Posted by Michael Raben at 63.204.234.5 on August 24, 2000 at 18:40:17:
In Reply to: A question for Kevin about Film or DV posted by Rhys on August 24, 2000 at 17:03:53:
: I'm hoping to make my own film on an ultra low budget and wanted to know what your thoughts on equipment would be. What do you recommend in film formats (for instance what type of camera, etc. did you use on "Clerks")
We'll get to the recommending issue in a moment. First, on 'Clerks', the VA crew used an Arriflex SR-1 with a small grip (lighting) package and Nagra (sound) kit.
: and do you recommend using Digital Video at all?
I'm going to recommend something first, before you worry too much about
equipment: HAVE A REALLY GOOD SCRIPT. I don't mean a story you like that
you're thinking about. I'm talking about a fully-realized and finished
script, re-written several times, liked by a group of friends/family/people
who can spot good stuff and will tell you when it's bad.
Okay, if you have that, now we can talk formats...but not before we talk
about what your budget is going to be. 'Low Budget' is very catchy and all, but you're going to have to have a defined $$$ figure at some point and the earlier the better.
Now, THAT having been said, there's no arguing that DV is infinitely cheaper to shoot in than film. That fact is neither good, nor bad, it simply is. I'm a film purist by nature; but the truth is if you're working
on the cheap, work DV. I'm assuming no 'name' talent will be in your project, so you'll probably have trouble raising funds (welcome to the producing game), so start doing some hard number-crunching research.
This, incidentally, is not research. You're grasping. I mean no offense, of course, but don't turn this into an "I don't know where to look" argument. You have the internet, you have a phone book - think about what you think you need to do and then do it. Gather info, learn, talk to experts (this does not count; I'm talking about people who rent out film and DV cameras) and make a decision that works within your budget.
Producing a film/video is not an unreachable or unattainable project, it's just very detail-oriented.
: Right now the least expensive seems to be Digital Video but nothing I have seen done in that format has the look or feel of the movies done on film and seems too "Home Movie on mom and dad's camcorder".
Well, that's the rub, isn't it? Here's something important to note though: most of
the fundamental aspects of storytelling in movies (lighting, acting, sound, the visual aspect, storyboarding, direction, STORY, SCRIPT) can be
done with care and professionalism in a video format just as they would be done in a film format. It's up to YOU to make sure it doesn't look like shit; it's NEVER the camera's fault - it's the fault of the creator. Here's another maxim for the up-and-coming indie filmmaker:
THERE ARE NO EXCUSES IN INDEPENDENT FILM.
Nobody will care that you didn't have much money if the story stinks, the actors are unwatchable and the look/sound are terrible.
To combat the "Home Video Camera"-look, get a better camera. They're out there to be rented and/or purchased.
The world of cinema/cable entertainment is changing, but the construction aspects remain remarkably consistent. Film festivals now accept video submissions. If your work is great, truly truly great, the format will be
merely a footnote. The cream rises to the top BECAUSE it's the cream, not because it's a certain format of cream.
Do an amazing job and you just might be rewarded.
Then again, you might not. But that's just another rub, isn't it?
Always,
Michael Raben