Need Advice (Houston, Texas)

[GueroLito]

Hi, i'm new to this whole film thing, but i've been wanting to do it since forever, i've been writing scripts since i was in the second grade. I've completed a number of scripts, but finally realized i had no where near enough money for the ones i was writing. So i wrote one based on a budget of what i could afford, a full feature length film somewhat reminiscent of clerks/superbad. So far i have a Canon XL1 and an Azden mic boom pole. For editing i was planning on using Adobe Premier/After Effects.

Now to get to my questions. I want to make my film look the best it possibly can, for as little money possible, should i invest in lighting? Crane Jibs? Glide Cams? New lenses? More cameras? More mics? Like i said, i've never done a full length film, so i'm completely new to this. On top of all that, keep in mind that I am in highschool, and though i have saved up quite a bit of money, lets not forget that i'm not about to go spending five thousand dollars on a single camera.

I also forgot to mention that i visited a Houston based production studio, and they have offered me free unlimited time in their studio on weekends, so I would like to know how to make the best of that too.

By the way, I believe that in a movie, picture quality is not always the most important. Top movies have been filmed at youtube-esque quality, but they ALL have amazing sound. Correct me if i am wrong on that point.

 

[cybersarge]

Where to specialize? It depends on what kind of director you want to be. If you're visual go for cameras and lenses, if you're more of a sound dude, then go for the sound. Experiment with what you have and see what happens. Test out what you can and can't do with what you have before you start experimenting. It's amazing what you can come up with, when you've got NOTHING, then by sometimes having the best stuff in the world, just 'cause you know how to use what you've got available.

 

[GueroLito]

no, no, i think you misunderstood me. I'm not asking where to specialize in, i'm asking what else can i do to get the best out of my film? I need to know what i should invest in to get the best possible picture/sound to my film. I wrote the film and am starring in it, someone else is co-directing with me, so I don't need help with what not specialize in. I just need to know where i should put my money. Lenses? all together new cameras? more mics? glide cams?
I'm just asking for those who have had experience filming feature length films to tell me what they thought made the biggest difference in the quality of the film (besides acting and writing, trust me i've got that one down).

 

[MRoytman]

Here's my take on your situation:

You're having a first time film making freak out. Everyone goes through it because no matter how much you've thought about it or read about it, nothing really prepares you for that first time.

A Canon XL1 is great for the job. Although there are many better cameras for many higher prices, the XL1 is a pretty good camera and the image quality it can produce will not be a problem for a low budget indie comedy.

You're also right on the money with sound. You can't skip out on sound, and you got that covered.

Now since you are self financing this feature you don't have to show some budget report to any studio executive. So unless you're running a very tight schedule where the whole film must be done in record speeds, I say you shouldn't invest in anything. Investing in anything because someone told you that you need a dolly or a large lighting kit could result in you feeling silly when you hardly end up using any of it.

What lighting you need depends upon the locations where you are shooting. I've shot in both interior and exterior locations where the natural light was so good that I didn't even use a single one of my film lights. In others I only used a single key light reflected off the ceiling or wall. Don't drop $1,000 or more on lights and find out that you only need one or none. Go to all your locations and make some test shots, if you're not getting the lighting you want figure out what pieces you need to make it happen and then go out and buy them.

Take that lighting example and apply it to any other piece of equipment that you may ever think of buying. Absolutely any. You don't ever NEED a dolly, you can only use a dolly. Pre-plan your shots and then you'll know if a dolly is something you can't live without.

What you need for your film depend on the needs of your film. You got the basic equipment, now make it happen. As long as your pre-plan and you know what you want, come the shoot date there shouldn't be anything missing.

 

[NoBudget]

I just need to know where i should put my money. Lenses? all together new cameras? more mics? glide cams?

My opinion is that you don't need to rely on fancy gear to make your movie look it's best.

What will really make a difference is how much time you take to get things right. Even if you just have a normal DV camera, and a few lights...if you take the time to write a good script, plan your shots, light it well, and take extra time to make sure the performances are good...you will be far ahead of most new filmmakers.

You could have the best camera, and all the cool film gadgets in the world...and still make a bad film. Stop worrying so much about gear and go make a movie!

 

[GueroLito]

yeah no kidding, already started filming, and i see exactly what you guys are talking about. If i had bought all that extra stuff, i'd be collecting dust right now, and i'd be pretty annoyed that i wasted the money. But yeah, everything is going great, i already know my script is fantastic, just have to make sure it comes out that way.

Also, on a side note, i have quite a few fantastic scenes done on camera, but i need to get them from my camera to my computer. My firewire/ilink connection on my current camera is not liking my computer (or any computer), so is there an alternate way of getting the footage from the tape to camera? My camera does have VIVO connections, and i was wondering if i could do it that way, or could i just find someone who has a really cheap DV camera and just put the tapes recorded on my other camera into that one, and just extract them from that camera with no quality loss? is that possible?

