LOS ANGELES - Four Directions Entertainment, the production company of The Oneida Indian Nation, used a Panasonic AJ-HDC27 VariCam variable-frame high-definition camera to shoot the upcoming documentary "The World of American Indian Dance." The production was shot last summer on location in Montana and has been edited into four and 12-minute versions to pitch to broadcasters.
The two pitches were cut at Boxx Technologies's headquarters in Austin, TX, using an HDBoxx nonlinear editor, which supports the 24pAJ-HDC27.
According to DP Patrick Blackard, the AJ-HDC27 camera was used to shoot traditional Indian dance sequences, mood-setting scenics, interviews and B-roll footage. Three Panasonic AJ-HDC20A 1080i DVCPRO HD camcorders were also used, mostly for coverage of the dance competition. While the AJ-HDC27 can shoot at frame rates ranging from 4 to 60fps, the camera was used in 24p mode most often.
"[We found] that it gave the most pleasing combination of high resolution and motion blur," Blackard notes.