Newbie with questions...please help

[LittleEarthquakes]

Hi everyone! I'm new to film making. Until recently I had not filmed or edited anything at all, but I write a bit and have been working on a feature length script which I'm working on rewrites for now. So I decided to make a short which I did and it wasn't as perfect as I would have liked but I ended up fairly happy with the end product seeing as how I hadn't even played around with editing until I sat down and loaded my first hi8 tape into my laptop. anyway, my main focus at the time (for making the short) was to test the waters...get my feet wet a little and try out some directing and editing and get a sence of what it's like to bring a script i've written to life via the actors, filming, editing, etc process.

well, I know that funding is going to be an issue, but I *may* be able to come up with some funding for equipment and stuff and since I'm not fully sure at the moment what I *will* be able to come up with....well if y'all could bare with the newbie I have some questions on 2 ends of the money scale and in a couple of different ways.

My first question is...how important is multiple cameras on a feature length film? I mean on my short (edited was basically 7 minutes including credits) I mostly just ran off one sony digital handycam, but I did try a second camera on one scene (would have liked three for the ease of it but couldn't find one I could borrow) anyway, I ended up just using the footage from cam one anyway, so...while it may take longer...is it possible to shoot a feature length film with the ability to edited and get it done with a film fextival and hopefully ultimately theatre quality while only using one camera or should someone intend on having 2-3 cameras so that they can shoot multiple angles at the same time so that it's not as much of an issue of continuity?

now that I know how feesable it is to use 1 camera vs 2 or 3....

could y'all please give me an idea on two different camera types....

what would you say is the best 1/3 inch HD camera with the ability to shoot in widescreen and at 24p? I mean I know there are several out there but in your opinion which is the best and for what reason?

also, what is the best lower end 2/3 inch with all the same abilities as i've requested above? I know that 2/3 inch cameras are really expensive but for sh**s and giggles what would be the best on the lower end for these type cameras? I know I will most likely end up with 1/3" but the lighting ability of 2/3" interests me due to the fact that I will have a several shots at night both inside and outside that I would like to get away with the least amount of lighting on as possible (i want night to look like night while obviously still wanting to see the scene).

now my next question is abot editing....I know the general concenus is...mac=good and pc=devil. lol but what is the best program for PC (I currently have vegas movie studio platinum 8.0)?

I have a few other questions but this post is pretty long so I'll post those after I've gotten a couple of responses.

Thanks!

 

[mr-modern-life]

My first question is...how important is multiple cameras on a feature length film?
For me depends on what you are shooting. a action hugley importnat, i just used 4 for a recent scene. Drama? Two cameras can make life easier and cheaper... less set ups etc but iI have always mostly used just one.

Cameras? I let someone else feed that.

Editing On PC?
AVID is good but a beast on power and performance. I have a top end PC that cant run it! Honestly Final Cut on a Mac is THE BEST BY FAR home editing kit. We wouldnt use anything different.

 

[directorik]

Except for action scenes (car chases, stunts, explosions) most
movies are shot with one camera. I find it really slows things
down having to light for two or more cameras.

I really don't think there is a "best" camera. I really dislike
the Canon cameras. But that's such a personal choice that I
certainly can't say they are bad cameras. In my opinion JVC makes
the best of the higher end DV cameras. But again, I wouldn't feel
comfortable saying they are the best.

I own the HD110 and the HD250 and the smaller, cheaper HD7. Each
one is an excellent camera. I have shot with the Panasonic's and
the Sony's and like all of them. Not what you want to hear, I'm
sure. But I bet someone else will have a strong opinion on which
camera is best so you can take their suggestion.

I've used a Mac and Final Cut since the first version of the
software. I love it. But I wouldn't call a PC the devil. I guess
I'm not the guy you should be looking to for advice. I'm not very
good with claiming somthing the best or something the devil.
Cameras and editing software are essential tools and what ever a
filmmaker is comfortable using is the right choice.

 

[LittleEarthquakes]

I didn't really mean that *I* think PC is the devil. lol I jus mean it seems like everyone hates PC, but I've always only had PCs and from what I've heard Macs are hard to get used to at first.

Now, I know that there may not be one certain camera that's in the same price range of all others that have the same features, but for ease of use, ability to get a film like quality, high quality picture, use of changeable lenses, etc are there certain advantages of one camera over another?

now on 2/3" cameras....does anyone know what a good lowend one cost? I know I'm dreaming hear cause my ability to get that kind of money is highly unlikely but just for s***s and giggles sake....I know panasonic makes a AG-HPX500 and the list price for that is 14 grand...well that's their cheapest 2/3" is that a good camera or is it best to by higher end cameras even if you have to step down a grade so that you can afford the best in its bracket?

now I know this s going to sound stupid but when jumping from a handycam to a more professional type camera like the 1/3"s and 2/3" with changable lenses, and numerous other options not available with a 7 year-old handycam...how hard is it to learn your way around?

