Perfect Set!

terrorpictures

terrorpictures

Active member
I been saving money for sometime. And i think it is about time i had a upgrade. Can someone tell me... what would you buy with $40,000 (in Canadian Dollars) as a budget for you're perfect set. I have 4 DVX Units. so about cams. I don't need. I need stuff like tripods, lights, boom poles, ect ect. Everything a good movie set should have. All advices welcome.
 
lol, i am pretty sure he means buy books so you can learn how to do lighting setups, how lights can effect a picture and make or brake a film. Books on sound, and audio in general. Books on framing and story telling through the eye of the camera. Maybe even the doos and donts.

But one thing is for sure

You want a nice set of lights, dont go cheap on lights like i have, it will save time and energy setting them up and they will be much more versatile. Then you want to do your research on boom mics or even wireless ones. learn about the pickup patterns and what would suit your needs best ( unless you have to pull a keifer sutherland and get your own brand of mic that pics up whispering )

After that, you need what i need, a crew, its too hard to do all alone, especially when you have a home made dolly ready to go as well as a steadicam in your hands and a crane on the way.. 35mm adapters too, you should efinately invest in one of thse if you want to dramatically icnrease the production value of your footage. Get rid of the home video look and go right into the world of film look.
 
PaPa said:
lol, i am pretty sure he means buy books so you can learn how to do lighting setups, how lights can effect a picture and make or brake a film. Books on sound, and audio in general. Books on framing and story telling through the eye of the camera. Maybe even the doos and donts.

But one thing is for sure

You want a nice set of lights, dont go cheap on lights like i have, it will save time and energy setting them up and they will be much more versatile. Then you want to do your research on boom mics or even wireless ones. learn about the pickup patterns and what would suit your needs best ( unless you have to pull a keifer sutherland and get your own brand of mic that pics up whispering )

After that, you need what i need, a crew, its too hard to do all alone, especially when you have a home made dolly ready to go as well as a steadicam in your hands and a crane on the way.. 35mm adapters too, you should efinately invest in one of thse if you want to dramatically icnrease the production value of your footage. Get rid of the home video look and go right into the world of film look.
Click to expand...

thanks very much, actually i want once my production is done. I want to do a transfer to Film to project on cinemas localy.
 
Man with 40grand I'd do some serious research and understand why you are buying what you are buying before you purchase, the book idea is great.
 
To be honest, I'd return those 4 dvx's, buy an hvx kit and spend the rest on at least key crew who knows what they're really doing.
 
Here are my suggestions (which only mimic what I'm doing to prepare for shooting my "movie"--your needs may be served otherwise, but this is what I'm doing).

1. Sell the four DVX100s.
2. Buy a 2/3" or 1/2" pro camera.
3. Buy a dolly.
4. Buy a Steadicam Flyer.
5. Buy some camera-mounting grip gear.

1. As soon as I buy my new camera, I'll be selling my DVX100 (+$2,000).

2. I wanted a bit cleaner picture than 1/3" cameras could give me, so I'm buying a standard-definition, 2/3" 24P camera, the Sony DSR450 DVCAM ($12,000 w/lens). I get a bit more cinematic, shallow depth-of-field capability out of the larger CCDs, and a bit more sensitivity (which I need, since I can't afford to light large night exteriors).

3. I bought a lightweight dolly ($200) from the U.K. that's pretty good. But I'm also going to buy a couple sets of Rowe's cine dolly wheels (available here, at DVXUSER) to make smaller dollies that I can use to mount just a hi-hat and fluid head on for quick, low-angle dolly shots. Dolly shots really add that "cinematic" feeling to almost every shot. I use a dolly shot on almost all my singles, and track slowly one way or the other so that the background moves behind the subject. I find that this one move really adds a lot of "cinema" quality to your coverage.

4. I bought a Steadicam Flyer ($7,000) so I could get smooth tracking shots and other needed coverage for use in locations that I have to "steal." I can pull off all of my coverage in standard and reverse tracking shots in just about any location within a few minutes with this rig. Of course, Steadicams are great for getting those "stunt camera" shots as well.

5. I've been buying various grip equipment to mount my camera into cars, ladders, etc ($5-$2,500). You need a lot of special shots in a movie, so having a lot of camera mounting solutions available to me is a priority.

Of course you also need some lights and stuff. I already own a two-foot, two-bank KinoFlo that I use to key my actors, as well as a pile of open-face Lowel Pro-lights that I got on a deal, used. I'll buy or rent more units as I need them. I also already owned a good fluid head tripod--the good ones cost several thousand dollars--I bought a Vinten Vision 5 used for $1,000 a while back. So, if you don't already have one, invest in a good fluid head tripod ($2,000-$5,000). Oh, and don't forget to buy a hi-hat (really low-angle support which holds a fluid head) for low-angle stuff, or C-clamping it to a ladder for high-angle stuff. Hi-hats are great--everyone should own one ($200).
 
Last edited:
How much are spider dollies? I just used one this weekend OH MY GOD.

I'd get an XL1h, a mini35 (or maybe a cheaper adapter but the mini35 is the only one I've used that I fully trust at this point), a decent light kit (about 5 grand) and a $1,500 tripod maybe. If you're just shooting one movie, though, I'd rent.
 
I would invest in lottery tickets or go to NAB and look at all the toys and think about what to buy, but tripple your money at night at the tables...
 
You know guy, i have had DVX100B's for a long time, I am happy with the image quality, but it is about time i did a upgrade. I found some people on ebay that bid on the 3 untis i have. I am selling them for 2,500 at ebay. Anyhow, i am very intrested in possibly buying a nice cam that cost anywhere from 15,000 to 24,000. Plz plz plz, give me some links to look at for the cams that you think do much better works and image quality. (remember i am going to show this on the big screen localy.) So best image is a must. Aside from great sounds, but I got the sound stuff ready.
 
NBCShooter is right on the money....I totally agree with his advice. The DVX is a great lower level camera but if you have that kind of cash available 4 cameras are really not needed. ...I would get a good Standard def 2/3 CCD camera too. I am very impressed with the SDX900 images as another camera to look into.

More than anything....gear is only as good as the operator using them. ....so finding experienced people will help to make your productions a success. I'm always grabbing new books or reading articles off the web....just keep digging for as much info as you can get and good luck!
 
alright now for the big question, I been searching in places but i can't seem to find any Canadian sites so i can buy this cam (Panasonic SDX900) If someone could be so kind to link me up to a Canadian site that carry this product and its accesories.


thank you.
 
terrorpictures said:
help! help! plz! thank you all! you been great! i just need to find a Canadian site to buy the cam, thanks again.
Click to expand...
I would go to the camera maker first and then have them locate a dealer in Canada.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top