Affording a camera like the FS100

[Scott Talbot]

Hey guys,

This is my first post.

I'm a beginning filmer and I'm looking for some advice. Right now I'm in college (Los Angeles) studying 3d animation but taking film classes on the side. I'm slowly realizing that I enjoy filming more than I do 3d. <----And that is the first time I've said that to anyone.

Anyway cinematography is my interest. It really started when a movie came out a couple years ago called Life Cycles. This movie was amazing. I watch it at least once a week.

But moving towards my question... over the past couple months I've been checking out a canon 7d and gears from my school. I don't own a single piece of camera equipment. I've been filming biking, and other stuff. Now being a "starving student", I'm not able to afford a 7d. But that isn't the annoying part. The annoying part is I'm starting to realize the faults of the 7d and I'm wanting more. For example I recently started shooting for a new biking short (clip below) and I've found that the 7d does this odd noise thing with grass that once I've noticed it, it irritates the hell out of me. See, going to art school does one thing to you, makes you a perfectionist. I know I shouldn't complain about using a camera for free, but hopefully someone knows what I'm talking about.

So my question is, how does someone in my position afford to dive into filming when it is so expensive? FYI I do have a job but all of that money is going towards rent and food.

Anyway, I would appreciate any personal stories on how they did it or suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dan Pears]

Great shot for the BMX video.

Regarding money, do you have friends, or other people at college interested in the same ideas as you? I'd have thought rental in the Los Angeles area would be very competitively priced, so you and a collective could chip in on rental for projects? If you're filming BMX stuff, do the riders chip in and pay you, the ones you're filming? Convince them the chipping in for the cost of a better camera will yield better results, and make their riding look dope.

 

[Scott Talbot]

Thanks!

Right now, the rate at which I'm able to film stuff is slow. My friends who ride are very busy so I don't get to film as much as I want. Its hard to find someone who is committed to serious filming. A lot of the good riders who would benefit career wise from a good film, don't have a lot of money and don't understand why it would cost that much and why after an afternoon of filming I only have 3 usable shots

Also I haven't really proven myself. The reason I uploaded that one clip was actually just to get more people to film. So when it comes down to it, I don't really feel comfortable asking people for money. And my school sort of has filming on the backburner, people are more focused on post work.

What I really want to do is just go get a large loan and buy gear but right now I'm being heavily supported by my parents with school and everything, and I hinted at getting a loan the other day and they got excessively pissed. So out of respect for all they have done for me, I'm not gonna go behind the

 

[Chad Nikolaus]

I know it's a long shot, but there's definitely money to be made on You Tube. It's hard to start out, but with some neat videos, fun ideas, a little humor, you might get to the point where you can make a bit of revenue. Even if you don't, you're still posting, learning, getting feedback, experience. I say You Tube over some other sites, because you can start making revenue immediately and the potential to have a viral hit and make decent money is there. Plus, not many You Tube viewers care that much about a little noise in the shadows.

In fact, i'd have the same suggestion for everyone. People post such great content, put it up on Vimeo, etc. At the risk of having your video quality degraded a little, i'd say toss it up on You Tube too and if you gain a following you may find yourself with a little ad revenue!

 

[morgan_moore]

Film making is not about the camera - its about sequences, editing, stories, lighting, learning what cuts together a million other things

Id look for a cheap camera that will take stills lenses and has a big chip

GH1/2 Eos550, sonyNex5 ?? - do some research

The only reason I have a more expensive camera than that is because I have a standard that I need to meet for my paying clients, actually to me really I bought the Fs100 for reasons of synching the sound file to the image which is critical if you are passing off to an editor

S

 

[Dan Pears]

Thanks!

Right now, the rate at which I'm able to film stuff is slow. My friends who ride are very busy so I don't get to film as much as I want. Its hard to find someone who is committed to serious filming. A lot of the good riders who would benefit career wise from a good film, don't have a lot of money and don't understand why it would cost that much and why after an afternoon of filming I only have 3 usable shots

Also I haven't really proven myself. The reason I uploaded that one clip was actually just to get more people to film. So when it comes down to it, I don't really feel comfortable asking people for money. And my school sort of has filming on the backburner, people are more focused on post work.

What I really want to do is just go get a large loan and buy gear but right now I'm being heavily supported by my parents with school and everything, and I hinted at getting a loan the other day and they got excessively pissed. So out of respect for all they have done for me, I'm not gonna go behind the

You mentioned a 7D, you have free access to this? I know the limitations of DSLRs can bug you, but use any camera you can get for free or afford as much as possible. So many people, from beginners to pros use a canon 7d. The more you film, the better the footage, the more people will have faith in you to then cough up a budget.

 

[Scott Talbot]

I know it's a long shot, but there's definitely money to be made on You Tube.

Yeah I'll start posting on youtube since I have an account and it's free. I also post on a biking website that is big. It's also hard to break in on that site.

You mentioned a 7D, you have free access to this? I know the limitations of DSLRs can bug you, but use any camera you can get for free or afford as much as possible. So many people, from beginners to pros use a canon 7d. The more you film, the better the footage, the more people will have faith in you to then cough up a budget.

Yeah I guess I'll just keep doing what I can and making as many videos and the highest quality as I can. I'm not complaining about free use of 7d's its just a lot comes with camera's that are rented out for free. Like dirty lenses, not always getting it when you need it. It's really annoying when people who don't need a 7d rent it out. Thankfully its the summer so I don't have that problem.

Another question, I'm new to this website but do you think it is worth posting my videos on forums like this? I assume it is worth it, I mean if one person sees it then its worth it. I just don't want to annoy people with my non narrative/story based videos. :/

Thanks for the honest responses guys. I'm also interested in how you guys got started! So maybe share your story...