Late response to J Barnes

[svf1972]

My Question:
What equipment would you buy if YOU had to film something with a budget of $4000 (minus the DVX camera and editing equipment).

To answer your questions... I'm not looking to rent. I would just like to put together a decent equipment package. The film Im doing is mostly outside, but I'll still need decent lighting for a few indoor shots. I have plenty of people, actors, landscapes, and even a house to blow up I do all the directing, filming, editing and animation so I get away with that for nothing. A nice package that I could just roll up to almost any set with and be semi-prepared with the essentials is all I'm looking for. Thanks

 

[J_Barnes]

Okay, since you phrased the question at me directly, I’ll try and answer it as best I can. Also, I’m sure you would like responses from everyone and not limit the information to just me, so I’d encourage other people to tackle the question as well.

For me there are a few major departmental things that need to be hit: Audio, lighting, grip, camera support, and etc. I don’t have time to break out a spreadsheet right now, so I’ll give rough estimates as to how I’d spend the suggested budget:

20-25% ($800-1000) on camera support
30-40% ($1200-1600) on lighting and grip
20% ($800) on audio

The remaining 15-30% of the budget would be spent on expendables, cabling, camera filters, carts and accessories.

Now you state that your project will be mostly outdoors. Truth is that most outdoor shoots employ some kind of lighting or light control throughout the exterior shoots, but the lights typically used are outside your budget range. You might want to reduce the percentage spent on lighting and grip if you really think you won’t have a lot of use for interior lighting. You could get by with a couple of used Lowel units, Briteks, home-made fluorescents, etc…and really save some money on lighting equipment if you need to. I’d be inclined to look for used Arri or Mole fresnels and a couple of Redheads, but that might not fit your lighting style.

What I wouldn’t skimp on is camera support. You want a nice set of sticks and a high quality fluid head. I’d take a look at the 503/525P set from Bogen…they’ll run you just under $700.

If 16x9 is important to you, then you might find yourself investing in the anamorphic lens, which will again eat up a significant portion of your budget.

Finally, I’d plan to dump about $100 into a good pair of headphones and use the rest of the money where you need it for audio. If you need wireless lavalieres, that changes your budget, if you just need a high quality shotgun, that again changes your budget.

Sorry I can’t give you a blanket parts list, but every person shoots differently and will have different needs when it comes to equipment.

 

[svf1972]

Thanks for your response, I guess it's time to start shopping.
And yes I would be grateful for other responses.
I've been debating the anamorphic lens for a while now. I haven't needed it for any of the broadcast stuff I've been doing but I definitely want this to be 16x9. I filmed a couple of test shots using the stock letterbox feature on the camera and was surprised by the quallity of it viewed on a 51" TV. I know the lens improves the overall quality, but is it necessary for DVD or just for theater viewing? If this short comes out good enough I might enter it in a festival, but otherwise it will go straight to DVD and online viewing.

Also I was looking at the Bogen Tripods. Would the 3221WN-501 Video Kit with Tripod, Head & Bag be a good pickup?