I would like to have the ability to handle a complete project from filming to production, etc., to a finished project that I can enter in film festivals. (Can I keep the whole project in the digital domain?) My interest is primarily in short features and documentaries (for the time being). I am a musician with a digital home recording studio, synthesizers, guitars, etc. and I would like to score the films myself. I also own a handful of microphones, one a high-grade condenser mic, for recording sound.
In regard to cameras, I have been looking at the Canon XL2; what do you think? In regard to editing software, I would definitely appreciate some suggestions. Finally, should I purchase lighting equipment or will I be able to make do with a creative use of ambient or existing lights?
And, one last question. Should I purchase a computer (perhaps an Apple) solely to process my films? I am assuming that editing, etc., might be better served if I am using a computer dedicated only to filmmaking.
As you can probably tell by now, my budget is somewhere around seven thousand dollars or so.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
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Originally posted by jhouk
I would like to have the ability to handle a complete project from filming to production, etc., to a finished project that I can enter in film festivals. (Can I keep the whole project in the digital domain?)
Yes.
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My interest is primarily in short features and documentaries (for the time being). I am a musician with a digital home recording studio, synthesizers, guitars, etc. and I would like to score the films myself. I also own a handful of microphones, one a high-grade condenser mic, for recording sound.
You will need a good shotgun mic with a lobar pick up pattern to put on your boom pole. (for you non audio people reading, lobar pick up means the mic focuses its audio pick up to a narrow area). Studio mics are very different than location mics. You probably already know that. This is why you want to use a boom pole to get the mic as close the the actor as possible - you?ll get clean dialogue tracks with less ambient noise. They can be expensive, but will last longer than your camera - don?t skimp. something else I'm sure you already know.
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In regard to cameras, I have been looking at the Canon XL2; what do you think?
I don't like the Canon XL series cameras. They're very popular and their owners love them, but they have too many non-pro features that drive me crazy. I much prefer the pro JVC cameras (DV5000 and the new HD100U). Check out these threads on cameras.
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
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4586
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In regard to editing software, I would definitely appreciate some suggestions.
I'm a Mac user so Final Cut Pro is what I recommend. I have cut 14 features using it.
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Finally, should I purchase lighting equipment or will I be able to make do with a creative use of ambient or existing lights?
You can do either. I like to use lights extensively, but many movie makers use ambient and existing light. To me that makes the final product look more like a home movie, so I use a lot of different lighting instruments.
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And, one last question. Should I purchase a computer (perhaps an Apple) solely to process my films? I am assuming that editing, etc., might be better served if I am using a computer dedicated only to filmmaking.
That's what I do. I have a nice 20' flat screen iMac that I stripped everything off of except Final Cut. But I know most people use their editing computer for everything with no problems.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
the only time i would use natural light as the sole light source during filming is during the magic hour (just before sunrise/sunset)... its a risky game because the magic hour is really only 20 minutes.
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