ProHD for
filmmakers
JVC camcorders and monitors out on location
Founder of Proximity Pictures Ltd, The ProHD camera series from JVC has capture the actual eclipse,” Safeena said,
writer-director and editor, Safeena
always been a favourite choice among “but we did manage to get some evocative
Chaudhry has been using ProHD
independent filmmakers – due to its shots of the elusive moon, thanks to the
cameras since the inception of her
affordability, flexibility, compact design,
larger canvas provided by the monitor.” The
the ability to shoot in 24p, and to record
addition of a monitor also allowed Safeena
company. This year, she discovered
both on DV tape and hard disk – so was
to delegate camera work to other crew. For
the benefits of working with JVC’s
the camera of choice for Safeena.
her other project, Dealing with the Dead,
DT-V9L1D monitor out in the field.
However, it was the addition of the portable
Safeena explains, “The monitor came in
9" DT-V9L1D HD monitor that really helped
handy when I wanted to direct my assistant
during the filming of her latest documentary.
to shoot a jib shot. Letting someone else
take the shot is something I hardly ever do,
The ProHD cameras and equipment were so that was quite liberating.”
the chosen tools for all of Safeena’s work.
“I bought a GY-HD101E a few years
The monitor also allowed Safeena to
back which I absolutely adored,” Safeena
instantly view the film in HD and saved
her from what could have been a costly
explained. “The camera had the edge over
mistake. “I wanted to film a graveyard
other cameras; not only did it have the
scene at night, but after much research and
specifications, such as interchangeable
deliberation, I opted for the ‘day for night’
lenses and the ability to shoot in interlaced
look. My tests with the Tiffen screw-on
and progressive formats that gave my work
filter resulted in a decision to use a ‘day
the much desired ‘film look’, it also had
for night’ filter in post-production instead
the essential aspect of being a lightweight,
and film the sequence with a cool white
fully shoulder-mounted camera. I was very
balance and ND on. Had I not had a true
excited about the capabilities of the latest
HD monitor, I may have ended up with an
models of the ProHD family too; the HD/SDI
inferior picture and the need for a reshoot.
output, the option to film uncompressed HD
The JVC 9" monitor runs on standard 12V
and the ability to work with the PL mount
batteries or mains power so I could take
system which allows the use of film lenses.”
it out in the field without worrying about
running cables for metres on end. It was
One of the films Safeena worked on this
also lightweight and discreet.”
year was a short documentary called An
Introduction to Black Magic, shot in the
“it’s easy to overlook how useful
Asian community, where she was the
an external monitor is when shooting”
camera operator and editor. Safeena also
had the opportunity to shoot with a 9" JVC Being an independent filmmaker can be
DT-V9L1D monitor, which she explains
a pressurised job and the need to be time
was very beneficial. “Having the monitor
efficient is very important. For Safeena
meant that the producer could view the
Chaudhry, having a monitor has changed
shots without peering obtrusively over my
the way she shoots her films, “It’s easy to
shoulder”, said Safeena. “It also meant
overlook how useful an external monitor
that I had an accurate picture as far as
is when shooting and how absolutely
the colours and focus were concerned.”
essential it is. It makes less work to do in
post production. Never in my career as
Safeena first used the monitor on the night a filmmaker have I had the pleasure of
of the lunar eclipse. “It was far too cloudy to working with such amazing pieces of kit.”
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