I'm about to do something I know shouldn't

[Chris Stearns]

I graduated film school three years ago...let me rephrase that. I marched down the isle of SIU arena in a cap and gown, shook a bunch of hands and was given a nice faux-leather case for a diploma that I would receive upon completion of one final film project.

Now I'm looking up at a maroon tassel that says 2002 and I'm no closer to completion. The main reason for this is money, or lack of said money. My financial aid ran out during my last semester at school and I've been struggling just to keep me and my dog fed on a measly cook's wages.

The budget that I had planned for the 16mm project that I had originally wanted to do was around $2500-$3000. That project has slowly evolved over the years and now that video has seemingly caught up to film in terms of relative quality with the DVX, I'm seriously considering making the jump to DV for this project.

My plan now is to upgrade my current NLE with more memory and another hard drive($120). Purchase Vegas 6+DVD with a student discount($250). Purchase a cheap, older laptop for connecting to the internet, and writing on the go($300+-).
And last, but certainly not least, purchase a DVX100a or b($2800-$3400). Add misc. accessories; MQ tapes, cleaner, case(I use old suitcases from the thrift store), filter kit, etc.($100+-) I will be looking at about a $3600-$4200 investment.

I already have stuff like tripods, lighting kits, etc. from my film days, and my computer works well as an NLE and after the upgrades will sing. I also have a miniDV consumer camcorder that I will use as a deck to transfer footage via firewire, so I wont be racking up the hours on the DVX(this could save me 6 monthts down the line in case I need to sell it to recover some of the cost).

Not to toot my own horn, but I think this sounds like a rather well thought out plan. I will only be spending a little more than I had originally budgeted for 16mm,
the workflow will be much smoother(no more waiting on processing and printing), I will be able to edit at home as opposed to scheduling months ahead of time to work at the school's computer lab, and after completion I will own a sweet camera and a complete (though small) production studio. If I go with 16mm all I will have in the end is one final print of my film.

Wow, I wrote an essay. Anyway I guess the question is should I do this? Oh, I guess I should mention that I will be putting all of this on a credit card at 0% for one year. That is my biggest dilemma, more debt. On the one hand, I've got a substantial student loan debt to repay starting next year, on the other, I would like to at least get my Bachelor's taken care of and what's another $4000 anyway?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks---Chris

[Isaac_Brody]

Only you can answer your own question and take responsibility for that choice. With a thread title of "I'm about to do something I know I shouldn't." you should probably think about it long and hard.

Just some thoughts, but have you thought about finding someone with a DVX or some other camera so you don't put yourself in anymore debt?

Also, it sounds like your school's requirements are loose in terms of what you use to shoot your project. Instead of spending money on a DVX why not get a cheap consumer camcorder for a few hundred bucks? This would save you from further debt and put the pressure on you coming up with a very good script that will transcend your camera's limitations.

I think it's easy to fall into the frame of mind that a DVX, XL2, or (insert latest bleeding edge equipment) will make you a better filmmaker.

Anyway, I think reality comes first. Filmmaking comes second. I would just try and make it work with the cheapest stuff out there. No need for credit card debt. YOU DON"T WANT TO GO THERE. And make sure you keep your dog fed.

[Luis Caffesse]

If money is that tight, then why buy the camera?
I can understand investing in a system that will allow you to edit your stuff...but couldn't you just rent the camera, or borrow one? It would save you quite a bit of cash probably.


EDITED TO ADD:
Issac types faster than me.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Why not just rent and try to shoot over a weekend or two weekends and use 'networking' skills and work with an editor. That should bring your budget down to about $300.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Damn, you guys are quick on that submit button... I look so 5 minutes ago now.

[Chris Messineo]

My guide to filmmaking on the cheap.

Step 1: Write a great script (harder than it sounds)
Step 2: Read the children's book "Stone Soup"
Step 3: Apply the lessons of said children's book (you're script is the stone) and if your script is good you will have no problem putting together an amazing soup/film.

