20 TVBEurope Workflow
camera data, such as Interocular Distance,
Convergence Distance, Distance to Subject and other useful items like Camera Height and Camera Angle. In Slate mode, you only see the traditional items displayed — scene, take, memory card (roll), director, producer, project, and date, but once the camera is rolling, all the extra information is flashed up within a few seconds, so that each page is displayed for at least a few frames. The app will also generate a daily log, plus any notes you add. There is also a DSLR Slate ($9.99/ £6.99/€8.99) for anyone using DSLR cameras.
Action Log (free and Pro $32.99/£22.99/€29.49 versions) can be used with one (free) or up to 25 recording devices (Pro), and keeps track of all reel/card names and timecodes for each recording, and also functions as a slate. All clips in a project can be emailed as XML files (free) or to Avid ALE files/ Final Cut Pro XML (Pro) for immediate ingest.
Very calculating
Camera users or DITs will like AJA DataCalc (free) by AJA Video Systems, which computes storage requirements for video and audio media. It works with the most popular formats and compression methods, including ProRes, DVCProHD, XDCAM, CineForm, Redcode, Avid DNxHD and uncompressed, up to 4K, and is simple to use. Media durations can be entered as days, hours, seconds, or frames. Something similar is KataData ($4.99/£2.99/€4.49): an all-in-one storage and runtime calculator, which can handle multiple calculations from different cameras/codecs/ frame rates at once, which covers a wide range of cameras, codecs and external recorders. ARRI also has Alexa Data (free) for calculating storage requirements for any Alexa, whether Arriraw, uncompressed HD, ProRes or DNxHD, and any frame rate.
The widely-used pCAM Film+Digital Calculator ($29.99/£20.99/€26.99),
developed by a working Camera Assistant, started in 1998 for Palm devices, and won an Emmy for engineering in 2010. It calculates: depth of field, hyperfocal, image circle, splits/ aperture finder, field of view, angle of view, relative sizes (compares sensors), focal length (lens) matching, triangulation, exposure, running time to length, shooting to screen time, HMI flicker-free, colour correction needed (choosing colour correction filters), diopter, macro, time lapse, underwater distance, scene illumination (beam intensity), light coverage (width/distance), and mired shift (with suggested colour correction gels). There is also a conversion calculator; Siemens Star (focus chart); and reference material, such as technical charts, cine film stocks, cine lens manufacturers, and safe panning speeds.
Prompt service
iPads are perfect for location prompters because they are so light and the batteries will last all day, which is why almost
every prompter manufacturer offers them for mobile use. Version 3 of Teleprompt+ for iPad ($14.99/£10.49/€13.99) will soon be available. Teleprompt+ 3 is a full rebuild, including many requested features, such as: quick editing; integrated timer; individual settings per script — speed, starting countdown, font, cue points, video out, video and audio recording, which can happen automatically once prompting begins (useful for rehearsals); iCloud sync and Dropbox or Google Drive integration; Bluetooth foot pedal support using the AirTurn; wireless remote control from another iOS device or a Mac running Teleprompt+ 2 (sold separately), which can control several devices.
The widely-used ProPrompter ($9.99/£6.99/€8.99), has many of the same features, including remote control from another iOS device.
There is also ikan’s Elite Prompter ($9.99/£6.99/€8.99), which can import Final Draft and Adobe Story scripts, or text
files. It also supports multiple languages including Spanish, German and French. For remote control, there is an add- on $99 Elite Remote Bluetooth 9-button hand set.
Camera control
Many cameras, such as Sony’s F5 and F55, can now be controlled via an app, but few need this more than small, remote cameras such as the GoPro. Its app (free) gives full remote control via iOS or Android, and is easy to set up via Wi-Fi, frame shots (although there can be lag), and control functions like time lapse. TriggerTrap Mobile (free) is an ingenious app and dongle ($29.99 including cable, which is camera specific) that connects your iOS or Android device and a stills camera to trigger a photo in some very useful modes, particularly for time lapse use.
The most notable setting is Distance-lapse mode, which triggers the camera every time you’ve covered a set distance (GPS), so that no
www.tvbeurope.com July 2014
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