Technology Used in Documentary Production
Cameras
There are three basic types of camera:
* Film camera (35mm, 16mm, 8mm);
* Analogue video camera (Betacam Sp, U-Matic) - these became widely
available in the 1970s;
* Digital video camera CDv, Mini Dv, Digi-Beta)- these became widely
available in 1995 and are now nearly all broadcast quality.
The advantages of the video camera:
Cost:
* The film camera retails from approximately £10,000; the analogue
video camera from £8,000 and broadcast quality digital video
camera from just £1000;
* The average cost of 35mm film stock for a 90-minute documentary
would be around £5,000 while the average cost of digital tape
stock for a 90-minute documentary would be less than £100.
* The film processing and lab fees for a 90-minute documentary would
be around £5,000, while there would be no such fees for digital
tape stock that doesn't need to be processed.
Practicality:
* Film cameras can be heavy and clumsy to use;
* Cheaper film cameras are noisy, causing sound problems; Film stock
needs to be kept at a certain temperature and requires 'warm-up'
time, which is costly when 'time is money' on a production;
* Digital cameras are lightweight and portable.
* 60 minute digital tapes are half the size of a pack of cards;
digital cameras record CD quality sound directly in-synch with the
picture, saving the need for post-synching the sound.
Editing
Non-linear editing has revolutionised the video and filmmaking
industry in general as it gives the programme maker an enormous amount
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... an infinite number of times
before committing the final copy to a tape.
Recent technological developments
Steadicam: developed in the 1970s, this is the trade name for a widely
used device that balances hand-held cameras gyroscopically, allowing
for greater flexibility and fluid movement that is usually used to
provide point-of-view (P.O.V) shots. (The corresponding device made by
Panavision is known as the 'panaglide'.)
Video Assist: this is an adaptor with a video camera inside, which is
fitted onto a film camera. When shooting, the video images are shot
simultaneously with the film images and through the same lens,
allowing the director to review the scenes as soon as they are
completed.
D.A.T. (Digital Audio Tape): this enables crystal clear sound
recording that can be synched to film or video.
The reason why movies are so expensive to produce, market and distribute is that there is a long list of people involved in the process of filmmaking. Producers, writers, directors, actors, technical crews, film crews, set designers, costume designers, hair stylists and makeup artists, are some of the people who need to be paid whose names are seen as the credits roll at the end of any film. Not to mention the overhead costs of a myriad of equipment, props and the costumes themselves required in the production of a film. There are travel, food and shelter expenses if a movie is filmed on location and not in a Hollywood studio (there is a fee to use studio space as well). Once the actual filming of a movie is completed, more people are involved in editing, special effects and sound. These expenses are dependent on the sophistication of the technology and expertise. Additionally, and most costly is the marketing and distribution of a film.
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What better way to know which gadget works best for you than to check out what other users has to say? Whether you are buying a mobile phone or camera, it pays to read feedback and comments from people who already have firsthand experience in using a gadget. The same concept should be applied when deciding which camcorder to buy. As what you will discover in this Panasonic AG-AC90 AVCCAM handheld review, it is great value for your money.
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There are many kinds of cameras available today, but not all cameras are created equal.