Making money with my HVX-200 possible?

HueyFilms

HueyFilms

Active member
Hi guys,

I live in Brooklyn, I've got an HVX200...

I'm just curious how many of you make a living doing this stuff- and if there really is good money out there to be made with out having extremely hi-end equipment...

Ive done some things here and there, but i'm wondering if any of you guys are actually making a living doing this. And if so, what your tactics are.

Thanks,

Huey
 
Freelance gigs represent about half of my income. When I consider that the experience I got from doing pro-bono work and being passionate when I started.... it's the reason I work for two production companies and one media department at the local college. AND I freelance edit/shoot/produce.

It took me 4 years to quit my retail job.

I have had MANY 4-figure jobs, but no 5-figure jobs or HD clients (who actually paid HD rates) but saying that, I'm sure I will. Every year I become more experienced, meet new prospects, and get more, higher paying gigs. I'm about to start year 7. I save lots of money and re-invest when new equipment is needed.


You're also in a waaaay better market than me... you should be able to find lots of work and build your portfolio fast.
 
Personally i think that if you have a great demoreel, and a nice behaviour soon or later the job will come. I suggest you to shoot demo footage at the highest possible quality, a great DP work and put a great music underneath.
There are so many peple trying to enter this business (and it has never been so easy to own high quality stuff) that only a superior demo can let you find serious clients.


.
 
Hi Tim,

Thanks for the reply.

Where do you find most of your clients- internet, flyers, word of mouth...?

Thanks I appreciate the help.
 
Intresting. Thanks for all the help Timur.

Since we're in the same area if you ever need a shooter or just an extra hand let me know thanks.
 
I live in the bronx and I just rented my DVX, HVX, light kit, etc. With that plus last week, I pulled in about $800 for doing absolutely nothing. I normally just rent to people I know or friends of friends.
 
My two cents - yes you can obviously make money off your camera - but my advice would be to be careful not to fall into the trap of pushing the camera, but instead sell yourself and your talent.

There is always going to be another guy down the block with the newest and best toys.
Build relationships with your clients so that they are hiring YOU, not your gear.
That's the best way ensure constant and steady work.

You can always rent - and so can everyone else.
So in the end owning the camera shouldn't make a lick of difference to your clients.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
My two cents - yes you can obviously make money off your camera - but my advice would be to be careful not to fall into the trap of pushing the camera, but instead sell yourself and your talent.

There is always going to be another guy down the block with the newest and best toys.
Build relationships with your clients so that they are hiring YOU, not your gear.
That's the best way ensure constant and steady work.

You can always rent - and so can everyone else.
So in the end owning the camera shouldn't make a lick of difference to your clients.
Click to expand...

Great advice, and well put. If they are only hiring you for your gear, then it is just a matter of time before you loose all of your clients. (Unless you are able to make enough to always be buying the latest and greatest next new thing.) While I love my HVX, it is not high end. If you want to go high end, start looking at the Varicam, CineAlta, or the new cameras just put out by Panasonic- HPX500 & 3000. Now you are getting into the high end of the camera market. But again, it is mor affordable to just rent these cameras. Most of the work I do the camera package is decided by the budget that I have to work with, or the specific client needs. I did a shoot for TLC where they required a specific format, so I just went out and rented the camera accordingly.

Deliver a great product within the parameters given to you, and you will be seen as a great asset to the production, leading to repeat business. Cameras come and go, but you will not- and that is your strongest selling point. :)
 
Luis Caffesse said:
My two cents - yes you can obviously make money off your camera - but my advice would be to be careful not to fall into the trap of pushing the camera, but instead sell yourself and your talent.

There is always going to be another guy down the block with the newest and best toys.
Build relationships with your clients so that they are hiring YOU, not your gear.
That's the best way ensure constant and steady work.

You can always rent - and so can everyone else.
So in the end owning the camera shouldn't make a lick of difference to your clients.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, Luis usually just shows up in a tuxedo and his Chewbaca costume. That gets him most of his work... :thumbsup:
 
tommyinla said:
With all due respect, Luis usually just shows up in a tuxedo and his Chewbaca costume. That gets him most of his work... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Costume?
wookiethumb.gif
 
tommyinla said:
With all due respect, Luis usually just shows up in a tuxedo and his Chewbaca costume. That gets him most of his work... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


That had me laughing! Got points by Luis I make a little doing free lance right now but that is becuase I'm so busy with my corprate video job ahhh.
 
great advice guys. thanks, I'm going to start marketing my self and trying to get clients and build some great relationships...

I'm excited for what the future brings.
 
well huey, the first question to ask is do you know how to use the camera and are you any good at photography? if either of these answers are no, then its a no-go from the start and all the "extremely hi-end" gear (which is not really a word id use for the hvx) in the world aint gonna do nothin for ya...
 
Indie

Indie

Huey,

Give me a call at my cell phone (770) 851-4182 or during the day at my business (800) 766-6348.

I need a couple of background shots of Manhattan.


Ron
 
If you want to see a good demo reel that demonstrates a DP's eye for aesthetically powerful camera work, take a look at Ryan E. Walters' website listed seven posts earlier. His website is listed there and look at that demo reel. That's good stuff! I think many of us beginners would be happy to achieve such quality work.
 
rszebras said:
If you want to see a good demo reel that demonstrates a DP's eye for aesthetically powerful camera work, take a look at Ryan E. Walters' website listed seven posts earlier. His website is listed there and look at that demo reel. That's good stuff! I think many of us beginners would be happy to achieve such quality work.
Click to expand...

Thanks, much appreciated. :)
 
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