(Secaucus, New Jersey--September 20, 2010) ABC’s new crime series, "Detroit 1-8-7", the first primetime network series to be fully produced in Detroit, is being shot with the AJ-HPX3700, Panasonic’s premier solid-state P2 HD VariCam camcorder.
The series’ premiere is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21 at 10 p.m. ET & PT/9 p.m. Central.
The new dramatic series will feature an ensemble cast whose characters work inside a high-stress Detroit homicide unit. Detroit 1-8-7 stars Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Jon Michael Hill, James McDaniel (NYPD Blue) and Aisha Hinds (True Blood).
Detroit 1-8-7 is created by Jason Richman. David Zabel (ER), Jason Richman (Swing Vote), Kevin Hooks (Prison Break), David Hoberman (The Proposal) and Todd Lieberman (The Proposal) are executive producers. The series is a production of ABC Studios. The Director of Photography is Lisa Wiegand.
Wiegand previously shot a network television series -- the second season of Twentieth Century Fox Television’s Dollhouse -- with the VariCam 3700. She is shooting the 12-episode Detroit 1-8-7 with two HPX3700s, backed up by occasional use of Panasonic AJ-HPX3000s and AJ-HPX170 P2 HD camcorders, all rented from Fletcher Camera & Lenses-Detroit.
Offering the ultimate in image quality, the AJ-HPX3700 advances the art of high-end cinematography by teaming VariCam’s renowned filmic-look, variable frame rates, and subtle tone control with master-quality, 10-bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra recording as well as Dual link RGB 4:4:4 output.
“Having worked on a daily basis with the HPX3700 last season and shot several documentaries with the original, tape-based VariCam, I decided that the P2 HD VariCam was ideal for the verite aesthetic of Detroit 1-8-7,” said Wiegand. “Except for occasional long-lens orcar-mount work, our operators are consistently shooting handheld, and the HPX3700 is more lightweight, streamlined and faster than video cameras with heavy decks on-board.”
“I really like the P2 workflow,” added Wiegand, herself an HPX170 owner. “It’s easier and more immediate than tape, and the production team appreciates being able to watch a take right away. Working in P2 significantly facilitates post: for instance, we’re able to quickly make multiple back-ups on set. We prefer to shoot one card at a time, then back it up to two drives. One drive and the original card go to post, and we keep one drive with us on set.”
Wiegand is utilizing the HPX3700’s enhanced Film-Rec 600% setting, which provides additional latitude in shooting, particularly for day exteriors; she switches over to Film-Rec 200% for shooting at dusk.
“I also opted for the HPX3700 based on its 2/3” chip set,” the DP noted. “Documentaries and doc-style shows shot with 2/3” cameras achieve a certain depth of field that yields the desired, realistic feel. Because it’s solid-state, the HPX3700 is an all-weather camcorder, unlike other HD options. We started shooting July 20, and it’s been a long hot summer, with no operational problems at all. We expect the same reliable performance during Detroit’s bone-chilling winters.”
“The HPX3700 delivers great dynamic range,” Wiegand added. “On each episode, we spend five to six days on location (vs. two to three days on stage). We do considerable shooting inside Crown Victorias, police cars with big dark interiors, but because of the P2 VariCam’s latitude, we’re still able to expose for the outside, so we can document another star of our show, the Detroit cityscape.
“As with Dollhouse, I’m a huge fan of Panasonic flesh tones vs. those of comparable cameras. Detroit 1-8-7 is such a character-driven show, and the actors have wide-ranging skin coloration. The HPX3700’s rendition of the gradation and tonalities of several different complexion types is very pleasing to me.”
Next Element by Deluxe has set up a mobile lab near set to handle dailies for the show, and established a pipeline back to its Burbank, Ca offices for editorial. Level 3 Post (Burbank, CA) is in charge of the on-line edit, which is being done in AVID Nitrus HD.
For more information on Detroit 1-8-7 please visit ABC.com.
About the VariCam 3700
Combining uncompromising cinematic quality, film-style operability and the exceptional reliability of solid-state, file-based recording, the VariCam 3700 provides premium-quality performance for narrative feature films, episodic television and commercial production. The 2/3” 2.2 megapixel 3-CCD camera features full native 1920x1080-pixel acquisition and independent-frame recording with 10-bit, 4:2:2 color sub sampling. It records in full-raster 1920x1080 resolution in AVC-Intra 100 for the highest quality, in lower-bit-rate AVC-Intra 50 for extended recording and in DVCPRO HD for added flexibility. The HPX3700 outputs a 4:4:4 RGB dual-link live signal (via HD-SDI) to deliver pristine images for uncompressed workflows and composition of visual effects, while simultaneously recording 4:2:2 HD video in camera. The HPX3700 offers variable frame rates from 1fps to 30fps in single frame increments for overcranking and undercranking. For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.com/P2HD.
About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at http://www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
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