Getting the most work out of your DVX

[ccdemon]

I have a hard time believing I'm alone on this, but has anyone out there found it difficult in any way to get any type of job for their DVX and DVX-related equipment? What I'm finding is the most difficult and frustrating is that most people don't know the potential, the possibilites and the capabilities of this excellent camera. It's like it's a matter of status. For example, if I don't have a Sony 600 (Betacam) or an Ikegami package (which I don't), then nobody cares, to say nothing about HD cameras. What I think is a contributing factor is the area I'm in, New Orleans, where the demand isn't as high as say, Los Angeles or New York. But still, there are tons of things that can be shot with this baby here in New Orleans. I've had the camera for about a month and have had literally no luck yet with getting any paying gigs. I've spoken to, called, faxed, visited, darn near slapped silly musicians, television stations, record labels, wedding photographers, corporate video producers, film producers, production companies, talent agencies, you name it. No one is biting, and I know that I am one of VERY few in this town with this equipment. I bought it because of the potential and of the demand I saw elsewhere, and that I was blown away by what it can do and the various companies out there that are improving and modifying it constantly (Cavision, Century Optics, etc.) This is a great camera, but I'm beating my head against the wall convincing people of that fact. I don't have the resources to go out and shoot a short film with it to show people because I'm totally broke. I know this all sounds desperate, but that's the point I'm at right now. If anybody has any suggestions I will welcome them all and greatly appreciate it. I hope everyone out there has had better luck and I'm confident that a lot of people will relate to this post. Thanks for reading and keep shooting!

[J.R. Hudson]

Have you by anychance put together a demo reel of the DVX capabilites? I know you have only had it about a month, but be patient. If you are looking for work, it takes time. People might have your flyers/faxes etc, but might not have a need for a project at this time.

Also, keep hammering away if you are lookig for gigs. It takes time to build up a LEAD list. If you haven't put together a DEMO reel of the DVX and YOUR capabilites; I would do just that; get it online for viewing by potential clients.

People are suckers for that! Instead of seeing a flyer that reads "Have DVX, will shoot" have it say check out www.willshootDVX.com for demo reel!

Anyway, hopes this helps...

[savage]

ccDemon,

I think you just need to keep yourself busy with the camera, and keep hitting the "streets." You might not have the funds for a 22-27min short, but I bet you, if you had some material, you could produce a 1-5min short for NOTHING.

I downloaded a whole bunch of animation programs to shop around for what works best. If you have a mac laptop, Framethief is a great free download, or if you have a pc, AnimatorDV profesional is good (even though it says demo on the final results)

These program trials are free, and you can fool around with whatever you have.

Basically, I'm saying, JUST KEEP YOURSELF BUSY, and KEEP LOOKING FOR THOSE PROJECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES. Have you posted on Craigslist.com?

Your time will come, and in the meantime, your honing your DVX skills!!!

[Zoomforce]

yes.. and show the footage to whoever you can. I have found once people actually see the footage they are more interested.

[Guest]

If you're trying to sell them on your equipment, instead of on your skills, you'll have a very, very tough time of it.

99% of my clients do not care what the project is shot on. On my reel I've got mostly 35mm, some 16mm, one spot that's DSR500 & Super8mm film, and a couple of DVX100 spots.

Clients rarely care what it's shot on, they just look at the reel and say "Wow, you do good work. What will it cost me to get a commercial done?" At that point, once we start talking budget and I get a feel for what they can afford, we then decide whether the DVX is appropriate. I just did a series of commercials for a national education-training school, and they were all shot on the DVX100, except for the "most-important" segment (Massage Therapist training spots) they wanted to also shoot on film, so we brought along a 16mm camera for that one spot, and double-shot it.

Now, if you're going to AD AGENCIES, well, yeah, they care what it's shot on. They charge their clients exorbitant fees, and they want you to make them look good. If the client's going to be there, you'd better be shooting on something that says "Arri" or "HDW-F900" on the side of it. But if you're going directly to clients, they rarely ever care what it's shot on. This college series I did, the guy did ask if we were shooting on BetaSP (since that's what he was used to) and I suggested he might be happy with the DVX. He wasn't sure, so I showed him the reel and said "pick out the spot that was shot on 24P video" and of course he couldn't, it looked just like the 35mm spots that preceded and followed it. So he was happy, and we shot on the DVX and saved a fortune and the spots look great.

Now, if you really want to try to make money with your equipment by selling your equipment, well, you'll probably have to contact equipment rental companies and arrange to sublease your camera to them. The going rate for a DVX is somewhere around $175/day, so the equipment rental company might agree to split that with you, or maybe you could get $100/day and they keep $75/day -- but that'll only work if there's not much demand. If there's a lot of demand to rent the camera, then of course they'll buy their own and keep 100% of the rental fees.

Lastly, you could go to the independent filmmakers in your area and let 'em know you're now packing heat, but those are the guys & gals most likely to be interested and least likely to be able to pay you for it.

So if you've got a reel, sell your reel. If you don't have a reel, build one. Offer to do spots for people for free if you need to, but if you do, choose big companies that everyone recognizes so it looks more important on your reel.

Finally, if you need to make money with your equipment, don't discount the hell of wedding videos, that's probably the largest sector where people get paid to shoot video, and where the DVX's unique capabilities could give you a leg up on the competition. But from all accounts it can be hell dealing with "Bridezilla" and the mother of the bride, so I hope you don't have to go there...

[Mr-Joe]

HAHAHAHHAHAHA


"Bridezilla"

wow that just made my morning,

Thanks.

[Zoomforce]

Thats a good point on the whole they want an Arri on the side of it. When we shot Art History, our little DVXsetup looked impressive in that aspect.. infact if we glued a Film Mag onto the side of the DVX we probally coulda got away with anything


http://www.dvxuser.com/image/setup.jpg

funny.. I shot this still with our other DVX, and its such a give away with that stupid black bar down the right side.

[Guest]

hello zoomforce.What is that thing on the lens of your dvx in that picture?Can this camera change lenses?It definatly makes the camera more flashy.Thanks

[Zoomforce]

its a mattebox.. an Arri 6x6 with a 6 stage filter. We have an anamorphic adapter in front of the lens, we dont actually change the stock lens.

[Guest]

where can you get one of those?do you have to buy it or can you rent it?Also what is the aspect ratio?thanks

[kai]

ha sure you can buy one of those... for about twice the price of the camera itself... :) Zoom is a lucky man :) Check out these other alternatives that won't break the bank:

http://www.saferseas.com/vsd/eye/eye13.html
http://www.cavision.com/Mattbox/DVX-100MatteBoxGuide.htm