If your rich uncle gave you 10k....

[trueindie]

If your rich uncle gave you $10k for you to buy yourself film and audio gear, and that's all you had to spend, and you had to start from scratch, what would you spend that money on?

I have no idea as I don't know all that much about gear. So I'm wondering what all the experts in this forum would buy.

Let's keep the budget between 10 and 15k. And let's limit equipment to Audio and Video (including lenses). Let's exclude computers, software, lighting etc, (unless you feel compelled to).

Yes, we can all dream
No, I don't have a rich uncle.

 

[TheArtist]

You don't need that much to travel.

I've met a guy once who was on a World Tour over five years. He was buying plane tickets for a few cents each. Thanks to low cost companies offers. Of course, he couldn't chose both when and where. He used couchsurfing to sleep for almost nothing. He loved Asia and over there he could even afford motels since it was really cheap.

 

[hunteq]

Sony NXCAM, w/ flash unit. iMac, w/ used FCS, because FCPX sucks.

 

[Alcove Audio]

Of course, if we're talking about post I would chip in some of my own money and get this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PTHD3HDAna/

 

[trueindie]

Damn Alcove, audio gear is expensive.

where are all the dreamers?? Why aren't more people describing their dream outfit in detail? C'mon people. No need to be shy now!!!

 

[Alcove Audio]

Damn Alcove, audio gear is expensive.

Now you know why I get so ticked off when people constantly ask for freebees.

 

[GuerrillaAngel]

10K? Easy. Start another feature.

 

[Nate North]

xD I would not buy gear with it. I'd find a way to turn 10K into 20K, then 20K into 40K.

Then, in a year maybe, when I've got 100K+ I'd go and make a few shorts for 10K a piece, then a feature for 60K.
.

Hahaha Right answer!

 

[rayw]

where are all the dreamers?? Why aren't more people describing their dream outfit in detail? C'mon people. No need to be shy now!!!

A - I don't know sh!t.
B - The question's parameters were just for camera and audio.

For $10k unlimited expenditure I'd get a decent (used) camera with lenses (~$2500), basic sound gear (~$1500), tripod, cases, light kit w/ reflectors/bounce boards, blankets, DIY track and shoulder rig, and a small tradesman trailer to haul all this sh!t around in.
And a decent editing computer w/software and maybe a class or two.

Looks like there might be $1000 left over.
Figure out and subtract how much the festival circuit is gonna run.
The rest on props, costumes, food and token gas payments and shoot something with darn near zero-budget micro crew and cast.

D@mn.
That $1000 ain't much to "work" with.
Better pre-pro plan the h3ll outta this non-existant magical story.

I'd hope to make more like-minded professional friends than burn bridges for the next go round.

 

[Cracker Funk]

I wouldn't buy any gear at all.

I'd throw the money towards production costs of a film, probably cast and crew salaries and equipment rental. I just have no need for cameras that I can't and have no interested in operating.

You beat me to it!

If my rich uncle gave me $10,000, I would spend most of it on cast & crew.

 

[rayw]

If my rich uncle gave me $10,000, I would spend most of it on cast & crew.

Maybe I'd buy a Flip HD and one of those $20 Chineese shotgun mics hooked up through a minijack into a WalMart digital recorder, edit with MS Movie Maker, and spend the rest on cast & crew.
Write a story using found objects and regular clothes for costumes.
Hmm...

 

[CamVader]

Maybe I'd buy a Flip HD and one of those $20 Chineese shotgun mics hooked up through a minijack into a WalMart digital recorder, edit with MS Movie Maker, and spend the rest on cast & crew.
Write a story using found objects and regular clothes for costumes.
Hmm...

You just inspired a thread. What's the minimum buy-in for indie film production?

 

[Cracker Funk]

You just inspired a thread. What's the minimum buy-in for indie film production?

I shot a feature, with this:

this:

this:

and this: