first time camcorder

[dtgs1980]

yep, need a little help here...
making some short films, what camera?
thinking probably mini-dv over super 8 mm, but what does everyone think?
what models are good for each, and what're the advantages/dis ads for editing, shooting, lighting, etc?
tanks

---------------------------------------------
"my father made him an offer he couldn't refuse..."

------------------
dan

[Spoon boy]

Then again you might not if the film turns out to be a pile of shite.

[steven_craig]

spoon - it's all psycology - if your audience see a semi-professional format then they will be more willing to accept it as a quality peice of work, whereas if its crappy 8mm/vhs then people know that is was shot on a home movie camera and asscoiate it with home movies... simple

1980 - go for DV, you'll save a lot of money in the long run, it also allows you as a beginner to make mistakes and experiment with lighting - as you can see the image as it will appear when you shoot and play it back if you make mistakes - editing is easier, get yourself a mac/pc and a camera with firewire/ilink and you can edit movies at home... if you use s8, you have to think of processing costs, then the kit and expertise to edit real film, blah blah... you see what im getting at, by all means go for s8 when you have got a little more experience/money, cause you learn a lot from it, but go for DV just now... if you have any other questions (more specific) then just ask man, this is what i specialise in - not arguing why lucas is good/bad or giving my top 10 movies like some other posts

------------------
a carefull man tries to dodge the bullets, while a happy man takes a walk!

[Spoon boy]

Surely it doesn't matter what it's shot on at the end of the day. I say grab whatever you can find or is convient. Try not to get too hooked up with the "look at me I've got a vx1000 or XL1" Obviously you might want to go that way but personally I feel that if the film is any good it will shine through no matter what it was shot on.
Buying a nice camera doesn?t mean that it's going to make your work any better.

Good Luck.

------------------
Black Frog Productions <--- Now with added offal!

[This message has been edited by Spoon boy (edited February 07, 2002).]

[Kathy S]

No- it just means people might take you a little more seriously than a domestic camcorder.

------------------

[Spoon boy]

Is your camera going to be the centre of attention in your short?

[tim.callaghan]

My advice is,

Learn to photograph stills before you jump to motion picture. Go out with a digi or SLR camera, and get use to lighting, and composition. These things will make your motion picture look a hundred times better than what format it is on.

A poorly lit or badly composed shot will look shit whatever it is shot on - so learn these things. Once you've learned these things, you will find that any format can become aesthetcally pleasing, but you will form your favourites.

Personally I prefer shooting on S8 for mastering stuff (on a Nizo 56, and 6080), as this in my opinion is the best format for my use at the budget I can afford. Given the chance and budget, I would shoot 16mm, but nothing warrants this at the moment. I like DV though, I own a Canon XM1 and it is great, for anyhting that has a quick turnaround, or something I need to get done right away, and for experimenting new compositions. The film that I shoot gets transferred to DV, but it still looks better once tranferred than shooting straight video (not trying to start a debate here guys). I can afford to shoot S8, and for me it is still more value for money, as when I move the bigger formats, I will be more ready for them.

Tim

------------------

[gotime]

Hi. I would start with a 3 chip Mini-DV (1 chip if thats what you can afford). Canon GL1/XL1(s), sony vx2000, sony trv900, or a Sony dsr pd100 or pd150(DV-Cam format). For basic editing I would pick up a new IMAC G4 with IMovie2. Use practical lights, and buy a few books, like "Rebel without a Crew" (for inspiration), and "the filmakers handbook" for general knowledge. Now all you need is a script and a few friends/family for your crew and actors. By the way, a nice external mic couldn't hurt(Shotgun). Good luck.


------------------

[dtgs1980]

thanks very much everyone for all the replies, they're definitely helpful.... as it's my first short, i reckon i'll go with a dv cos i can borrow one from a mate fro free, but i have one more question.
when it comes to editing, what computer software is best for ease of use, features, etc?
thanks very much,
dan
---------------------------------------------
"you can't hit what you can't see- float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"
(i just saw ALI. good film, and will smith should win an oscar, but not as good as i'd hoped... heat & the insider (michael mann's lsat films) were better)

------------------
dan

[Davis]

Very diplomatic Steve "Get a mac/PC" very well worded.

------------------
"He who breaks a thing to discover what it is has left the path of wisdom."
-Gandalf

www.pmind.com