Need consumer cameras for ambitious feature

[David W. Richardson]

I've got an extremely ambitious feature film project called "The Circle".

To make this movie, I need 9 consumer-level DV camcorders. I prefer cameras that have manual focus. It would be great if they also had manual white balance, manual exposure control, and a microphone jack. It doesn't matter who makes the cameras or how they look, as long as they work properly.

The cameras will be used to shoot the actual footage of the movie. The finished movie will display the footage from all 9 cameras on-screen at the same time, setup in a checkerboard pattern. In a way it's similar to what Figgis did with four cameras in "Time Code", but the people in these 9 windows will be interacting with each other.

"The Circle" is a real-time suspense/thriller about a group of people who meet regularly on the Internet in an online video chat room. They think they know each other very well. But when one member of the group is suddenly attacked, stabbed and left for dead, the others quickly realize they don't really know her -- or each other -- at all. So it's a race against time to try and find the injured girl and send help before she bleeds to death!

I'd hoped to find a corporate sponsor like B&H Photo/Video, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., who would loan us the gear we need to make the movie, in exchange for having their logo on-screen during the entire length of the movie. But so far no luck with that. So now I'm trying to beg, borrow, or scrounge the necessary stuff.

If anybody has anything they'd be willing to loan us, or any ideas on where we might be able to get the equipment we need, please let me know. Here's a partial list of what we're looking for:

9 consumer-level DV camcorders (see specs above)
9 light weight tripods
9 quality microphones with stands
9 PC monitors
9 PC keyboards
9 PC mice
9 small headphones/headsets/earphones
mic mixer that can handle 9 mic inputs

The monitors, keyboards, mice and headphones can all be different, and they don't even have to work -- they're just props.

We've got an excellent script and we're dying to get started on this project. So if anyone out there can lend us a hand, we'd really appreciate it.

Thanks folks!

David W. Richardson
Chapel Grove Films
Gastonia, NC (near Charlotte)

 

[pixelated]

Sounds like a great concept - looking forward to seeing this one!

I keep a couple of "throw away" cameras around all the time for those times where you don't want to risk the good stuff - going over the falls, dropping from airplanes, etc... I pick them up at the local thrift shops - Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. usually for under $20. Most need minor tlc - head cleaning and a battery and they're good to go.

This is also my first stop for props and costumes - I generally cruise these stores weekly. Hit major score at the local goodwill over Halloween, they had tons of theatrical makeup, blood capsules, fake blood by the quart, all types of wounds, etc. The fun part is you never know what you'll run across, and it helps cement your image with the crew as the original cheap bastard (along with all the $5 pizzas)

Just out of curiosity, if its all internet interaction, 9 talking heads on 9 different sets, why not shooting individually???

Good Luck!

 

[David W. Richardson]

Wow, I wish our Goodwill store had the kind of stuff yours does! I've frequented the 2 Goodwills and 1 Salvation Army store here for years and never seen a single camcorder there. It's slim pickin's. But then, I don't live in a major city. Maybe that makes a difference.

I didn't want to shoot individually for several reasons. First, I think the performances will be much better if they're actually playing off each other. Also, shooting individually will greatly extend the production time -- since we're shooting real-time, the actual shoot will only take a couple of days. Keep in mind that all 9 people are on-screen continuously. Shooting individually, it would be almost impossible to get the timing right. So I decided on this unorthodox way of shooting because, quite simply, it's just easier in the long run.

Thanks for the support!

 

[JZalutsky]

I think your too small for a deal like that...do you have distribution secured? how would any of these companies know they will benefit from this and keep in mind best buy doesnt care about 500 people seeing there logo in some small screening...this is best buy....they expect some real coverage...what im saying is that your probably too small to think about something like that. your looking at a pretty low budget project and if u need 9 cameras...first ask all your friends family whoever....everyone has cameras these days...all u need is a mini dv camera. you can probably get a bunch and then the rest buy you can get a cheapo mini dv camera for about 300$ a pop and they all have line in for mics so ull probably have to lay down money for mics and maybe xlr adapters if u want to use good mics. as far as the props you can buy computer cases just the pc chasis.....and your on a computer right now too...use that....and everyone in the world has a computer you cant barow peoples computers too shoot? be resourcefull. the most your looking at spending here is 5 or 6k and in the movie world thats pocket change so be resourcefull and you can always make it work. Im not promoting ripping bussiness off or anything...but, if you have a short shoot and can be carefull buying and returing can work...hey its indie film you gotta do what you gotta do to make your movie right?...basically all it boils down to is if there is a will there is a way and especailly on something this small budget you can with out a doubt make it happen so do it!

 

[David W. Richardson]

Well, I have of course taken into account the equipment I already have.

I have 2 complete PCs and 2 laptops, so that takes care of 4 of the 9.

I have 1 MiniDV camcorder, and have 1 friend who may still have one -- so that's 2 of the 9.

I have 2 good microphones -- need 7 more.

I may have 1 or 2 headsets that would do.

I didn't mention that before just to keep things simple. I don't have a wide circle of friends I can go to, although I have contacted the friends and acquaintances I do have. Most people I know are in the business, so if they have a camcorder at all it's a pro 3CCD machine, which is too much for this project. That's why I'm trying to reach out beyond my circle of family and friends, trying to get this project off the ground.