Anyone care to answer some newbie camera related questions?

D

DanielAbuse

Hello friendly, helpful people on indietalk.
I've completed the storyboards and screenplay for my Mocumentary/ Interview style film, I have all the necessary audio and lighting elements for my film. I'm looking into recording using a Canon T3i, is anyone able to offer some pros and cons on using this camera? This camera fits my budget and I understand that it would probably be best to use a full frame sensor like a Mark III but can not afford one at this time. Most of the 110 minutes of the film will be sit down interview type shots and I don't need to capture any "Action Shots" or anything of that nature. I'd also like to know if anyone has any experience blowing up these images to a theatre sized screen? I plan for the "look" of the film to be somewhat that of "I'm Still Here" (the Joaquin Phoenix Mocumentary). Thank You in advance!
-Daniel
 
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Okay. You want a camera to shoot a mocumentary, and the camera you're thinking about is the Canon T3i.

I have the Canon T3i and love it. I've gotten some great stuff out of it, and many others have gotten even more fantastic results. Although remember that you want to INVEST IN GLASS, not bodies. While the camera has some quirks and flaws, you can get some fantastic results from it. Check out this site:

http://snapsort.com

You can compare cameras, and see pros and cons of certain cameras.
 
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Where do you plan to show your film? If it is just going to be on YouTube/Vimeo, the T3i is fine. The Panasonic GH2/3 would probably be better (search almost any of the posts by brunner). If you think that your movie will make a theatrical run, I would recommend renting a better camera system with 2k/4k resolution and a skilled operator.
 
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Hey, thanks for your reply! The short answer is...I don't know yet, I've always been heavily involved in the diy scene with music and guerilla plays and whatnot...I really enjoy the art of just having an idea and trying my damnedest to make it work regardless of financial/equipment barriers...I just didn't want to limit myself from being able to submit to festivals or whatever I can. That being said, I don't plan on just uploading it for youtube hits or anything...but, I can't rent equipment or rely on someone to operate a camera for me.
Thanks so much for your advice and help!
 
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A distribution plan is vital for your film getting seen. You should have one before pre-pro. Determine your target audience (age, gender, race, etc.), which will help you narrow down where to show the film. Check out this article:

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/artic...drives-devil-insides-box-office-success-34232

Plan which festivals you'll be submitting to, which sites it will play on, how it will be available for purchase, your approach to social media, etc. etc. etc. Think strategically. I'm sure Ray could give you some helpful advice.

http://www.indietalk.com/member.php?u=22218
20120325FilmitAndTheyWillCome.png


Documentaries are known for their less than impressive image quality, so I'm sure you could get away with nearly any camera.

Good luck!
 
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ChimpPhobiaFilms said:
Okay. You want a camera to shoot a mocumentary, and the camera you're thinking about is the Canon T3i.

I have the Canon T3i and love it. I've gotten some great stuff out of it, and many others have gotten even more fantastic results. Although remember that you want to INVEST IN GLASS, not bodies. While the camera has some quirks and flaws, you can get some fantastic results from it. Check out this site:

http://snapsort.com

You can compare cameras, and see pros and cons of certain cameras.
Click to expand...

Hey Chimp Phobia! May I ask you some more questions about the lenses you may be talking about? In your opinion, what lens might you suggest for the type of shots that I'm aiming for? Would the 18-55mm kit lens be helpful or should I be looking for something entirely different? I see that you suggest glass lenses...are there any that you might recommend? Also, the type of shots I'm looking at are that of "The Office" style interview shots...And lastly, would you happen to know if I were to film with this camera even with a great glass lens if the quality would be acceptable on a large screen? I'm sorry for so many questions, I just don't really understand how that aspect of it works.
Thanks sooooo much!
 
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Some questions:
How large is the room you are shooting in?
What's your budget?
How much lighting gear do you have?
Do you understand the basics of how a lens works?

It will make it much easier to answer your questions :)
 
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DanielAbuse said:
I have all the necessary audio and lighting elements for my film.
Click to expand...

You'll find that I'm the hard bitten cynic about audio here on IndieTalk - and my cynicism is usually well-founded.

Mostly my issue is that having the "right" gear does not give you good sound; knowledge, technique and skill gives you solid sound.

So what gear do you have, who is running it and what are their qualifications?
 
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I`m wondering , why nobody is recommending the Nikon D5200, combined with the right glass, you will get excellent results for low money.
This still is an interview scenario of Dr. Thanhaus from the film "Near Death". We did this in front of a Bluescreen, lit with a soft key light and the help of 3 LED panels. Lighting is more important than the cam.
You might get the Nikon for little money, because in NOV they will present the follower D5300.
1185577_469598373158296_978354778_n.jpg
 
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rotwang said:
I`m wondering , why nobody is recommending the Nikon D5200, combined with the right glass, you will get excellent results for low money.
This still is an interview scenario of Dr. Thanhaus from the film "Near Death". We did this in front of a Bluescreen, lit with a soft key light and the help of 3 LED panels. Lighting is more important than the cam.
You might get the Nikon for little money, because in NOV they will present the follower D5300.
1185577_469598373158296_978354778_n.jpg
Click to expand...

That shot looks pretty noisy to me, to be honest. I'll be frank -- I don't know anything about the Nikon. But I have to be skeptical, simply because I know a lot of low-budget filmmakers, and none of the people I personally know are using anything other than Canon, Panasonic, or Black Magic. We can't all be wrong, can we?

D'Abuse -- The T3i is a great camera, and it will likely fit your needs. That being said, you might want to consider a regular camcorder. A DSLR is great thing for interview footage, as well as scripted/blocked footage. But for following someone around in a documentary and/or mockumentary, a camcorder is much easier to use.
 
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Cracker Funk said:
That shot looks pretty noisy to me, to be honest. I'll be frank -- I don't know anything about the Nikon. But I have to be skeptical, simply because I know a lot of low-budget filmmakers, and none of the people I personally know are using anything other than Canon, Panasonic, or Black Magic. We can't all be wrong, can we?

D'Abuse -- The T3i is a great camera, and it will likely fit your needs. That being said, you might want to consider a regular camcorder. A DSLR is great thing for interview footage, as well as scripted/blocked footage. But for following someone around in a documentary and/or mockumentary, a camcorder is much easier to use.
Click to expand...

I've been hands-on with the new Nikon 800 and it was 5D MkIII good. Nikons with good glass are identical to Canons.

However, I personally prefer my VG10 (interchangeable lens camcorder) because with the right glass, it rocks. I bought it thinking I could upgrade through the Sony line, up to an FS100 or Black Magic 4k etc... while keeping the glass but I've learned to use it and love it, particularly because of the glass options.

The primary issue with Nikons is sharing around glass. With my VG10 and EF adaptor, sharing glass is easy as everyone has EF lenses. However, Nikon glass is a little more specialised and sharing is problematic.
 
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