Best way to spend $500 X-mas gift on my DVX?

F

Filmfanatic

Active member
I have $500 to spend. I am a new filmmaker. I want to buy some usefull equipment for my DVX. I know $500 won't buy that much but even one important add-on would be great.

Right now I only have a set of dvds on how to use my DVX, a set of filters and I'm using I-Movie as a starter editing system and its fine for where I'm at.

I plan to use only available light as much as possible so I won't need a lighting kit at this point.

I 'm thinking about things like an inexpensive matte box like the 'Cinetatics Matteblox' or a Steadycam jr. or a boom mike ( I heard body mics can be difficult because they pick up a lot of body and clothing movement noise).

Can you please recommend items that you found important as you grew as filmmakers.

Thanks
 
Save your money and buy yourself a glidecam. :)

A boom mic is not a bad idea. Go for a Sennheiser. Descent audio is very important.
 
Thanks for this great input. I hope additional ideas keep coming.

Sean Michael,

I agree about the mattebox but as crazy as it sounds I once met a guy who got a mattebox for his second short and he felt the actors were actually affected in a positive way and treated the project more seriously because the camera (Sony) looked more professional and less of a small amature type camera even though it was Sony's top pro/sumer model. Maybe thats rediculous but I'm here in NYC and have easy access to tons of actors and might need some help being taken seriously. Its not first on my list but this story did get me thinking.
 
I wouldn't doubt the story about the mattebox and the actors... Even after hard proof of the DVX quality, I still have some people balk at the size. Perception is a hard shell to crack.
 
I have yet to buy a DVX. I am saving frantically, but I use two Sony VX2100's. At a recent expo, I made sure, I had the Matte Box, with the Polarizing filter, Shotgun Microphone mounted with high wind shield, etc. I had to do that for the untrained eye to even take a camera this size (A little bigger than the DVX) Seriously. People go with the event filmers who use the XL2 simply on the cool look of the camera alone.
 
Definitely go Microphone first! Without good sound, eveything is a waste of time...Unless you are filming a silent film or a music video with the vocals Mouthed and then synched.
 
With regard to the "form factor" of your DVX, it's beefed-up by a camera-mounted shotgun mic with Rycote softie. This is an AT897.

DVXFoto_006.jpg


Note that in some situations the low profile of the DVX is a huge advantage. I've grown to appreciate it.

And back to the topic on hand, mic & tripod! The actors really won't take you seriously if you shoot a film with tinny sound and jerky camera movement.
 
Buy a good mic and wind shield! You can use the little bit of money you'll have left over to spend at Home Depot, making yourself a boom, dolly and whatever else that get's hot on the DIY forum.

Marlene
 
it depends on what your priorities are
and what u shoot
if I had to spend 500 I would probably buy a wireless system 4 audio
but don't get a 400 glidecam, u can make one for like $14
 
In my opinion I would definitely go for the mic/boom/windshield, whether it's DIY or bought. I would say a tripod would be second.
 
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