TOTAL Package suggestions

[Fxguy]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if everyone would like to chime in on something for me. I am looking for an as all inclusive list as I can find for starting a production company for the purpose of making my own films. I have written several short/commercial scripts as well as 2 feature scripts and am starting to look into the equipment to make the features a reality. I would like to screen them at a local theater (film blow up) as well as find a distrubution deal (wouldnt we all ?) So I am looking at a HVX-200 camera base and going from there. Please feel free to chime in on Lighting, Sound, Editing / Post, pretty much everything I will need to get the film completed.


Also looking for the same similar thing for wedding videos instead of feature film and would like suggestions on a complete package for that as well. Would also like as much crossover between the 2 as I can get.


So:

1) Filmmaker Package
2) Wedding Video Package

Let the shouting begin!

Tim

 

[photondave]

This is a big question you are asking. As with many things,
it can be as simple or complex as you choose to make it.

I think you can break this down into three functional areas
of need.

1. Gear.
2. Knowledge
3. Drive (Or as Galen Rowell said "The size of the rat...")


Gear:

You can compile gear lists until you are blue in the face
and someone will still suggest a deletion or addition. There
is no way I can address this in this post. Suffice it to say that
your camera cost is only a fraction of the total expense.

Knowledge:

How are your cinematography skills? If lacking, educate yourself.
I have a bookshelf - maybe two - of books on blocking, lighting,
editing, and scriptwriting. I study them, analyze them, outline
them.

Gear by itself is not enough. Look at all the wannabe photographers
that drop a wad on the latest super-hyper-megapixel-wonder and
still shoot badly framed, overly contrasty "snapshots".

Likewise with video. Give a guy who knows what he is doing
a GL2 and some lights from Home Depot and he will out-perform
the tyro with the HD and kinoflos everytime.

Drive:

If you have the drive you will acquire the gear and the knowledge.
Without the drive, you might as well go throw a couple thousand $
in the shredder and you will still be money ahead over buying the
gear and selling it at a loss.

My apologies if this seems to be an overly philosophical reply. If you
want the more typical answer then:

Umm, HVX, Bogen 503 on some good legs, a glidecam, a 12' crane,
doorway dolly, light package of your choice, boompole, shockmount,
mic, Sony MDR-7506 headphones, dual monitor PC with XP Pro,
Sony Vegas, Sound Forge, and a set of Mackie monitors should get
you part way there. Not to mention enough cables, filters, gels, and
other acces to make you tired just thinking about it.

-dave