Christmas List.

Robbie Comeau

Robbie Comeau

Como's back. back again
Hello all you people,

Now, this christmas, all I am asking for is equipment and add-ons for my film making hobby.

I like to make short films, weddings, and music videos for those who don't know.

My mom is asking me for a list, and everything is to expensive to ask for (Jib/crane, 35mm adapter, 3 point lighting set)

So she has asked for a list for 20-50 dollar items.

So far I have asked for

-RAM
-Moniter for DVX
-Plasterhead the movie
-Broken the movie

And that's it.. Lol.

I'm absoultely clueless as to what to get for addons for my DVX.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

r
 
You should definitely ask for a Polarizer! Best are above $50, but you can get a decent one for $40-$50. They can add a lot to outdoor shots.
 
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Get the book "Killer Camera Rigs That You Can Build," instead of a jib/crane, and the DVD set "Hollywood Camera Work."
 
Gift certificates. And aren't a monitor and ram more than $50 each (unless you really cheap out)?
 
No, my parents usually get me "The big one" every year. So it could be the monitor this year, and something else.

All the 20-50 dollar items are for my sisters, aunts, cousins, and what not.

Thanks,

r
 
Do not get a monitor!

It is way too early in your gear list to get a monitor.

Tell me this: Do you need a monitor? Will a monitor make your final product better? No!

Educate yourself and don't buy the stuff that makes your feel cooler shooting. Purchasing books and DVDs (Hollywood Camera Work) are 10x more valuable than any monitor could ever be, especially at this stage in the game for you.

Also, get some DVDs and books on lighting. Lighting and camera work.

If I haven't persuaded you, let me know. I am sincere in trying to help you make a good purchase.
 
I want an upgrade for my camera, and this will be good.

Im getting a 35mm adapter soon also, so ill be ahead of the game..

r
 
I got a question for you bballplaya - in regards to Hollywood Camera Work...are you in anyway associated with the distribution of it? Every second post it seems you're pushing it. It may very well be a great set, but how do you know hard work, practice and patience won't produce the same results?

You're around the same age as he is, aren't you? Every post towards him by you sounds so ridiculously condescending, one would think you had at least 20 years on him working in the industry. You may be good and that's fine and everything, but there's giving advice and then there's pushing UN-wanted information.

It may be too early in his gear list for it, but it will be useful down the road if he intends to get a 35mm adapter. There are PLENTY of good uses for a monitor. I understand you're trying to help a fellow 'user out, but lay off for a bloody second man.

-Kegan
 
TheComo said:
I want an upgrade for my camera, and this will be good.

Im getting a 35mm adapter soon also, so ill be ahead of the game..

r
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Why do you want an upgrade for your camera? Your thought process should be "I think that this aspect of my videos needs to be improved, and if I buy this it will help me fix it". Not, "I want an upgrade for my camera, and damn that monitor sure looks fancy".

EDIT: Of course, if this is directly before the purchase of a 35mm adapter, go for it. But it seems that for the cost of a monitor it would be more worthwhile to get decent lighting, which is necessary with an adapter and to have a good product in general.
 
TheComo said:
No, my parents usually get me "The big one" every year. So it could be the monitor this year, and something else.

All the 20-50 dollar items are for my sisters, aunts, cousins, and what not.

Thanks,

r
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Ah, so all your relatives get $20-50 dollar gifts while you get the expensive one. I see how it is :thumbsup:.

And yea, bballplaya, tone it down a bit dude.
 
No, my parents usually get me a big present every year. Im sure there parents do to....Your probably sarcastic about me being spoiled, argh I can never telll :)

r
 
I re-read my post and I do sound a bit condescending.

I didn't intend that.

I just think that knowledge of how to use equipment is much more useful than equipment that can't be utilized yet.

When I say, "Educate yourself," I don't mean that he has no education, I mean that a lot of the time people get caught up in investing in gear that isn't essential. Knowledge is what is essential, and nobody knows everything.

