Ok, so i've been making short-films for about 2.5 years now with our old tape JVC, but now i want to start getting a little more serious about film-making. I would like to ungrade my camera. I have about 425 dollars to spend, and have no idea what to look for in a good camera.
quote:
Originally posted by editman
Ok, so i've been making short-films for about 2.5 years now with our old tape JVC, but now i want to start getting a little more serious about film-making. I would like to ungrade my camera. I have about 425 dollars to spend, and have no idea what to look for in a good camera.
For starters, you're not going to get a quality camera to "get serious" with for that money. So just move forward with that firmly in place.
Next, ask yourself what you mean by "get serious." Do you intend to enter your work into film festivals? Or do you want to try to sell them to networks, like IFC or Discovery or even Showtime? If so, understand that THOSE outlets generally have submission guidelines regarding formats and COMPRESSION specs that you MUST follow.
What this means is that your choice for equipment should be led by what you intend to do with your projects as you get serious... NOT by the budget that you have.
"But," you ask, "how can I afford anything better if that's what I need to do the projects I want to do?" Simple. The odds are that YOU are not out to become a professional Cameraman. I wager that you're interest is in Directing, Producing, or Writing or a combo of two of them. So, why on earth would you want to invest in any equipment at all, particularly when the equipment you can afford will most likely be sub-standard for the projects you aim to create? It's like saying that you want to paint a portrait for the museum, but since you can't afford oil paints, that you'll just do it in crayon. How close to the museum do you think you'll get with that?
So, what you do is put your PROJECT together so that it is attractive enough to bring in experienced cast and crew. Make sure that the script is as great as it can ever be. Put a realistic shooting schedule together. Make your plan as solid as possible. Then, go talk to established professionals (at local production companies) and sell yourself and your project to them. Sure, you can't pay them, but if the script is good enough and it looks (to them) like you know what you're doing (so that they won't be wasting their time), it is possible that a few people WILL volunteer, not only their time and experience, but their PROFESSIONAL equipment.
And that doesn't mean just a camera. You didn't mention a quality tripod or fluid head (or gear head). What about lights and the grip and electric equipment to control the light? What about reliable and quality sound gear (mixer, mics, cables, batteries, boom poles?)? Do you have a budget for wardrobe, locations, transportation, permits, makeup and hair, craft services, lunches?
There's more to making a movie than just a camera and if you do want to really "get serious," it's important to take all of those issues (and more) into account when making financial decisions. You could run out and buy a $400 camera and wing it, but then just how "serious" is that?
Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com
Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com
I see what your getting at. Thank you very much. I would like to be a writer and/or director. I also see what you mean by getting "serious" Thank you very much for your advice, it will help greatly.
Will