 

[Lazlo]

I don't get what the fascination is with making a feature film as opposed to a short film... Like, by all means go for it if you want. But it's a huge commitment, not just on your part, but on your actors and whoever else is involved int he project. Especially if it's the first film you've made...

My answer to your question though, is that its ALL important... But if it was me, I would spend money on sound equipmentn and lighting equipment.

 

[GueroLito]

yeah, im not really worried on the commitment of my cast and crew, because i know them all very, very, well, and they are all equally as ready to give it their all as i am. So I think i'm alright for a feature length film. Besides, im the type of writer that can never be satisfied with a small ammount of a good thing. If i write a good script, i make it as good as possible and try to get the most out of it.

But now you've got me interested, how much of a difference would you say good lighting and sound make? Could you post any examples?

 

[pharpsied]

I don't know if you are still checking this thread but:

Selah-

Light is essential, or more to the point, the manipulation of light, is essential to the look of your film. If your film is a car, then light is the key, ignition, alternator, and distributor cap! Learning about how light works and how to light single, two point, three point, four point, and sunlight is paramount, invest in a kit that allows you to do that creatively.

Sound is the thing that differentiates the big boys from the little guys. The best looking movie can be tanked by bad sound! Go digital, with a multitrack and good mics, now people have a myriad of good mics to use that are on the cheap, but watch out for the HDD recorders. There are many but some are not good for field use.

There's more...

 

[GueroLito]

how much is sound equipment and lighting equipment going to run you. Based on the type of things you think i should buy to make my film as high quality as possible, using the least ammount of money.

 

[pharpsied]

that is entirely up to you-

As far as sound goes, I would search the forum for Uncle Bob. He has some great advice. I do it the wrong way, I use an mbox and a laptop... I am familiar with protools and can do edits right there on the spot, but that's me!

Also, B&H photo has inexpensive kits available- do research, look at your most complex setup and plan your lighting with your DP or by your lonesome and get a kit to do that. From there you can add or subtract as needed- also not the best advice but what I have done personally.

Cheap kits start (DIY) at about 200 dollars and can go up to way beyond the tens of thousands. There is also the home depot lighting kit route of cheap fixtures with daylight balanced bulbs and halogen work lights, but they don't "look" as professional and setup can be a blue haired, basket weaving bee's itch:

Caveat:

This can work if you make sure to never directly light anyone with these lights. They work better bounced and shaped because it is extremely hard to control them. Also, if you don't the spinny fluorescents, the lights and the room can get very hot.

There's even more...

 

[filmmakerone]

You don't need to spend much to get great sound. Your XL1 will record beautiful sound, but not from the on-cam mic.

You might invest in the little XL1 shoulder mount, not for comfort, but for the balanced XLR audio connections it gives you. You don't need to spend very much on a mic, depending on your needs (lav, shotgun, etc.). Guitar Center (on Westheimer - your in Houston, right?) is also a good place to shop for gear. They usually meet any on-line advertised price. Also check Craigs List for stuff like this. There is always someone getting rid of equipment there.

Be sure to get some headphones and constantly monitor the sound while shooting. If it doesn't sound right, stop and adjust. Bad audio (clipping, wind noise and such) won't get any better during the edit. Get the actors to repeat their dialog while you roll tape on site. It may come in handy to fix someting later.

We shot for years with a run-and-gun XL1 kit like this. It was (still is) a good camera.

You shouldn't have to spend much on lights. Think Home Depot rather than a camera store. If you get creative, you can save thousands.

Hope this helps.

Tracy

 

[GueroLito]

yeah, tracy, just like you said, i already have a shoulder mount, plus an Azden mic boom for recording, and it does a really good job.

At this point if anything i want to improve the picture some more.
I've posted a couple clips of my film on youtube, (we're beginners, so get ready for some pretty rusty looking scenes, but we're learning) and from the look of them, it seems like light is my prime issue here. So, if you could do me a favor and pull up a link to the type of light i should be looking at using, that'd be great.

by the way, here's the youtube page for some of the clips. They're just random scenes that we've filmed so far, so nothing is really going to connect, so please hold back on critisizing me on the lack of story, because i assure you, there is one, lol.

http://youtube.com/user/GuerillaFoco

 

[filmmakerone]

This scene could benefit from some fill. Just have someone hold up a big piece of white posterboard to the actors right, camera left, to bounce some light in to lighten up the shaded side of their faces.

The composition was interesting, but somewhat challenging. Maybe shoot some coverage for cutaways. A really good book on this is called Directiong Shot by Shot.

Also consider a tripod.

 

[GueroLito]

yeah, a tripod is really really needed, haha
but yeah, we could try the posterboard thing, see how that works out

and yeah, ill check that book out

 

[GueroLito]

any advice on my more recent scenes?

(primarily scenes 55-59, exclude 16.5, cause its retarded.)