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Any of those three will be excellent choices you won't regret.

Check out these threads:
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7034
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6195
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6316
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4527
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4479
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4183
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4555

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

quote:

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Originally posted by atenasaori

Hello,
I need to inquire about a couple of things and was hoping to be enlightened. I started out writing full-length film scripts as a hobby, now after winning a few local contests; I have decided to shoot my first film! I want to start out with a short film though, since I don?t have much experience directing. My concern is on ?what kind of camera and editing software should I buy?? I?ve been saving up for the camera and I?m willing to go up to anywhere around $1500. As for software, I have no clue what kind of money to spend on it. I also need to know if any camera is compatible with any software. I?ve been researching a few miniDVs, but would like to be recommended. Here are the ones I?ve been researching:

Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom

Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder

PANASONIC AG-DVX100 Professional MiniDV Camcorder

Thank you much!

Peace

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Hi!

Don't buy anything. Seriously.

Do you want to be a Director of Photography/Cameraman as a career, or do you want to be a Writer/Director?

If you are an aspiring DIRECTOR, concentrate on writing a fantastic script, engaging the help of a competent PRODUCER who is instrumental in dealing with the logistics of production, and "hire" a Director of Photography who knows more about lighting and camera than you ever will be or want to be. Also know that to get your movie accepted into a decent Festival requires a certain high level of quality that most inexpensive video cameras will not be able to deliver. If you want to practice making some quick movies as tests, then any camera will do. But if you aspire to create a quality product, you'll need to spend more or find someone out there who already has the equipment (camera, lights, grip, electrics, etc) and has experience with camerawork and lighting.

The point is to EMBRACE the specialization of filmmaking... figure out what YOU want to do and then find others who will help you to achieve it. If you don't want to be a DP, then find someone nearby who does. Let that person deal with the camera to use and the lights and the crew he/she needs to make it happen. As the Director, you are of course interested in knowing that the resources are there to bring the script to life, but being involved in the minutia of the equipment isn't necessary.

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

I am so glad I never followed that advice. Advice I was given when I was starting my
career as a writer/director.

Not that it's bad advice. It's just - to me - very short sighted. It's excellent advice for
a director who has moved onto features or decided to make one, very ambitious short.
But for a first time director, just beginning to explore movie making owning a camera
is a wonderful thing. The freedom to gather a few actor friends and shoot a scene or
two on a couple of weekends can be very helpful in the learning curve. I found that I
could still concentrate on writing a fantastic script and aspire to creating a quality
product while also shooting my own movies with a camera that I owned.

Later on I followed the advice given by Brian. And it's excellent advice. But as a writer/director
I see buying a camera as something very good to do too.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by certified instigator

I am so glad I never followed that advice. Advice I was given when I was starting my
career as a writer/director.

Not that it's bad advice. It's just - to me - very short sighted. It's excellent advice for
a director who has moved onto features or decided to make one, very ambitious short.
But for a first time director, just beginning to explore movie making owning a camera
is a wonderful thing. The freedom to gather a few actor friends and shoot a scene or
two on a couple of weekends can be very helpful in the learning curve. I found that I
could still concentrate on writing a fantastic script and aspire to creating a quality
product while also shooting my own movies with a camera that I owned.

Later on I followed the advice given by Brian. And it's excellent advice. But as a writer/director
I see buying a camera as something very good to do too.

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

---

I didn't intend to suggest that a new Director should never buy or use a camera himself/herself. As I mentioned, when someone is just learning, practicing, or goofing off, any camera will do. There just tends to be a prevailing feeling that "filmmakers" need to buy a camera in order to create a real career. As a result, some wind up purchasing equipment that is generally inadequate for any serious work to be accomplished using capital ($$) that could be allocated toward better uses to further their actual career goals.

So to help clarify, I would suggest that a new "filmmaker" go ahead and buy the most inexpensive equipment necessary in order to just get a feel for the process, BUT when he/she is ready to shift the purpose and career up to a serious level, he/she should reach out to others who wish to specialize in various aspects of the movie-making process.

