I figured out the focus issue. Let my stupidity be the warning for others to heed. I'm a very recent (non-HD) miniDV convert. On my old camera, focus was a breaze. Yesterday, I found it difficult to really know FOR SURE if I was complete focused, and we see the results of that. In a conversation today, with a friend, we discussed that the most popular DSLR option is an HD monitor. Obviously, I don't have one of those (and the T2i doesn't have that option, anyway).
ANYWAY, it turns out there's this little digital-zoom button that let's you really focus in closely, say on someone's eye. I knew it was there, but I never understood the point of it. I was like, why do I want a digital zoom? That's stupid. Cuz you would never need that on my old camera. Actually, it's EXACTLY what you need. So, you frame up your shot, then use the digital zoom to see something really small, and if that's in focus, then you're good to go.
Thank God I posted that video, and thank God you guys pointed that out.
As far as all the talk of lighting, to give you guys a feel for my extreme sense of urgency -- I have access to $600 of lighting equipment, and CHOSE not to use it. One thing you might want to keep in mind is that I'm no cinematographer. Look, I'm REALLY good at editing. I'm good at shooting a scene that will cut together well. But I can't literally learn how to do EVERYTHING like an expert. Whoever it was that lit your scene, chilipie, might not be as good as I am at what I do (or maybe they are).
"60w china balls as practicals, a 2K open face, some big sheets of polystyrene as bounce boards and a guy with a reflector, tweaked slightly as we moved from wide to ECU" Uhh, I kinda understand that, but not completely, and I'm pretty sure that what took you 20 minutes would take me WAY longer, and I wouldn't get the same results, so.....flip the switch! Action!
M1chae1, I'm not going to plan to shoot it with more time, because time is simply a liberty I don't have. Fast, fast, fast. Guys, I just shot 4.5 pages, with full coverage, in less than 3 hours, and that's INCLUDING rehearsal. That's fucking lightlning-fast. I know, you might think I can spend time on the lights, while they memorize their lines, but you'd be forgetting about the fact that I'm also producer, and that requires a lot of coordinating. Honestly, to wrap this thing on time, shooting with nothing, or almost nothing, is crucial. There's a reason why I wrote as many scenes outside as possible.
Oh, wheatgrinder, I appreciate the comments, but I will be editing the hell out of all of this footage. That shot will not linger for so long.
I guess, here's a better example of why to get the T2i. Again, this is the "flip-the-switch" school of cinematography. Outside, nothing but a regular porch-light. No HDV camera could get this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHG921sAv7M
And again, I'm not saying my way is better. You might recall I DID say that I would gladly trade places. What I'm saying is that the T2i is THE way to go, if you're strapped for funds. Heck, the shots that have been contrasted here are perfect examples. My sloppy-run-and-gun-non-cinematography definitely got much better results than if I were using an HDV, with the same lighting "techniques". And chilipie's more educated and practiced lighting produced gorgeous results with the same, inexpensive camera.
I didn't start this thread to give ya'll lessons on how to light a scene. I started it to tout the strengths of this camera (for the benefit of those who might be considering buying it).
Mumblecore!