Starting out with a camcorder?
- Thread starter Semiazas
- Start date
I think it's a great idea. Just get out there and make something. You'll learn the fastest by DOING.
FYI: This is technically a "camcorder" http://www.pcrush.com/product/Camco...-High-Definition-Digital-Camcorder?refid=1868
and its only $6K!
and its only $6K!
budget is ALLAYS a huge issue.
but you dont NEED any money to make a movie, just time and equipment... talent helps, but some of that will come once you learn some techniques.
but you dont NEED any money to make a movie, just time and equipment... talent helps, but some of that will come once you learn some techniques.
Starting out with just a camcorder is the very best
way to get started! Shoot as many movies as you
can with the camcorder you have available to you.
Learn how to use light well, learn how to tell your
story visually, learn how to work with sound, learn
how to schedule actors and crew.
All the essentials can be done with a camcorder
borrowed from school
way to get started! Shoot as many movies as you
can with the camcorder you have available to you.
Learn how to use light well, learn how to tell your
story visually, learn how to work with sound, learn
how to schedule actors and crew.
All the essentials can be done with a camcorder
borrowed from school
I second the other reactions!
A camcorder is a great way to start: an expensive camera is just hardware with certain lightcapturing-specs that are different (better) than a camcorder, but a movie is about the story, the framing, timing and the light. These elements don't need an expensive tool to be mastered; a camcorder will do just fine.
Upgrading is always possible in a later stadium.
(I started with using a Hi-8 camcorder)
A camcorder is a great way to start: an expensive camera is just hardware with certain lightcapturing-specs that are different (better) than a camcorder, but a movie is about the story, the framing, timing and the light. These elements don't need an expensive tool to be mastered; a camcorder will do just fine.
Upgrading is always possible in a later stadium.
(I started with using a Hi-8 camcorder)
Semiazas,
I also agree with what the others have said and just wanted to encourage you to go out and capture with what you have available.
If you get the nicest camera and equipment, then you might wind up with a movie which features smooth dolly shots and shallow depth of field... but lacks heart.
The real trick is finding a compelling subject or developing a captivating idea.
If you present a truly moving story, it will not matter what it's shot on.
I also agree with what the others have said and just wanted to encourage you to go out and capture with what you have available.
If you get the nicest camera and equipment, then you might wind up with a movie which features smooth dolly shots and shallow depth of field... but lacks heart.
The real trick is finding a compelling subject or developing a captivating idea.
If you present a truly moving story, it will not matter what it's shot on.
Make movies with a camera phone, if you want to lol
If you have a story to tell - you'll figure out how to tell it. So what it won't look like a professional camera with crisp and clear picture in your first movies. I've seen plenty of movies that were made by people using fancy HD pro cameras, but it looked B.A.D.
Little follow up rant:
Me and my co-worker had a small debate today. He is a filmmaker himself, so during down times we had small discussion about some projects that he worked on (some music videos). Found out that for one of his very first videos he dropped some big cash (according to him). By big, i mean BIG. He got himself 5d, rented dolly, lights, generators, and recorded a music video of some band.. i didn't really feel like it was my business to ask how much he spent..
Then he asked me about my current project (Day in life of a Hot Dog). When he found out that my budget for the movie was about 20 bucks he was shocked and terrified.. lol Then he went on on how the project will not work, because "you'll need dolly, rigs, jibs, steady cams... you 'll need to pay actors too! and get insurance!"
I showed him my Azul Grande 30 sec short, that I shot with a cam corder, he said that I need to get at least t2i in order to make decent watchable movies.. then he went on bragging about his latest purchase of 7d...
I'm yet to see his films though
If you have a story to tell - you'll figure out how to tell it. So what it won't look like a professional camera with crisp and clear picture in your first movies. I've seen plenty of movies that were made by people using fancy HD pro cameras, but it looked B.A.D.
Little follow up rant:
Me and my co-worker had a small debate today. He is a filmmaker himself, so during down times we had small discussion about some projects that he worked on (some music videos). Found out that for one of his very first videos he dropped some big cash (according to him). By big, i mean BIG. He got himself 5d, rented dolly, lights, generators, and recorded a music video of some band.. i didn't really feel like it was my business to ask how much he spent..
Then he asked me about my current project (Day in life of a Hot Dog). When he found out that my budget for the movie was about 20 bucks he was shocked and terrified.. lol Then he went on on how the project will not work, because "you'll need dolly, rigs, jibs, steady cams... you 'll need to pay actors too! and get insurance!"
I showed him my Azul Grande 30 sec short, that I shot with a cam corder, he said that I need to get at least t2i in order to make decent watchable movies.. then he went on bragging about his latest purchase of 7d...
I'm yet to see his films though
u just have to use what u can get ur hands on and make films. u can only learn so much reading tips and getting advice places like here. u will only start really learning from making films.
nobody expects your first ever short film to be of the level of professional production. well maybe some people do.
nobody expects your first ever short film to be of the level of professional production. well maybe some people do.
A camcorder is how I started. I borrowed a one-chip panasonic and did my first short documentary on my brother's band. I don't suggest you get some big expensive camera, however, because if you decide you hate shooting, you are on the hook for a pretty expensive camera. Do you learning on your $500 camcorder.
-- spinner
-- spinner
I suppose at $500 bucks Id step up to a T2i. Just because, even if you decide that movies aren't for you, you still have a kick but still camera and everyone needs a great still camera. But again, shoot NOW with what you have NOW. Dont wait.. Im serious, make a movie right now... if you have time to read this, you have time to go make a 10 seconds movie. So do it!
I suppose at $500 bucks Id step up to a T2i. Just because, even if you decide that movies aren't for you, you still have a kick but still camera and everyone needs a great still camera. But again, shoot NOW with what you have NOW. Dont wait.. Im serious, make a movie right now... if you have time to read this, you have time to go make a 10 seconds movie. So do it!
I actually have an idea for a film. And a plot. And a cast.
It'll most probably be silent so a script isn't a worry
And I can use drama's camera. So, I'm hoping to get it done ASAP
do you have a cell phone? does it have a video camera? then what are you waiting for?
Make movies with a camera phone, if you want to lol
If you have a story to tell - you'll figure out how to tell it. So what it won't look like a professional camera with crisp and clear picture in your first movies. I've seen plenty of movies that were made by people using fancy HD pro cameras, but it looked B.A.D.
Little follow up rant:
Me and my co-worker had a small debate today. He is a filmmaker himself, so during down times we had small discussion about some projects that he worked on (some music videos). Found out that for one of his very first videos he dropped some big cash (according to him). By big, i mean BIG. He got himself 5d, rented dolly, lights, generators, and recorded a music video of some band.. i didn't really feel like it was my business to ask how much he spent..
Then he asked me about my current project (Day in life of a Hot Dog). When he found out that my budget for the movie was about 20 bucks he was shocked and terrified.. lol Then he went on on how the project will not work, because "you'll need dolly, rigs, jibs, steady cams... you 'll need to pay actors too! and get insurance!"
I showed him my Azul Grande 30 sec short, that I shot with a cam corder, he said that I need to get at least t2i in order to make decent watchable movies.. then he went on bragging about his latest purchase of 7d...
I'm yet to see his films though
Your co-worker sounds like a douche.
The T2i certainly isn't a bad idea. Then again, you can get a used miniDV camera on ebay for $100-200. In my opinion, this decision is win/win.