A new camera and format configuration will greet season three of Salter Street sci-fi series Lexx as the show begins principal photography this month. The show's producers have opted for a high-definition path for the series, which previously shot on 16mm and 35mm. Sim Video will supply two Sony HDW 700 camera packages and corollary gear for the effects-heavy production, which will be posted at Salter Street Digital in Halifax.

The show's producers conducted tests of 16mm and 35mm film, Digital Betacam and high-definition and their relative performances with greenscreen as well as regular shots. Producer Norman Denver says hd held up well against 35mm and represents a significant cost saving in film stock and transfer (and given the Halifax location, air transportation) as well as reducing down time waiting for rushes.

Producers were mindful of the additional challenge provided by the show's large volume of special effects. The signal from the HDW 700 cameras will be downconverted to 601 video and Sim will also supply a Sony DFS 300 switcher with chroma key which will allow producers to check and preview keys.

Salter Street Digital will handle post and effects, downconverting hd to Digital Betacam with a Sony HDW 500 deck supplied by Sim. Salter will offline on Avid and online on Avid's new Symphony system.

The producers will also employ video transmitters, using Diversity uhf or microwave transmitters, pending a test to determine which works in the existing studio setup. Shooting will also take place in Germany and (on film) in Africa.

Sim had also been involved in a test done through Fox Family on the now-wrapped Addams Family series in Vancouver, where the HDW 700 was examined against the Panasonic 480P camera and 35mm film. The test may impact a future Fox series in consideration for hd.

A test was also conducted recently for the Canadian Society of Cinematographers at William F. White which put the Sony hd camera against 16mm and 35mm film. Sim says the test turned the heads of many of the film devotees present. (Look for more on these tests in a future edition of Playback.)

The next hd milestone will come with the introduction of the 24-f/p camera, expected early next year.

In other Sim news, the company recently launched its third facility. In addition to Toronto and Vancouver, the shop will now operate in l.a. Jim Martin, who had worked previously at Sim Video West, will establish Sim Video Los Angeles in conjunction with Sim. The shop will focus on production services and camera technology including hd and Avid editing systems.