I edited two documentaries similar to what you're planning - a hiking trip along the Appalachian Trail and another one along the Pacific Crest Trail. Here are a few clips http://www.walkingwithfreedom.com/wvideos.php The hiker used the Canon GL2 and the biggest problem we had was the audio. Using the cameras mic was a bad idea - there were so many times when the signal to noise ratio was so low as be unusable. You want this to be broadcastable; you're going to have to buy a good mic. Don't skimp on the audio. That's what will hurt the ability to sell your project more than just about anything.

quote:

---

What's more important - 3CCD quality or HDV recording? Bearing in mind it might be 5 years' time before anything we record is on the screens?

---

In 5 years there is a good possibility that SD will be gone. But then so will HDV (I hope) so I have no idea what to say about this.

quote:

---

Is it worth approaching production companies/TV channels to see about some kind of funding/equipment loan? Where would I start with this?

---

Of course it's worth it. In fact it's essential. But you're too late. Approaching potential sponsors with an excellent pitch and package is essential. They get thousands of requests a year - you really have to stand out and your 4 month window makes it seem as if you are approaching them as an after thought. Companies usually can't make a decision and cut the check or requisition the equipment in 4 months. It's too bad you didn't start approaching them a year ago. But don't let that stop you. Go for it anyway - it can't hurt.

link fixed

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

ci could you post the link to your doc again...that link is bad and I'd love to see your examples. Thanks

Thanks for fixing that link...what a surprise to see that you were in Lone Pine and Mount Whitney (my favorite place on the planet...mom lives in Lone Pine still and my husband has has done a sole 29 day hike to Mt Whitney).
A couple clips from your footage gave me goosebumps (I'm terribly homesick!).

Anyway...thank you. It made my day to see the crest 🙂

A few of the clips sort of made me sea-sick watching them as the camera was quite shakey...what could be done to eliminate that? I'd love to see the complete episode. I also noticed at one point the hiker (when talking about the sheep) his voice dropped out when he turned away fom the camera. Could you tell me what caused that and what the solution would be?

I hope you don't mind my asking...I'm trying to glam as much wisdom from you all without making anyone sick of me ;).

I don't mind questions at all.

All the footage was shot by the hiker, "Lion King" - he did that hike all alone. He often held the camera out at arms length, the lens aimed at his face. What he did to eliminate the hand held shakiness was put the camera on a rock or a tree stump - he didn't carry a tripod with him. I tried to only use the steady footage, but that wasn't always possible - some of his hand held footage was just too interesting.

Same with the audio. That's why I suggested to Tom that he use a good mic. When Mike turned away from the on camera mic, you can't hear him. In post production I sometimes could boost the volume but more often than not, even that didn't work very well - if there is no signal recorded there isn't much you can do.

Thanks for your reply,

I'm still quite unsure about the 3CCD/HD/SD question. From what I gather, getting broadcast-quality footage (at least your typical footage) means getting a 3CCD camera for image quality. There are many options in our budget range for SD camcorders with this kind of spec.

However, HD cameras such as the Sony HDV-HC3 don't have this, using a CMOS image sensor instead. Is this going to be good enough quality, bearing in mind what we're attempting?

I'd like to ask again - is it going to be necessary to get a HD camera bearing in mind that it's likely to be the format of choice by the time we return and get anything edited and sent out? Or will SD still have a place in the broadcast world?

Any links or information pertaining to the issue of mics and audio would be brilliant also.

Tom Allen
Ride Earth

"Ride Earth" is the mission of Tom Allen and Andrew Welch to circumnavigate the globe by mountain-bike...

* Visit us online at www.ride-earth.org.uk
* Donate easily and securely at www.justgiving.com/rideearth

quote:

---

Originally posted by rideearth
However, HD cameras such as the Sony HDV-HC3 don't have this, using a CMOS image sensor instead. Is this going to be good enough quality, bearing in mind what we're attempting?

---

So far I've been less than impressed by CMOS so my personal experience and opinion is you would be better off going with a camera that uses CCD's.

quote:

---

I'd like to ask again - is it going to be necessary to get a HD camera bearing in mind that it's likely to be the format of choice by the time we return and get anything edited and sent out? Or will SD still have a place in the broadcast world?

---

My answer is still the same. Unfortunatelykno one can predict with any certainty what will be the broadcast standard in 2012 - but I think a safe bet would be that HD will dominate. My opinion is you should shoot with what you have and up grade along the way if you can afford it. It sounds like a great project. I hope you keep us informed.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)