To HD or not to HD? XL2 or HVX200?

C

Carlos Corral

Well-known member
Hey Guys,

I’ve taken a lot of thought to this but I am still really torn. We own a small production company and we are currently in pre-production for our new feature film this summer. We own a Canon XL2 (we bought it while in college and used it for our first feature in 2005). Now that HD has become so much cheaper, we have been debating the upgrade, mostly because of money.

We have about $16k raised for the production but buying a brand new HVX200 would eat 30% of our budget alone. Plus, getting the M2 MicroX kit and also needing to buy a new tripod, light kit, etc. Since we founded our company late in 2007, we have yet to invest the money into equipment so now would be a great time to do it with the money we have raised for this production.

By the time we finish buying the equipment, we would only be left with about $7k for the actual production (props, costumes, food for actors etc.) and post production.

If we stick to our Canon XL2 we would only be spending $6k on additional equipment and would be left with $10k for production and post-production.

What would you do in this situation? To HD or not to HD?

Thanks!
 
I think it will depend on where you want your project to go? - festivals, theater, cable etc.... I'm sure you will get some good feedback from others on this form who can answer this.
 
Well, if you have 16k in your budget, it sounds like you'll be shooting a couple of weeks straight, huh? Rather than scattered weekends?

If so, there's no need to buy equipment for your show. Rent the package(Camera, Grip) and save a whole lot of moolah. More left for cast and crew pay. Insurance, craft service.

And for what you'd pay for a 200 and support, you can rent a Varicam for the whole shoot.

Having said that, I shoot others projects that way, but when it comes to personal projects it is great to own all the camera, support, lighting and post equipment. It's always there if I get a wild hair and just want to try out a new technique or effect.

I do prefer do shoot for 3 or 4 weeks straight and get it over and done with. Indie, guerrilla, weekend shooting can be a crap shoot.
 
Well, that's thing. Our production company also does a lot of commercial/instructional video/music video work. We were able to use a lot of other equipment when we did production because worked for the student television station at UT Austin.

But now that we are on our own, I want to not just invest the money for this particular project, but rather for other projects in the long run.
 
Hi Carlos - tricky one that!

The Canon XL2 is a great cam too, it just depends on what you reckon the value of the HD will be for your film and what difference that makes for distributers.

I'm speculating here, but if this is a film you intend to market through your own company, to a particular audience or genre audience (and its got an angle) then the 'method' of its production becomes less relevant imo.

If its intended for sale, then certainly you will get hit by box ticking folk who might dismiss it for not being shot on hd hmm

Certainly your question has nothing really to do with making films, but everything to do with what should my low budget company buy to do corporates to help buy us bread and to help fund (and produce) the features we want to make too...

(that should have been your question hehe) in that case, i would prooobably get an hvx myself.
 
Thanks lawriejaffa. I apologize that I didn't frame my question better. The gears in my head haven't stopped turning on this scenario so my thoughts aren't all collected.

Does anyone see the HVX200 becoming obsolete anytime soon? The reason I ask is because I bought the Canon XL2 back in 2005. I love this camera but anyone who I know is a filmmaker has already converted to some type of HD.

Will the benefit of shooting in HD add more production value to our movie and/or is it just the format that distributors want because it easier to market for them?
 
I think the HVX200 will have a lifespan of of 4 to 6 more years. It does incredible HD at a very low cost. You definitely get your money's worth...and more. If used properly it will produce images far superior to the Canon which will give you plenty of options down the road.

More broadcasters these days demand HD. The same goes for distributors. If you can provide what they are looking for it means more money in your pocket. If they have to settle for SD than just the opposite happens...less money... if a deal at all. You are insuring your future production capabilities by going HD now (whether you buy or rent).

If you are worried about the future... you may want to consider the HPX170 while you are looking at the HVX200a.

Those are my rambling thoughts.
Jim
 
Would any of you see this as dumb? Be honest.

I stay with the Canon XL2 and film this movie. Whatever money is left from the production, I can use towards the RED ONE SCARLET later in 2009. I've been waiting a while to upgrade to hi-def but I feel that the SCARLET's release will depreciate the HVX200 quiet a bit. I would love to film a movie in 3k.

Am I falling into the RED ONE HYPE?!?!?
 
Carlos Corral said:
Would any of you see this as dumb? Be honest.

I stay with the Canon XL2 and film this movie. Whatever money is left from the production, I can use towards the RED ONE SCARLET later in 2009. I've been waiting a while to upgrade to hi-def but I feel that the SCARLET's release will depreciate the HVX200 quiet a bit. I would love to film a movie in 3k.

Am I falling into the RED ONE HYPE?!?!?
Click to expand...

I would definitely do this if you would be willing to wait 10 months...
 
Carlos -- dude, your banner's WAY too big. Our max size is 569x70 (so no wider than 569, no taller than 70). Please resize it. And everyone else out there who may have too big of a banner, please resize as well. Thanks for understanding and for cooperating.
 
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