I appreciate the replies i got on my last post, but I am still confused. I have been looking into doing my short on film, but i dont know what costs would come about. How much does the film stock cost...I found 1000' for about $500. Then, how much to process it? 16mm is what we would go with. Also, if we were to go through a rental house, what does a camera package usually include? Does it come with a DP, or do we shoot it on our own? Then, how do we get the shot film onto our computer? We will be using Avid. Is that another expense? A lot of questions. Our current plan includes:
BUY-Canon XL2
BUY-Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 shotgun mic.
BUY-tascam DAT
BUY-Small lighting kit
HAVE ACCESS TO-Avid XPress HD
Renting 1-ton grip truck from rental house
Renting Fisher-10 Dolly from rental house
This all comes to just under $10,000. Our budget is 20,000. Now, we want the best look possible for our first attempt and feel that film is the way to go. So, if we were to rent a camera package, are we coming out cheaper than our original 10,000 or about the same, or what? I look at so many other shorts and am worried that we are going to spend a lot of money buying all this equipment and not really need it. I do;however, like the fact that I would have all this equipment left over once this project is finished. Wouldn't that just leave me with almost no budget for my next attempt? I look at a movie like Primer, where the supposed budget was $7000, and all cost was attributed to camera rental and film...then I look at our budget (already almost $10,000) and wonder if Im doing something wrong. I could be just rambling because Im at a stressed out point in the production, it is my First movie EVER, after all. Some words of encouragement please!
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Then, how much to process it?
Figure .14 to .18 per foot
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Also, if we were to go through a rental house, what does a camera package usually include?
Most posted rates are for the body only. You?ll need to add:
Lenses - a nice set of Ziess Primes (9.5, 12, 16, 25, 50mm) and maybe a telephoto and a zoom.
-400' SR2 magazine
-24V battery block or belt
-Videotap, CEI color-V, flicker free
-Studio follow focus w/ marking disc
-Whip focus extension - 9", 12", 14" w/ knob
-Focus crank
-4 x 4/4 x 5.650 studio matte box - 2 or 3 stage
?w/ 41/2" rotating bellows
-Sliding balance plate with rods
-Eyebrow
-French Flag with arm
-Hard mattes (set of 5)
-Shoulder pad
-Right hand grip with on/off
-Rock-N-Roll Microforce handle (for hand-held or tripod)
-Extension eyepiece - 9"
-24/12V DC converter (SR 3) "Breakout Box"
-Sound barney
-Rain/dust cover
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Does it come with a DP, or do we shoot it on our own?
For a per day charge, most rental houses have DP?s available. I wouldn't recommend this - but if you have absolutely no experience with shooting film you will need a good DP and First AC, Second AC and Gaffer.
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Then, how do we get the shot film onto our computer?
The lab that develops the negative will also do the telecine transfer. Figure $100 for prep and then about $150 to $250 per hour. And that's lab use time, NOT running time.
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So, if we were to rent a camera package, are we coming out cheaper than our original 10,000 or about the same, or what?
If you are going to be shooting several movies a year on MiniDV then buying all that equipment is necessary. If you will be shooting film, then buying a video camera isn?t a needed expense.
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I look at a movie like Primer, where the supposed budget was $7000, and all cost was attributed to camera rental and film...then I look at our budget (already almost $10,000) and wonder if Im doing something wrong.
Not wrong - just different.
You?re correct. Shane Carruth didn?t spend thousands of dollars on a video camera, a lighting kit, a mic and a DAT. He rented equipment he didn?t own and paid owner operators for everything else.
That?s the way I make MY movies. I hire a sound mixer with his own equipment - I hire a DP with his own equipment - I even hire a key grip with his own equipment.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Also, frankly, if you don't know what you're doing with film I'd calculate the cost, then double it :). Film has a great way of suddenly sticking you with large costs that you didn't even think about before shooting, particularly if you want a film print at the end rather than a video.
If you do go for shooting on video, then you don't really need the DAT: it's easier in some situations if the sound recordist has their own machine to record on, but DV sound is just about as good. You would need an XLR to 3.5mm adapter though, unless they put XLR inputs on the XL2.
Hi Fluva,
I just wanted to say that I would recommend going with the feature vs the short. You will learn alot more both creatively and organizationaly with the feature, and if you do a very very goog job you might actually get some of your money back (which never really happens on a short). With 20k you will be able to pull together enough resources for a creative feature, the only difference will be time.
I responded to this thread last evening, but the moderators must have decided I was cross posting. That wasnt really the case, as what I am about to say can really benefit you. I just completed production on my first feature, title Folk Lore, which was shot on HD. Shooting on HD (true HD, not HDV) is about as credible as shooting on 35mm and seems to be better regarded than 16mm. Likewise, HD is alot easier to work worth, as there isnt a film transfer, and a digital upload, and all of that. With 20k, it's unlikely you will get theatrical, but if you do, HD will "blow up" to film no problem. I am going to post a link to my other post here were I have the camera rig up for rent, and if you want to make a feature I would strongly consider it.
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2581
Reading the post, you will see that the camera doesnt capture to tape, it runs directly to hard drive. This saved me 20k when buying the camera, and since I knew I wanted to moniter what I was shooting, I was going to have a video villiage set up anyway, so taking the g5 along wasnt a big thing. Good luck with what ever you decide.
Andrew
www.prometheusmotionpictures.com
