Tuukka
08-31-2000, 03:07 AM
I often hear from wannabe directors that they could make great films, if someone would just give them work / finance their visions. Well, I always thought that's a only a bad excuse. You don't need money to make a full lenght feature film.
There is an increasing number of theatrical films made on digital video (dv). For example this years cannes main prize winner "Dancer in the dark" by Lars Von Trier was made on DV. If one of the most celebrated and appreciated film directors of the moment is willing to shoot on DV, why couln't you do it as well?
DV is extremely cheap. You can buy a very good camera with 2000-4000 bucks. Then get yourself a computer edit with another 2000-4000. That might sound like a lot of money, but if you have a job, you can easily loan the money from the bank. And of course you can always borrow / rent your equipment.
Once you got the camera and the edit, you don't really have to pay much for anything else. It doesn't cost anything to write a good script. You can get actors for free and good shooting locations won't cost a thing. You can buy your lighting equipment with 200 bucks. Microphones are pretty common, so can probably borrow them.
Of course DV camera has a lot worse, video-like quality of picture if compared to 16mm or 35mm, but that doesn't matter. If you will make a good, interesting and professional full lenght film on DV, you will get so much recognition that it will be no problem to get financing for your next film, which will be done on 16mm or 35mm.
So if you wan't to be a film director, it's really up to you. If you have the talent and you are ready to work hard, you will with no doubt make it. Luck has nothing to do with it.
Has anyone else opinions about this?
[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 08-31-2000).]
There is an increasing number of theatrical films made on digital video (dv). For example this years cannes main prize winner "Dancer in the dark" by Lars Von Trier was made on DV. If one of the most celebrated and appreciated film directors of the moment is willing to shoot on DV, why couln't you do it as well?
DV is extremely cheap. You can buy a very good camera with 2000-4000 bucks. Then get yourself a computer edit with another 2000-4000. That might sound like a lot of money, but if you have a job, you can easily loan the money from the bank. And of course you can always borrow / rent your equipment.
Once you got the camera and the edit, you don't really have to pay much for anything else. It doesn't cost anything to write a good script. You can get actors for free and good shooting locations won't cost a thing. You can buy your lighting equipment with 200 bucks. Microphones are pretty common, so can probably borrow them.
Of course DV camera has a lot worse, video-like quality of picture if compared to 16mm or 35mm, but that doesn't matter. If you will make a good, interesting and professional full lenght film on DV, you will get so much recognition that it will be no problem to get financing for your next film, which will be done on 16mm or 35mm.
So if you wan't to be a film director, it's really up to you. If you have the talent and you are ready to work hard, you will with no doubt make it. Luck has nothing to do with it.
Has anyone else opinions about this?
[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 08-31-2000).]