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Depth of Field
by Shannon Teael
We
can run dialogue forever about what lens attachments will best
benefit your digital film but let’s face it - none of us can
really afford an $800 ultra wide angle or tele-converter lens for
our DVX100 especially if you’re shooting two camera coverage. So
let’s talk how to make a movie on a low budget!
There are
usually two types of DPs (Director of Photography) - one whom
likes a shallow depth of field and the other that does not. So if
you are one who doesn’t care for shallow depth in their images
then the DVX 100 is the digital filmmaking camera for you! If you
do happen to like utilizing depth or blurriness in the background
of your shots than the good news is that there are alternatives
for your movie production.
Indoor
Shots
Chances are that if you are making an independent
digital film, you will be shooting most of your indoor scenes in a
fairly confined space. So a great way to create the illusion of
depth with your DVX100 is to obstruct the foreground of your
images. Depending on what type of shot composition and framing you
are trying to achieve…whether it’s a dolly shot, a jib shot or
an over the shoulder shot you can place key objects in the
foreground of the images. A fairly easy way to utilize this depth
technique with the DVX 100 is during talking scenes while shooting
over the shoulder perspectives. Have your actor’s shoulder
visible but not in focus in the foreground of the shot and try not
to over crowd your foreground with too many objects in your frame.
This method is
very effective and sometimes addicting when making your digital
film, but the key is to not overdo it by placing obstructions in
every shot. The whole purpose of creating the illusion of depth
with this method is to sell the capabilities of your DVX100 to
your audience by letting them think you have a big digital
filmmaking budget and bought all the right lenses… not to try to
re-create depth in every indoor shot. Remember, this movie
production method is just an independent, low budget solution!
Outdoor
Shots
This digital filmmaking technique is quite easy,
just cheat space. Place your actors or subject as far away as you
can from the background of your shot and go full zoom Z99 with
your DVX 100. The framing of your shot will determine how far you
will have to place your digital camera from your talent or
subject. If it’s going to be a medium shot you’ll probably
have to move the DVX100 back a few feet more.
Do
YOU have a cheap, low budget, do-it-yourself DVX100 tip or trick that
you'd like to contribute?
If so, just email it to
us and we'll post it up!
Thanks
for helping the grass roots grow!
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