Have a budget...have a script...need some help

ssdd · Jan 24, 2006

After going through this forum as much as I can, and actually seeing how wonderful people are in supporting each other, I decided to finally get my thoughts through. Please take sometime to read this post as I am in need of some good advice from all you talented plus experienced folks out there.

1) I have a budget of around 10,000 Max!! And that is pushing it but over the course of months I can gather that much funds. Here is the scenario

--> I need to buy a camera for a 60-80 minute film which deals about gangsters fighting against political system and themselves to survive and show that they are strong. Film will be shot TOTALLY indoors with freaky color look (somewhat like the matrix in some way, and I am talking about the colors). Ofcourse I dont think I can make that good an effect but basically my point being that I want a look that resembles graphic colors on screen. I have a budget of 3000-4000 dollars for the camera. I have looked around for camera's and for that budget there are some famous camera's out there biggrin.gif. But I wanted someone to suggest a camera for this particular kind of look I'm looking for.

--> Next, any suggestion on where to buy one? Ebay, one of those online stores, etc? I live in NY city so if anyone has a suggestion of a particular store in NY where I can hunt for one would be great.

--> Editing software. I have Adobe Premiere Pro and have experience with photoshop. For anyone who has experience with these software tell me if they are good for editing the film?

--> Locations. Any suggestions how to get a corporate office sort of look in the film? Either via any cinematography skill or any social engineering ideas to get a good location.

--> Music. Anyone prepared to work for free for this project? Or some money to give in time to get the right kind of music. I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on that.

Sorry for being a little blunt and a total rookie but I am reading as much as I can to gather info as to how I can begin the process...thank you for spending ttime reading this post. Any suggestion and advise will be invaluable to my cause

Lazlo · Jan 24, 2006

That's a really ambitious project! For a project of this magnitude, you should consider renting, since that may be MUCH cheaper than buying, and you'll be able to get a better camera. If you're set on buying however, DON'T buy on ebay. There are some things that are best left to the pros, if I'm forking over 4000 dollars for a camera, I'm going to make sure there is a 100% chance that that camera will arrive to me in perfect working order in a timely manner no questions asked. Not that ebay isn't reliable, but I'd recommend looking at bhvideo.com. They're a great resource. Also Willoughbys is a reliable source. Stay away from the gray market camera stores that offer you really good equipment at extreme discounts, those are scams, and will give you a lot of headaches.

I'm not an editor, but from what I've heard, Adobe premiere can be overly complicated to use. I like final cut pro, but that's just me. A cheaper alternative, is Vegas 6, which is a great, and underrated software (though a few steps below final cut).

For locations, just scout scout scout. I would talk to friends that may work in office buildings and see what they can get for you.

Music... hmmm. I'm a composer, and have composed severl short films, and my only advice in searching for a composer would be to talk to musicians. The music world is VERY small. In fact, many musicians are talented composers themselves, or know really talented composers to hook you up with. And any composer you ask, make sure you've heard their work. Ask for a recording of some fo their work first, before you invite them on board only to find out they're not what you want. And don't be shy, composers are flattered to be invited to write for film, since that is one of the few venues of income composing provides. Good luck.

Bob Kessler · Feb 7, 2006

Do not, repeat, DO NOT forget to think about location sound and audio post. I do audio post for a living and nothing destroys a film more completely than poor location sound. An audience will forgive a lot visually if your audio is well done. However, an audience does not tolerate poor sound, no matter how beautiful the visuals.

PM me and I can give you a rundown of the audio process.

Bob Kessler · Feb 7, 2006

Do not, repeat, DO NOT forget to think about location sound and audio post. I do audio post for a living and nothing destroys a film more completely than poor location sound. An audience will forgive a lot visually if your audio is well done. However, an audience does not tolerate poor sound, no matter how beautiful the visuals.

PM me and I can give you a rundown of the audio process.

Hamco · Feb 13, 2006

yea, i agree about renting a camera, for $4000 you can rent a really nice camera for long enough to make your film. I would segest shooting in HD if possable (HDV is probably the most cost effective). As for your "matrix look" this can be done really easily in post. Or you could do it in camera with fluresant lighting to give that green look. As for editing, stick with what you know. I've been using premiere for a long time, and had to transfer to Final Cut HD at the New York Film Academy (in LA), i spent the whole time getting annoyed with it. Some people say premiere is overcomplicated but if you know how to use it, its just as good as final cut. I'd love to help you out with this film, as i've been looking do do something with an actual budget for a while, unfortunately I live in New Zealand, so that might make things dificult. Unless you want to shoot here! everyones doing it.