Should I do this to get an RED Scarlet X??

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Denialorcoped

Well-known member
I'm a filmmaker and an animator. I've made one 30 min. short with no production crew, but it did get accepted to the MD film festival.

I'm currently writing a feature length, and this will be a big project for me, want at least a 25k budget for it. Anyways, I'd like to film it on a RED Scarlet. I can't afford it, but my lease is up soon. I COULD move back home for 3 months with the folks and save up for one. I'm turning 30 and I know it sounds lame, but career-wise I would love to get one of those Scarlets.

I also know that lots of directors don't have their own cameras, they rent or have a DP that has one, but I would like to have my own. What do you guys think???
 
As you're an animator, you're more likely than most directors to need to be your own DP (and entire production crew), so owning a camera does seem reasonable. Whether it needs to be a RED is another matter - for a low-budget feature that you're making yourself and is unlikely to ever get commercial distribution, maybe a decent HD camera is all you need.

Is the feature going to be animated? What sort of animation? (I'm guessing not stop-motion, as that would be a massive amount of work.) I know some animators prefer using DSLRs instead of traditional video cameras.

Unless you're getting funding from somewhere, i wouldn't recommend getting an expensive camera just for this one specific project, you're better off with a camera that will suit your expected projects for the next few years.
 
I think you should spend that money on script/actors/craft services and crew.

Then spend the rest on RENTING what gear you need for the shoot.

Your film will be better in the end.
 
I don't need to pay for a script, I write all my own stuff, I was a creative writing major in college. I already have a Panasonic HMC 150 which I did my last short with. The film began with a 5 min. cartoon, which I animated, and the rest was live-action. It was a silly comedy, here's the trailer for it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmxbqXD_lbQ

For my feature though, I really would like to hire some additional help. At least have a DP and crew for lighting and sound. And I'll need maybe another animator to assist me. I know it's low-budget, but my goal is to get into top-tier festivals like SXSW, Chicago, or even Sundance. Wouldn't I want a RED for that?
 
Renting equipment like stated above is usually the ideal scenario, so you can afford to pay a good crew, good cast, have money for post, etc - all necessary when aiming for a top tier festival.

Kegan
 
Denialorcoped said:
I know it's low-budget, but my goal is to get into top-tier festivals like SXSW, Chicago, or even Sundance. Wouldn't I want a RED for that?
Click to expand...

No. Things like story, acting, directing and editing are far higher priorities on any festival selection committee's minds, and on the minds of any audience :)
 
clang said:
No. Things like story, acting, directing and editing are far higher priorities on any festival selection committee's minds, and on the minds of any audience :)
Click to expand...

+1

These things make a movie, not the camera it's shot on.
Also, what's the point of blowing all your money on a Red camera so that everyone else has to work for free? Not to mention all the accessories you'd have to rent/buy for it anyway, plus lenses.... MUCH better off renting
 
That's another good point - you mention a 25k budget, that's much better spent on things like proper actors and crew, who are far more likely to add onscreen value.
 
If I were to ask a question like this how would you react?

I'm a race car driver and a mechanic. I have been in one race with no pit crew, but someone did show up to watch the race. I would like to drive in a bigger race now with a budget of $25K for the pit crew, and I would really like to drive a brand new Formula 1 car, but I can't afford it. I'm 30 years old and I know this sounds lame, but I think moving back in with my parents so I don't have to pay rent would be a good career move so I can buy a new Formula 1 car. I know most race car drivers don't own the cars they drive, but I really want one. What do you guys think?
 
you usually get what you pay for.
pay for a film - youll have a film.
pay for a camera - youll have a camera.
have fun!
 
... I think your parents are crazy for even considering letting their 30 year old son move back in! Like EVERYONE is saying, the camera doesn't make the film. You may WANT one, but you don't NEED one.
 
Denialorcoped said:
... I really would like to hire some additional help. At least have a DP ...
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Your DP would probably prefer to use his own camcorder. He'd be much more familiar with it, and be able to get you what you wanted without having to stop and look at the owner's manual all the time.

If you want the Scarlet in order to get shallow DOF, and neither you nor your DP has a large-sensor camcorder, maybe a Panasonic AF100 would do the trick (and leave you with enough money for all the other production and post-production expenses that are bound to come up).

Ken
 
This year's Sundance winner was shot for $250,000 on the 7D and sold for 4 million dollars to Paramount. If you can't get into Sundance or other top tier festivals with a $1,000 camera, then something else is wrong with the movie. The money would be better spent on good actors, lights, and sound. The time you'd save by the simpler workflow should go into working on making the best possible script. Keep principal photography organized and short to make the most of your budget and take as much time as you can on pre-production.
 
It seems like I might disagree with a lot of the posters here, but I would do what you think you have to do in order to make the film. Moving back in with your parents to buy this camera commits you to making it, so that might be an added bonus (as well as a camera). Are they crazy to let you do it? Of course not, and the experience of doing this could be one of the better ones you have, especially if you like your parents.

But, as always, cameras are expensive and renting is way cheaper, especially if it's for a single project. With a Scarlet too, you might be waiting more than a few months if they stay backordered, so that's something to account for as well.
 
First off, your work is fantastic, I love the look of you animation work. But I have to agree to ZAZA, You move home when you lose your house, or you become ill, not to buy a camera. Your a thirty year old guy, It's time to stand on your own two feet, and if it means, not being able to buy a scarlet, then you use your pani, which is just as capable as the scarlet, IF THE STORY IS GOOD!.

Besides that, how you gonna get laid? shhhh, be very very quiet, you will wake my mommy up. lol Just bustin your chops, but you get the point.
 
I watched your trailer and I don't see anything in the trailer that would have been better with the Scarlet. You are going to quickly find that you will be sucked into the rabbit hole of camera equipment and away from your creative work. I think the Scarlet shoots FANTASTIC footage, but, you are going to need batteries (each works 30 minutes) SSDs that will need offloading during shooting, more support equipment possibly. There is a lot more cost.

We shoot with a very small crew, 2 to 3 people, and we own multiple cameras and I wouldn't have it any other way. I understand the desire to want a camera. For me, the biggest thing is experimenting with the camera, using it off set to really get to know it well. If you are going to shoot the film yourself, then I think you still want a camera. If you are not going to shoot it, then wait until you get your DP and what camera and access they have should be a part of that discussion then, not now, I feel.

For cameras, I'd really consider using what you already have and maybe an AF100 (or GH2) for anything needing more flexible shallow DoF and lens selection. I say Panasonic since you already have Panasonic, the colors will more than likely mesh a little easier for Color Correction.

I use an FS100 as my A camera and a 7D as my B camera. The FS100 is fantastic for almost everything I do.

I *really* wanted a Scarlet for a long time, but when I did all the math, it just didn't make sense to me, no matter how much I love the technology, for my uses of it. My FS100 gets 7+ hours of battery life. It uses SD cards that are inexpensive. It performs fairly well.

In any case, good luck!!!
 
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