OT Low budget / no budget movie suuggestions

Dach wrote on 8/18/2006, 6:17 AM
VV Users,

As many has commented this is a great forum with many informative and creative individuals. I am here again to get your feedback.

I recently have been asked to participant with a group of creative people to produce their first feature. This is a low / no budget production and I have been asked to provide production resources. Everyone starts somewhere and I feel that this is an opportunity to get the ball rolling on obtaining experience.

I would like to get your feedback on where some money should be spent. I currently am using a Canon XL1s for the more creative projects I work on. When this camera was introduced it was great and til this day holds its own. Time has changed and there are new and improved features out there.

A break down is what I have to use for audio, lighting and camera.

Audio: AT-897 with boom, sent to a mixer, then to the camera for recording.

Lighting: Lowel Rifa 88, Pro Light and I plan on adding a DP light to the mix. This allows for a range of 250 to 1000w of power where needed.

Camera: Canon XL1s (stock lense)

My thoughts are that the camera can deliver acceptable results and I should spend what money is available to increase lighting and audio resources. (all those things that allow people to be more effecient.)

This is a hypothetical situation, but if you were given $4K, would you invest in the new A1 from Canon (which I will get next year for sure) or add to lighting and audio resources. If so, what are some must haves.

Ultimately post will be done in Vegas, which I'm sure will create more questions.

Thanks in advance,
Chad

Comments

farss wrote on 8/18/2006, 6:25 AM
Don't spend money until you have to.
If what you've got has worked OK so far keep the funds for incidentals. On a no budget project, things like tape stock, makeup, lunch and fuel can eat up a lot of money.
Budgeting seems to be one of the biggest problems on many of these projects, a lot seem to fall by the wayside as they get to 80% completion but have already spent 120% of the money they had.
Bob.
Dach wrote on 8/18/2006, 6:29 AM
I like the idea of spending mony only when needed. I should clarify that the previous scenario is for equipment. (tape stock, makeup etc are a seperate budget).

Chad
busterkeaton wrote on 8/18/2006, 7:39 AM
Dach if you are shooting for a no budget picture, you should search the web for no budget production tools. How to turn how depot lights into cheap effective video lights, etc, etc.

you may want to search this board for Vic Milt light it rigth, which is a lighting dvd that has a way to make a cheap light.
farss wrote on 8/18/2006, 7:42 AM
Pretty difficult call. Really need to know what you're going to be shooting and even then there's a lot of kit that it makes little sense to buy rather than rent as needed.
Certainly lights (good ones) hold their value as does most audio kit these days. It's nice to own a good camera but they don't hold their value.
Perhaps some grips gear. Stands, shot bags, cutters, reflectors, clamps, all the stuff that even though you can rent you always seem to forget. This stuff never goes out of fashion and is pretty well unbreakable if you buy the half decent stuff.

I'd look at some fluro lights, Lowell Caselights are good or else roll some of your own. The really big stuff like HMIs are too expensive to own, rent 'em.

Bob.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/18/2006, 7:58 AM
yes. "what are you shooting?" is important. technically, you could do a "blair witch" style movie with a few mini-dv camera's. That's $1k of your budget right there. Plus $100 for tapes & you're all set equipment wise. everything else would be "junk." :)
richard-courtney wrote on 8/18/2006, 9:53 AM
As most are saying, save the money. You have a good place with existing
hardware. You will need some money to distribute your production.

Replication of DVD's. Buying floor space in (where ever you intend to sell).
Stuff like that. Take that seed money and invest it wisely.
Dach wrote on 8/18/2006, 12:25 PM
I appreciate the comments. I see what people are saying and I do plan on spending some money in obtaining some accessories for the entire crew.

Every year I obtain a little bit more, so under this "no budget" situation. Is it fair to say that I am off to a okay start and will have some production value. Ultimately its up to skill set and creativiity of an individual.

Thanks,
Chad
winrockpost wrote on 8/18/2006, 1:29 PM
When we buy equipment , the bean counter (wife) looks at the rental price vs the purchase , for instance if I have a 5 day shoot and need a light kit, I can rent an Arri kit for 200 a week with tons of extras or buy a basic a kit with no extra stuff for 1200 or so. I'll rent. We rarley buy any equipment that is not part of a paying clients budget.
vicmilt wrote on 8/18/2006, 4:43 PM
Yo Dach -

I second, third and fourth the "don't buy anything" credo exhibited above.

First of all, you've already GOT the equipment necessary to make an award winning video - PERIOD.

And next... we are looking at a monumental change in media acquisition (I believe). I predict the CMOS - large sensor - format will soon explode on the scene, with as much impact as DV itself.

Patience grasshopper - forget about the newest toys and wait for the really good ones. They are going to cost money and will be well worth the expense.

Meanwhile - get out there a SHOOT something new and exciting and totally unexplored by YOU! Use some of the money to finance a new project. What you will be remembered for is your END PRODUCT not your video kit.

Now I too, am a "black box junkie". I loves them new toys. But now we are in a huge transitional time in video production. Don't in any way disparage the kit you've got - use it to make a new reel that totally rules! I know a half dozen great film (video) makers that would use your existing kit to produce a video that would blow you away. So join them - start shooting tomorrow, and forget about buying anything until you NEED it.

Save your money - good things are on the way.
(I am)

v
BrianStanding wrote on 8/18/2006, 5:26 PM
I read this article before I made my first feature documentary. It really struck a chord with me, and I've tried to practice its suggestions ever since.

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/crew.htm

As a low-budget filmmaker, your single biggest asset are your allies and colleagues. You may not have money, but if people WANT to work with you, you've got something even better than money. Just because you're low budget doesn't mean you're not professional.