As a Writer, the goal is to create an entertaining story so all that is needed is a pencil, paper, and probably a computer with screenwriting software.

A Director needs to concentrate on getting all of the creative elements on the same page, so all he needs is a pencil, a script (provided by himself or someone else), and a knowledge of the filmmaking process.

A Director of Photography is there to specialize in the technical and creative elements of camera and lighting. MOST professional Cameramen on that level do not own their own equipment at all. The reason being is that each project requires different lighting and cameras. Investing money into a specific camera or lighting package could force a freelancer into only doing work that will pay for the purchased equipment. So, most professional Directors of Photography are selling themselves and their skill. The equipment is rented on an as-needed basis.

There is no inherent need for an aspiring Director to invest excessive time and money into the minutia that the Camera Department is responsible for. The technology changes too often and the needs of one script will likely be very different for the next. Trying to keep up and maintaining the purchased camera and accessories could quickly turn into a losing investment.

Naturally, the more a Director knows about everyone's job, the better he will be able to communicate and accomplish his goals, but it isn't necessary for the aspiring Director to become an expert in any specific vocation or to spend more money than necessary when there are others who are more qualified and interested in those specific jobs.

So, to sum that up, go ahead and buy a camera and editing equipment, but unless you intend to do those specific jobs on your own as a career (in addition to writing and directing), then spend as little money as possible. You don't need expensive equipment to learn. When your "excellent" script is ready to be produced, then go out and find adequate funding that will pay for QUALITY resources to help make that story a reality.

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

Thank you to everyone for your help!

I?m still figuring out how to manage this forum. Anyway, like I mentioned before, I originally started writing film scripts for pure enjoyment, suppose they might be good given the fact that they?ve won local contests and school ones as well. By the way I was surprised to be the only female screen writer in the first two contests I entered. Just recently, after being involved in a few short films as a second AD and in other occasions assisting the DP; I?ve decided to start producing my own scripts rather then wait for the ?right? director like I had planned before, thant's way I've been needing your guidance. Anyhow, that?s a bit of my tale. Thank you again for your recommendations!

Peace

quote:

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Originally posted by atenasaori

Thank you to everyone for your help!

I???m still figuring out how to manage this forum. Anyway, like I mentioned before, I originally started writing film scripts for pure enjoyment, suppose they might be good given the fact that they???ve won local contests and school ones as well. By the way I was surprised to be the only female screen writer in the first two contests I entered. Just recently, after being involved in a few short films as a second AD and in other occasions assisting the DP; I???ve decided to start producing my own scripts rather then wait for the ???right??? director like I had planned before, thant's way I've been needing your guidance. Anyhow, that???s a bit of my tale. Thank you again for your recommendations!

Peace

---

You're welcome.

I urge you to take a serious look at the following resources, if you haven't already. As an aspiring Writer and Producer, I promise you that these books and websites will help you achieve your goals.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Really-Want-Set-Hollywood/dp/0823099539/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211895862&sr=8-1

http://www.wordplayer.com

http://www.amazon.com/Movie-Producer-Handbook-Producing-Picture-Making/dp/0064637247/ref=cm_syf_dtl_pl_2_rdssss0

http://www.amazon.com/Film-Scriptwriting-Second-Practical-Manual/dp/0240511905/ref=cm_syf_dtl_pl_3_rdssss0

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

I bought my equipment. I can do pickup shots and sound at my leisure. I can loan/rent the equipment out to a friend and get a credit/cash for it and lastly I can make my next movie far cheaper if I want to use the same camera or I can sell it for cash. If it was HDD I'd be really happy but as it is I have no regrets. None at all.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

use sony vegas!

bring down the adobe empire!

?8D?

"They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a film? Well, thats worth a thousand pictures."

-(Own3d Studios)-

www.own3dstudios.com