Seriously, don't money stand in your way, find a way to make it happen.

Good luck,

Chris

[Chris Stearns]

OK quickly before I go to work,
I'm in the boondocks, and I believe the closest rental house is 270 miles away and my location shots are right here. I considered going the consumer route(I already have one) but tests results were less than impressive. My school's resources aren't limited, but I'm shooting most everything before I re-enroll, and a lot of my locations will be deep in the woods for days at a time. I'll probably wait till the new year. I think I was looking for somone to post something like "DO IT! Do it now before the bird flu kills us all and the world ends and credit is void!"

[Jeremy Ordan]

Even after rapture, bird flu, and a massive wave of sharts that spreads like a cold, the creditors will still be out there waiting to collect.

If you must buy, buy a used DVX100 for $1500 (keep an eye on the marketplace). Furthermore, call Rush @ EVS. I think that they have done shipping rentals. If you need a week then you get a further discount and it is still a lot cheaper.

If you're just looking for someone to say go do it... fine, go do it.

[Larry Rutledge]

I don't think you'll ever get a group of strangers to seriously tell you "YES! GET DEEPER IN DEBT IMMEDIATELY!" Rather, you will get sound advice, as you have already received; but it is up to you to ultimately make your own decision. It's your life and your money, we can't tell you definitively how to spend it.

[Luis Caffesse]

I would seriously look into Yankee's suggestion of shipping rental.
Even if EVS can't do it, someone out there must be able to.

How long is your shoot going to be?

[Sumfun]

Don't buy the camera unless you have concrete plans to make money with it (especially if it means going into debt). Better to borrow or rent. Doesn't your school have equipment that you can use? Or just use your current consumer camera. There's no requirement that the movie be a certain quality, is there?

Just get off your ass and make the film already! Get your diploma or you would have wasted all those years and thousands of dollars that you spent on the school.

[Owen]

I know you are pushing for DVX quality vs. consumer quality because, well, you can see the difference as clearly as night and day... HOWEVER: if the real point of doing this project is only to finish your degree, does it matter? Will the school look at this from a technical standpoint? Artistic standpoint?

If they merely need to be shown that you can direct or edit then the best thing to do would be to shoot with what you've got... unless of course you have future plans for this particular project.

[Slimothy]

DO IT! Do it now before the bird flu kills us all and the world ends and credit is void!

[Rich Lee]

i was expecting a thread about not using a prophylactic...

[Chris Stearns]

Wow, thanks everyone, good advice. I had no idea this would garner so many replies so quickly. So, here it is. I will be purchasing as opposed to renting. I'll still be shooting after I receive my degree. I have two personal projects I will be working on once this one is in the can.

Plus, I have a tendency to become very attached to my cameras(my Bolex Rex 4 hates me right now, so much for true love), and I like to do lots of tests and experiments before and during production. Also, I have stirred some interest with a friend who works at a local ad agency that may give me a little freelance work, and I'm shooting my friend's wedding next year for free(nothing huge or elaborate). And if all else fails, there's freelance pornographic stormchasing.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as where to look for used dvx's?

"My ownership of a DVX100 is like the bird-flu epidemic, it's not a question of if, but when..."

[Isaac_Brody]

Check out the Marketplace here. There's also Ebay, but you gotta be careful, lots of scammers.

[Owen]

Word on the street is that come January you'll probably have an easier time tracking down a used DVX, what with the HVX release and all.

[Chris Stearns]

I hadn't thought of that. Good call, Owen.

[Bradbro]

Dieselfoot, I say go for it! If you are disciplined and pay 100.00 a month for the first year (while there's no interest) then you can pay about 240.00 per mo. (factoring interest in) for one more year and own it free and clear. I did a similar plan and it's great to have the camera free and clear and to be able to work on a project at a moments notice whenever I want. I don't regret it.