Talking the wife into it.

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
So, my main goal here is to shoot feature films.
I have a job.
She has a job.
We have savings (for important stuff like getting the roof fixed)
We have a college fund for my 2 year old son started.
I don't really have 3-4k just laying around at once to pay for a camera.
The job I work is a delivery route. I work Monday-Thursday and the latest I ever get off is 2 in the afternoon. I go in at 7 am. I am off 2 fridays a month, and every weekend. So.. I have alot of extra time to do something else. Well, I was thinking. Although my main goal is shooting feature films. That won't be going on constantly. In between those, I could use the camera for other purposes like events, weddings, and things of that nature. If I could convince my wife that I'd easily be able to recoup the costs of the camera in a few weddings, and present the idea to her as a way for us to have extra money to do stuff with. She might be ok with me putting it on our credit card, to be paid off ASAP. Or are there dealers that do financing? How much is typical for a event videographer to make per shoot? I want to have some factual data to show my wife before I bring this game plan to her. I just seems more feasible to make monthly payments on it, vs. having save that much money (it always winds up getting spent on something else). Anyone else have experience with this?
 
Just my two cents on this one and its not what you want to hear :)... I would start with a camera that I could pay cash for. There are plenty of good cameras out there that can be had for much less than the cost of the HMC150 and you can make money with them. Later you can sell that and buy a better one for cash as you make money. Rent or borrow what you dont have. I started out this way 4 years ago and now I own three HD cameras, two edit suites and a bunch of mics, lights equipment etc and have no debt at all for my business.

I think this is even more important if this is a second job or hobby...

then again take my advice with a grain of salt...afterall I am weird in that I do not own a credit card...
 
I agree with this.

I met with our DP last night, he has a DVX100. He suggested that if we COULD.. to try and move up to HD. The film is only in preproduction right now, but we intend to begin shooting in early 2010. He suggested this because, by the time we start shooting HD will be even more prevalent than what it is now. I have plenty of time to save money for the camera "technically" but my problem is always winding up needing the money for something else once I have set it aside.
 
Don't forget you need more than just the cam....like a decent tripod, mic's, editing setup, etc....
 
I agree with Andy, there are plenty of really good deals for people that are starting out... the best way is to grow with no debt. I'm a Wedding Videographer (80% of the time) I been doing this for almost 12 years now. If i was to start all over again, i would buy used (something not to old) use it, see if i like it, and once i start making money buy new gear as a i grow.

I seen a lot of people make the mistake of buying all new gear and putting it on a credit card, to later find out they don't like it. Or it takes them a few years to take off the ground, by the time they're somewhat busy they got lots of dated gear that need replacing.

Many people sell almost brand new cameras because they got more than they need it, or didn't like it at the end.

A piece of advice is to try and look if there's any local association that specializes on event videography, many studios offer work as a second videographer to start off, that will give you experience and a good idea of what you need. Some studios will even let you use their gear while you learn and buy your own.

Remember that there's more things that you need beside the camera, and training is also very important and often forgotten!
 
the thing is, I'm not even going to be running the camera. I'll be directing. I have a DP/camera operator. He has a DVX100, it was his suggestion to go HD. In order to do that, someone has to either buy, rent or borrow. We live in BFE GA.. we could rent, but very little chances of borrowing. I had no issues just shooting on the DVX100 myself. We could rent something, but I feared by the time we did that, we could have bought it and then at least we'd have it whenever we needed it. The DP has a tripod, audio stuff, and even a few basic lights.
 
Ummmm, things might be a little different in GA, here in Chicago there's no "Director" on a Wedding, well any tittles for that matter. Is more like main shooter, and second shooter.
Is not a production, well at least most of the times is not (but there are exceptions)

trying to check if there's any local associations or clubs that specialize in event videography!
 
Superfresa66 said:
Ummmm, things might be a little different in GA, here in Chicago there's no "Director" on a Wedding, well any tittles for that matter. Is more like main shooter, and second shooter.
Is not a production, well at least most of the times is not (but they're are exceptions)

trying to check if there's any local associations or clubs that specialize in event videography!
Click to expand...

I think there is some confusion.

I don't "want" to particularly shoot events or weddings. I AM shooting a Narrative feature film, and that is what I intend to use the camera for. I was only suggesting that I could use the "events and weddings" as a side business from my primary normal job to pay for my "narrative toys".

So, when I say director. I mean director on a movie set. I'm shooting a feature length horror film. I have a DP/camera operator who already has a camera, lights, audio gear, boom pole.. etc. But, he has a SD camera. He suggested we use an HD camera if at all possible. He will still be running it, I just have to aquire it somehow. Either by renting, borrowing or buying. I figured If I'm gonna have to buy a camera, I should probably use it some.
 
...you can never lose the kids...but the wife...that's another story! LOL (kind of)

All I'm saying is grow a pair and if you want a camera, buy it. Your wife should want you to be happy. Seems like you have things under control & you've thought it through. I don't think it's that tough to pick-up a few gigs and before you know it, the gear paid for itself. That's what I did. Spent 20K and picked up one job that covers the whole thing.

WooHoo...free gear!

PLUS... think of the great films you can make of your childs development! I can see that third birthday film now.....priceless.
 
Money trouble = marital discord. If you don't need it, don't go torching money you don't have, to buy it. Borrow; by early 2010 somebody'll have something nearby you. And if not? Shoot on the DVX. People have made theatrically-released features on the DVX, so it's not like it's a bad choice! And it's free.
 
ZazaCast said:
...you can never lose the kids...but the wife...that's another story! LOL (kind of)

All I'm saying is grow a pair and if you want a camera, buy it. Your wife should want you to be happy. Seems like you have things under control & you've thought it through. I don't think it's that tough to pick-up a few gigs and before you know it, the gear paid for itself. That's what I did. Spent 20K and picked up one job that covers the whole thing.

WooHoo...free gear!

PLUS... think of the great films you can make of your childs development! I can see that third birthday film now.....priceless.
Click to expand...


Oooooh.. you just gave me a new angle to go with this.

I need to dig up a ton of awesome looking "kid" videos done with the camera I want.. and say "Look honey, see how awesome this looks compared to the ole Panasonic GS90"?
 
Azmyth said:
Oooooh.. you just gave me a new angle to go with this.

I need to dig up a ton of awesome looking "kid" videos done with the camera I want.. and say "Look honey, see how awesome this looks compared to the ole Panasonic GS90"?
Click to expand...

Not exactly what I meant by "grow a pair"... but it's a start. Now you're thinkin'.:happy:
 
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Barry_Green said:
Money trouble = marital discord. If you don't need it, don't go torching money you don't have, to buy it. Borrow; by early 2010 somebody'll have something nearby you. And if not? Shoot on the DVX. People have made theatrically-released features on the DVX, so it's not like it's a bad choice! And it's free.
Click to expand...


I mean, thats what I was thinking as well.

I mean if I wanted to buy something, sure I should buy an HD camera if I'm looking at the "future". 2010 is just a few months away.. not alot is going to change in 3 months. The cost to rent an HD camera from the places I have checked so far.. is 250+ a weekend. Its not alot, but by the time you add up those weekends.. it becomes more than the cost, if we had just bought it. "Flywheel" was made by a church about 45 minutes from here. They shot it on a Canon GL-1 and had a local and regional theatrical release. They used the money they made from it, to partially fund their next movie Facing the Giants.. which was a HUGE jump in production value, from their first.
 
Show her this thread and tell her all of your internet friends think you should buy the camera. That's always worked on my girlfriend, hahahaha!
 
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