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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
Time Lapse

X-raechel_marando
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Mar 23, 2004, 10:41 AM

Post #1 of 3 (1016 views)
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Time Lapse	Can't Post

Hi!
I would really like to create time-lapse video, but I only have a miniDV camcorder to work with. Does this entirely preclude me from creating time-lapse shots? Should I just record an hours worth of footage on one tape and speed it up in post-production? Is there any way to get good looking time-lapse using just a digital camcorder (i.e. taking 1 or 2 second recordings every minute or does that leave the final product too choppy)?
Thanks for any help out there!

X-Doug_Graham
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Mar 23, 2004, 1:03 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1015 views)
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Re: Time Lapse	Can't Post

Lots of camcorders have an "interval" or time lapse recording feature. The only drawback is that they usually shoot a minimum of 3-5 frames at each interval, which can indeed look choppy when played back. You can fix this in editing, by deleting the extra frames and just keeping one per interval.
Using the speed-up feature of your NLE on a continuous clip works fine.
A third technique is to use the interval recording ability of a digital STILL camera, and then combine the individual frames into a video clip in your editing program.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-John_Juerss
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Mar 23, 2004, 3:48 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1015 views)
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Re: Time Lapse [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have done a couple of experiments with time lapse and found the best technique (for me) is to use a digital still camera and set it to take a picture every minute. The following 2 clips show this technique in action.
1) <A HREF="http://www.juerss.co.uk/video/movie/fence2.mpg">Me and my partner painting our fence last year</A>
2) <A HREF="http://www.juerss.co.uk/video/movie/clouds.wmv">Clounds over my garden.</A>
Hope this helps.