Music Videos

S

strange m1nd

Hello,

I am looking to get into shooting a few music videos. It would be wonderful if I could get some help on this as I have no done film for a few years. A couple questions for someone who can possibly point me in the appropriate direction:

1. For cameras I have $1000-2000 with lens included... I was looking at a few but I want the best I can get for this price range. One of my main questions is I was looking at footage shot by GH2's and Canon 7d's and I was like WOW as compared to other professional camcorders of a higher price! Why is this so? And would it be a wiser decision to buy a GH2 or spend twice as much on a camcorder for less quality image? I heard a lot of professional production companies use these cameras instead of camcorders, and want some feedback from some people who I trust: indietalk.com :)

2. Merlin steadicam : Is this the best choice? I'm looking to get a steadicam. Or is there a better one?

3. I need a link to a good tripod and dolly. Preferably around 500 max each.. hopefully less :)

4. If you could only get one light kit for production, what would it be? I don't really have time to go buy a bunch of lights and set them up myself.

5. If you have ANY advice for an aspiring filmmaker, please feel free to leave some. Thank you, and have a nice day :)

PS:

I will be essentially shooting music videos, but keep in mind, I want to do movies with this equipment as well. Music videos are the priority for now.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
1. For cameras I have $1000-2000 with lens included... I was looking at a few but I want the best I can get for this price range. One of my main questions is I was looking at footage shot by GH2's and Canon 7d's and I was like WOW as compared to other professional camcorders of a higher price! Why is this so? And would it be a wiser decision to buy a GH2 or spend twice as much on a camcorder for less quality image? I heard a lot of professional production companies use these cameras instead of camcorders, and want some feedback from some people who I trust: indietalk.com :)

With the exception of documentary work (where recording time limits are a PIA) DSLR destroys anything else in the sub $2000 range.


2. Merlin steadicam : Is this the best choice? I'm looking to get a steadicam. Or is there a better one?

Don't own one. I have used a GlideCam with OK results.


3. I need a link to a good tripod and dolly. Preferably around 500 max each.. hopefully less :)

That's about the price point to get a decent tripod. I have the Bogen Manfrotto 503HDV on the 055B legs. That package on B&H is right at $500.

4. If you could only get one light kit for production, what would it be? I don't really have time to go buy a bunch of lights and set them up myself.

Arri Softbank I or II is pretty standard. When I rent lights, that's what I rent. It's the kit you will see at most "film schools" like Art Institute etc... Runs about $2500 new.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
strange m1nd said:
Thank you. So I guess it's settled: DSLR. Is that tripod really smoothhh? And I never knew I could rent lights... hopefully they do that in my area.
Click to expand...

Lots of argument on that point, the smoothest "cheap" tripod. It does fine in my experience. It's not an $1800 tripod mind you, but it's pretty good.

Quick search found 3 fairly near you.
http://www.kftv.com/product-state-3390-VT.html

Now the competition in your area might not be as fierce as it is in a city like Nashville with a lot of TV, video, film production. I can rent an Arri kit for $75 a day.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
oh my god, that girl is gorgeous...

They have issues with "rolling shutter", if you pan too fast the image distorts, they also have issues with aliasing where sharp lines can go jagged looking. There are ways around both of those.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
What are the ways around? I'm just stuck at the point deciding between camera or camcorder... none of the camcorders I looked at had any aliasing... If there are real ways around it I would put the effort in.


And yes motion blur can be desirable but not aliasing...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
strange m1nd said:
Well I'm deciding between three : 1) GH2 2) 7D 3) 60D

Wat would you pick?
Click to expand...
I came this close to getting a GH2, but ended up settling for a T3i (the step below 60D). The only reason was price. If I had the cash, I would have definitely gotten the GH2 (see some debate here http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=33479, and lots of other places around the forum).

Options 2 and 3 might be more rugged designs, but their video functions are nearly identical to the other cannons (T2i, etc). If you have the money (which you say you do), I'd go with the GH2.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top