How do movies get that professional look displayed on screen?

Question

The difference between the professional look of a movie and an amateur home video. is it the editing? Also im looking for a good 3ccd hd camcorder. any suggestions?

Answer 1

movies are generally shot on 35mm film. the frame rate of film is 24 frames per second.  if you want your video to look more like film, you are going to need a camcorder that shoots in 24p.  you'll need to buy an external microphone for your audio.  there are computer programs like magic bullet that let you play with the color and contrast to achieve the look you want.  in short, there are a variety of factors that will affect the look of your video.

Answer 2

I'll assume by "HD" you mean HDV. By that, there are only 4-5 cameras out on the market all ranging from 4,000$ and up. I'd recommend (before buying a camera that expensive) to browse around for cheap automatic (limited manual settings) and then buy software like Final Cut Pro / Avid and play around with those programs. You'll find much more success in creating movies with "that professional look" with better software than you will with better cameras. Because with expensive cameras, they can only be used effectively with GREAT training and extensive practice.

Answer 3

There are many factors that go into getting that "professional look". Planning the shots, framing, lighting, eidting, and in some cases use of 24p rather than consumer camcorders' 60i/30fps.

A skilled, experienced shooter will provide great video with pretty much any camcorder - but someone with no (or limited) skills and experience won't capture great video with the best camera.

Use a tripod as much as you can. Use a LANC - only some cameras have them. Use external mics - which means the camcroder needs a mic-in jack. Use manual audio. Practice. Lots.

And use what the pros use. MiniDV tape based camcorders. They don't use internal hard drive or flash based camcorders that store in high compressed MPEG2. They don't use DVD camcorders. They use primarily miniDV tape when they use camcorders. That does not mean you need to spend $3,000 on a camera - it does mean that miniDV tape is the best available video quality for editing.

And 3CCDs are OK - but it is not the only consideration. I'll take a single big CMOS over 3 tiny CCDs anytime... and actually, I did - in my Sony HDR-HC1. It is all about total surface area - not only about how many imaging chips there are.

Entry level:

Canon ZR800, ZR 950

Sony DCR-HC96

Panasonic PV-GS320

Mid range:

Canon HV20, HV30

Sony HDR-HC7, HC9

High:

Sony DCR-VX2100, HDR-FX1, FX7

Canon GL2, XL2

OMG:

Canon XHA1

Sony HVRA1U, V1U, Z1U

Panasonic DVX100B, HDX200