Question by Jose: Amateur Filmmaker, I need help with what equipment I need to shoot Short and Feature films.?
Hello I want to start making short films and then move on to making independent features. But I have no idea on all the equipment I will need. I am saving up to buy a Panasonic Pro AG-DVX100BP miniDV Camcorder. What is a good tripod for this camera? What kind of mac computer should I get? I know I will be getting final cut pro for editing. Do I need external hard-drives, and what kind ? also what about sound, what kind of mic should I get? What about lights? thank you so much if you have any other ideas of equipment I will need feel free to add. I am 100% serious and dedicated, this is not a hobby for me. Thank you very much.
Best answer:
Answer by Jim A
If you’re going to make films you want a film camera not a digital. If you want to make feature films you’re really into the big bucks. Most production companies don’t own any equipment at all, they rent.
The gear is simply too expensive to justify having on hand just waiting for the next, hopefully money making, job to come along.
I spent a career doing television and still photography. I had an opportunity to visit a large rental company in Texas. They had clap boards from all kinds of films, one of them Dances with Wolves.
They told me that Costner had their gear for 9-months, 2-trailers full and it cost him 1.2 million for the rental fee. Everything from generators to cameras.
This is not a cheap business. I stress again, you don’t want digital gear for films… you want film.
Perhaps start out with 16 mm film before trying to graduate to the very expensive 35 gear.
Good Luck.
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