Is it the camera or the man behind the camera?

Evan S

Evan S

Veteran
Forget 24p, Forget all your fancy high-tech gizmos and CGI.
I am sure this has been brought up before, but I must reinterate it.

I've realized after all this time, drooling over the thought of owning a DVX100.
But I've realized that... I don't really need it. 24p isn't a big thing for me. I wont be outing to film. I'm 17. I just want to make short films right now. I just want to enter some festivals. and hey, if I happen to get lucky and need to convert to film, than that's fine by me. 28 days later was shot on an XL1s, and it looked fine to me in theatres.
Although, I'd love to buy a DVX100. I don't have the money. So I'm going to settle for maybe the DVC30. and that's fine by me. I know I probably sound like I'm ranting and all, but I don't think I'll be dissapointed when I buy it, because I don't think it's the camera that makes the film. It's the director. It's the script. It's the actors.

So all of you people just starting out the whole film making career like I am, start small and build...

because Rome wasn't built in a day, er - in this case expeirence isn't gained by getting a nice camera.


but maybe it's just my opinion.
 
Yep, I don't think anyone would argue with you there.

And while the DVX is capable of producing far better images than lesser cameras when in the right hands, if you don't know what your doing the dvx is just as capable of producing ugly crap. Just as I've seen beautiful stuff shot on the $300 cameras from circuit city.

But yeah, the key is shoot. You might as well get the best camera you can get, but in the beginning $3400 is a tall order. Aquire SOME camera and shot AND complete as many projects as you can before your 20. (I just turned 20 in July and was embarrassed I didn't have more to show for it)
 
Id agree with you for sure 100% in general terms. Something that I feel also adds to the whole process: the intelligence of the person and also thier natural talent. These people still need to learn the same as the rest, but in my experience cream always rises to the top.

Whats the top though? Well that depends on the person and thier perceptions and aspirations.
 
It is all up to the people to get things done. I started with a cheap panny and we shot great stuff. i learned a lot about filming doing this. I got more equipment and we filmed more, but if no one wants to act it does not matter how much stuff you have, it wont happen. Good job coming to this conclusion by yourself. Start filming and good luck!
 
directinglegend said:
I don't think it's the camera that makes the film. It's the director. It's the script. It's the actors.

...expeirence isn't gained by getting a nice camera.
Click to expand...


That can't be repeated ENOUGH.
I wish I'd made that realization at 17.

There is not enough difference among cameras at this level to make or break any project. I've never seen a short film and thought to myself "hmm if only it had been progressive I could have gotten into it" or "You know, it was okay, but I really would have like it if he'd used a 1/3" CCD camera"

CONTENT

Have an idea, and have a point of view.
That is the foundation of any engaging work.
Everything else is just gravy.

You're definitely thinking along (what I think are) the right lines.
Look forward to seeing your work.
 
You're right Directing is about narritive, shot selection, structure, timing your ability to engage with actors, a moment, a mood, storytelling. It's not about the camera, if you want to be a DP or a camera op then yes it might be about the camera. Even with your storyboards you can learn and practice Directing, but then that might start the discussion of standard pencil, propelling pencil, 2b, 4h, hb, biro, fibre tip.
 
Pipe said:
but then that might start the discussion of standard pencil, propelling pencil, 2b, 4h, hb, biro, fibre tip.
Click to expand...


Pencil?? Pencil!?

Amateur.
Real directors do their storyboards with quills.
Anything else is a joke.

:)
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Pencil?? Pencil!?

Amateur.
Real directors do their storyboards with quills.
Anything else is a joke.

:)
Click to expand...

Real directors get their storyboard boy to do it.
 
NBC-1.jpg

It's the man behind the camera.
 
Look up GumSpiritsOnline and download the trailer or scenes from Jim Cole's movie SUNDOWNING......then go to www.marlathemovie.com and watch MARLA, both of these movies were done on a GL2 which is identical to the DVC30 and is actually not as good.......

Both these movies sh*t on some of the movies I've seen shot with a DVX and their beautiful.......

If the GL2 weren't such a crap-made camera, I'da never questioned getting it and I haven't seen enough of the DVC30 but it's just as good as the GL2 and should give you similar results..........
 
I agree with everything said so far, but I would like to add a vote for 24p. I know, a DVX is out of your price range. Fine. A DVC30 will be great.

But you should consider investing in a software program like "DV Film Maker", "Magic Bullet" or "Nattress" filters to turn your finished film to 24p. It'll look more like a film than if you leave it at 60i. Period.

If you're doing a documentary, a wedding, or reality tv, then 60i is preferred. But narrative fiction benefits from 24p, even if it's done in post. 28 Days Later was shot with an XL1, but when you saw it in a movie theater, it was projected at 24fps.

Most of these programs sell for only $100, and I think they're absolutely worth the price. Heck, you can downoad the demo for free before plunking down any cash!

It's not the camera, it's the man behind the camera. 100%. But 24p will definitely help.
 
I saw an amazing feature film on TV a couple of years ago shot on a black and white child's video camera which used a c90 cassette tape. I say this not to illustrate how you can shoot on anything and still tell a story but rather the look of the film was beautiful and different (a bit like lomo photography). I think the camera cost about 100 bucks in toys r us but had a very different look and managed to create a 24p vibe (as in, it didn't look video clean like news footage). - and, most importantly, I still remembered it years later
 
For the price (being 17 also) I settled on the GS400 from Panasonic. Excellent image quality and every manual control you can get pretty much. Now for my next camera, my DVX :grin: that will be for college in the upcoming months this summer.
 
what is with all the 17 year olds on here. when I was 17 I was playing doom 1 and drinking mountain dew...
 
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