Amazing times at DVXUser

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

Mod V3 New and Improved
Staff member
First a quick happy thanks giving to you US folk.

Second - As a mod here for the past couple of years and a member since 2005 I wanted to throw out one mods thoughts on the state of play.

On that, I have to say since I first came here Ive seen novices grow into success stories through amazing vision and dedication. We've seen the DVX that started this forum become swamped, first by HD then followed by the DSLR's and now as we move forward, purpose built large sensor machines. But users right here on this forum are still making the trusty ol DVX sing. Long, long gone are the days of trying to shoot your little pet projects on Super8, ADR'ing ALL the dialogue because you couldnt afford a sound package and the list goes on and on.

Ive seen some amazing stories created by amazing talents. And now our humble membership sits at around 85,000 with getting close to 2.5 million posts.

From this forum Ive met some great, generous and enlightening people. From a couple of local guys who shoot on DSLRs as a hobby to Philip Bloom and recently a few other names that I'll keep off list for now.

From this forum Ive worked on some incredible projects, in Japan and other parts of Asia as well.

On this forum we moderators are all volunteers, contrary to popular belief no one here is paid by Panasonic or paid at all for that matter. I cant speak for anyone else in Yellow but I can say I do it because, whilst everything keeps changing, new members keep coming here every day and asking the same basic questions they always have, for the same reasons they always have - to learn.

This forum contains more knowledge within its archives than anyone would even come close to understanding.

So, as we turn a new corner toward 2012 with the global financial doom and gloom - stay positive and keep on punching. For me my first six months is booked completely, every single day - so I have a lot to be thankful for. And whilst Ive shot on documentary feature length projects, 2012 will be the year I turn my aspirations of directing and shooting my first narrative feature that I wrote into reality.

I wanted to finish with this - those that work here are dedicated to seeing our fests become something bigger than they every where, and far more than I, some of my fellow mods are dedicated to seeing you all grow.
 
*sniffle* Shucks Noel...that was beautiful. :)

Seriously though, very happy to be a member here and to be invested in and invest in others. It's been a great resource for me as a filmmaker and I'm really thankful to have put a lot of what I learned here to use on my first feature.

You're right, the knowledge here if you dig deep enough is invaluable. Peace...and Happy Thanksgiving! :)
 
Glad to hear you're booked by the way Noel. That's good to know. Money is still flowing. I've been here since the start of DVXU and how many of us figured the DVX was the end all do all. But I think the DVX almost created it's own market. The indie filmmaker was always there, but to show people that there was profit in that market as Panasonic did was awesome! And no one saw HDV coming, cudos to JVC, (who doesn't get nearly enough credit) then AVCHD came, 35mm adapters and now 4k and feature films being shot on what were formerly still cameras. The proliferation of video equipment in general has sparked imaginations all over the world and I think DVX and this site was a big part of that. There was always inspiration here and people who loved filmmaking. And people here had information others didn't.

I remember a time when people would argue of the use of the word "film". We weren't using film, how could we be filmmakers. I remember the "video can't look like film" arguments which went on for pages. Currently anyone with a computer and the right software can create a decent "film look". Heck, Hollywood itself is using small camera and DSLRs for B-roll. What about the soaps that were using small prosumer cameras? And what about the end of the studio camera. Remember those monsters. Everything can be carried on the shoulder now, in a bag or...a pocket. I just got a JVC picsio. When this site first started we thought 24p on a prosuemer camcorder was a miracle, who here thought they'd be carrying a camera that can shoot 1080/30p in their pocket? And remember how it felt when the last VCR had been made. Wait, what about when the DVX was finally discontinued and replaced with the HMC150. Come on, when we first saw that camera and knew what it did, we knew didn't we. I so wanted that camera to be called the HDVX100. LOL. But we outlived the camera itself, which I think is a true testament to what's really going on at this site.

I'm not on here nearly as much as I was in the beginning. Then again, in the beginning I was just hoping to one day to get a DVX and make a movie. Now my $400 HG10 shoots 24p and in higher resolution than that $4000 camera. My Piicsio, which I got for $35, shoots in 1080p. That's just crazy! But I am making my films now and DVXU will continue to be a part of that. We started with the DVX, but now shoot on the 5DM2, my HG10 (which I have a 35mm adapter for finally) and now I'm adding 720p Flips and my new Picsio pocket cam to the mix. The future still looks bright. I'm thankful for DVXU and still being able to do this even now in the slow economy.

And big props to those still using the DVXU, it's still a great camera.

-Nate
 
Noel, very well said and echoes my feelings as well.

Now I have not been a member as long as some, but that does not diminish my thoughts and feeling about each and every member here. This is an online "home" for me. I love seeing the thirst for knowledge and the passion people bring to their projects. From the no-budget student film to the pro level feature, there is always one key ingredient......passion.

Sometimes things get a little testy, but I usually attribute that to that same passion.

