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Originally posted by The Flying Doyle

Ive recently completed film school, however it was all digital orientated and we never used or even saw a film camera. I now want to begin shooting my own films on film but have little idea of where to begin. Im looking at getting a camera, i have (10,000 US approx) What can people recommend? What are the best options for editing? And where is the best spot to acquire equipment from? (I currently reside in Europe) What are the differences in 16mm and 35mm (quality, prices etc ) and What is the best way to record audio? Any help people can give me would be greatly appreciated so i can get my head around it all. Can people also recommend any websites or books on shooting in film?

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My recommendation is to NOT purchase equipment UNLESS you also plan on renting it out in some way in order to recoup your costs. Instead, take your money and use it to support your overhead while you concentrate on writing and putting together a production team for each project.

Once you're project is ready to go into production (after preproduction planning), then either "hire" an experienced Cameraman who has his own gear (camera plus all the accessories) as well as the rest of the crew you need (sound mixer, boom operator, grips, electrics, camera assistants, makeup, wardrobe, hair, script supervisor, etc.)

You'll be able to rent (or borrow) all the things you need for far cheaper than you'd be able to purchase it for. Plus, there is far more that you need than just a camera body. You also need a really good tripod, a great fluid head, matte box, filters, batteries, lenses, follow-focus, mags, low tripod, high hat.... many different size and types of lights, light stands, extension cords, dimmers, black wrap, C-stands, flags, silks, sand bags.... carts to carry it all...

The point is, it's not just a camera you need to make a quality image. You get more stuff and BETTER equipment for less money if you rent it. And, you won't be paying for storage space or maintenance or insurance on it.

Invest more time and money into creating great projects and less thought into owning gear that you won't really use all that often.

For the money you have, you won't be able to buy and own much. And, instead of thinking about what camera system to buy then create projects after that, let the projects drive your equipment decisions. One project may be better with 16mm and the next might be better in 35mm. One may need a certain set of lights while the next may call for a lot of different things (say, if one is mostly interiors but the next is exteriors). Also, if you plan on taking your finished projects somewhere like festivals, different festivals have different submission requirements, so if you purchase equipment, you may be locked OUT OF some exhibitions because of how you shot and finished your project.

The kind of technical questions you're asking lead me to recommend that you do not buy gear but instead enlist the help of established camera and sound people (and everyone else) to get your movie(s) shot. At some point down the line once you've watched those people do their jobs, you may feel confident enough to jump in and take charge of the photography yourself. I mean, you want to buy equipment, but do you plan on operating the camera AND mixing sound at the same time? Not likely, so why own all that gear and ask others to use it when you can likely find someone who already owns it who knows more about how to operate it?

If you just want to learn how to expose film (as opposed to digital), save A LOT of money and just buy a film still camera. Most of the job of DP is lighting anyway, so get a great still camera and multiple prime lenses and practice moving lights around to see what happens. Use different film stocks to learn how to best expose them. It is possible to get shortends that are left over from other movie shoots... you can put that film in your still camera and learn how to expose using the real thing.

There's a lot you can do to learn without dumping a lot of money into owning gear. Go to http://www.cinematography.com, www.cinematography.net, www.wordplayer.com, electricandgrip.com, and www.realfilmcareer.com for LOTS of information, other resources, and access to working professionals who can help you along the way.

Good luck!

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

Just so I can give you the most useful answers I have a question:

Is the 10,000 US approx your entire budget for camera, audio,
lighting and editing - or just for the camera?

And a more personal question: Why do you want to buy a film
camera having never used one? Do you want to be a cinematographer?

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