Problem with a project. Looking for opinions.

R

Ralph nixon

Well-known member
I have been given a $3,000cdn honorarium to make a twenty minute film for a doctors conference next year. It will be the first project I've done since my semi-successful feature some ten years ago. Really it's only for ten doctors in a room at a conference who will have a discussion about it after. But I'm very confident that I can get some very honest, personal, emotional, enlightening content so I hope to have the ability to sell to T.V. if that comes to fruitation.

So far the best I can get when I crunch the numbers (and then I'm still $1000-1500 short) is shooting on a 3ccd 1/6" 750kx3 camera and editing on the best mini mac with the least expensive FCP that I can get my hands on without bootlegging one. I already have sound gear and of course I'd get a tripod and only shoot near windows with bounce boards nearby, and a kicker when available.

Fast G4 processor
* Up to 1GB memory
* Dedicated graphics processor
* DVI connector, VGA adapter
* Slot-loading optical drive
* Spacious hard drive
* Built-in Ethernet
* Built-in modem, Airport and Bluetooth vary by configuration
* Expansion via USB and FireWire
* iLife Õ05, Mac OS X Tiger, Quicken 2005 for Mac, games
* Models vary with built-in modem, wireless and SuperDrive options
* 1.42GHz PowerPC G4
* 512MB DDR333 SDRAM
* ATI Radeon 9200
* 32MB DDR video memory
* 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
* SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* DVI or VGA video output
* Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
* Optional 56k Internal Modem


Of course I could just go with a one chip camera. Heck "The Celebration" was shot on one. I'm not sure how they did sound though? Possibly to a separate device?

Thanks.
 
Here's a pretty basic question, got a script written yet? I'd worry about content first before buying equipment. If you can, try and get as many people involved. If you can find talented people with equipment you might be better off enticing them with a great script and a cut of your honorarium than buying the barebones equipment to own and shoot on your own.

I would spend that money hiring a good DP, paying the cast a little, and a decent editor.
 
notwithstanding said:
yup. on celebration very qualified sound guys recorded recorded separate audio to a DAT.
Click to expand...

So if I could borrow a Dat that would surely help my cause. "And don't call me Shirley". I would sync it up later in FCP by using slates right?

As far as the other replies go they are all valid but it's a docu and it's not scripted. It's about the potential ramifications of the genetic lobotomy if they ever figure it out. Heavy stuff.

And I've already shot stuff that was broadcast on our national channel and worked in lighting in T.O. for years when I was younger with the likes of the DOP who shoots all the James Bond movies and the one who does all of Cronenbergs.
So I'm pretty confident I can handle that. But if I don't have enough $ to make the project I'm going to cancel it. It's only logical.

At the moment pricing out a 1/63ccd 750k x3 panavision camera with a leica lens with manual controls at least. But no matter how I crunch the numbers I'm still around $1500 over.

Pssibly the best one chip camera is better and cheaper than the cheapest three chip camera?

As to craft service we are planning to have barbecues for anyone who helps.

Thanks again for your feedback.

And are their any dops who want to come to Ontario for four months for some off and on shooting? I'm open to all the help I can get.
 
Ralph nixon said:
Really it's only for ten doctors in a room at a conference who will have a discussion about it after.
Click to expand...

Ralph nixon said:
As far as the other replies go they are all valid but it's a docu and it's not scripted. It's about the potential ramifications of the genetic lobotomy if they ever figure it out. Heavy stuff.
Click to expand...

Ten doctors sitting in a room, unscripted. Are you going to be able to get the shots you want with one camera on a tripod? With that many people how do you make sure you have a shot of the person talking? You'll probably enough camera coverage so you can have all the speakers on camera OR some kind of "script" or game plan that will enable you to stay ahead of the discussion.
 
Blaine said:
Ten doctors sitting in a room, unscripted. Are you going to be able to get the shots you want with one camera on a tripod? With that many people how do you make sure you have a shot of the person talking? You'll probably enough camera coverage so you can have all the speakers on camera OR some kind of "script" or game plan that will enable you to stay ahead of the discussion.
Click to expand...

Sorry, i haven't been clear, it's a documentary where I'm going to be interviewing different people who have had different experiences on medications that were suppose to make them feel happier and to moderate their behaviour. Some swear by it, some are in the middle, some hate it. Same as lots of things in life;
faith, agnostitism, atheism...

The heavy unexpected question is the one about the "genetic lobotomy". All subjects will be asked about it? Would they want it if it meant they never had symptoms ever again in their lives? Would it be a choice? Would it be a law? What happens if you are under 18? So many questions? Should be fun if it works out.

The documentary has been commisioned by a doctor who has an international conference every year. That is where it will be seen by ten or so doctors who will discuss it afterwards in a work shop so they might learn how better to help their patients. Hopefully we'll get it on T.V. too.
 
Sounds like it will require a lot of scripting. The only part that seems unscripted are the different peoples responses to the question.
 
How many days will you need to shoot? Seems that you could:

Rent a DVX100 ($150/day)
Rent a 3-light kit ($200/day)
Build a very inexpensive PC ($500)
Edit on Avid FreeDV (FREE!)
Sound gear (You already have it)
Add in some tape stock and it seems quite possible unless you need to shoot more than a week.

I'm guessing on the prices here so I may be a bit off... but still...
 
I'm definately with Issac on this. A solid doc is always scripted, I mean I'm sure there's a handful out there that are not, but you should always have a detailed roadmap of what you want with docs. And, this should be the starting point, then, as Issac said, surround yourself with folks who have the equipment and skills needed to bring your vision to light, most of which you can find for credit if you have a solid plan and script.

Spend the money on crafty, editor and DP.

This is how I would do it anyway. All the best :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top