Equipment used whilst filming

For this project I am using many types of equipment for the film making process.

I am using an:

• iMac

iMac: This is the second year running that we used the iMac computers in school. The reason for this is because it is an industry standard computer capable of many high class things. The problem with this is that we were using iMovie, which when explored is a decent editing software but getting to grips with it can be impractical and a use of trial and error. For example the ability to precisely trim a clip is hidden in a menu instead of being obvious from the start. It was refreshing to come back and use the macs after the first year and using precise editing and different filters was a lot easier to use on second viewing. However the thing I really didn't like about iMovie is that it has no clock or timer, I mean this because in a music video it helps to see how many seconds are used and whereabouts key beats of the music is in the music not just a trial and error activity. 

• HD Video Camcorder

For this project I decided to use my own HD Camera: a JVC Everio GZ-HM650 - Camcorder - High Definition. This camera is superior to the cameras issued by school as it as 720p HD/1080i recording capability with an impressive "3.32 Mpix, 40 x optical zoom, Konica Minolta

Achieve superior low-light performance for fantastic Full HD video and stills, whatever the scene, with this memory camcorder. It is loaded with a spacious internal flash memory and an SDXC card slot, 40x optical zoom, advanced image stabiliser, and a 2.7" "frame less" touch panel LCD for easy and smooth operation. A range of features make shooting more fun than ever."

But I did encounter a major issue with my camera: After I filmed my first shoot for my rough cut I copied all the files to my Laptop, and then to a memory stick to then transfer to the Mac's. However I had not anticipated the Macs inability to use these files which are .MTS format which is a standard video format. To my surprise and misunderstanding iMove does convert these files but only if you import it directly from the camera which is a massive design fault. I had already deleted the file of my camera to free up more space to re film if I had to so the only way I could get it onto iMovie now was to convert it using a converter on the Internet. When I did this the quality of the footage dropped significantly shading in the darks with large Pixels, however when on iMovie I added the "Romantic" filter which minimised its obviousness, I also use some of these shots in my Final cut but I make sure they are fast as to prevent their flaws from being immediately shown. When I re-filmed my video I knew to upload using the camera and the crispness of the HD compared to the converted files was massive.

The Non-HD, video conversion of .MTS to .MP4

The Full-HD video direct from the camera

• Tripod

I used a "Jessops TP 323" Tripod for my project, it helped during my shooting on location. I also used the full height, rotation and tilt available to use with these tripods allowing smooth panning and it also surprisingly helped with the tracking. Because we are not able to access equipment like a Steadycam it was easy to film the tracking shots holding onto the bottom of the tripod making it less shaky and more precise: