Barry_Green
Moderator
I don't know. It was made by DVXUser member "Quinn", who's been active in the NYP threads recently, so -- seems like you should just pop a question into his film thread...
Is it possible to make a GOOD FEATURE FILM, with the 7D?
- Thread starter moviemaykr
- Start date
Zim
Veteran
I know of at least 1 budget production being shot / maybe finished shooting on a 7d.
Story is KING!
Story is KING!
Barry_Green
Moderator
I'm branching out, trying new analogies. Don't get me started on tennis though. 
speedjunkie
Well-known member
I Propose a Challenge.... Let get Some Good Short Film Scripts Submited, Devide the Challenge By Region. West, East , Midwest and South ,south West. North. Get a Few people Willing to ACT , Direct, and Shoot these Short Films using their 7d More than one per set and Submit them as a DVXUSER member Only Deal and see what Happens.. Im Down and Ready , Im in Houston Texas, 7d Geared to the Teeth.
speedjunkie
Well-known member
And I can Act tool 5th generation Actor
Ryan Farnes
Well-known member
The 7D's biggest flaw is moire, aliasing and rolling shutter. Get familiar with what that is and what type of clothing, scenery and camera moves cause it. Another limitation is the auto gain on the microphone input. Double system sound makes that a non-factor. It is a perfectly suitable camera for a low budget production. I would second the comment that it is basically a mini cinema camera.
I've used my 7D very little for event or presentations where I had it recording for almost an hour. So, I haven't had overheating problems, but again, I haven't really pushed it. The live view auto shuts off after being inactive for a couple of minutes....so on a film set between takes, it will hold up just fine.
Given the nature of some of your questions, if you're going to be the DP, I would go the 7D route. It would be a good camera to learn on. Particularly if you are considering renting a RED vs. purchasing a 7D(s), you'll have a lot more time to spend with the camera and shoot other things Maybe you're using someone else to DP this? Then he (or she! I'm unprejudiced!) ought to already know what to use or be on here asking these questions.
There's an article in this month's HD Video Pro magazine where Shane Hurlbut discusses using VDSLRs to make a movie. He's quite open about them not being designed to make movies! He uses them for form factor and sensor size. Look at any one of the rigs in the article and he's got it blinged out with a lot of accessories. So I don't see how this is a good pathway if you're on a budget, unless you are renting it.
There's a few internal inconsistencies in the article, but it's worth taking a look at. A big part of the magazine is DSLR.
There's a few internal inconsistencies in the article, but it's worth taking a look at. A big part of the magazine is DSLR.
Hey Zim,
We shot on the first wave DVX - no A or B. I think the parade at the end of the film was mixed (we had 5 DVX's that day - some A&B's). Thanks!
I just saw this trailer for a film shot on the 7D and was very impressed. http://vimeo.com/9025392
It seems like so few films are selling these days, and the ones that are do not make all that much, that it's worth reducing your costs in any way feasible. The DSLR's seem like a really cool option to look at. We were very heartened during our festival run that story & character really does seem to go a long way - with performance and audio quality probably being two of the most important factors. I'm a big fan of shooting a film any way you can, rather than waiting around for a better scenario. You could probably make an amazing film on a DSLR and terrible film on 35mm. The great thing about the lower costs is that, for someone like me who is just starting out and learning to work with actors, how to tell a story, etc - i can really take my time and shoot a very high ratio.
We shot on the first wave DVX - no A or B. I think the parade at the end of the film was mixed (we had 5 DVX's that day - some A&B's). Thanks!
I just saw this trailer for a film shot on the 7D and was very impressed. http://vimeo.com/9025392
It seems like so few films are selling these days, and the ones that are do not make all that much, that it's worth reducing your costs in any way feasible. The DSLR's seem like a really cool option to look at. We were very heartened during our festival run that story & character really does seem to go a long way - with performance and audio quality probably being two of the most important factors. I'm a big fan of shooting a film any way you can, rather than waiting around for a better scenario. You could probably make an amazing film on a DSLR and terrible film on 35mm. The great thing about the lower costs is that, for someone like me who is just starting out and learning to work with actors, how to tell a story, etc - i can really take my time and shoot a very high ratio.
