quote:

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Originally posted by Oguibog

ok, i'm going direct to the point. I'm 17 years old and I wrote this short movie script.
I know how to use final cut and sony vegas, so that's not going to be a problem. The thing is, I'm really doing this short, but I have no budget (I don't know if it is possible to get one) and my camera is a Panasonic pv-gs39 plus I have a weird tripod (weird =bad/cheap).

I want some advices of how to improvise tools for my movie and what important points I should be knowing before i start this whole thing. And yes, I pretend to convince my friends of doing it and the movie doesn't have any DIFFICULT scenes to do, but I was pretending of doing a lot of no-cut walking sequences (camera following the subject with no cut) and I know I'm going to need something smooth to make the camera walk, like attaching my tripod to a skateboard or whatever. Plus the microphone from my camera SUCKS and I have a little (just a little) of dialog to cover with my Panasonic. Any practice is important.

Well, I appreciate any type of response.

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Well, without knowing the exact shots you want to accomplish, it's difficult to talk about specific tools you would need.

So, in general, all the normal tips apply for novice moviemakers. Avoid using the zoom control... pick a lens for each shot and leave it there for the length of the shot. If you need to "zoom in," don't. MOVE the camera forward or back or side to side or up and down instead.

How to do those things smoothly without fancy expensive gear? That's all shot specific, but one thing to try for walking shots is something that Sam Raimi did for Evil Dead. He bolted the camera to a long piece of lumber and had two people run with it (one on either end). They found that the longer the board, the smoother the shot became. Obviously this isn't good for small interiors and hallways, but worth a try otherwise.

Another key to a low-budget production is to try to not make every shot "epic." You don't need a lot of lengthy shots that look mediocre because of poor lighting and camera operation. Instead, take the time to set up and LIGHT each shot. You're better off with five great looking shots to cover a scene than one long crappy looking one.

Above all, SOUND on your movie is likely the most important element. You can spend millions of dollars to create the most beautiful pictures in the world, but if the sound sucks, none of it matters. But, if you have fantastic sound, then your picture can be almost anything at all in terms of quality.

So, do NOT rely on the camera mic and expect to get the sound you should have. Go out of your way to figure out a method to get microphones close to your actors. Ask around to see if anyone has or can get you wireless mics. Or rig up a boom mic and have someone boom the actors as they speak dialogue. If all that fails, then use "ADR," which is when you record a reference track on set, but then have the actors rerecord their dialogue later on, lipsyncing to what they said on set, but this time, in a quiet room with quality mics.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

I know exactly where youre coming from. When I was your age I was
in the same place. My advice to improve is to shoot more. Reading
is fine, getting out there with your camera and trying different
things is better.

You want to get smoother shots? The skateboard idea is a great
one. Can you think of anything else that has wheels that you can
try? A baby carriage? A wheelchair? I built a platform big enough
for my first weird tripod out of half an old door and four wheels
from a discarded stroller.

Youre right, the camera mic SUCKS. As Brian said, you need to get
a mic close to the actors - that will help you get better sound.
You may need to get another mic and something to record to. Until
you can youre just going to have to get creative.

Youre a creative person, right?

So get out there and make five or six or ten little movies. Try
something different each time. Youll get better and better.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

One other option to smooth out handheld movement: get some weight to it. The main goal is to eliminate (or reduce as much as possible) the small movements your hand makes when it holds a light object (such as your Panasonic). So, put the camera on that cheap (crappy) tripod; leave the legs together (don't spread them), and don't extend them all the way. If possible, leave the legs completely retracted. Then, tie a bag full of potatoes (or something else, similarly heavy) to the bottom of the tripod. THis way, your tripod has some decent weight (3-5 lbs / 1.5-2.5 kg). When you do walking shots with this contraption, camera will be much more stable.

As for sound, even the cheapest $30 microphone will be infinitely better than the on-board one, because it will be much closer to your actors than the camera. Try something like this: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/etherwholesale?_nkw=14.3 7''%20Camera%20Camcorder%20Shotgun%20Mic%20Microphone%20Stands

If you can't afford the boom pole, just tape it to the broom stick or an ordinary fishing pole (if you already have either; if not, just get a cheapest boom pole, such as http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicia n's-Gear-Microphone-Boom-Pole?sku=712798&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=692505609).

FOr more flexibility, plug that external microphone into a laptop and have your "sound engineer" record it separately from video. This allows you to move camera much more freely (no cable attached).

