Book Review
Book Review: Digital Filmmaking: The Changing Art and Craft of Making Motion Pictures by Thomas A. Ohanian and Michael Phillips
This fabulous book is a must for anyone considering shooting a project on digital video or HDTV. Timely issues are addressed, such as what happens when you shoot video (approx. 30fps) and then transfer to film (24fps). One of the chapters is titled, “24p: Twenty-Four Frames, Progressively Scanned.” 24p and video was a major issue at the NAB Convention (National Association of Broadcasters) last April.
The book describes the new digital frontier, and also takes time to review traditional film making process. Also, rather than just deal with digital cameras and nonlinear editing, Ohanian and Phillips also take a look at digital technology uses in other areas of film such as storyboard and costume design. There is even a section on the use of Storyboard Quick and an industry viewpoint with Storyboard Quick’s co-developer, Paul Clatworthy writing about the future of digital previsualization. These highlighted areas, called “Industry Viewpoints” create compelling interest throughout each chapter where industry experts such as editor Pietro Scalia (JFK-Academy Award for best editing) contribute much insight.
Will film editing and other traditional film methods become obsolete is a question the book addresses. The authors point out the many innovations that editors have achieved, moving from film to digital video editing, such as the method of “cheap telecine.” Here, the editor uses the conventional flatbed film editor modified to include a CCD camera. Rather than spend thousands transferring at a facility, the editor simply transfers with his flatbed and then edits on an Avid or other nonlinear system. This is so much faster than film editing.
Digital Consultant Van Ling points out that “like in many fields, it (digital technology) can be easy to fall into the temptation of the technological imperative it that if the technology is out there, you should be using it or you’ll be behind the times.” He continues, stating that filmmakers need to focus on “weaving a good yarn.” The authors stress that “adoption of a new methodology or a new technology must take into account two issues: 1) does the new way decrease the cost of getting the film into distribution, or 2) is there a different benefit, such as increased creativity?” Any filmmaker who knows how to harness the digital technology with taste and creativity so the story telling is enhanced will be the successful storyteller.
The second edition looks at industry standard programs such as Movie Magic Budgeting and unveils many unique features. Digital technology has influenced today’s film making from script, budget, storyboarding, and costume design programs to the way the film or digital video is shot. The Director of Photography often has his laptop near the camera with storyboards loaded. Many camera operators now wear on their belt a BE Logger which is a wireless time code reader. The logger detects camera starts and stops for automatic logging of takes. The unit display indicates camera roll, scene, take, time code start, time code out, duration of take and other factors. After a days shooting, the unit is plugged into a master logging software program where all events and attributes are easily manipulated. For instance, it can tell an Avid editor where to cue to a particular scene. Many other digital aids to production are described in the book.
What might be of most interest to film makers is the aspect of shooting on digital video or HDTV and transferring the final product to 35mm motion picture film for theatrical release. The authors cover this topic thoroughly by looking at many different avenues to shoot and methods of film transfer, including interviews with lab and sound professionals. The various aspects of conversion and quality of the sound track is expertly covered. This is now a very popular way for independents to produce features for about $100,000. Most theaters don’t have digital projectors yet so this section of the book will be very valuable to a producer who is contemplating digital to film as a method of production.
Included in the book is a lengthy discussion of the Association of Independent Commercial Editors (ACE) in June 1999. A full transcript of the event with streaming audio is available at www.24p.com.
This book should be required reading for those in the industry and will be an invaluable reference for upcoming productions.