Camera Angles?

[of-gods-blood]

This question is for anyone from Team Awesome.

I'm currently starting my own show. Dawn of the Gamers. I'm a big fan of the Totally Rad Show and the quality of your productions. During the show, the camera will cut to just two people or sometimes even one person in the shot. I was wondering if you have a s*** load of cameras setup or if you do the alternate angles in post-production?

-Justin

[masherscf]

This question is for anyone from Team Awesome.

I'm currently starting my own show. Dawn of the Gamers. I'm a big fan of the Totally Rad Show and the quality of your productions. During the show, the camera will cut to just two people or sometimes even one person in the shot. I was wondering if you have a s*** load of cameras setup or if you do the alternate angles in post-production?

-Justin

Dude? They have one camera. They just crop the shot to feature only one, two or three hosts. It's a little less disconcerting to watch the third guy just make faces when the other two are talking. Did you happen to notice that the angle didn't change? They must tie the background layer to the master shot layer, crop down from that and then add the special visuals between layers. Getting the background layer synced to three separate camera seems to a prohibitively hard thing to do. I guess they could use reference points on the green screen, it seems like a lot of trouble to me.

[gi_josh]

Dude? They have one camera. They just crop the shot to feature only one, two or three hosts. It's a little less disconcerting to watch the third guy just make faces when the other two are talking. Did you happen to notice that the angle didn't change? They must tie the background layer to the master shot layer, crop down from that and then add the special visuals between layers. Getting the background layer synced to three separate camera seems to a prohibitively hard thing to do. I guess they could use reference points on the green screen, it seems like a lot of trouble to me.

Yeah, what he said. If you notice when they do the zoom in thing. Also when they zoom in, you notice that the background gets fuzzier, which proves one camera just cropped down.

[filmcub]

Yes, we do use only one camera. Depending on the Viral show is cut, you'll get a glimpse of how we put the show together tomorrow (Friday). Basically we shoot in HD, and export 6 different SD virtual camera angles. It does take a lot of work, but I personally feel it is worth it. I think that it gives the show a unique feel that you don't get with most podcasts. It also allows me to focus in on certain subjects if I feel that it will enhance a point or joke.

As for the fuzzy backgrounds, that is actually done on purpose to give the effect of a different lens size. If we didn't do that, it would look weird - trust me.

[masherscf]

As for the fuzzy backgrounds, that is actually done on purpose to give the effect of a different lens size. If we didn't do that, it would look weird - trust me.

I was gonna say.... As the background has the same resolution as the master shot, there's no reason why it should be fuzzy...unless you meant to do it that way.

I'm into photography and I never even noticed that you were emulating the different depths of focus from different focal lengths. I think you spoiled a little bit of magic for me.

Have you thought about using a multi-layered background to apply different levels for blur in order to create a third dimension?

[filmcub]

Have you thought about using a multi-layered background to apply different levels for blur in order to create a third dimension?

That is what this month's contest is all about :D

[weebl]

It also allows me to focus in on certain subjects if I feel that it will enhance a point or joke.

Yeah, like this hilarious scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFq-t7fIb3E

well, I thought it was fun :D
Props to Steve!

[of-gods-blood]

Thanks for all the responses. I assume I'll be able to do that kind of editing in Final Cut Pro? Although I will be using a Canon GL1 (don't have enough money for a nice HD camera).

If anyone cares, Dawn of the Gamers will be a game focused news and review show. We plan on providing a quality production, and great content. At the same time we still want to provide that feeling of you and your friends "geeking out" around a table in Shari's at midnight (talking about Halo 3 maybe?...or better yet. Starcraft 2!). I would love to hear some advice or input from all the Totally Rad Show viewers (and Steve, Alex, Jeff, and Dan) about my idea.

[brettville]

@ Weebl

Far and away the funniest part of last episode! I was going to mention that shot too.

Way to go Steve!

[masherscf]

Thanks for all the responses. I assume I'll be able to do that kind of editing in Final Cut Pro? Although I will be using a Canon GL1 (don't have enough money for a nice HD camera).

I think that what Steve does is only possible because he uses an HD camera. That allows him to extract several virtual camera angles in standard definition.

[gi_josh]

As for the fuzzy backgrounds, that is actually done on purpose to give the effect of a different lens size. If we didn't do that, it would look weird - trust me.

I know, I wasn't downing on you or anything, it looks natural and it feels like it should be that way. I was just trying to sound smart too, like Masher :)

[masherscf]

I know, I wasn't downing on you or anything, it looks natural and it feels like it should be that way. I was just trying to sound smart too, like Masher :)

Nah, I stupid. Masher just noticed that camera angle was same for every shot. Masher not notice the blur.

[muled]

Nah, I stupid. Masher just noticed that camera angle was same for every shot. Masher not notice the blur.

Masher not stupid, Masher good, Masher Mule's friend. :)

[of-gods-blood]

I think that what Steve does is only possible because he uses an HD camera. That allows him to extract several virtual camera angles in standard definition.

Well if that is the case, then poop. No...it's not really a big loss for me. I'll be using two cameras, so I'll at least have those two angles. So now that the technical is out of the way...how about some input/advice on my show idea.