Each of us has our own specific knowledge and experiences, and no two of us are the same. And that is why I love it here at DVXUser. We share in that knowledge so we can learn and grow as film-makers.

So, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation for all of you, Mods and members, for making this an amazing site and fountain of knowledge.
 
User's half my education, and was the reason I finally spent everything I had on a camera and got shooting! That HVX200 story will always stick with me, wonder if Barry still remembers that. It's also how I met most of the people I work with on a ritual basis, which is pretty crazy. Geoff Reisner and Matt Garrett have both become really close friends over the years, and so has Jesse Soff and Sam Balcomb--these two guys invited me into the Rainfall Films collective and that relationship started here. Lots of others, and one super special one. But yeah. xP

Also, watching a lot of people grow over time has been crazy. Definitely remember Brandon Rice when I first got to User, now look where he and his company's at! And, B.Man is a family guy, too. Matt Sconce and his team are growing exponentially, Kegan Sant and his Crew just secured distro for their feature at AFM. Marlon Ladd and his brother are almost done with their feature, which started as a DVXfest entry years ago.


I could definitely go on, but to me there's no better site for filmmakers on the net, even though there's a lot of gear talk (rightfully so)... the User Films section is pretty strong and constantly growing. Hope Mr. Evans will start a production thread there!
 
groveChuck said:
Noel-

To the Men in Yellow- here here... :beer: :beer:

Thanks (and keep) Giving... cheers!
Click to expand...

I second that... :beer::beer: to the mods. I agree with what Kholi said, that there is "...No better site for filmmakers on the net...", and most of the credit goes to the Mods, who keep the board on track. Thanks again.

I really have to thank DVXUSER for keeping me in filmmaking. I started shooting film and video a long time ago (My first professional gigs were in 1991) and rode up with the DV revolution. However, I had to be away from it for a good little while, as I had a family obligation that took all of my focus. I became the the live in primary care giver for my mother, who had Alzheimers and was on kidney dialysis for end stage renal disease, from late 2002 until she past in late 2005 and then for an older brother who pasted away in 2006. While I did have some gigs while I was with my family, even shooting two (very) low budget features, I found it very hard to keep up with what was going on in filmmaking, and the advances in the technology. Then I found DVXUSER, and I have to say that it is the single biggest influence on me to make the decision to stay in the game. It took some doing, but I swallowed hard and went about picking up event gigs, and what ever I could with the basic SD gear that I had at the time (A Sony DSR-PD150 and Final Cut Pro 3 running on a G-4... in 2007/2008, yikes!), but I made it work for me. With the info available on DVXUSER, I could weather the rise of HD (Thankfully passing on HDV altogether), and now, a few year hence, while I am nowhere near where I want to be as a filmmaker, I feel I am much further on the way there. Thank you DVXUSER!
 
Were lucky to have a fair mod that gives every member time, and helps with critique and ideas. I have to say, Noel, Your a stand up guy. thnks
 
Thank you !!! this is to everyone that contributes to this amazing film school!!!
And, mods, I really value your huge efforts to keep this school going!
 
If I make a career out of video I will have DVXUSER to thank!

I hope to give back to the forum more and more as my skills and experience improve.

And I am so impressed by what some of you guys are achieving (yes I'm looking at you Kholi!)

And David that was a great story of overcoming hard times and coming back to your passion.

Cheers to everyone!
 
DVXUser, the greatest filmmaking forum around. I've tried others, nothing can touch the community that has formed here. Thanks to all the mods, there are definitely different (and better!) ethics being used here. Rock on into 2012!
 
I got at least 70% of my film education here. The other 30%, 1st ACing for bigger DP's and trial and error.

Thank you DVXuser. I am thankful.
 
I believe short film sets are like "mini movie" sets. You learn to collaborate, to finance, to schedule, to get your paperwork, preproduction, post production, it's all there. Sink or swim. I learned a lot from working with directors. It's allowed me to sell short film scripts outside of DVXuser which is cool. Learning the process whether you're a director or writer is half the battle. The other half is getting it done well. Thanks DVXuser for my edu-film-cation.

I've tried over the years to get more screenwriters involved so they too can understand the process. I've rehearsed lines via phone with actors, done stunt coordination with actors via skype, worked with directors from coast to coast, and I could not have had a jumping off place where it not for DVX.

So thanks, for everything!
 
I agree with Loki.

And, if it's not too much trouble...which settings?
 
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I've made a career for myself as a director of photography from the knowledge and support I've gained from these forums. I recommend dvxuser to nearly every young filmmaker I meet, because the wealth of information and perspective that is accumulated here as a result of the professionals, enthusiasts, and hobbyists that post their experiences is nearly invaluable even if you're the most seasoned professional in your own right. My only hope is that as the community grows it retains the things that made it great in the first place. Keep on doing what you're doing dvxuser!
 
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