Camera-Schmamera!

The Benefits of a good HD Camera?

I had lunch with a colleague the other day and I thought I’d share our conversation with you.  After talking about current projects, the discussion turned to technology, production quality, and more specifically, cameras.  I’ve directed projects utilizing a wide range of cameras.  I remember when I worked at Technisonic Studios – St. Louis’ largest and oldest production facility – we took pride in telling people that our camera package was worth a quarter of a million dollars – that’s one high definition camera, a zoom lens, and some accessories.  Technology has certainly progressed in a short period of time.  Today, most still photography cameras (DSLRs) can shoot full-quality HD video.

Don’t get me wrong.  There are some really cool high-end cameras out there, and just because a little “point-and-shoot” camera says it can shoot “HD video” doesn’t mean I think you should shoot your next television commercial or corporate video with it.  However, recently I created a series of television commercials with a DSLR camera system that aired nationally.  And I’m not the only one. DSLRs have been used to shoot projects seen on televisions and in movie theaters around the world.

I asked my colleague a question: “Have you ever left a movie theater or seen a television commercial and said ‘Wow!  That was shot with a great camera?’”

He smiled.  (The answer, of course, is “no.”)

My point is, now more than ever, it’s not the camera that makes the difference between a good corporate video or television commercial and a bad one.  I can assure you that the schlocky local commercials you see are shot with cameras that have respectable technical specs.  Yet, clearly there are dramatic visual differences.  Lenses, lighting, composition, and dolly moves all help to elevate the perceived quality of a production.  Then there’s the expertise of the artisans using those tools; the writers, cameramen, grips, audio engineers, and actors.   And most important, there’s the captain of the ship (a fitting analogy since I just finished work on a Titanic related project) – the director, that’s me!

There definitely are differences in equipment – not just cameras – and if you feel you need a specific camera or piece of gear for your project, miano.tv is happy to accommodate your request.  Let me just respectfully suggest that the name on the side of the camera is not what will make your production memorable or effective.