You're the director/producer ....

Just remember if you want dialogue on your steadicam you'll need dual system audio, or the smallest wireless receiver you can get. You can't hang cables off of a compact steadicam. And 35mm adapter is completely out of that shot as well. You can get a long way with a good set of sticks and careful hand held. If you are not going to get a professional sound person, just get a buddy on the boom, get the best mic you can afford. You'd blow most of your budget on a senheiser 416 and rycote wind screen, but the sound would be worth it and you'll still have it long after your camera is dead. The same is true for a good tripod and light kit. You may have to build up gradually but most of these items will last your entire career.
 
Careful on the Merlin, Big expense and can it handle the weight of the DVX well?

Complete agreement on the audio...don't forget that you'll need bugdet for fx and music as well. They can be costly investments.

Keep as much of that cash liquid for the small details, they add up enormously quick.
 
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What I'd do....

What I'd do....

1.) I would use just the DVX bare-boned camera (lense and all) with some minor accessories from www.16x9inc.com to make the image better. (Forget the 35mm converter, even if you get one, unless your DP is used to shooting on 16 or 35, or used to using digital converters, do it yourself and cut back the costs. :crybaby:

http://www.stormforcepictures.com/howto-getthatfilmlook.php

2.) Spend 2-3 weeks :Drogar-Evil(DBG): infiltrating local and state-wide college film schools, they have gear that you can get for free, or get a friend to check out, if you can also sell it as an "internship" or a "project for school". (One friend of mine gets free film cameras, but just has to pay for the film stock!) :)

I did an authentic 8 minutes WW2 Short film with the DVX, for under $100, shot all in 2 days, and included all 4 cast, 3 crew, gear, and costumes were free from several WW2 museums, with the help of some hook-ups; it's all who you know and what you can get for "free". You can get free costumes from colleges and local theaters if you can smooze them into making it a "workshop", "internship", or special event that is for a non-profit organization, then they are more interested in donating the costumes, time, and sometimes...money!

3.) If you go with a keesler crane or any professional gear, try to get it for dirt cheap, cheaper than cheap. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) Check with all your friends, someone has one and is not using it. Its better to make a few phone calls than to fork out 500 dollars on a crane that you might not use much after the shooting is over, unless there is an extreme market for camera crane shots in your local area... How are you going to make the money back for all the gear you buy? I've got lots of friends that bought gear for corporate shoots or weddings, that they just bought for the event, and hardly use the exess gear, it's in their garages.

4.) College Theatres - free actors. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

5.) You can make a cheap skateboard dolly/steadicams, get the blueprints at:
http://www.softweigh.com/video/diy.html
http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/greytipsDIY.htm

6.) Put all you money into DVD duplication, film fest entry fees, posters, publicity events or local premeire parties, whatever!!

Get the film out there. Send it to as many people, producers, film fests, and local theatres as possible. Colleges can hold free events if you reserve them on days they are not using their autioriums, or theatres. Tap into the local media, radio, press, and newspapers, get the word out, and if it is really good and they see the quality of the story, script, and your effort, then they ask you how much you spent on the film.. You say: "Nothing. But we spent 4,ooo on the marketting and distributional efforts." Potential investors then can see that you understand the business side to film, and not just the needless and un-thought-through spending that went in to making the film, when it didn't turn out as good, or maybe it did.

8.) Point is, you make the film to get it somewhere. If you put all your $$ into the film and run out of $$ to get it out there, you're screwed. And if there is a possible, profit to be made, you're now 4 thousand in the hole, paying for gear, when you need that 4 grand for film festivals or for promo posters and DVD duplication for re-sale, or sending it out to investors as a demo reel or an investment piece. Lots to think about.

9.) If you're just making a moive to make a movie, then go on ahead. But 4 grand :Drogar-Evil(DBG): is a lot to just go and have fun with. It's not "what" you spend it on OR "how" you spend it. It's about NOT spending it. Put it to better use. 4 thousand bucks is a lot for a short, not quite enough for a feature. If you shoot it like you have no money, then save the money for later, it will be better in a long run.

10.) I know this may sound very weird, but if you have a finished product in hand that didn't cost hardly anything, and you have 4 grand to help you get the film somehwhere, that's what I would do. Get it into film festivals and into the hands of possible distribution outlets: local TV, Cable, get it on the web and spam everyone!

Good luck! :)

Here are some useful links that might assist!

http://www.birnsandsawyer.com/cgibin...ra%20 Rentals

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/c7a682995...2?OpenDocument

http://www.stormforcepictures.com/ho...atfilmlook.php

http://www.bcs.tv/

http://www.abelcine.com/store/home.php

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/dof/index.htm

http://bigfx.com/dl_ok.htm

http://www.apple.com/trailers/

http://www.ifp.org/

http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/greytipsDIY.htm

http://www.softweigh.com/video/diy.html

http://cinemasupplies.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/index.html

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/camcorder5.htm

http://meritline.com/ Cheap Bulk DVDs for duplication
 
I'd think about what you're going to need the most and will use the most.

Good audio is almost a must, it can make or break the movie, or atleast be a distraction to a good movie if the audio is bad.

I am a fan of lighting, but don't always think great lighting is necessary, sometimes good or decent lighting is sufficient if the story is good enough.. So I guess what I'm saying is a strong story and alright lighting is acceptable, in my opinion atleast. Although great lighting adds so much to a movie.

A crane would give a nice professional look to it, but isn't 100% necessary in my opinion.

A stabilizer is always a good investment. I'd probaly choose a stabilizer or crane, but not both.

I picked up a Davis & Sanford (i think) tripod for a little over 300 and it works great. Some of the knobs on it are placed a little unorthodox but after some getting used to it, it's easy to work with.
 
You guys are kicking ass! I love all the responses...definitely helping me focus on certain aspects instead of running scattershot over everything.
 
Honestly tomyboy342000 is on point. But here goes my suggestions for what I would (and have actually) buy.

Quickie Three light kit = 3 halogen work lights from Mennard's = $90

Blue gels to filter the halogen light (unless you just want to keep the halogen look) = about for a pack of gels $30

Spreader Dolly $50

Sun Pak fluid head Tri-pod = $150 or so

Prosumer Video Backpack: this is just the bomb for carrying camera and equipment $200 give or take based on where you buy it.

Azden XM series shotgun mic $99 - $150

Basic on set Monitor $250

Stickypod $79

Older basic firewire DV camera to be used for a deck $200

Good headphones $39.00

The New Garage Band (or the PC equivalent) and a Midi Keyboard about $200

Digital Camera for poster and promo shots $200

2 "DVXUser.com" Battery $158

12 foot jib arm $300 (eBay)

All together you spend roughly $2096

Put the rest back into your budget. But...

...if you really want better lights $350 can get you an RPS Studio lighting kit. Add about $24 for 3 Eiko 500 photoflood lights.

Don't forget scrims and such $50

Also a UV Filter $7

And a Polarizer $30

Also I might I suggest these books (if you don't have them already):

"What They Don't Teach you in Film School"
"Digital Filmmaker's Handbook"
"The DVX Book"
"Rebel without a Crew"

Amazon.com has a bunch of others.

If you want a nice dolly there's tons of info on making one yourself and you can buy PVC piping from a hardware store to make the tracks.

This is basically my set up and my budget is about $1000 less. I don't have a jib though. Run and gunning is my thing so I know how the ultra low budget game is played. tomyboy342000 is right on when he talks about promotion. There has to be money left over for the things he mentioned. DVDs, posters, ect.

-Nate
 
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