I have some more questions, but i'll throw these out to y'all first, and thank you for the responces!

 

[spinner]

well, I know that funding is going to be an issue, but I *may* be able to come up with some funding for equipment and stuff and since I'm not fully sure at the moment what I *will* be able to come up with....well if y'all could bare with the newbie I have some questions on 2 ends of the money scale and in a couple of different ways.

One of the ways you can start looking for funding is as easy as going to google. In your search engine put:
funding for new filmmakers, funding for student filmmakers (if you're a student ), funding for first time filmmakers, for independent filmmakers....you get the idea.

My first question is...how important is multiple cameras on a feature length film? I mean on my short (edited was basically 7 minutes including credits) I mostly just ran off one sony digital handycam, but I did try a second camera on one scene (would have liked three for the ease of it but couldn't find one I could borrow) anyway, I ended up just using the footage from cam one anyway, so...while it may take longer...is it possible to shoot a feature length film with the ability to edited and get it done with a film fextival and hopefully ultimately theatre quality while only using one camera or should someone intend on having 2-3 cameras so that they can shoot multiple angles at the same time so that it's not as much of an issue of continuity?

...one camera doesn't mean one angle. Sure it will be harder and it may take longer, but if you were looking for quick and easy you are in the wrong business

now my next question is about editing....I know the general concenus is...mac=good and pc=devil. lol but what is the best program for PC (I currently have vegas movie studio platinum 8.0)

Many people use Adobe Premiere which is PC based, but the consensus seems to be that the better edit system is Final Cut and it only runs on MAC. I personally use Final Cut...

Good Luck

-- spinner

 

[LittleEarthquakes]

thank you Spinner for the info on searching for funding and for the other help...I know one cemera doesn't mean one angle I just wasn't sure if it was stupid for me to think one camera could do it or if I should have been expecting to at least have 2.

how difficult do you think it would be to go from using vegas platinum 8.0 on an HP laptop to using final cut on a mac?

 

[directorik]

I didn't really mean that *I* think PC is the devil. lol I jus mean it seems like everyone hates PC, but I've always only had PCs and from what I've heard Macs are hard to get used to at first.

Well since Apple is less than 6 percent of the home computer market I don't think
everyone hates PC. And they aren't that hard to get used to. Like any change,
there is a learning curve. A curve that can be really exciting.

Now, I know that there may not be one certain camera that's in the same price range of all others that have the same features, but for ease of use, ability to get a film like quality, high quality picture, use of changeable lenses, etc are there certain advantages of one camera over another?

As far as I know there are only two manufacturers who offer interchangeable lenses.
Canon and JVC. I know Panasonic doesn't which is a shame because the DVX200 is
otherwise a great camera. I also don't know of any 2/3 or higher camera in the under
$10,000 range - even for shits and giggles.

now I know this s going to sound stupid but when jumping from a handycam to a more professional type camera like the 1/3"s and 2/3" with changable lenses, and numerous other options not available with a 7 year-old handycam...how hard is it to learn your way around?

Not really that hard. You'll have more control and that's pretty easy to get used to. The
main issue is learning to light well - which you can do even with a 7 year old handycam.
Master that and you can get great footage with almost any camera.

 

[LittleEarthquakes]

my main question about the 2/3" cameras is....should someone have the money to invest in one is the AG-HPX500 a good camera for feature and all? or is it a better idea to buy on the higher end even if the have to go down a grade to be able to buy the highend of that type?

I've heard the 2/3" show a lot better in low light situations and that's the main reason it interests me even though it's highly unlikely i'll be getting one of those.

Could y'all please share a little bit of experience y'all've had with either the AG-HPX500 and/or the AG-HVX200 and let me know what you truely liked or disliked about these cameras.

 

[directorik]

I've used the AG-HVX200 and like it. With one glaring exception - I don't
like the fixed lens. For me, the ability to rent high end DigiPrimes (that I
could never afford to own) is considerably more important than the 2/3" CCD's.

Which makes the HPX500 a much better camera. But I haven't shot with it.

But seriously, once you get over the $12,000 range the cameras are all pretty
good. I've never shot in really low light so that is never a consiceration for me.
Even the really dark scenes I shoot have enough light on the set to control
the image the way I want.

 

[LittleEarthquakes]

thank you.