Director of photography Art Howard, whose honors for documentary filmmaking include two Emmy Awards and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, recently shot a documentary in support of the ongoing International Polar Year with Panasonic's AG-HVX200 DVCPRO HD P2 camcorder.
In August 2006, Howard spent a month in the Arctic aboard a Russian icebreaker, where he documented scientists studying climate change and its effect on ice thickness. His client, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, is planning a 15-minute theater piece about the International Polar Year.
Additionally, WRAL-TV, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh, NC, is producing a documentary about climate change, "The 83 North Story," which will use Howard's Arctic footage.
Howard purchased an HVX200 last spring to diversify his camera roster, and has since used it extensively for projects for museum and broadcast clients. The HVX200 is the only camera he used on the assignment in the Arctic.
Howard shot all B-roll footage in 1080i using one 8GB and two 4GB P2 cards, rotating them into the Panasonic P2 Store, then transferring the P2 files to external hard drives onboard the ship using P2 Genie software on a Mac laptop. He shot interviews at 720p to maximize shooting time.
In the Arctic last summer, Howard carried a Vinten tripod, matte box, filters, a Mac laptop and Lacie external drives. As well as DP, Howard is credited as the producer/editor on the project, and edited the material in Final Cut Pro HD.
For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/hvx200.
