Do film students really need their own cameras?

"capitalist need to possess".....Holy *#@% hell.


AND we're supposed to believe you shot "hand-cranked"...."see some of the movies we made in those days with borrowed hand-crank cameras...." LOL gimme a break. I guess it was easier than the cave painting.......LOL, hand-crank.......
 
Well I kinda took the question in a DVX way...

But as of ANY other camera, well they run pretty cheap in the US, so I'd say go for it and practice.

Now, there are film students who don't need cameras. I know a bunch that are not even interested in how they work or who they work it. Ever hear of film critic? Film studies? Scriptwriting?

While the experience of shooting as many tapes as you can, and doing enough personal projects until the end, finished piece, is invaluable for most people, it's not essential.

Now, a cheap consumer cam and a computer to mess with editing, is a must, as soon as you decide to commit. Since theese things run quite expensive around here, most people just use school facilities and live with the drawbacks.

In essence, practice in your craft is a must, not owning gear, if one does not cripple the other, so be it.
 
Tina C said:
I never realized when I posted this that people would jump on me for the question, and then start making all kinds of assumptions, particularly a moderator, of all people. Had I known such a question would have been offensive, I'd have kept it to myself.
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...but you have to realize that that's the best part. Don't keep it to yourself. Learn to enjoy getting jumped on. This is Jerry Springer with useful information scattered around. And the very people that are offending you know are some of the most helpful ones. Don't let perceived offensiveness blind you to the fact that they spent good time trying to answer you with what they thought was the right answer. So what if they're ^%$^&%$ clueless lazy capitalist bastards? I'll keep saying capitalist 'cause pookie really bit that one!
 
Tina,

You might want to check out community access stations near your school. They often have equipment not being used and with a yearly membership you're usually allowed pretty good access.
 
pookie said:
"capitalist need to possess".....Holy *#@% hell.


AND we're supposed to believe you shot "hand-cranked"...."see some of the movies we made in those days with borrowed hand-crank cameras...." LOL gimme a break. I guess it was easier than the cave painting.......LOL, hand-crank.......
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Actually, I was acting in the hand-crank films, not shooting. This was at Cornell, which has a very different attitude towards film than USC, but which still gave me the impression that most film students had to go through a hand-crank, 30-second-per-shot project or two? No? They should.

See "The 5 Obstructions" yet? That kind of attitude.

As for cave paintings, now that you mention it... one of the big classes for aspiring filmmakers at Cornell was actually an anthropology class where you had to hand-animate a myth by drawing/painting directly on blank film. I didn't do it, but boy, some of the results were great!

Capitalist!
 
"Originally Posted by Tina C
I never realized when I posted this that people would jump on me for the question, and then start making all kinds of assumptions, particularly a moderator, of all people. Had I known such a question would have been offensive, I'd have kept it to myself."


Now don't take this wrong, but what you see here is only a fraction of what film school will be like. Your work will be critiqued by the instructors and classmates. If you are having trouble with the comments here.........hmm


As far as "a moderator, of all people", you expect the mods to have no opinions??? Please.
 
ullanta said:
Actually, I was acting in the hand-crank films, not shooting. This was at Cornell, which has a very different attitude towards film than USC, but which still gave me the impression that most film students had to go through a hand-crank, 30-second-per-shot project or two? No? They should.

See "The 5 Obstructions" yet? That kind of attitude.

As for cave paintings, now that you mention it... one of the big classes for aspiring filmmakers at Cornell was actually an anthropology class where you had to hand-animate a myth by drawing/painting directly on blank film. I didn't do it, but boy, some of the results were great!

Capitalist!
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LOL!!


But then, I'm from USC, so what can you expect...LOL...dude.

By the way, shouldn't it be "Capitalist-Pig"?
 
Enough with the sensitivity act pleeaaassse. What the hell is going on around here? First the mental patient over in JVC and now I'm being accused of being a Moderator with Standards.

Tina - you asked; we answered. To me; it is surprising to see a film student ask this question. In fact, its a first. Most film students will do anything to get a camera and sacrifice their buts off (or at least Daddy's) to get one. When you asked "Hey, do I need one?" it makes the lot of us wonder 'What kind of filmmaker is this?'

No one is judging you here. If you dont feel you need one then thats your all (surprising) but albeit your call. Welcome to the forum; no one is gonna judge you so please, take a step back and relax.
 
pookie said:
LOL!!
But then, I'm from USC, so what can you expect...LOL...dude.
By the way, shouldn't it be "Capitalist-Pig"?
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I wouldn't insult the pig!!!!!!!

Really, though, what'd you think of USC's film school? I used to go to the student films there and they were all so... polished. Kind of like, "Look, Hollywood, I've got technical skills!" rather than the tripped-out stuff at NYU or Cornell... I dunno, USC seems more mainstream where the East Coast schools seem more indie. And peopel were really doing freaky stuff like pin-hole camera movies (if you thought hand-cranking was bad!). I mean, we were hand-cutting complex cardboard mattes to tape over hand-crank cameras for special effects. Late night 250-mile drives to NY for film processing where it was cheaper. Everyone around (filmmaker or not, like me) involved... I mean, you learned to use your resources well.

Also, I've been in the situation a number of times of covering the same event as some of the film students, or being called in to try and rescue their efforts... and all too often, it hasn't been pretty. Probably not the cream of the crop, but still... surprising to me!