J Davis
Veteran
There is a bottom line of equipment that everyone has access to. At the moment is is vDSLR's.
That means that there are going to be plenty of features being made (&attempted) on them.
So don't make a good feature film, make an awesome feature film.
Otherwise how are you gonna get distribution?
That means that there are going to be plenty of features being made (&attempted) on them.
So don't make a good feature film, make an awesome feature film.
Otherwise how are you gonna get distribution?
smokecat20
Member
A good film can range from a great classroom project film, to a film that can influence culture for many years to come. So yes, you can definitely make a good film with a 7D. It just depends on what you think a good film is.
Jawa Ex Machina
Veteran
All this talk about renting a RED instead of investing in a 7D with equipment...
First of all, let me once again stress the imporance of cinematography working together with story.
IF you don't have enough dough to rent a RED, but just get a 7D with some really good lenses - even if you have to shoot it hand held mounted on a folded up tripod you carry on your shoulder - you write a story that Makes This Work.
Blair Witch Project. Paranormal Activity. Cloverfield.
I bet you could even make a Bourne movie if you know some good martial artists. It doesn't have to be horror or sci-fi.
The point is: if you end up having to shoot hand held, you make a story where handheld is the most suitable way of shooting the film. See? These things work in conjunction. You don't need cranes, dollys, steadicams for every type of film.
Plus, there's a big difference in renting a RED with equipment and buying a 7D with equipment; ownership. Owning a 7D with equipment lets you shoot two or three movies if you want. Renting a RED is one movie.
First of all, let me once again stress the imporance of cinematography working together with story.
IF you don't have enough dough to rent a RED, but just get a 7D with some really good lenses - even if you have to shoot it hand held mounted on a folded up tripod you carry on your shoulder - you write a story that Makes This Work.
Blair Witch Project. Paranormal Activity. Cloverfield.
I bet you could even make a Bourne movie if you know some good martial artists. It doesn't have to be horror or sci-fi.
The point is: if you end up having to shoot hand held, you make a story where handheld is the most suitable way of shooting the film. See? These things work in conjunction. You don't need cranes, dollys, steadicams for every type of film.
Plus, there's a big difference in renting a RED with equipment and buying a 7D with equipment; ownership. Owning a 7D with equipment lets you shoot two or three movies if you want. Renting a RED is one movie.
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While it's very great to keep the art and visual in mind... it does seem that everyone totally disregards the business and money-counting aspect of the process.
The OP's initial thought is based on MONEY to begin with, and yet the real breakdown of how much it costs to shoot with a DSLR is being neglected. This is one area where a lot of inexperienced filmmakers START OUT failing... they hinder themselves from the get-go and only realize it afterward.
It's very important, detrimental, to begin truly breaking down costs. Even if you use the gear across a multitude of projects, you must amortize the cost of and deduce the actual amount it cost you to utilize the gear.
The business is just as much a part of the process as the rest.
The OP's initial thought is based on MONEY to begin with, and yet the real breakdown of how much it costs to shoot with a DSLR is being neglected. This is one area where a lot of inexperienced filmmakers START OUT failing... they hinder themselves from the get-go and only realize it afterward.
It's very important, detrimental, to begin truly breaking down costs. Even if you use the gear across a multitude of projects, you must amortize the cost of and deduce the actual amount it cost you to utilize the gear.
The business is just as much a part of the process as the rest.
Jawa Ex Machina
Veteran
Apart from getting the camera, lenses, memorycards, batteries, and other equipment (IndieSlider, Shouldermount, tripod, followfocus)
Are there any costs involved in shooting with DSLR that you don't have with RED?
Hmm, they're different costs, I'd say. But, on one hand you're talking about buying (I'm being generous with this number) 3000.00 per 7D setup without glass versus renting a RED camera (better image) for 2000.00 with the same amount of equipment but better.
I DO totally get the idea of ownership, by the way. Practice, etc etc. Just speaking ONLY on the idea that "we have XX,000 amount of dollars and we are going to shoot a feature film, we need to decide which camera to go with to make a good image?".
