ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Nothing wrong with being ambitious, but there's a lot to be said for walking before running. First shorts are learning experiences - there is SO MUCH to go wrong (and hence learn from!) that they often turn out a bit rubbish to be frank. The location sounds visually fun, but may not be as cheap as you're hoping. Facilities are often either being used or will need someone to open/supervise them - which costs money, and I don't think you've got access to lots of cash from your post. Can you do something set in your home instead?

The fact you're asking about whether 40% of your budget for a camera is good value plus you're planning on paying for a location and cast, but not asking about sound, lighting packages, etc., makes me think you may prefer to start with something more accomplishable. The risk is that if you overstretch too far on a first project, you'll be disappointed by the results - and that kills your enthusiasm to make more.

10 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTuJfNdd1UQ - 6th form video made with a cheap amateur camcorder (a 200 quid one IIRC). No whinging about kit, just working within it's limits and making a feature of what are usually considered bugs, (i.e. crap quality image)

I have no idea if he pursued film making, but if he did and was putting a no pay crew and cast together, or wanted location favours he'd probably succeed because people would know that he wasn't going to waste their time or help.

Cheers

10 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

Don't you think you might be just a little ambitious?

That type of location is rare - if it's not a working hospital or clinic, it's a professional set or a build. You can't afford a build or hire on the budget you have in mind.

Even if you get lucky, will that help you? It's your first short. So really, it's a learning experience. Do you really want to burn a great location favour making lots of new director mistakes?

You'd be better off buying a second hand camera, lights and sound. A grand should do it. Start shooting in domestic and public places with a small local team of willing cast and crew. Build your experience and skills.

WHEN you know you have the technical and management skills and the team to really make use of a special location and quality kit, then save up to pay for that shoot, hiring locations, good kit etc as needed. It could even be a group venture - 5 people each put up 200 and you start to have a budget that will show on screen.

10 years, 9 months ago - Q-ell Betton

Hi Richard, as this is your first shoot, the advice given by Paddy and Marlom is spot on. I am about to embark on planning for my fourth short and it is the first time I will be seeking various/different locations. Truth is the difference between my first and third short, in terms of quality and execution is already huge. I would definitely advise to start with something less ambitious - you can always come back to this project - and you will be amazed by how much assistance you can get for the price of a good meal! Also, unless you plan to be a cameraman - and seeing as you don't own equipment, I assume you don't - buying a camera is a waste of potential budget. I hope this helpful and good luck .

10 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

Buying a camera isn't about becoming a cameraman, (though letting a broke wannbe cameraman lose with it earns you all the shooting favours you could ever want). It's about learning how to shoot, how to see. How to play with depth of field, impact of lighting etc.

Buying lights isn't about shooting with them. It's about getting a feel for how placement impacts on look.

Playing with mics isn't about getting good sound. It's about realising just how hard it is to get good sound and why, on a low budget project, your sound guy is someone to involve as soon as you start to look at locations. He'll hear the planes and cars that your mind filters out but the mics won't. I'm not a sound guy, but more than once I've been taken to quiet country locations and stood there saying "plane, car, car, truck, dog" to a friend who just heard pretty birds

It's about knowing enough to have sensible conversations with the actual tech guys you do use on your actual shoots.

And for that, a grand on kit and time invested playing with it is money very well invested. Plus it could make you Mr Popular with local filmmakers who have nothing, community media projects, etc, and the networking value of that is immense. You want a hospital, you call up Mike Smith who you helped out and he phones Dr Jones who owes him a favour. No money involved.

It means that when you hire, (because you will not be shooting any real projects with this kit), you know what you need, and why.

Good luck