A new tripod or more knowledge

Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

VHS Member Old Skool
Having to make sure that I take care of little things, like feeding my kids, I often have to prioritize. I had been putting aside some coin to buy a new bogen 503/3046 set up. But now I see that Dov Simens is doing his 2 day thing in NYC the weekend I will be there visiting my Dad. The price is 389 bucks. I know that some of you recommend his course, and I read some of his book, which I found quite informative. Where to invest the money? Is the course worth it? If it is sold out, or I can't go because my dad will cry like a baby and my wife will kill me for missing his birthday (same day as the course), which is why we are going out, should I buy the DVD/book set? What's a po' filmmaker to do?
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Have you looked at the course guide very closely? Really read into that and list the things/topics you want to know more about. Ask yourself if that is the only or the best way for you to learn that?

a tough decision..I am big on learning..and have considered flying out or driving far in order to "train" with some expert, but this would be a one- on one type situation, I guess..this is only a thought.

How badly do you need the tripod?

Missing the bday is not good either, though, like many b-days, maybe you could move the celebration to a diff date?
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

like pooh said.. how badly do you need the tripod?

if i had a choice and needed a new tripod i would go with the tripod. that bogen could make a big difference for a long time to come. it is great to have some good sticks.
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Yea, I have a reeeeallly crappy tripod. I was doing some tests with focus pulls the other night and the camera shook every time I touched the focus ring.

And I know what you mean about whether it's the best way to go to get the knowledge I need. The thing about that is, you don't know until you go. I've been to dozens of professional/business seminars in my life (not on filmmaking, although much of the info applies). I have found them a great way to learn. I have also listened to countless tapes and read hundreds of books, which also work for me. All of them are good choices. I have no doubt that I can use the knowledge that Simens has. Even if I fall ass-backwrds into a great development deal someday, I still want to have the knowledge about how to navigate it. Do I need it now? I don't know. After this next short (next month) I plan on developing a script for a feature, which I will write, produce and direct. I will be seeking distribution. If there are things I can learn about before I start, It might be a worthwhile.

There is no bad choice, really...
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

the new tripod would do wonders for you on your next short. save some more coin and take the class later. my two cents.
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Dov does his course around the country. Almost every weekend it's playing somewhere. No need to rock the family boat for this particular weekend.

It is, however, an absolutely dynamite presentation and you'll learn more in the first hour than most aspiring filmmakers bother to learn at all... okay, maybe an exaggeration, maybe not.

But take the class at a time when it's convenient for you. And take it when you are READY to start your film, because by the time you come out of that 2-day seminar you will SO want to get started.
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Get the tripod. I never learnt nothing from no class. ;D

Barry's right. Take the class later when you're about to begin production on something. Until then you'll have a nice tripod to play around with. Ohhh sweet fluidhead. My companion. My mistress. If it weren't against God's law I'd make ya me wife!!! (- Willy, The Simpsons)
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

If you take the class and learn some valuable techniques or knowledge, your film is still going to look like **** because you will still have a crappy tripod.
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Yes, I began to read it a while back. That's what gave the course some credibility (along with a recommendation from Barry Green I read a while back). At the time I was checking out dozens of books from the library on all aspects of filmmaking. My enthusiasm was getting the best of me. There was no way to get through them all. It was more important at the time to learn the basics of how to use the dang camera, so books that weren't very hands on, practical in that vein were pushed aside. But I just ordered it again.

Thanks again
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

Jim,

I recommend you get a tripod. As Barry said, Dov does the circuit frequently and you'll have another opportunity to do the course.

If you choose to go to the course instead of buying a tripod, the first thing you are going to want to do when you are all pumped up after doing the course is buy a good tripod. See the problem here?

Your biggest inspiration right now will be good equipment. You will see the difference in your shots and it will make the actual shooting part more enjoyable.

Do it, do it.
 
Re: A new tripod or more knowledge

I remember a while back we had a problem with a new poster. Everyone hinted at him (some outright told him) that he was being obnoxious and ungrateful. My input was, if everybody in the room tells you that you are drunk, you might want to sit down. I guess I need to take my own advice.

The tripod it is.
 
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