Kinda In The Can/ Tech Talk halfway, but anyway...
I just finished shooting section one of four of a huge project to continue into next year. I THOUGHT I did all the testing that needed to be done beforehand, but now that I view the footage I see one problem. I used 4 lights: two Redheads and 2 store-bought fluorescent work lights (approx 300 watts if tungsten). I am shooting in the UK, power is 240 volts, but recording on a North American Canon XL1S (if that makes a difference). The fluorescents produce a flicker, in the finished product.
Now, is there any way I can correct the footage or reduce the flicker (an Adobe Prem Pro video effect filter or something, or frame-by-frame correction)? Will it get more or less pronounced on a bigger screen? If I did a blow-up to film, would it get worse, or better, or stay the same?
ALSO, for the next section, how can I combat this problem:
1. Get a special power cord for the lights that holds a steady power stream, to reduce the flicker?
2. Buy new lights, cos I got hooped? (This option sucks, because they were cost effective and light and easily moveable and durable).
Any and all comments/suggestions would be VERY helpful and much appreciated.
I don't know about reducing it in post - but as far as shooting goes, this is how KinoFlo stays in business. They make fluorescent light banks for film shoots, and the lights all have a ballast to regulate any flickering.
(*in wailing baby-whine*)
But Kino Flo is EXPENNNNNNNNNSIVE!!
Rentals.
As for blowing up, it should stay technically the same. It'd just be more pronounced when viewed on a large screen.
What shutter speed to you shoot in?
The override setting on that camera, 1/60.
Hmm, think I could adjust and get rid of some flicker???
It wouldn't hurt to test it out.
This is true.
Thank you. I will try that.
Try changing the frame rate or even de-interlacing, may help.
links and insight for somebody with the same problem:
fluorescent flicker in film/video (http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20DW/FluorescentLightsInFilmVideo.htm)