Q. I'm a college student and an independent filmmaker in hopes to break into the film industry one day. I sold my old Sony camcorder and am looking to buy a new one. However, I'm not good with knowing which cameras are the best to shoot video and audio for films so any suggestions? Thank you :)
A. Start with a budget. See what fits. You should be looking for lens filter diameter of 50mm or larger, imaging chip 1/3" or larger, a mic jack and manual audio control. The Canon HF S series is a starting place. Include a mic or three (there is no single best mic), some sort of steadying device (tripod, shoulder mount, etc.), and start thinking about lighting. Hopefully your computer has enough horsepower and available hard drive space to deal with video editing. The camera or camcorder is merely one part of a much larger system.
You will not be "shooting film". That would be only if you use a film camera. Camcorders capture video.
Under certain (advanced) applications, some dSLRs capture great video. While entry to this is a llittle less, the lack of commonly expected video items on camcorders are more difficult to use on a dSLR designed to capture still (and video capture is a "convenience feature").
You will not be "shooting film". That would be only if you use a film camera. Camcorders capture video.
Under certain (advanced) applications, some dSLRs capture great video. While entry to this is a llittle less, the lack of commonly expected video items on camcorders are more difficult to use on a dSLR designed to capture still (and video capture is a "convenience feature").
Best choice for quality/price for a camcorder?
Q. I'm looking to buy a new camcorder to shoot an independent movie on, so there's a few things I need to know about them, since camcorder's is one area I know practically nothing about. I'm looking for decent video quality (not great, but not vomit worthy either), ease of porting onto a PC for editing, functionality, and, of course, price. Also, I know nothing about the process of moving actual "film" video over to a PC versus digitally recorded (like HDD/SD). I've always liked the somewhat grim and less "popout" look of film, but will it be much harder to edit or more expensive?
Also, after deciding what kind of camera I want to go with, where would be a good place to buy it? I assume probably somewhere online, but I wouldn't even begin to know what places are good for that, outside of whatever a Google search will tell me.
Sorry I need so much help and know so little, I'm completely new to this and I'm trying to learn. So far, all that I really know is some basic film making tips and how to work on my current rough script. Thanks a ton.
Also, after deciding what kind of camera I want to go with, where would be a good place to buy it? I assume probably somewhere online, but I wouldn't even begin to know what places are good for that, outside of whatever a Google search will tell me.
Sorry I need so much help and know so little, I'm completely new to this and I'm trying to learn. So far, all that I really know is some basic film making tips and how to work on my current rough script. Thanks a ton.
A. If I may nitpick on your comment?
"I'm looking for decent video quality (not great, but not vomit worthy either)"
Well, any camcorder today will provide decent video quality. If your looking for the best video quality, I suggest in investing in a MiniDV camcorder - Dont bother with hard drives camcorders, as they are a nightmare to transfer over to computer, and memory card camcorders are expensive and... well, hapless. Did I mention both are expensive, and both offer a compression system? As MiniDV systems are direct to tape, you can ensure the best quality with NO compression involved.
"Porting onto a PC for editing, functionality, and, of course, price" MiniDV is used by professionals and consumers alike, and is the most supported format to day since it's release in the late 90s.
"I know nothing about the process of moving actual "film" video over to a PC versus digitally recorded (like HDD/SD). "
AVOID FILM CAMERAS AT ALL COSTS. Film cameras are hell expensive and you will probably PAY for the camera several times over maintencing it, and the actual price of film is stupendously expensive. If it costs £250,000 to shoot on film, it will cost less than a tenth of that to shoot on video. Video is more durable, editable, and is just... better.
"So far, all that I really know is some basic film making tips and how to work on my current rough script. Thanks a ton."
No worries, I had to resort to Yahoo Answers when I first started out in the filmmaking buisness. If I may help you further, it might be worth your while if you look up books on filmmaking and consider looking at undeveloped scripts on the internet. :) Good luck!
"I'm looking for decent video quality (not great, but not vomit worthy either)"
Well, any camcorder today will provide decent video quality. If your looking for the best video quality, I suggest in investing in a MiniDV camcorder - Dont bother with hard drives camcorders, as they are a nightmare to transfer over to computer, and memory card camcorders are expensive and... well, hapless. Did I mention both are expensive, and both offer a compression system? As MiniDV systems are direct to tape, you can ensure the best quality with NO compression involved.
"Porting onto a PC for editing, functionality, and, of course, price" MiniDV is used by professionals and consumers alike, and is the most supported format to day since it's release in the late 90s.
"I know nothing about the process of moving actual "film" video over to a PC versus digitally recorded (like HDD/SD). "
AVOID FILM CAMERAS AT ALL COSTS. Film cameras are hell expensive and you will probably PAY for the camera several times over maintencing it, and the actual price of film is stupendously expensive. If it costs £250,000 to shoot on film, it will cost less than a tenth of that to shoot on video. Video is more durable, editable, and is just... better.
"So far, all that I really know is some basic film making tips and how to work on my current rough script. Thanks a ton."
No worries, I had to resort to Yahoo Answers when I first started out in the filmmaking buisness. If I may help you further, it might be worth your while if you look up books on filmmaking and consider looking at undeveloped scripts on the internet. :) Good luck!
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