Projects
The tapeless
route XDCAM
Cameras from Sony’s XDCAM HD and XDCAM EX ranges feature
file-based workflow, high data transfer rates and long recording times
S
ony’s tapeless range has grown once again,
with the recent addition of the PDW-F800,
designed for use in high-end productions
such as documentary and drama. When filming
marketing material for a hotel using the PDW-700
Studio Scotland found Sony’s Professional Disc
media was “a solid performer and a cheap and
convenient way to store original HD footage.” But
it was the benefits the PDW-700 offers in post and
quick importing of footage that made Wavelength
Films choose it to shoot Stephen Fry on Wagner. When
cameraman Ian Burton filmed climber Leo
Houlding the EX1 was light enough to carry easily
in the most challenging of situations; a crucial
requirement for the project. DoP Simon Poulter
found he could shoot a feature film with images of
high enough quality for the big screen with a
CLIFF-HANGERS limited budget when using the other member of
Posing Productions took the EX1 to great heights when the XDCAM EX family, the EX3.
filming climber Leo Houlding in The Asgard Project
The Asgard Project is the main focus
of Posing Productions for 2009. The film follows top camera this price, and is very bright.”
climber Leo Houlding around the world, with the end One of the cameras was hired from VMI, which
objective being to make the first free ascent of the west Posing Productions found to be proactive throughout
face of Mount Asgard on Baffin Island. The journey the process. “They sorted out a lot of kit for us at very
there also involved training trips to Riglos in Spain, short notice, as we couldn’t get the camera gear sorted
Brento in Italy and Yosemite in California to hone until very late in the day. The service from them was
specific skills such as speed climbing, which were amazing, as they sensed our absolute urgency and
required for the Asgard expedition. came through for us,” says Burton.
“We chose the EX range because of the superior Although tape based formats are well-suited for
picture quality and usability of the camera. We project locations like the ones the team shot in (as you don’t need
our films in HD cinemas and wanted a camera that a laptop to transfer rushes on to) Burton wanted to use
would be light enough to carry whilst trekking and the robust SxS cards as a recording media. Therefore he
climbing but with enough resolution to look great on the had no choice but to take a computer to the arctic. “We
big screen, and the EX1 fits this role,” says cameraman also borrowed a lot of memory cards to film for many days
Ian Burton. “The lens is perfect for the way we shoot away from the laptop. The combination of the tapeless
too and the full manual override is an absolute must media and the picture the EX1 camera records were
have. The LCD is also the best we have used on a crucial for such a project,” says Burton.
Autumn 2009 theproducer 23
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