advice on my $$$

Thomas J. O'Hara

Thomas J. O'Hara

Senior Citizen
ok guys...here's the deal.

I work at a restaurant, and I have 18 units at school.
I also volunteer my services at my church, and i'm pretty much the whole video team there.
I'm really busy most of the time.

so, I hate my job at the restaurant and I took out a loan from my school so I wouldn't have to worry about finances so much. Instead of working 6 days a week I now work 3-4.

I eventually want to phase my job out completely, so I can concentrate on school, while at the same time being able to create films/music videos, etc..
I've been thinking about trying to do some weddings for some good ca$h.

I got about $6K and I was thinking I should invest in some more equipment to take me to the next level.

Here's what I currently own.
- DVX100a
- crappy tripod
- crappy shotgun mic
- Dell PC (4 yrs old) but still kicking. has vegas 5, and photoshop 7.
- I just preordered the G35, and I have a 20mm sigma lens for it.
- I have unlimited access to audio recording equipment if I want voice overs/ music, etc... I can also check out stuff from my school for field work. (good stuff too)

so that sets me back $1300. I'm down to $4700.

There's so many things I want to buy, but I'm just not sure what I should get first.

For sure I need a tripod/head.
I'll sell my old shotgun mic for about $200 (it's it perfect condition- AT)
I think I should get a couple more lenses for my G35.
The rest...I'm not sure about. I really need some good lighting solutions. maybe a good light kit? I have zero knowledge in that area as to what is good and bad.

any suggestions, stories, examples, advice you guys have?
 
Rostronics will have the best deals in my opinion for lights right now. $500 for two 1k lights with softboxes and barn doors.

B&H has a great deal on a 03 bogen with tripod for $500.
 
I would upgrade that crappy tripod for a good one unless you aren't shooting anything that you ever need to pan and tilt with. I have a crappy tripod and they don't call em crappy for nothing
 
Hey TJ, where do you go to school? Do they have camera rentals and whatnot?

If it's SDSU I'd be beyond ecstatic, for i'm pretty sure teachers can rent equipment too. and guess who has a teacher for a parent?
 
Tripod hands down.

Lowel makes good lights but they are wicked expensive, maybe spend some money on a few good lights (Rostronics or Amvona) and get yourself some reflectors.

Final Draft for some script writing.

A dv deck or mini dv camera to import footage, if you don't have that already.

The possibilites are almost endless.
 
i'd buy some kickass kino flos. i'm a sucka for some soft lighting. i have this vision in a future film that i want to use them in.....hehe.
 
I would cancel your order for the G35 and use that money to buy something you need (tripod, better mic, upgrade your PC). Since money is a concern I would only be buying necessities. DOF is a luxury not a requirement and wedding video clients don't even know what it is. :)

Good luck!
 
PK's right.

The G35 is a vanity item for most users, something like the ultimate add-on to look "cool".

DOF in a wedding video.....not impressive. The video is for the new bride, she doesn't care about DOF.
A steady shot, good sound and editing.....yes.
 
plus, with DOF, it's much less forgiving when shooting...

You'll need a magnet on at all times, you'll have to constantly focus during handheld stuff in weddings, and that might be tricky.

I'd focus on a tripod to start. Then maybe a new computer
 
i don't know guys...i kind of disagree with you on the G35...

I don't see it as something to "make me look cool".
I think it would add to my style rather than take away from it. How many weddings have a cinematic look? I think it would be a good calling card.

Of course, I would rent or borrow a couple other cameras and leave those on tripods, so that way I could capture the entire ceremony.

I haven't really been clear about my PC...when i bought it 4 yrs ago i spent $4K and made sure it was the best I could buy.
So it's still very usable, not giving me any problems with workflow or anything like that.

spencer- yes I go to SDSU. I can check out pretty much anything I need there. (lights, mics, stands, etc...)

thanks for the suggestions you guys...I'm just trying to be wise with the money I have and I really appreciate anything you guys have to say.

