Ok, Here's what I'm about to buy (Small web studio, $3k budget)

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dreamache

Member
I run a network of game sites and my partners and I have been wanting to start doing video based game reviews and have it appear at least somewhat professional. ;) Mind you, these videos will be presented through flash video so our intention isn't film making or getting too fancy / filmlike so keep that in mind. I've done a bit of research over the past several days and here is what I've come up with, all ready to order from B&H.

Our goal is to produce videos near this quality: (Potentially not safe for work, no nudity though)
http://www.spiketv.com/index.html#shows/ss/scid=47/sid=15/t=ss
(Click on the "Informative Videos" below. We're using these SpikeTV clips as an example because we're going to be doing something very similar: streaming flash video, attractive girls, green screen work. Let me know if I'm being unrealistic though, I personally don't have much of a clue if the items below would be capable.)

Budget: $3,000


Canon HV20
$1,049
I'm going HD because I was informed if you're doing green screen work, HD is best. Unfortunately the HV20 doesn't shoot progressive, but HD cameras that shoot progressive are too expensive, so we will use FCP to work with the interlaced edges.

Beachtek Dual XLR Adapter
$179
For the lack of XLR Inputs on the HV20.

Rode NTG-1 Shotgun Condenser Mic Kit
$559
I called up B&H for suggestions based on my purpose and a guy suggested I get this. It includes the mic, shockmount, boompole, grip, xlr cables, case, aa battery, stand clamp.

(2) Lowel Tota-Light Tungsten 2 Light Kits (One with case)
$707 Total
I called up B&H for lighting suggestions as well. The guy recommended that I buy two of these packages. One for lighting the green screen, and lighting the subject. I asked him shouldn't I have a softbox for the subject and he said 'no, you just want an even placement of light' and that these are sufficient for what I want.

(4) General Brand EMD Lamps 750 Watts/120 Volts
$72 Total
The lighting guy from B&H told me if I want to show the subject's full body with chroma key, to get 750 watts, otherwise if it's waist up just get 500 watts. So we figure it'd be best to be safe than sorry and give ourself that option.

Davis & Sandford Pro Vista Video Tripod w/ FM18 Fluid Head
$199.95
I don't know much about tripods, but I do know we don't really plan on doing any fancy video movement work, just picked this one because it seems at this price range it wouldn't be absolute junk.

Backdrop-Alley Muslim Background Chroma-Key Green (10x24)
$119.95
I figured to get a long length in case we want to shoot full body. But I'm also wondering, if I want to put up to 3 people in front of the green screen, would I be able to? Just wondering if 10' would be too small of a width.

Impact Background Support System w/ Stands (12' 4-Section Crossbar)
$99.95
I assume this would be sufficient for supporting the green screen...


Grand total: $2,983.61 ($3,000 Budget)
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Now I'm a complete newb, so if you have any type of suggestions on things I should add/remove/change, I'd very much appreciate it! Otherwise we are going to make the purchase.

As appreciation for the help some of you have offered on the board, we will definitely post what we were able to come up with footage-wise once we get it up and running. :)
 
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I've used and own the FM18 pro vista. For 200 bucks you won't do much better, bearing in mind it is what it is, a budget tripod. The legs are solid and the motion is good enough for most things. I had to upgrade from mine because I'm shooting horses often at max zoom as they move around an arena and any uneven head action is therefore amplified to maximum, whereas I need very linear grip with no surprises. The FM18 was a little too spongy for my taste, in that force exterted on it doesn't translate immediately but rather requires you to reach a threshold before it begins to move. This wouldn't be an issue for talking head type stuff or casual shooting.
 
Ming said:
I've used and own the FM18 pro vista. For 200 bucks you won't do much better, bearing in mind it is what it is, a budget tripod. The legs are solid and the motion is good enough for most things. I had to upgrade from mine because I'm shooting horses often at max zoom as they move around an arena and any uneven head action is therefore amplified to maximum, whereas I need very linear grip with no surprises. The FM18 was a little too spongy for my taste, in that force exterted on it doesn't translate immediately but rather requires you to reach a threshold before it begins to move. This wouldn't be an issue for talking head type stuff or casual shooting.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Yeah, we only have one purpose whic his that "talking head type stuff" so I'm thinking it will be sufficient. :)
 
The HV20 actually does shoot progressive.

You're going to need more lights though. Not just one light for the subject and one for the background. More like three for the subject and two for the background. For budget lighting, check out http://www.pclightingsystems.com/ and "Cool Lights" (an advertiser on these boards). It really helps to have some back lighting for chroma key work.
 
bewillia said:
The HV20 actually does shoot progressive.

You're going to need more lights though. Not just one light for the subject and one for the background. More like three for the subject and two for the background. For budget lighting, check out http://www.pclightingsystems.com/ and "Cool Lights" (an advertiser on these boards). It really helps to have some back lighting for chroma key work.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response... but I think you misunderstood my initial post. We wouldn't be lighting the subject / greenscreen with just 1 light a piece. There'll be 4 lights in all, 2 on green screen, 2 on subject....
 
dreamache said:
We wouldn't be lighting the subject / greenscreen with just 1 light a piece. There'll be 4 lights in all, 2 on green screen, 2 on subject....
Click to expand...

For the best way to light it with what you have check out these DVD's by Walter Graff. Grab them all if you can and at least after youll have a good understanding of how to get the best out of what you have.

http://www.bluesky-web.com/new-pagemerchandise.html
 
Im not sure why Walter doesnt come to these forums exactly. he is pretty active on Cinematography.net.
 
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