looks to me like they built an extremely cramped set for the void/collapse scenes and then took advantage of the 5D's size and extremely shallow DoF capabilities to get right into the actors' faces. The shallow DoF is used to force focus transitions between characters and grab their facial expressions without being over-aggressive on cut scenes or cropping.

IOW, it's a subtle effect overall, but IMO it neatly splits the difference between the traditional approaches of building scale models and splicing action into them, versus excessive computer fakery -- i.e. build a real set at a realistic scale and then manipulate a very small camera rig within it. In particular, the secondary-collapse scene has a realistically gritty feel that pure CG never captures because the particle scatter is just too detailed and perfect.

It's not like large budget productions use crop video cameras. They have access to the same full 35mm frame format with similar fast lenses to get shallow DoF.
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:39 pm

What I meant is that they use a lot of extremely shallow focus transitions to shift between characters and their activities while working in tight quarters. Sure, you could achieve the same effects with a conventional production camera but the set would have to be built to accommodate the camera's needs. Here, the camera can go literally anywhere a human can fit, and AFAICT they took advantage of that.
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:06 am

JustAnEngineer wrote:
One of the creative advantages of the DSLR is actually the quality and large aperture of the Canon prime lenses and the larger image area of full-frame 35mm still photography vs. 35mm movie film (which captures 24 APS-C size images per second, rotated 90° on the 35mm film strip compared to 35mm still images). The minimum depth of field with the DSLR is shallower than the professional movie cameras allow.
ludi wrote:
While the photographic work isn't stunning in composition or color, it looks to me like they built an extremely cramped set for the void/collapse scenes and then took advantage of the 5D's size and extremely shallow DoF capabilities to get right into the actors' faces.
SpotTheCat wrote:
It's not like large budget productions use crop video cameras. They have access to the same full 35mm frame format with similar fast lenses to get shallow DoF.
It's exactly like they use crop cameras.

In a 35mm film SLR still camera, the film travels from left to right. In a 35mm film movie camera, the film travels up and down. With the 90 degree rotation, the width of movie frames on the film is equal to the height of 35 mm still images, yielding the APS-C image size. This is pretty much the same APS-C image size as sensors on most entry-level and mid-range DSLRs.
 
SpotTheCat
Gerbilus Supremus
Posts: 12292
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:47 am
Location: Minnesota

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:51 pm

/shame on me.
 
Voldenuit
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2888
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:52 pm

Don't forget though that the 5D has to crop its sensor to shoot 16:9 movies, so it's somewhat smaller than 35mm FF, but still much larger than APS-C.
Wind, Sand and Stars.
 
JustAnEngineer
Gerbil God
Topic Author
Posts: 19673
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2002 7:00 pm
Location: The Heart of Dixie

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:15 am

Voldenuit wrote:
Don't forget though that the 5D has to crop its sensor to shoot 16:9 movies, so it's somewhat smaller than 35mm FF, but still much larger than APS-C.
Depending on the anamorphic lenses used, there might be similar issues with the 35mm film and the 16:9 ratio.
 
Voldenuit
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2888
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:10 pm

Re: House episode shot entirely with EOS 5D II

Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:36 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
Voldenuit wrote:
Don't forget though that the 5D has to crop its sensor to shoot 16:9 movies, so it's somewhat smaller than 35mm FF, but still much larger than APS-C.
Depending on the anamorphic lenses used, there might be similar issues with the 35mm film and the 16:9 ratio.



Anamorphic actually gives more sensor/film area compared to isomorphic, because you can squeeze a wider FOV into an existing format instead of cropping the top and bottom. Or more precisely, it allows you to preserve your working area at the wider A/R.
Wind, Sand and Stars.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest
GZIP: On