I wish I were in your position (17, with a script and little to no resources)...

Am I just getting old, or is it really possible that all this hardware is so cheap these days? Back in the day (and I won't eve go all the way back to 8mm), you had to fork over north of $1,000 for a decent VHS camcorder (and adjusted for inflation, today it would be some $3,000!), and there were absolutely NO microphones for less than $100 (again, $300 in today's money). Audio gear? Forget about it! No computer could record audio at the time, and the only external device you could possibly use at the time was a Nagra reel-to-reel tape deck (or, possibly, Sony Professional Walkman), and good luck synching it to your VHS (not to mention, editing that VHS, to begin with).

Kids today have it really easy... For the money that we had to spend for camera alone, they can equip themselves quite neatly, so much so that they could even emulate a proper production (lights, sound, camera/grip, etc), obviously, with cheap gear.

quote:

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Originally posted by Vasic

Am I just getting old, or is it really possible that all this hardware is so cheap these days? Back in the day (and I won't eve go all the way back to 8mm), you had to fork over north of $1,000 for a decent VHS camcorder (and adjusted for inflation, today it would be some $3,000!), and there were absolutely NO microphones for less than $100 (again, $300 in today's money). Audio gear? Forget about it! No computer could record audio at the time, and the only external device you could possibly use at the time was a Nagra reel-to-reel tape deck (or, possibly, Sony Professional Walkman), and good luck synching it to your VHS (not to mention, editing that VHS, to begin with).

Kids today have it really easy... For the money that we had to spend for camera alone, they can equip themselves quite neatly, so much so that they could even emulate a proper production (lights, sound, camera/grip, etc), obviously, with cheap gear.

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In my day, we actually had to cut and tape FILM in order to make a movie. Today's kids have a plethora of digital post-production products at their disposal.

They also have more camera and format options than we ever had in addition to sound recording technology.

Yet still, the fundamentals remain.... QUALITY sound deriving from getting mics close to the action plus QUALITY camera operating for that "pro" look no matter the format plus QUALITY post-production to "tell" a story that will resonate with audiences.

The underlying message is that it isn't the tools that make or break a movie or a career... it's the STORY and the way one chooses to tell it given the parameters. It was George Lucas who said something like, "If you have 16 feet of film, then you make a 16 foot movie." Too often, people who have the proverbial 16 feet of film try to make a 50 foot movie and the results are dismal.

The goal is to know your parameters (your budget, logistics, talent pool, skills, schedule, etc) and work within them to create a fantastic project... as opposed to trying to exceed your abilities and failing.

Equipment isn't the answer. Knowledge and skill is. Cheap equipment in the hands of an experienced professional will likely yield amazing results. Pro equipment in the hands of a novice will yield mediocracy, at best.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

First of all, thank you guys very much for those answers. For the smooth movement I think I got it, in my garage I can certainly improvise many different boards to put the camera and to help it become more stable. For the sound I'm gonna try to get a microphone and just plug in my computer, what makes everything easier. I know all this about STORY is important and not the equipment, but good equipment is a good help to tell stories. Anyway,I guess restrictions always help your imagination.

Does anyone have some kind of website, or guide or at least some advices regarding to ILLUMINATION ?
I have zero experience of what works and what doesn't, and I know the best way to find out it's going there and filming stuff.. but, I'm already doing this and any kind of guidance would be cool.

I'm doing this movie for myself. And that I believe is the most important thing.

quote:

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Originally posted by Oguibog

First of all, thank you guys very much for those answers. For the smooth movement I think I got it, in my garage I can certainly improvise many different boards to put the camera and to help it become more stable. For the sound I'm gonna try to get a microphone and just plug in my computer, what makes everything easier. I know all this about STORY is important and not the equipment, but good equipment is a good help to tell stories. Anyway,I guess restrictions always help your imagination.

Does anyone have some kind of website, or guide or at least some advices regarding to ILLUMINATION ?
I have zero experience of what works and what doesn't, and I know the best way to find out it's going there and filming stuff.. but, I'm already doing this and any kind of guidance would be cool.

I'm doing this movie for myself. And that I believe is the most important thing.

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As a wise friend once said, anybody can ILLUMINATE a set, but not everyone can LIGHT one.

Illumination is what they do with porn... just throw up some lights to get an exposure. LIGHTING is about creating a shot... a mood... something that didn't exist when you walked on the set.

