im a rookie--this is my initiation

[alkyde]

Hello. I just -- maybe 3 weeks ago -- fully decided that I wanted to be a filmmaker. And today, as was stumbling around, trying to go to sleep, I decided that "maybe I'll go online for awhile." You guys might not think this is a big deal, but to me it is. Because I start thinking about how I would set up sertain shots, and how I would simulate a gun shot, etc., you know, the details, I type "blood pack" on Google, and find this ******* site. This is the the best thing that's happened to me since losing my virginity 4 years ago.

Now that I got that off my chest, I would like to ask you guys for advice. I want to buy a videocamera, somewhere along the range of $1,000-$1,200. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

[eidde]

hello
I suggest you buy whatever you can afford, it really doesnt matter if its your first camera, even a stills camera will do. Get some sort of editing program such as Adobe Premier.
Then you have all the equipment you need to start off.
Then make something and enter a competition like this one:
http://www.depict.org
these are the first steps along the long strange road such that film making is or can be.

[alkyde]

Thank you very much.

[Filmmaker58]

The best thing going camera-wise is the Panasonic DX100, but it's about 3 grand U.S. If you get any of the 3chip cameras (VX2000, PD150, Canon GL2, then you won't be thinking you need to upgrade after about 2 months. When looking at editing software, take a look at Sonic Foundry Vegas Video 4 (www.sonicfoundry.com) before you make your final decision, because it ROCKS! And if you want to lose your virginity again, try www.indieclub.com for more of the same we get here.

[ehingston]

my personal favourite is the SONY DCR-TRV950 and it isn't too unreasonably priced (?1,378).

take a look at:

http://www.discountaudiovision.co.uk.../cam_sony.html