What’s a good video camera for an indie film maker?
Question by kristin1105: What’s a good video camera for an indie film maker?
I want to make a full length film but the camera’s I have aren’t very good. I’m looking for a high quality camera for a decent price that will allow me to attach a boom mic. I would like to summit this film to Sundance so I want the quality as professional as possible. Also do you have any tips on how I can make my movie seem more Hollywood quality than youtube? Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Mmm J
The folks I know who have submitted to Sundance use film cameras like those from Panasonic and Arri. A few have used RED cameras. NONE have used a consumer grade camcorder. The least expensive cam I have seen used for a short subject (not submitted to Sundance) was a Panasonic AG-HVX200. The audio is NOT used if it recorded to a camcorder. Off-board recording systems (like a Fostex field recorder or AVID/Digidesign Protools system captures the audio used in the production.
Tips:
Always use some sort of steadying device. Tripod, Steadicam, camera crane, dolly/track system, rock, chair, table… ANYTHING but never handheld.
If you must pan, p a n s l o w l y. Better yet, don’t pan at all.
If you must zoom, z o o m s l o w l y. Better yet, don’t zoom at all.
PLAN PLAN PLAN. You should have an outline, script, shot list and project plan. Storyboards are very useful. Stick to the plan. Changing during the scene capture can result in downstream changes and cause budget and continuity problems.
Practice the scene before capturing. Shoot and capture the scene. Do it again. And again. And again. And after you *think* you have the right sequence in the can, shoot it again. And again.
There’s LOTS more, but that is what experience (and a good film school) is for. These are the easy ones that EVERYONE should know and use.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
