A little advice for a broke filmmaker?

C

CactusMcDougal

New member
How can I go about aquiring a decent camera for a reasonable price? (Preferably free but that'll never happen.) Realistically, I couldn't even swing $1000 US if I tried. I really want to work on one film of mine that's been in planning for a while within the next year or so. I don't know anybody in Dallas that works in film, so I really don't know where to turn.
 
Get a job and save money until you can buy a camera.

EDIT: Just saw your other post, you already have a camera. What's stopping you from using what you already have? Lemme guess, it doesn't do 24P? It doesn't have that DVX mojo?
 
There has to be some kind of film community in Dallas. Network. Network. Network.

Even here in Phoenix it's possible to hook up with other filmmakers that may have equipment to use. Go work for somebody else in exchange for the opposite.

If you don't find creative ways to get making movies without money, it's going to be a very short ride.
 
I'm in Dallas, along with a few others on the boards. What's your script about? Genre?

Shoot me PM if you wish.

Here's some advice I gave to another person that was in a similar situation.

"My .02? go out and shoot a "rough cut" with your little single CCD camera, makeshift lights, and zero budget. Bring it back and cut it up... if you can get it to come out alright with zero budget, you'll know you're on to something.

AND... you get that much more practice and experience to know what you need to change/improve on for next time, if you decide to give it another go with pro gear.

You've got nothing to lose my way, except a little time."

And it was taken from a topic here.
 
Isaac_Brody said:
Get a job and save money until you can buy a camera.

EDIT: Just saw your other post, you already have a camera. What's stopping you from using what you already have? Lemme guess, it doesn't do 24P? It doesn't have that DVX mojo?
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I'm only 17 and my parents don't want me holding a job while I'm in school. Also, the Sony TRV-140 is only good for shooting very low-quality home movies; it's nowhere near the prosumer level I need.
 
hmm....tell them you wont succeed if you dont plant the seed.
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That's too funny spidy. :2vrolijk_08:

Cactus McDougal,

You should really practice your lighting and framing and overall storytelling before you worry about buying another camera. I own a Sony TRV-70 and have shot a few projects with it, including a couple really cool looking music videos. I'm not saying that the lighting was good, I had no concept of lighting and didn't attempt to, I'm just saying that if you work on your framing and lighting more and can light and frame adequatley, you should have no worries using your current cam. Those little cameras are actually substantial and can produce some nice images with good lighting. Give it a try. And if you really, really think you need that 24p look, then just add it in post.
 
Robert86 said:
I'm just saying that if you work on your framing and lighting more and can light and frame adequatley, you should have no worries using your current cam.
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This is great advice. You should see the work done by Matt Mcdermitt with a GL2. And Monty does good work with a Sony TRV cam. Just get some worklights, make some homemade reflectors, and you should be well on your way.
 
CactusMcDougal said:
I'm only 17 and my parents don't want me holding a job while I'm in school. Also, the Sony TRV-140 is only good for shooting very low-quality home movies; it's nowhere near the prosumer level I need.
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That's better than the VHS deck I had to use when I was 17... always had to be plugged into AC power. To edit I had to get a ride to the local public access station downtown and reserve time to use the 3/4" analog decks. Most of THAT time was eaten up with copying the 1/2" VHS onto the 3/4" station format using fifteen year-old tapes they were going to throw out, and praying the things were't too degraded because I couldn't cough up $30 for a brand new one each time.

You've got it good!
 
CactusMcDougal said:
Did I mention that they're cheapskates? They won't shell out more than $50 on me, much less $3000.
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Are you serious ? With all that you do for them and the home you live in ?

But you're so worth the investment.


:violin:

You have a camera; start making films.

-

Smells like D.B.
 
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