Are you still around LA?
 
ullanta said:
I wouldn't insult the pig!!!!!!!

Really, though, what'd you think of USC's film school? I used to go to the student films there and they were all so... polished. Kind of like, "Look, Hollywood, I've got technical skills!" rather than the tripped-out stuff at NYU or Cornell... I dunno, USC seems more mainstream where the East Coast schools seem more indie. And peopel were really doing freaky stuff like pin-hole camera movies (if you thought hand-cranking was bad!). I mean, we were hand-cutting complex cardboard mattes to tape over hand-crank cameras for special effects. Late night 250-mile drives to NY for film processing where it was cheaper. Everyone around (filmmaker or not, like me) involved... I mean, you learned to use your resources well.

Also, I've been in the situation a number of times of covering the same event as some of the film students, or being called in to try and rescue their efforts... and all too often, it hasn't been pretty. Probably not the cream of the crop, but still... surprising to me!

Are you still around LA?
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Yep, still in La-la land. I can't get find the right exit ramp outa here.....

East coast film vs West coast films, definite differences. West - polished, East - gritty. Yes very different., but that's one of the great things, there are two very good directions to go to learn depending on your style or preference.

But yes we scrounged for film ends, 50 feet, 126 feet, whatever you could beg borrow or steal. Good times......:)
 
pookie said:
"Originally Posted by Tina C
I never realized when I posted this that people would jump on me for the question, and then start making all kinds of assumptions, particularly a moderator, of all people. Had I known such a question would have been offensive, I'd have kept it to myself."


Now don't take this wrong, but what you see here is only a fraction of what film school will be like. Your work will be critiqued by the instructors and classmates. If you are having trouble with the comments here.........hmm


As far as "a moderator, of all people", you expect the mods to have no opinions??? Please.
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Two things, pookie. I think part of the problem is I'm sick today, so I'm a bit sensitive, I guess. And I do understand what it's like to be critiqued, after having taken many writing and art classes, and I actually enjoy the process and have never taken offense. Actually, I find the most interesting part is when people read all kinds of things into my words an images that weren't really intended. Kind of like a Rorsach test, in a way, really.

As for moderating, I've done it on multiple boards for about eight years -- and some of the people I've moderated have been dedicated tolls, multiple-personality disorderd and angry, and, well, the list is endless. It's not that I don't expect mods not to have opinions; I expect that they will set an example for others and not jump on new posters and make assumptions about them that are unfriendly. Or perhaps I just 'read' John that way -- maybe he likes to joke, and what he said was partly a joke. But I was a bit taken aback by it.

Fact is, I'm on disability and I have a non-existent income. Saving is excruciatingly difficult I am *possibly* going to get help with purchasing a camera. I am trying to do this through an agency that will help me to match funds with my own in order to maybe save up for one, but I have to have written justification for the camera and why it is important for me to have my own and not use the school's. But I'm a pretty private preson and didn't want to spew all of that out in my first post, you know? I have a time frame of needing justification by monday, which didn't leave me a lot of time to read and get a feel for the board or the mods. I'm just starting the film portion of school locally, so I have no real life experience to base my justification on, other than things I can see would be beneficial, but had hoped to hear from people who have been through it to get an accurate picture. Does this make things clearer?
 
Tina C said:
I never realized when I posted this that people would jump on me for the question, and then start making all kinds of assumptions, particularly a moderator, of all people. Had I known such a question would have been offensive, I'd have kept it to myself.
Click to expand...

Tina,

A word to the wise, this is a harsh business. espicially if you decide to work in hollywood. People will not think twice about upsetting you, or critiquing you. So you my advice is to develope think skin, and roll with the punches.

With that being said, this board is one of the friendliest and most helpful that I've come across, which is why I spnd the majority of my time here as apposed to 2-pop, dvinfo, or the other boards. Welcome aboard. :grin:
 
What makes this board unique is the personalities. We've got new testament help and love from Barry Green :engel017:, and old testament fire and brimstone moderating from Hudson. :evil:

It's awesome. :)
 
So that's why I'm wondering what people know of the situations in film schools (I was hoping to hear from actual students on this...), to see what the general experience has been with school cameras and such.
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I am a student, and I have my own camera. I have been able to work "professionally" through school by using it. I bought a used VX100 a few years ago, and have recently updgaded to the DVX (damn dvxuser propaganda!). No, really, it's a great idea to have your own camera.

-a
 
My expierence in film school: (Mind you I got my own camera - so this is what I saw happen to others)

1. Assignment given first week of class, due end of term.
2. 90% of the class sits on their ass until ...
3. 1 week before dues date, everyone scrambles to get the gear, (Which they do not own) figureout how to use it, and finish their project.
4. Some make the deadline, and some come to class saying I couldn't do it because I didn't have access to gear.

I think this format is true no matter where you go to school (film or not) as it is a symptom of our lazy culture. Those who have the drive will get it done, those who don't will not. This is a sink or swim business, it is up to you to decide your fate.

I can sympatizes with the low income - I've lived on top ramen for months. But you do what you have to do to get it done. The quicker you get a camera in you habd the quicker you learn, and the better you'll become.

So I guess the question is how serious are you? Is this more of a hoby, or a passion?

The camera doesn't have to be great. It just has to work. I was in a photography class and some poor bastard (Literally) built himself a pin hole camera. And he came out with some great pictures.
 
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