The dv deck for importing footage made me think too...it would probably save my DVX from extra wear and tear.
 
I think what is being said is that such a DOF device is not very suitable for shooting a wedding as it takes too much time to get it right. And time is something you won't have much of.
 
vidled said:
I think what is being said is that such a DOF device is not very suitable for shooting a wedding as it takes too much time to get it right. And time is something you won't have much of.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

In shooting a wedding, there is no "take 2".

You get one chance to get it right. Try to explain to the happy couple why the alter is in perfect focus during the vows, but the bride is an unidentifiable white blur.

It's a vanity item, sorry.
 
Dude, get a good tripod. Do not go cheap with sticks. A good tripod will last you for a very long time and make your life so much more enjoyable. Get a good Tripod. Then start building a light kit. No matter what the future holds for digital video imageing, and the cameras to capture it, you will always need a tripod and lights.
 
Okay, heres my advice - and even though I know no one will probably agree with me, I'm going to give it anyhow.

If you've never shot wedddings before, you're going to have to start small - you probably won't be charging much at first.

So - seeing as you've already got everything you need to shoot/edit weddings - I say keep the 6K you have, don't spend a penny if you don't have to. Instead, take the gear and the talent you already have and start making some money with it.

As you get better at the wedding/event gigs, you'll get a better handle on what gear you really need - and as you learn you'll be making money which you can then use to upgrade your gear.

Do your first few for cheap so you have something to show potential clients - then take that money and get a good tripod. Then go on from there -

There's no reason to spend the money you have if you've got what you need to get the job done - at least at the level I imagine you'll be charging at first anyhow.

That's my advice anyhow.
If you want to do anything with that 6K - then put it away in a long term savings account earning you some decent interest (quite a few accounts now have over 4% - not bad for a savings account).

Yeah, i know, it's not as sexy as buying kino flos... but you'll be glad you didn't spend it once your loans are due - or once your car breaks down, etc.

Use what you have and make money with it - then take that money and reinvest in yourself with new gear - but I see no reason to spend the money you've already saved up.

It's always good to have some savings if you can afford to - no reason to fly without a net if you don't have to.


Damn I'm getting old.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Okay, heres my advice - and even though I know no one will probably agree with me, I'm going to give it anyhow.
Click to expand...
Here is where you are wrong. I agree with you. :)

If you've never shot wedddings before, you're going to have to start small - you probably won't be charging much at first.

So - seeing as you've already got everything you need to shoot/edit weddings - I say keep the 6K you have, don't spend a penny if you don't have to. Instead, take the gear and the talent you already have and start making some money with it.

As you get better at the wedding/event gigs, you'll get a better handle on what gear you really need - and as you learn you'll be making money which you can then use to upgrade your gear.

Do your first few for cheap so you have something to show potential clients - then take that money and get a good tripod. Then go on from there -

There's no reason to spend the money you have if you've got what you need to get the job done - at least at the level I imagine you'll be charging at first anyhow.

That's my advice anyhow.
If you want to do anything with that 6K - then put it away in a long term savings account earning you some decent interest (quite a few accounts now have over 4% - not bad for a savings account).

Yeah, i know, it's not as sexy as buying kino flos... but you'll be glad you didn't spend it once your loans are due - or once your car breaks down, etc.

Use what you have and make money with it - then take that money and reinvest in yourself with new gear - but I see no reason to spend the money you've already saved up.

It's always good to have some savings if you can afford to - no reason to fly without a net if you don't have to.


Damn I'm getting old.
Click to expand...

I agree with your advice on the $$$... and that you're getting old, but then, isn't everyone? I mean, it beats the alternative, huh? :thumbsup:
 
well, i ordered a bogen 503 with some nice sticks, for just under $500. I think from there I'll be good- I really liked the advice Luis. I think I'm just going to let it sit.
really appreciate the comments guys. It is nice to have an honest group of people to ask life's questions to and get a good response.
 
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