video cameras

[cow]

I though i already posted this topic, but then when i was looking for it i couldnt find it, so maybe a pressed clear fields, but otherwise, here it its!

What kind of Video Cameras do you guys have? how much did they cost and what can you do with them?

I have a JVC, and got it from my grabdpa because he never used it, and you can hardly do any thing with it.

[Tuukka]

I use mini digital video (dv) cameras. They have a very good picture quality and if you edit with computer, there is no loss in the quality during the editing process, since the infrormation is digital. Many TV stations use mini dv cameras these days, since they are relatively cheap and have a picture quality very close to beta-cam. The cheapest dv-cams cost around 1000$ here in finland, but a GOOD mini dv camera will cost up from 2500$. I guess they are a lot cheaper in the states.

I can rent 3000$ dv cameras with 10$ a day. That's really cheap. I can also sometimes borrow cameras from my work.

2500$ is a lot of money, if don't have a job. I think it's a good idea to buy a camera with 4-5 of your friends. I know many people who have done so.

...But then again, I started doing video stuff with a crappy M-7 vhs camera, I used it for the first two years. It was just fine for me, since usually you end up doing crap films in the beginning anyway. But when you get better, it's nice to see your picture quality improve as well.

[Crynot]

It totally depends on what you are wanting to do. Make sure you at least get a Hi-8. But the bad thing about video equipment is that it is just that - video. The pixel range can never improve - meaning good luck putting on a big screen. The best it's gonna look would be for a home video. There is some new shit out there that really isn't even released. it's called High Definition Video or HD Video. It's the next best thing to actual Film. Your pixel shot is actually better than film but you run into problems with lighting because of Videos shitty resolution.

Like I said, it all depends on what you want to do. If you're going to make a movie that you want to push at Sundance then I suggest renting a 16 MM and do what Kevin Smith did in Clerks.

Crynot

[Joe Bob Jim]

My vedio camera is really old and it is really big. It doesn't use small tapes but the orginal size. It gave cow a crick in the neck /ubb/frown.gif (im serious, it is that heavy). Also the batteries run out pretty quickly. The only good thing about it is that you can type suff into the camera wich makes it appear while taping. Pretty neat but not worth it. Cows camera is nice and easy to handle, mine isn't so easy.

[Tuukka]

I agree with Crynot that video can never compete with film. But shooting on film is extremely expensive. 4 minutes of 16 mm film will cost around 200$. After you edit it, you end up with a 1 minute short film. You shouldn't start using 16 mm film unless you are already very experienced. Video is a very good way to educate yourself. My guess is that people writing on this board are not experienced professionals and that's why I don't encourage people to shoot on film. Of course 8 mm film is less expensive. 3 minutes will cost 15 bucks. But then again, I can filter mini dv picture with computer to look exactly like 8 mm film. I can also create a very convinving illusion of grainy quality 16mm film.

The fact is: If you are starting to make films with no real previous experience, you end up making crap films in the beginning. No matter how talented you are, you still make crap. That's because making films is extremely difficult. There are so many thing you have to know; Writing, cinematography, lighting, editing, using music, directing actors etc. There are so many things that can go wrong and they probably will. It makes no sense to shoot on an expensive format in the beginning. Once you have became better, THEN you can start shooting on film.

[Tuukka]

Crynot, some well known directors have already used mini dv in making their feature films. Lars Von Trier won the main prize at Cannes this year with "Dancer in the dark". And the whole film was shot with mini dv video cameras. Cannes is the most respected film festival in the world, a lot bigger than Sundance, so there is no real need to shoot on film. Of course, it will look a lot better, but in the end films are about telling stories. The format in which you tell your story is not so important.

[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 08-04-2000).]

[Mr. Meat]

That is really helpful for me Tuukka, Crynot. See I don't have a digital anything for my comp., so I am trying to get a crash course on digital film making, and so far its not going so well. But it is easer to manage at first I'm sure, only after I get the hang of it. Actually Crynot and I were talking about that a little while ago.

Does anybody know good web sites about digital cameras?

[Crynot]

Tuuka,

I totally agree with you that DV is awesome and definitely the future of movies. Actually film in the future will be obsolete due to satelites being able to download right onto the movie screen.

Actually,

I read that Star Wars Episode 2 is being filmed entirely in HD Video - they are having trouble with the lighting right now because of resolution that video displays.

I also agree that by purchasing a camcorder is absolutely the way to go for beginners - That's what I'm going to do. Cause if you can do it well on video just think what your work would look like on a 35 MM.

Anyway... as far as web sites I'm not sure but there is a Magazine out there called DV Video and it tells of all the latest and greatest things that video can do.

Look out for HD Video here soon - you guys, it is supposed to freakin rock!

Crynot

[Tuukka]

Yeah, just think about the future. Digital camera systems are going to get cheaper and cheaper every year. After 15-20 years it will be possible to shoot 35mm quality films on HD video camera, which will cost only around 2000$. It's going to revolutionize film making, since everyone can make professional looking films with very little money.

[retardinAz]

When I do movies, I rent a film camera and do like in Clerks unless it has to be in color. When I do small, crappy, shorts and stuff, I just use a video camera. It really doesn't matter to me, it's just that I want my more important stuff to be on film.

[Crynot]

Hey Retard,

You've put some of your stuff on film? Where did you rent the equipment and about how much does that run?

Crynot

[Tuukka]

I will start using 16mm film next spring. I can get a camera for free and the film will cost around 200$ for four minutes. I will do either a short film or a music video, so I need film around 15-30 minutes.

I wan't to be sure that I will come up with something good. Afterall it will cost from 1000$ to 2000$. I will have 8 music videos and 10 short films under my belt by then, plus all the TV work I have done, so I guess it will turn out pretty good.