Cameras: News and Updates

Ferro Productions Adds JVC GY-HM790 PROHD Camera for High-End Video Projects

By StudentFilmmakers.com
posted Sep 13, 2012, 12:30

JVC GY-HM790 ProHD

(Wayne, NJ) JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., announced that Ferro Productions in New York is using the JVC GY-HM790 ProHD camcorder to record high-profile live events and reality programming. The production company purchased the camera in December, and plans are in place to purchase two additional units before the end of 2012.

Primarily, Ferro Productions handles production duties for networks and production houses. Until recently, it had been a Sony house almost exclusively, but new developments in digital technology prompted Joseph Scacciaferro, executive producer for Ferro Productions, to consider new options.

While producing some reality programming and a series of celebrity interviews, he decided it was time to improve the company's overall workflow. "The complexity had gotten ridiculous. We figured there had to be a better way," Scacciaferro said. "But we still needed to be budget conscious."

Last fall, Ferro Productions began to research new HD cameras, and the staff literally filled a whiteboard with requirements. After they saw a GY-HM790 in action on the sideline during an NFL game, Scacciaferro decided to test it on location while covering the New York Giants during the playoffs and Super Bowl victory festivities. "We gave it to our 'B' and 'C' camera operators to experiment," he recalled, "and everyone said, 'This is it.'"

Recently, Ferro was hired to produce behind the scenes footage of the Van Halen / Kool & the Gang tour, which was produced exclusively with GY-HM790 cameras. "We were so impressed with the image, ease of operation, and all around superior engineering quality that we opted to leave our Sonys home," Scacciaferro said.

The shoulder-mount GY-HM790 provides Ferro's shooters with professional features in a light, compact package. "We're in a lot of high-profile areas," Scacciaferro explained, "and when you're walking around with bigger broadcast cameras, you get more attention than you need. The JVC cameras have a perfect balance between size and functionality. Our camera operators love the gear and the images are great."

The production team quickly adjusted to capturing footage on inexpensive, non-proprietary SDHC cards. However, to manage the admittedly "chaotic" environment of live production, Ferro Productions developed its own system to keep track of the cards using color-coded Beta tape cases with cut-out foam inserts.

JVC's native Final Cut Pro recording has been a big hit with Ferro's post-production team, which maintains four edit stations. "Our post guys love it," Scacciaferro said. "They take the SDHC card and drag and drop footage right into Final Cut Pro. It has saved us umpteenth hours."

Resources:

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/main.jsp

http://www.ferroproductions.com/