Over the last few years DSLR filmmaking has arguably changed the indie film industry just as much as anything else in the recent past. DSLRs allow people the ability to make professional quality films for astronomically less than ever before.
In 2008 Canon released the Canon 5d Mark II, the first DSLR camera to shoot full 1920x1080p HD video. This camera’s full frame senor allowed filmmakers to achieve images in low light settings never before conceivable for a $2,500 price tag (Camera body only).
Since then, with the addition of many more video capable DSLRs, these cameras have taken filmmaking by storm. A couple notable pieces shot on DSLR cameras include the title sequence to the 2009 season of SNL, and the seventh season of House.
Despite the advantage of being able to create outstanding visuals for relatively cheap, creating a workflow around DSLR cameras can prove challenging. These cameras are far from being able to capture quality sound on camera so off camera audio arrangements must be made. While being able to use the many lenses that are compatible with these cameras may be a good thing, procuring these lenses can prove expensive.
DSLR cameras enable a vastly larger number of filmmakers the resource to create their content within their own limited budgets. Because of this I argue that it is undeniable that DSLR cameras are a “game changer”, so to speak. The question is, by allowing the possibility of professional quality production to the masses, will DSLR filmmaking be remembered for helping discover what would have been otherwise unnoticed great filmmakers or will it be remembered for watering down indie filmmaking and making it hard to distinguish good and legitimate work from the others?
(Season 7 promo for House)
1 comment:
I think the camera is just the mirror you hold to choose what to slice from the reality, imagined, created or factual (if there is such a thing). Whether the mirror is small or large, crisp or soft, all it matters is that illuminated portion that you share with your audience. Great filmmakers will use whatever is at their disposal when they have the urgency to communicate, or create.
For decades cameras were incrementally refined until they became extraordinary precision tools. The digital changed everything, and it started all over again (from a technical POV) except this time the increments are exponential.
So the camera (resolution, speed etc) that seems so cool today will be forgotten in a flash as we move into inimaginable ways of recording our physical and even psychological imaginings.
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