The Rough Draft

What is 4:2:2 you ask? It’s all very simple and very complex at the same time. 4:2:2 is a Digital Video Format.

Most MiniDV cameras are 4:1:1 format. That means that there are four chanels of audio and two single chanels of video interpolated (combined) into one single frame. 4:2:2 is the same four chanels of audio but double the video interpolation. This makes it the intermediate step under High Definition systems for the emerging filmmaker. The beauty of this format is that you can process it on any NLE system (Non Linear Editing) and don’t need to go to the expense of renting a High Def bay as most high end PC and Mac systems can handle the format with ease.

The other great thing is that the new 4:2:2 cameras are equiped with manual lenses and full matte and filter box configuations. JVC with a bunch of help from Sony and their proprietary D9 process back ends are pushing the envelope with their 700 and 900 series of cameras. The results are a beautiful blend of ease of set up and the ability to shoot in very low light situations without having the image go into the old video quality.

By Steve Abbott

The three cornerstones of storytelling are Plot, Character and Dialogue. We can argue over which is the hardest to work with but this is about dialogue.

I am primarily a screenwriter, dialogue is doubly important to my craft. Dialogue is a lie as truth. It’s not what people say as much as what they would say, if they could say it perfectly every time. Gone are the hems and haws that compose so much of our regular speech. In dialogue, every word counts and in good dialogue, every word has more than one meaning. In fact, good dialogue, is not what the character says… but what they don’t say.

Syntax is your friend and plays a major function. Too many writers try to work in vernacular, if you can bring it off, great! If you can’t, don’t even try. It’s annoying to the reader and if it’s in a screenplay, it’s annoying to the actor. Leave it out keep syntax in. A Cajun says did instead of done. A Scotsman says four year instead of four years. The syntax gives the flavor of the words without annoying your reader and that should always be your first goal, keep the reader happy.

Note: Steve’s written and produced several short films. His latest full length screenplay recently sold and is being produced by a Toronto based production company. It’s due in theatres September 2002.