uhhhhhh... huh?

C

c.g._eads

Veteran
SDX costs $800/day to rent. Do the math for a 24 day shoot. Comes to about $19,000. Camera costs, what? $20,000?

Why the hell don't I just buy the damn thing and when I'm done with the shoot sell it for a grand or two less? Then it only costs me $2000.

Am I stupid or is there some logic I'm not accounting for here?
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

There's nothing wrong with that logic (except that which I will expound upon in a minute)... I've been using that logic with film and lighting gear: buy on ebay, use it, sell it, upgrade, rental = free (or near to it).

The flaw is, the SDX is $25,000 but that's just for the body. You'll also need a lens and power, so the total out-the-door kit might be closer to $35,000. Still, if you can swing it, it might be the best way to go... heck, I'll buy it off you for $11,000 when you're done... that way you'll still have only spent $24,000, right? ;D

(also, factor in that most camera places will charge no more than a 4-day week, and if you're renting older gear you can usually get a 3-day week. On a 4-day week, the SDX rental would be $12,000, not $24,000.)
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

You usually pay a three or four day week on a camera rental through the show. Now, that's still a hefty chunk.

Course, you have someone to go to for a replacement if it craps out or you need parts, components or spares when you rent from a real rental house. That is really important when you have twenty people standing around on your dime.

Something to think about?
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

Whoa! That's weird... Barry's post wasn't there when I replied, but showed up afterwards. Then I look at the time to see how many minutes you beat my post by and you posted at 3:26am?! What the?
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

What you need are good negotiating skills. You should be able to get a 3 day week for that run of time. $800 X 3 = $2400 X 4 weeks = $9600.
What is included for the price you are paying? Another negotation point. You can easily spend $50,000 loading up a camera package.
Or, do you or the DP have a bunch of the accessories in another camera package that can be used with this camera. I rent the SDX body for $400/day and use all my betacam lenses and accessories. Of course I charge for them also but I avoid the big hit in rental and pocket the difference.
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

Given these numbers you might begin to understand why in the other posting I questioned the need for going to the SDX. It's a very nice camera (much better than the DVX) but is it really needed?

My observations lead me to believe that most often everyone thinks their next project is it, it will make or break them. Maybe it will, I don't know, but I get the feeling that 99% of the time that isn't the case, especially for directors, producers & actors just starting out. The passion of the heart is strong and sometimes overrides the head.

The DVX is a little Dream because everyone can get into one with out selling the house and make very good quality pictures. Good enough that it quite often shows up on television, and they are pretty picky because they make money selling commercial time & sponsors rightfully don't want their commercial sitting next to garbage on the screen.

So I go back to my original position....is it really worth it?
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

10s,

That is some great advice. Many of the films showing up in mainstream festivals (where doors are opened) are lensed on DVX cameras.

If I were entertaining this query for my own project, the question should be: will my project really benefit from more money thrown at the camera package as opposed to more resources for every other department?

For instance, don't underestimate the value of having a good electrics and grip truck set up - and the talent to utilize these assets.

Same goes for post - the tools you own / rent and talent you have doing the back-end work might really bring more value than the higher-format origination.

Just something to think about!

e
 
Re: uhhhhhh... huh?

I agree, if the story's there and it's properly marketed the film will succeed no matter what the format. (I.E. Open water 50+million, blair witch +100 million) Although it doesn't happen everyday, they both looked like crap at the big multiplex that I saw them at but the theatre was packed and no one walked out, Gigli which bombed negative 65million, looked really well lite ::)

P.S. like everyone else I never saw Gigli
 
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