When I say, "Don't buy the stuff that makes you feel cooler shooting," I am not saying he is trying to make himself feel cool while shooting. I am actually speaking from experience. A year or so ago right after I invested in my own camera, the next thing I wanted to buy was a Kessler crane. Somebody (on these boards) warned me that I wasn't spending my money in the best way possible, and I'm incredibly thankful for it.

I don't work for the makers of Hollywood Camera. I have recommended it 4-5 times in my life. From my experience, it is the best instruction on learning basic and advanced camera work.

Hunter, I don't see what is unhelpful about the advice I'm giving to Como. Do you really think he needs a monitor with the DVX before he gets his 35mm adapter?

Also, I realize my posts may seem "unwanted," but sometimes the information you don't want to face is the information that you need.
 
jade8472 said:
Ah, so all your relatives get $20-50 dollar gifts while you get the expensive one. I see how it is :thumbsup:.
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No, I think his post says the 20-50 dollar items are gifts he can expect from cousins, aunts, etc...since they are relatively inexpensive. His mom is asking for a list so he can get gifts he will use, and he wants things in that range for his camera.

The big gift is from his parents....and a $600 gift of a monitor may not be a corvette, but it ain't exactly run of the mill, either.

And yea, bballplaya, tone it down a bit dude.
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He's a kid...kids get excited.

I think he is just trying to be helpful...lights before monitor isn't exactly an insult. There is a kernel of wisdom there.

Como, you always have writing questions...ask for some books by Syd Field. They'll help you with structure and things like that, plus give you insight on how to build a story....arc, plot points, etc.

They should be about 30 bucks, and easily found at indigo, chapters, etc.
 
Alright bballplaya - I admire the fact that you didn't flame me, even though I did come on a little strong. Granted, I had a rough day and decided that your post annoyed me a bit and was rather "choosy" with my words.

I don't mean that your posts are "unwanted", but he doesn't seem to accept the Hollywood Camera DVDs as something he wants, yet you promote it still. I understand that you want knowledge to be spread over the "cool factor". We've all been there of course and hey, I wanted a Kessler soon after I got my DVX too.

I didn't buy it, but it would come in handy NOW for me. I see what your points are and they're valid, just the way you're going about them with him seem a little strange. Get what I mean?

Personally, I don't think he needs a monitor just yet...but again, I'm not sure how fast he'll be getting that 35mm adapter. He could get it in a couple weeks or a month and then it would prove to be invaluable.

-Kegan
 
Yeah no worries.

The decision isn't really up to anybody but Como himself anyway, (actually his parents in this case) and the large quantity of items that help filmmakers create many opportunities for differences of opinion.

Anyway, still buy some books instead (cough).

Looking back over my post, I realize that my use of an exclamation mark is the root of my apparent hostility.
 
I think DeSica had a good suggestion, given the questions you've had about writing in the past. Another suggestion I would make is to find which movies might have the best commentary and BTS special features, and ask for those. You can learn alot from that sort of thing, given that I'm guessing you may not always want to sit down and read a dry instructional book or watch an instructional video - and the DVDs are definitely in the 20-50 range.


Man, I wish people still asked me for a list of things I want.
:)

EDITED TO ADD:
And I'll second Bball's post.
Sure the tone may have come off wrong - but the message is solid (in my opinion)
 
which movies might have the best commentary and BTS special features
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Does anyone know of any good one? I love movies with great bts special features, and this could be a good christmas gift.
 
ilauzirika said:
Does anyone know of any good one? I love movies with great bts special features, and this could be a good christmas gift.
Click to expand...

There's a thread somewhere on this board discussing just that. My search turned up nothing, and I'm too lazy to put any effort into finding it. But for my money, any Criterion Collection DVD is great because not only do you get a great film that can teach you something artistically (Like Armageddon) they often have very informative commentaries and documentaries. Robert Rodriguez DVDs can also be very very informative.
 
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