Rent or Buy a camera ?

F

Fxguy

Member
I think my last post may have been a little too long. I am looking to break into directing and wish to do so with a short film (around 10 mins long) and want to know what is the best way to go about it. Should I rent a camera or buy one? And what is the best camera to shoot a short on and then go and shoot a feature on?


Thanks
Tim
 
Well, that definitely depends on what youre looking for. First of all, what format?? 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, HD, DV...? That's the first thing you should really know. However, in most of the cases renting is the most affordable choice, obviously.
 
Rent a Panasonic DVX 100a or b for the short then if you like it buy it because
this cam will be just fine for features too.
GOOD LUCK
 
Most definately not 70mm, and likely not 35mm either. Having never shot a single thing on film and having no experience, film may be out of the question unless I can get lucky and find a good DP to work with. What I really need is a primer on formats. I just purchased the Apple Pro Training series book on Optimizing your Final Cut Pro system which has a good chapter that covers the different formats. Hopefully this will give me a good overview unless someone else can chime in with a quick explanation.

Besides, shooting on film has development costs attached to it, not sure thats the way to go for my first short. Then again if I want to enter it into festivals, I may not have much of a choice.

Most of my experience comes from the video side in MiniDv. Not familiar with any other format than that.

Can someone plesase help me out with understanding the formats?

Tim
 
How does each format look when blown up and shown in a traditional motion picture theater? I think worse come to worse I'd make my feature and rent out the local theater for a premiere.


Tim
 
Well, one interesting thing that's completely changed the independent film industy is the re-discovery of the 16mm film. When blown up, very little difference from 35mm. Strongly recommended: cheaper, more material to work with... Then blow it up to 35mm and voila. Check out the movie "Moonsoon Wedding". Shot on 16mm blown up to 35mm. This would be my choice if i had about 5-6k to spend in the whole process (film material, renting, developing, telecine,etc) Cheers!
 
Find a DP with his own camera (and a good reel) and hire him/her to shoot your movie. A lot of DP's have either DVX100A/B cameras or even 16mm cameras.
 
A lot of it depends on how far you want to go with this. If you are simply curious to shoot a film and test the life style - the idea of finding a DP with his/her own camera is a good one.

If you plan to give your life over to this craft, and plan to master the art of image gathering - Dude, get that camera and start dating it. Just don't get it drunk.

Directing isn't easy. I think your mind will be made up when you finish this first one.
 
A lot of it depends on how much money you have or are willing to spend. Renting the DVX could cost $150+ per day, so figure accordingly. I would just buy it, considering you can find one around $3000-$3500. It also allows you to become more creative and gives you a ton more freedom.

But if you're looking for a quick shoot that looks great go with the HVX200.

Peace out.
 
neither.

neither.

don't buy OR rent a camera. if you want to direct, hire a DP that has his own camera. he'll know how to use it better than you would. if you want to practice angles and lighting, etc, use still photography. get a 35mm or a little digi cam. seriously, don't get caught up with the technical things. that's not your job as a director.
 
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