How do you guys justify your outlandish purchases??

Yardsale

Yardsale

Well-known member
I feel like I'm dropping a lot of hard-earned cash all over the place just to get started :crybaby:

takes money to earn money I guess
 
PJC said:
The equipment retains most of its value. Plus you can generate hard cold cash from it.:Drogar-Evil(DBG):
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Yeah one thing I do like about it though is how well equipment holds their value. Moving from still photography to motion, it's hard to let go of my other toys, but I need the monies :crybaby:

I want to do my own projects, but I keep getting asked to shoot events, so I'll probably do that to ease some of the financial burden :D
 
Who needs to justify anything? We each only get one life, might as well live it chasing the dreams we have.
 
er, after spending 3.5k on a dxv, 1800 on editing computer, 1600 for adobe production suite, 1k for mac computer (I didn't know garageband was such an awesome program), couple of hundred on mics....

plus other life expenses...no ****, I feel depressed right now. so much money :(
 
Well I'm only 23, but in one month I've already spent 2600 on the DVX100b, 1000 on a redrock micro order, and I still have a tripod to buy that I can't even go cheap on because of the adapter and rail system I'll be getting...

Luckily my roommate has a good mic for me to borrow :crybaby:
 
If you have a job outside of shooting events and commercials, let the income from these gigs go to equipment and the other job for cost of living. It's not outlandish if it gets you work, it is only outlandish if A) you don't learn how to effectively use it or B) it sits unused for an extended period of time.
 
Alex DePew said:
If you have a job outside of shooting events and commercials, let the income from these gigs go to equipment and the other job for cost of living. It's not outlandish if it gets you work, it is only outlandish if A) you don't learn how to effectively use it or B) it sits unused for an extended period of time.
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Yeah I seem to be dipping into funds from my real job...


time to go hunt down gigs :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
I was feeling the same way after dropping 4 G's on gear, but then I thought, what good was that money doing sitting in the bank? As long as you're not rediculously in debt or facing eviction, use your money to do what you want.

Carpe Diem!
 
I can make you guys feel better. About a year and half ago I spent over 20k on gear to start a production company that I got kicked out of a year later. Spent another 10k on rent, food, etc. , etc.

So I was sitting around with some good gear and no idea how to use it. I bought the G5 and all the goodies, DVX, mattebox, firestore, Magiqcam, crane, grip equipment, lights and on and on.

Just sold my DVX and all the goodies. Lost a ton of money and I'm still sitting on tons of gear that will never make me any money.
So, in short, if you've spent 4 or 5k, you shouldn't feel so bad.

And if you've spent 4 or 5k on gear and you're getting gigs and having fun then you're in really good shape, so get out there and do what you do.

Best,

J.
 
You should use my MANTRA......"It's only money, It's only money, It's only money.........
 
Insanity - that is absolutely terrible, many regrets my friend. I was using a DVX from a Producer who I shot a television pilot for (on the SDX). I agreed to a ridiculous wage (1,000 for 19 days of work) in exchange for unlimited use of the DVX - when I wouldn't keep shooting for him at the low wage after the pilot, he froze me out and now I am cameraless. Now - I am contemplating either the HVX with M2 or waiting for Red.......not sure, but if you are going to be a filmmaker - you at least need a camera. I also have work coming in so it is a justified expense. I will say this...if you are going to buy something, always do it on your own. Never, ever go into buying gear with another person. Always make sure you are the owner. You just have to slap down the cash.....it is a tough decision...my hand is wavering on what to do as I type this....
 
acoreasc said:
Insanity - that is absolutely terrible, many regrets my friend. I was using a DVX from a Producer who I shot a television pilot for (on the SDX). I agreed to a ridiculous wage (1,000 for 19 days of work) in exchange for unlimited use of the DVX - when I wouldn't keep shooting for him at the low wage after the pilot, he froze me out and now I am cameraless. Now - I am contemplating either the HVX with M2 or waiting for Red.......not sure, but if you are going to be a filmmaker - you at least need a camera. I also have work coming in so it is a justified expense. I will say this...if you are going to buy something, always do it on your own. Never, ever go into buying gear with another person. Always make sure you are the owner. You just have to slap down the cash.....it is a tough decision...my hand is wavering on what to do as I type this....
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Yeah that's a great point. A lot of people rent, but unless you're so comfortable with the equipment already, I would think half the time you'd be acquainting yourself with the controls and how to handle it.

Good thing our gear holds its value eh? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
i justify it by lying to myself.

Jk


But if you do make money off of it, Then its Kosher.
 
I lie to myself and to my wife. Then I get beaten when she finds out....Oh, and Yardsale's point is great - the more familiar you are with your gear the better images you'll make.
 
I never justify anything except on my taxes.

I feel obligated to provide myself with the proper tools to do my art.

Arrogant? Maybe but I'm worth every cent.

-rook
 
acoreasc said:
Insanity - that is absolutely terrible, many regrets my friend. I was using a DVX from a Producer who I shot a television pilot for (on the SDX). I agreed to a ridiculous wage (1,000 for 19 days of work) in exchange for unlimited use of the DVX - when I wouldn't keep shooting for him at the low wage after the pilot, he froze me out and now I am cameraless. Now - I am contemplating either the HVX with M2 or waiting for Red.......not sure, but if you are going to be a filmmaker - you at least need a camera. I also have work coming in so it is a justified expense. I will say this...if you are going to buy something, always do it on your own. Never, ever go into buying gear with another person. Always make sure you are the owner. You just have to slap down the cash.....it is a tough decision...my hand is wavering on what to do as I type this....
Click to expand...


I think your deal sucks for you as well, which is why I like to own tools. Most people think I'm an idiot, but it wasn't really about money so much. It was about having the gear available for people that we hired to use. It was a great idea at the time.

I am a filmmaker that has always known that my strength is in writing, producing and directing. Not shooting. When I started in this game I shot on film and definitely had no desire to get into shooting with film cameras. Video has changed the form of making movies a bit and I did have dreams of learning to use the tools. However, video just like film takes a lot of good handling to make it work well, so I decided not to get into it.

I have way too much work designing houses right now, but will be back to making movies over the next couple of years, which is why I got rid of my camera. I also figured that if the person I sold it to would want to shoot movies with me that it would work out for both of us.

To make it worse I'm still thinking about buying an HVX.....just to have it when it's needed. :)

I'm consulting with my psychologist tomorrow to see what exactly is wrong with me.

So for me, you can tell that I don't need to justify it, I just do it.

Later,

J.
 
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