Best Friend Films, a full-service production company based in Orlando, used Panasonic’s AJ-HDC27 VariCam to shoot the feature-length comedy, “RoboDoc,” which will be distributed by National Lampoon later this year.
An early user of the VariCam system, Best Friend Films also uses Panasonic’s AG-HVX200 P2 HD camcorder, and the company’s BT-LH2600W 26in, BT-LH1700W 17in and BT-LH900A 8.4in multiformat HD LCD production monitors.
Two VariCams outfitted with Cooke S4/i 35mm lenses emulated the look of 35mm film on the project. “RoboDoc” made extensive use of the VariCam’s variable frame rate capability, with some scenes shot at 6fps and others at 60fps.
The AJ-HDC27 VariCam replicates many of the key features of film-based image acquisition, including 24-frame progressive scan images, time lapse recording and a wide range of variable frame rates (4fps to 60fps in single-frame increments) for “overcranked” and “undercranked” off-speed in-camera effects. The VariCam also features CineGamma software that allows Panasonic’s HD Cinema camera systems to more closely match the latitude of film stocks.
The AG-HVX200 records in 1080i and 720p in 100Mb/s DVCPRO HD quality, with the ability to capture images in 21 record modes. The camera records video on a P2 card as MXF files in 1080/60i, 30p and 24p; in 720/60p, 30p and 24p; in 50Mb/s DVCPRO50 and in 25Mb/s DVCPRO or DV. The HVX200 can capture fast or slow action in 720p at various frame rates. The shooting frame rate in 720p native mode can be set for any of 11 steps between 12fps and 60fps including 24fps and 30fps.
For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
