is anyone...MAKING BUCKS?

downsouth

downsouth

Well-known member
Being a lurker on DVXuser, Im overwhelmed at how professional you all seem to be. The videos Ive viewed are simply PRO in all respects...Im amazed!

I have made some bucks shooting wedding videos, and training videos over the years, but would like to move-up to a higher paying market.

Im curious to know if some of you are making a good living with your video ventures. The dramas, docs and music videos Ive seen are top-notch. The sets,actors, equipment, travel etc, must have cost a small fortune. Im curious how you are funding your projects;.... out of pocket, soliciting investors etc ?

Is this art for art's sake..........or a business on your part.

I would appreciate some "enlightenment" on the marketing of your projects.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
I have worked full time in television for a few years. Just last year I decided to do some video work on the side. I bought a DVX, shotgun mic, Octava, Bogen tripod, tapes, stands, cables, etc. I already had a nice editing suite so I was ready to roll. Within 3 months I was able to pay off everything. By the end of the year I had made a profit. If I did this stuff full time, I dunno if I would float just yet, but it's nice to be making some extra money and to get more exposure as an individual videographer and editor.
 
Well I'm just a 17 year old that has no real experience that just bought a DVX100B that is trying to learn, wants to go to film school, and has no money really. Oh, and I have like 3 post on dvxuser to my name. Sooo, I suck ;) !
 
I just graduated in December but I am working in the field making a living! Just bought a dvx for my side projects music videos, films, etc..
 
I work at a large publishing company as photogapher and just changed my job description, after 30 years, from 100% press photographer to 75/25 photo/video work. So I am quarter-pro then...

Just yesterday I sold 2 half hour documentaries to a national TV channel, have sold some footage for NG documentary, made net videos for magazines and done DVD catalogue shooting for outdoor gear companies with my 14-15 year sons as crew. They also do 3D and AE animations for me, DVD authoring etc. I also rent my gear to professional video producers.

The end result is that I have paid my investments several times over, can deduct travels abroad as a business expence, learn more all the time, have even fun and educate my kids to do something usefull (and pay them a bit, too).
 
i just got a 3 picture deal with Paramount from my 23 minute short film.........NOT

But for real I do enough side work to pay for my equipment so can do my own thing.
 
My wedding business is my livelyhood and it is all centred around my two DVX cams & oh yea, an XL2 (B-cam).
 
beziermask said:
My wedding business is my livelyhood and it is all centred around my two DVX cams & oh yea, an XL2 (B-cam).
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Glad to hear you are using your DVXs for your wedding shoots. Im assuming the XL2 is to take advantage of the Canon zoom lens.

I have one Canon GL1 and "want" to get the DVX100b to be able to produce some music videos and experiment.. But since I shoot weddings, Im a little afraid to use the DVX and the Canon together since the video may look drastically different.(?) I probably should get another Canon (GL2).

Seems you are satisfied with using the DVXs...that helps me a lot.

Any comments to help me decide on the DVX will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
downsouth said:
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Glad to hear you are using your DVXs for your wedding shoots. Im assuming the XL2 is to take advantage of the Canon zoom lens.

I have one Canon GL1 and "want" to get the DVX100b to be able to produce some music videos and experiment.. But since I shoot weddings, Im a little afraid to use the DVX and the Canon together since the video may look drastically different.(?) I probably should get another Canon (GL2).

Seems you are satisfied with using the DVXs...that helps me a lot.
Jeff
Click to expand...

Buying the XL2 was a rash decision and what drew me to it was the look of the camera and the interchangeable lens feature (little did I know that the stock lens was going to be such a learning curve to use and also that the cost of the 16X manual lens cost in Australia was over $3,000) :(

The colour response of the cams is quite different, in fact the DVX wins hands down in terms of producing a great looking picture overall, even though it has less resolution than the XL2. There are many factors that make a great picture and resolution is only a fraction of that - otherwise we'd all be shooting weddings in HD with FX1s.

The only way I'm able to match the 2 cams is by dumbing down the colour settings of the DVX bacause you simply won't be able to make the XL2 produce the colours of the DVX - I should know I tried to do it for sooooo long.

For non-obtrussive guerilla styled SD wedding productions just get 2 x DVXs and film in Squeeze mode - you won't look back my friend!!
 
skrott said:
i just got a 3 picture deal with Paramount from my 23 minute short film.........NOT.
Click to expand...

Hey skrot you're the king! I can't wait for the April 1st release of the DVX100c
 
For non-obtrussive guerilla styled SD wedding productions just get 2 x DVXs and film in Squeeze mode - you won't look back my friend!!__________________

thanks for the info..

Id love to have 2 DVXs but afraid to spend that much right now.

BTW, do you think some DVX 100 Bs will be available once the 100c is released? Keep me in mind for a used 100b if you hear of any.

Thanks again,
Jeff
 
While I'm really just getting started (over the past year) I'm doing alright with two DVX100As and the usual assortment of tripods, mics and a basic light kit. Doing mostly weddings and video biographies, but looking at expanding into more event stuff and perhaps some high end real estate work. Also looking at getting into corporate/commercial work as my skills improve, because I know that's where the real money is. But I see all of this really as on-the-job training for an eventual move into documentary work.

For what it's worth, Barry Green made the case yesterday for a new "Business" category here on DVXuser with separate subsections for weddings, event, corporate, etc. The current business subsection under "filmmaking" doesn't really generate much traffic, which has always surprised me as. Perhaps if it was more targeted...

Here's the link if anyone want's to chime in:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=91311
 
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