Canon HV20: Green Screen Footage

We have seen some green screen work with various cameras from the Sony EX1 all the way down to the Canon HV30, so why not take a baby-step down further in price range and see what is being done with the Canon HV20.



In the following clips you'll see green screen key work of various quality, which should represent a decent sampling of the key work being achieved in the trenches with the HV20.


Second Green Screen Attempt from Mike Parkinson on Vimeo.


Green Screen Test w/ Cheap Shop Lights from purvistv on Vimeo.


HV20 Greenscreen Tests from Edgar Swooth on Vimeo.


Green screen test from Wes Vasher on Vimeo.


1st Green Screen Test from Kevhead101 on Vimeo.


Green Screen : Dance Evolution from Derek on Vimeo.

And the following two clips show a raw-footage and post-key combination with the HV20.


green screen(before) from dandacameraman on Vimeo.


greenscreen test(after) from dandacameraman on Vimeo.

Note, as always, that the technique of the people involved and their color correction will be large factors in the ultimate success of a given key, to the point where you can't attribute everything you see (positive or negative) to the camera itself.

Canon HV20: "White Red Panic"

Well, this piece of work by Ayz Waraich has received a great deal of fanfare, both in the online casual viewing community, where it has been well-received by the public, and also by critics and experts, as it has been covered in professional write-ups such as this PROLOST ENTRY by the venerable Stu Maschwitz.

The Prolost blog post also includes a few before-and-after screen captures of the color correction process used in the film, which was undoubtedly a huge contributor to the short film's moody success. The color correction techniques are further discussed in this FORUM THREAD at the Rebel's Guide community.

This short film generally speaks for itself.

White Red Panic - SHORT FILM (HD) from Ayz Waraich on Vimeo.

With this piece of work, Mr. Waraich and company may have possibly (in their own small way) done as much for the reputation and marketing of the HV20 as any international advertising campaign that Canon could have launched. They generally took the "Robert Rodriguez Approach," working with simple equipment (a bare bones HV20) and focusing on shot setup and cinematic style.

Below is the trailer for the short film.

White Red Panic - TEASER HD from Ayz Waraich on Vimeo.

The point is...the limitations in filmmaking are usually the people and not the equipment. In the right hands, you can take a Canon HV20 and do something pretty impressive. That said, if you have a buddy willing to sell you his RED ONE for the same price...

Also available online is a PODCAST INTERVIEW with director Ayz Waraich.

Canon HV20: 35mm Adapter Footage

And, as a follow-up to what people are achieving with the consumer-level HV30, here is a bit of footage from people combining the HV20 with 35mm adapters...



Even in the sub-$1000 camera market, users are achieving an impressively shallow depth of field (even with an el cheapo camera) when employing it in conjunction with an adapter.

HV20 and TWONEIL ADAPTER


Canon HV20 + Twoneil 35mm + 50mm Nikon Nikkor - DIY Test from Justin Durban on Vimeo.


DIY35mmPro from twoneil on Vimeo.

And here is a FORUM THREAD with pictures of his setup.

HV20 and DMPRO35 ADAPTER



HV20 and DIY ADAPTER


Canon HV20 + 35mm Adapter Test from Eric Wu on Vimeo.


Garden DOF adapter, hv20, 35mm from oliver walker on Vimeo.

And another, with some pretty heavy vignetting...


Canon HV20 test with DIY DOF adapter from juan badel on Vimeo.

HV20 and DIY ADAPTER on a STEADICAM MERLIN