For the most part, the professional look is determined by the lens and the lighting. Shooting
on film is a factor, but with professional HD video cameras getting better, even shooting
digitally using excellent lenses and lighting can give you that professional look.

But you can get a much better look even with your SD or HDV camera. Most video cameras have
a fixed lens so you're kinda stick there. However there are several companies that make add on
lenses. Redrock Micro is one.

But you can make your video look much more professional simply by learning how to light. And
even with lighting, it isn't just about the equipment. Don't dismiss the years of experience the
pros have - experience you can gain by doing it over and over and over.

This: might help a little. It was shot
using a SD video camera and do it yourself lights.

http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/lighting%3Aexample.mov

Here http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/DCtrailer.mov is the trailer for my movie shot and lit
by Yron Levy using a SD video camera. Looks pretty good even with the QT compression for the web.

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

it also seems like audio might contribute a lot. is this true?

btw, dumb question...what's SD mean?

_____________________

"Sort of a wait-and-see. But then I waited...and I saw."
-Elizabethtown

"Old age. It's the only disease, Mr. Thompson, that you don't look forward to being cured of."
-Citizen Kane

Audio is 50% of the experience. I think it's extremely important.

SD means Standard Definition. HD (High Definition) or HDV (High Definition Video)

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by certified instigator

This: might help a little. It was shot
using a SD video camera and do it yourself lights.

http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/lighting%3Aexample.mov

Here http://www.darkcrimes.com/movies/DCtrailer.mov is the trailer for my movie shot and lit
by Yron Levy using a SD video camera. Looks pretty good even with the QT compression for the web.

---

This looks very good. Can you tell the make/model of the camera? I have started looking around, and don't know what to buy.

For me personally the things that make up a professional result are:

A.) Good performances.

B.) Good lighting, which conveys the mood and atmosphere of the scene positioning your audience to feel how you wish them to feel.

C.) Good sound, why illegal copies of films are always crap. If the audience cant hear it clearley then their not going to enjoy your film.

D.) Editing, The most obvious thing to point out about editing is that your continutity all matches up. How ever a mistake that first time filmmakers often make is not matching their editing to the pace of the action. For example, fight scenes should cut away quickly and continually to different shots expressing clearley to the audience whats happening.

These are just my personal opinions, how ever you would do well to take note of them as they should all make sense. How ever they are all as equially important as each other, and all contribute to professionalism.

Hope this helps you, Cleary.

www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions

Thanks Cheryl and welcome to filmmaking.net!

My point was it isn't the camera - it's the skill, talent and experience of the crew. I used the
JVC DV500 - a standard definition miniDV camera. The movie looks good not because of
the camera but because of the lighting.

Chech out these post about cameras. They might help.
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

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

Thank you! 🙂 I'm a photographer, and understand your point about lighting. I was looking through posts to see some camera recommendations, and what can be bought on a budget that will give a good result for an independent production. Haven't started yet... need to buy the equipment first. Thank you for the extra links. 🙂