By the way I do completely agree with this, without a doubt. Just concerning the OP's post, he doesn't have to result to this barebones method.
Let it be known that if I believed in a script enough there's not a single person that would be able to convince me NOT to shoot with a handful of 7Ds.
Jawa Ex Machina
Veteran
Yeah I don't think we're really disagreeing about anything here, and it's really true that it's important to know your costs well in advance.
I say shoot on what you have, don't spend any money and have fun. If you are a camera geek you are going to get the latest greatest camera that you can afford anyway, don't consider that part of the budget. A lot of people spend $100 on saturday to go golfing, others piss it away at the bar, we buy cameras. Get together with other techies in your area, plus actors and writers and start doing stuff.
I call it community cinema. Like community theatre, its not about making money its a hobby. Just make sure to finnish it and show it so the actors get something out of it. All of the big theatres have hd projectors for pre show stuff. Get a screen on an off week-day night and have a red carpet premiere. Give away tickets, make sure it is full. The big thing is to not spend money you don't have. Don't spend $20,000 paying people and renting stuff. spend $500 on ham and cheese sandwiches and bottled water. Community theatre actors work about 2-3 evenings a week for maybe 3 month to rehearse a show that plays maybe two weeks. They never get paid and usually never get fed or given gas money or anything like that. Work on that level, work on getting a decent script. Show it when it is done, take criticism. If it doesn't totally suck make another one. If it does totally suck, but are not discouraged and people are still willing to work with you, make another one.
Don't stake everything on getting picked up by hollywood, if it is your passion, just do it, with technology where it is today there is no reason not to. I'm sick of Hollywood films made by music video and commercial directors that have never told a story, but know how to make cool shots and know how to spend a lot of money. Prove that you can tell a story without spending money and your time may come. A shift may come.
I like to use the rock band analogy. There is no decent band that started on stadium tours, they paid their dues in bars and college campuses. A big theatrical release is the stadium tour, with big stars and flashy effects. Your little movie will likely never get there, but it is part of paying your dues. Most bands never get out of the bars, they have to work a day job and book a show on saturday night, but they do it because they love it. If you love it, just do it.
I call it community cinema. Like community theatre, its not about making money its a hobby. Just make sure to finnish it and show it so the actors get something out of it. All of the big theatres have hd projectors for pre show stuff. Get a screen on an off week-day night and have a red carpet premiere. Give away tickets, make sure it is full. The big thing is to not spend money you don't have. Don't spend $20,000 paying people and renting stuff. spend $500 on ham and cheese sandwiches and bottled water. Community theatre actors work about 2-3 evenings a week for maybe 3 month to rehearse a show that plays maybe two weeks. They never get paid and usually never get fed or given gas money or anything like that. Work on that level, work on getting a decent script. Show it when it is done, take criticism. If it doesn't totally suck make another one. If it does totally suck, but are not discouraged and people are still willing to work with you, make another one.
Don't stake everything on getting picked up by hollywood, if it is your passion, just do it, with technology where it is today there is no reason not to. I'm sick of Hollywood films made by music video and commercial directors that have never told a story, but know how to make cool shots and know how to spend a lot of money. Prove that you can tell a story without spending money and your time may come. A shift may come.
I like to use the rock band analogy. There is no decent band that started on stadium tours, they paid their dues in bars and college campuses. A big theatrical release is the stadium tour, with big stars and flashy effects. Your little movie will likely never get there, but it is part of paying your dues. Most bands never get out of the bars, they have to work a day job and book a show on saturday night, but they do it because they love it. If you love it, just do it.
Justin Bissett
Active member
How much time does $2000 buy with the red? With the 7d you could buy used, shoot over a couple months and then sell everything and only end up paying a few hundred dollars. Whereas if you shot red you'd spend $2000 and get it for like a week.
I know a few RED packages with NIkon glass that people will let go for 100/day to the good-hearted. That's 20 days of shooting with a real camera.
You MIGHT be able to get a 7D used, but chances are you'll have to buy new and you'll still be more than a few hundred in the hole by the time you finish shooting.