Websites or books to teach you that? There are some resources out there that can help you learn how, but unless you intend to make Cinematography YOUR specialty, you'll be better off finding someone else who DOES want to make that their own career goal. That way, you'd be able to concentrate on STORY and directing the rest of the crew while that person worried about the particulars involved with lighting a set and using the camera correctly and effectively.

I highly suggest TWO resources for you at this point. The first will help with your DIRECTING aspirations. Go to www.wordplayer.com and read EVERYTHING on that site. Then visit www.cinematography.com and read through the forums for information about lighting and camera work. You'll get an idea of what is involved and how YOU will want to proceed with your own career.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

Well thank you bjdzyak. I don't have access to lighting equipment, but I will improvise something.

I don't want to make cinematography my specialty, but unfortunately I don't know anyone who would be interest in doing this part of the project, actually of all my problems the bigger one is "team" one. Actors don't want to do more than 2 or 3 shots or just give up after half movie done. I had to let it go several ideas because of that.. but well, I can't give up. I know that most of my friends don't act, so with my projects I always try to write a specific part for a specific person.

Well, Bjdzyak I think your book ("What I Really Want To Do") may interest me.. at least it's always good to be gathering more knowledge. Thanks again.

quote:

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Originally posted by Oguibog

Well thank you bjdzyak. I don't have access to lighting equipment, but I will improvise something.

I don't want to make cinematography my specialty, but unfortunately I don't know anyone who would be interest in doing this part of the project, actually of all my problems the bigger one is "team" one. Actors don't want to do more than 2 or 3 shots or just give up after half movie done. I had to let it go several ideas because of that.. but well, I can't give up. I know that most of my friends don't act, so with my projects I always try to write a specific part for a specific person.

Well, Bjdzyak I think your book ("What I Really Want To Do") may interest me.. at least it's always good to be gathering more knowledge. Thanks again.

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Might I suggest NOT using your friends at all. Instead create projects that will be good enough to interest local Actors from a university theater department or from a local community theater. What does it take to attract acting talent like that? Start with a good script. Write something that is within your means to accomplish. What does THAT mean? Well, since you have people working for free, design a project that can be shot in one day in one location, like a local diner or movie theater or outside at a park. Your short movies don't have to be complicated to be interesting.

If you make two or three of those smaller projects and do them well (with a quality story and quality acting), you'll begin to attract the attention of people around you that you didn't enough know were there... people who want to be cameramen or do makeup and wardrobe or special effects. Cast and crew are really always looking for something WORTHWHILE to invest their time in, so it's up to YOU to design projects that make it worth their time.

Don't worry too much about the equipment or even making it all look amazing at first. Concentrate on the script to make it funny or scary or whatever... as long as it is engaging in some way so that your actors can bring it to life. And once you demonstrate that YOU are worth investing time in, you may find a Cameraman who HAS equipment and the know-how to use it so that you can truly concentrate on telling the story.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

quote:

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Originally posted by bjdzyak
And once you demonstrate that YOU are worth investing time in, you may find a Cameraman who HAS equipment and the know-how to use it so that you can truly concentrate on telling the story.

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Just had to quote this.

This is what I found when I was your age, Oguibog.

I made a bunch of film (and I mean on film and I mean about 15)
from about 13 to 15 before I made my first "serious" attempt. One
or two friends playing several different characters. A few times I
even did a chase film where two guys were chasing two other guys
all around town (we shot early mornings) and there were only two
actors. No one watching the films even knew.

When I finally felt I had a good script/story I found some people
at the local college who were willing to help me out. A DP with
access to a 16mm camera and a sound guy with access to a recorder.
We used a wheelchair to get a smooth dolly move and even though we
shot outside we used a couple of work lights and some foamcore to
give it a better look. I learned so much from working with those
more experienced people - much more that I learned from any book I
read.

That film won several awards.

So know that you are not the first to have these problems and you
aren't alone. It may take some time, but you'll get there. Move
slowly, don't expect your first movie to be great (or your first
10) and prove yourself. As Brian said, once others see you are
serious, they will more people will be willing to help out.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

On the subject of learning, there is a lot of information out there, online, on all aspects of filmmaking. On the subject of cinematography (and lighting), you may look here:

http://degreedirectory.org/articles/Free_Online_Cinematography_Courses_Where_Can_I_Find_Them.html
http://www.lowel.com/edu/
http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/

Do some googling and you'll find what you need (I searched for 'video lighting tutorial' and a lot of relevant stuff came out).