Help me get the flim school education I missed.

August 14, 2008 5:59 PM

I want to make films. What equipment do I need, and what do I need to know?

Nearly a decade ago I was accepted into an undergraduate film program, but for sundry reasons did not attend. I was accepted on the strength of my writing and had a rather meager portfolio of shorts shot on SuperVHS. Now I want to revive this dream. Specifically these are the questions I'm asking myself, also feel free to chime in with the questions that I should be asking myself.

What sort of camcorder should I start out with? I don't think I can justify buying a multi-thousand camcorder, such as a Canon GL or XL to learn on. Yet, I want a camera that would allow me to learn the same concepts and techniques I'd use with a professional camcorder.

What are some good books or resources to learn about digital video production, lighting and editing?

What will I edit on? I need a new computer anyway and I'm eyeing a MacBook Pro. Is this suitable, or should I look at something else and save my money for other equipment?

posted by nulledge to media & arts (11 comments total)

The great thing about pro-grade cameras is that you can rent them. Rent a good camera, don't buy.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:13 PM on August 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

MacBook Pro would be more than enough to get started.

More than equipment, though, what you really need is people. Crew, actors, collaborators. Do you know people who can help? Might they have a camera you could get started with while you figure things out?

Is there a film or video club, group, or website near you? What about a 48 hour film festival? Sometimes people will go looking for people to work with.

What equipment you want also depends what kind of movies you want to make. Narrative or documentary? Really need more info to get a good answer.
posted by starman at 6:14 PM on August 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

I'd like to make narrative films. In my head I see myself practicing technique by filiming comedic shorts, and then moving onto feature length comedies and dramas.

Years ago I tried to set something up to work with someone who had a camera, but they turned out to be completely unreliable. I'd really prefer to own my own means of creation and have the freedom to shoot when I'm available, not when I can get a camera.

I'm not too worried about people at this point, I'm more concerned with technique. As I develop I know I'll need to make connections with talented and likeminded people.
posted by nulledge at 6:26 PM on August 14, 2008

There are many aspects of "filmmaking" and not all of them require the purchase of a new camera and editing system.

So, it sounds like you were interested in writing in the past? There are tons of sites on the 'net that can help, this one lists two of the more popular screenwriting apps, Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter. Then, you could storyboard your project and work with a local fimmaker who already owns a camera!

OK, OK. Cameras:

Yet, I want a camera that would allow me to learn the same concepts and techniques I'd use with a professional camcorder.

If you want to learn how to properly use a camera, you want something like a Canon GL-2, Panasonic DVX; a camera that has both direct manual focus and manual iris control. You can get a cheaper camera (like a Canon HV30) but these controls will be automatic and difficult to work by hand. Check eBay to try and hit your price. Then, spend as much as you can on a good tripod. Your future audience will thank you, trust me.

Editing:
I prefer to edit on a Mac running Final Cut Pro. I also prefer to edit on a desktop, not a laptop. Drop in to yout nearest Apple/Computer store and check out what's available - just about any Mac Book Pro, Mac Pro or iMac system is beefy enough for your needs. If you want to save a few more dollars go to the online Apple store and scroll to the bottom, left-hand side and look for "Refurbished Mac".

Books:
There are so many filmaking books out there. I would suggest browsing your local [mega chain bookstore] and find a beginner's guide that feels right to you. For added inspiration you might want to check out this one by Mr. Rodriguez.

Lastly, you can't do it all alone. Locate the local filmmakers in your area. They're usually posting to the "gigs" section of craigslist.com, trying to find people to help work on their own films.
posted by shino-boy at 6:56 PM on August 14, 2008

Is there a film co-op in your city? Membership is usually cheap and it will give you access to all the equipment you need at a ridiculously low price, as well as to a network of volunteers who are dying to work on your film for free. The Winnipeg Film Group and L.I.F.T. (the Liasion of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto) were indispensable to starting my filmmaking career.

If you absolutely must buy a video camera, then the Canon HV20 is the one people are raving about right now. This and this make it easy to see why. That's the best looking video I've ever seen from a $600 camera.

And finally, the Robert Rodriguez mantra: just start making films. There is no one way to make movies - David Lynch, Mike Leigh and James Cameron use methods that would be unrecognizable to one another.

Good luck.
posted by Bobby Bittman at 8:27 PM on August 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

Bobby Bittman: about the Canon HV20...wow. Today I was daydreaming about a documentary and was trying to think how I'd raise the thousands needed for a camera. $600? Can I ask you a follow-up question--what's the most comprehensive, reliable website for finding out more about that camera? Or cameras in general?
posted by Beardman at 10:16 PM on August 14, 2008

I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned, but in every other related AskMeFi post, getting good, supplemental audio equipment (lav and boom mics, etc.) is a requirement for your film to be watchable.
posted by mmascolino at 11:40 PM on August 14, 2008

what's the most comprehensive, reliable website for finding out more about that camera

www.hv20.com

The HV20 is a great camera for a great price, but keep in mind you have to do some "tricks" in order to get the full 1920x1080 stream out of the body. Regardless, you can still get "fake" HD and it'll be five times as much data as a regular NTSC signal.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:01 AM on August 15, 2008

I'm not too worried about people at this point,

People will quickly become one of your biggest worries. You're not going to be able to practice very much technique if you don't have realiable actors and crew to work with. On top of that, the time commitment will make it difficult if you're not able to offer worthy compensation to these people. Some will gladly work with you for the experience, but you can't expect that of everyone. Having available, dependable people is an extremely important part of film making.
posted by owtytrof at 6:52 AM on August 15, 2008

'Round these parts, there's a community TV station that offers classes in all stages of production, dirt-cheap equipment rentals, etc. You may have this or something like the film co-op mentioned above in your area, and if so, they will be invaluable in terms of equipment and expertise.

Technique is important, but unless you really just want to focus on being a camera monkey, you'll need to meet people to work with now. Movies are an inherently collaborative art form.
posted by echo target at 7:53 AM on August 15, 2008

You're also welcome to visit my site for free scripts. Even I know they're not all great, but it's my way of giving back.
posted by CarlRossi at 8:34 AM on August 16, 2008