the BROADer issue

Canon 5D Mark II used to shoot 'House' season finale

In a move that should be considered a major endorsement of video-enabled digital SLR cameras and a further step in the path towards entirely file-based media production, Greg Yaitanes, the Director of the popular medical drama 'House', starring Hugh Laurie, has revealed that the last programme in the current season was shot using the Canon 5D Mark II.

Yaitanes wrote on Twitter 'I'll answer any questions you have about the Canon 5D that we shot the finale on. Yes, a stills camera that shoots amazing HD. Go!', and the questions he received yielded the following information:

• They captured to 16GB CF cards, which stored about 22 minutes at 24 fp
• They used all the Canon prime lenses, plus the 24-70 and the 70-200 zoom
• They found that images were richer, and the shallow focus pulled the actors' faces into the foreground, though focusing was harder than with cine-style lenses
• By going for a hand-held feel or using a small tripod, they were able to shoot in much tighter spaces

'House" DoP Shane Hurlbut has already shown the capabilities of the 5D Mark II in his short film 'The Last 3 Minutes'.

If you're wondering about the signiicance of this development, here's a quick 'House' fact for you to chew on, courtesy of Wikipedia:

"In 2008 'House' was distributed in a total of 66 countries. With an audience of over 81.8 million worldwide, it was the most watched television show on the globe and far surpassed the viewership figures of the leading TV dramas the previous two years."

The current season finale airs in the US on 17 May.

BSkyB publishes Sky 3D-enabled pub finder

It's the day before BSkyB's 3D broadcast of the Manchester United v Chelsea game, and you're possibly wondering where you can find a pub to watch it. Sky's marketing people are way ahead of you. They've published a handy Pub Finder. 

It looks like Sky already has pretty comprehensive coverage. I typed in my present location on Merseyside, and found three pubs showing the game in 3D within a 5 mile radius. I typed in my home postcode in Hertfordshire ... and also found three 3-D equipped pubs where I could watch it within a 5 mile radius there too. I'm quite impressed. Surprisingly perhaps, type in a random London W1 postcode and it only returns 3 results; the Slug & Lettuce in Lisle Street, off Leicester Square, the Thornbury Castle in Enford Street, and The Abbey in Orchard Street, SW1. Probbaly best to avoid them. They'll be packed.

I hope the game lives up to all the hype and the 3D experience is a good one. Me? I'll be listening to it on BBC Radio FiveLive as I head south on the motorway, hoping they both lose!

BSkyB rejects 2D to Stereo3D conversions for Sky3D

As reported on the TVB Europe website this morning, BSkyB has announced in its Stereo3D spec document, that it will not accept programme content on its Sky3D channel that was originated in 2D. Prodycers are allowed to submit content that contains up to 10% shot in 2D HD, but entire conversions are banned.

The document reads:

"The enable the 3D programmes to retain the highest quality throughout, a minimum of 90% must be native 3D footage. Where non-HD footage is utilised, it should sit within the editorial context of the programme. The 2D originated footage must be HD, be of segments not exceeding one minute, converted in a suitable manner to fit the 3D content and be of shots where there is minimal benefit from a true dual camera acquisition."

And, if that's not clear enough, the spec document goes on to state that converted content is 

"not acceptable and may only be proposed by prior agreement, with understanding of the editorial techniques and conversion process involved."