Studio Production: Pre Studio Camera Set Up

What is the Studio Camera's Rough Setup?

Now that we've had 3 workshops for our studio production, it's becoming clear that a quick and convenient way of saving time would be to create a card or document which has the rough set up for which the cameras need. For example, it's rough white balance, aperture, system set up, etc. And because we are using two cameras (4 Sony EXs, and 2 Sony PMWs), having this card makes it much easier to work out which camera needs what. So, as lead camera, I've decided to create this to help save time.

This will cover the following:

   - White Balance
   - Exposure & lighting
   - System requirements to link up to the gallery (SDi instead of HDi)
   - Shutter Speed & Gain
   - White Transition & Trace
   - Filters
   - Picture Profiles
   - B setting for White Balance (Pre-balanced)

For Both Cameras

The requirements are as followed:

    - System DVCAM25P SQ (this is the preferred setup for the studio cameras: 25 fps in  
      progressive.)
    - Output SD, SDI & SD HDMI (this is what is needed to link the cameras with the gallery, as the
      gallery is SDI based instead of HDMI (720p)
    - Shutter filter/ND filter off, as this isn't needed for in the studios due to there being tungsten
      lighting meaning the lighting will be controlled
    - Steady Shot ON: As this helps with stabilisation which is needed mainly for the jib and dolly
    - Shockless Speed 0: As we won't be facing any changes in lighting which could effect the WB.

SONY EX

    - White Balance: Between 3900/4100K (Preferably 4000K). This is the balance which was used for
       all EX's on today's shoot
    - Aperture: F1.9
    - White Switch: MEM (This stands for 'Memory', meaning once the white balance is set, the
      camera will remember this permanently until it's next changed)

SONY PMW

    - White Balance: Between 3600-3800K (Preferably 3700K). This is the balance which was used
       for both PMW's on today's shoot.  
    - Aperture: E97
    - Low Gain (3DB, as the studio looked quite dark with 0DB)

These are the estimated requirements which will hopefully match the cameras together. However, on our pre-rehersals, we will be using the tungsten lighting - this means that all of the settings above are subject to change due to the studio being much brighter, so this will have to be altered on our pre-rehersals.

As well as this, I will be meeting up with Ferg relatively soon to try and create colour boards and picture profiles so that these can be saved to each camera, making each shot perfect (or try to!) and to allow the cameras to match in an easier way. For example, the picture profile can preset the WB and colouring, as well as altering the colour gamma to give the image more quality (especially black)