I'm the writer, but also the producer and/or director, and after having checked out just about the entire library collection on low-budget film (and wishing I had a "Low Budget," that term being defined as "anything under 5 million dollars"), I'm hoping to get advice.
(Not sure this is the right forum, but it's sorta related to writing, and I don't see another forum that looks like a better fit.)
Situational Summary: After watching way too much That Guy With The Glasses, I thought hey, we could do some of this! I then got more than half a dozen friends interested in possibly acting in this thing. Aware of certain limitations that come with shoestring budgets and limited experience, I'm aiming for a short film (five-minute proof-of-concept, then fifteen-minute actual story). Aware of my own procrastination, I'm thinking it'll be most of a year before I get the script together, and meanwhile: research!
Firstly, I have a little hand-held camera, but it's primarily for photos, and the camcorder part is grainy plus the sound picks up too much extra noise (e.g. traffic). Suggestions for a camera I could possibly buy in the $100-$500 range that is decent enough for You Tube-quality video? (I don't expect greater than that, though computer-fullscreen quality might be nice.)
Secondly, I know I need a separate mic but not sure what to look for; I don't think I'd be capable of raising a full thousand for this project, and am hoping for equipment to come in closer to $200-$250 in total, though I understand that might not be possible.
Thirdly, lighting. I understand that lighting is an issue, but again, I don't want to sink money into this area. What's the minimum I can get away with and still have the picture look halfway decent? (I understand the basic concept of having a strong light on one side and a weaker light on the other to reduce contrast problems.)
Fourthly, I expect to need some software. Almost certainly I will not be able to put money into this, but I know that free alternatives to lots of things exist. I've managed to make parts of fanvids before, so at some point I was able to combine show clips and sound files using free software. Recommendations?
Fifthly, anyone know of a good site for tips and info on this sort of endeavor? I'll be hunting around on my own, but this kind of hunt inevitably leads to distraction, and it'd be nice to have a good extensive website to browse rather than looking all over the web without as much focus.
Thanks!
edited 29th Jan '14 3:36:27 AM by Kilyle
Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all.
I'm the writer, but also the producer and/or director, and after having checked out just about the entire library collection on low-budget film (and wishing I had a "Low Budget," that term being defined as "anything under 5 million dollars"), I'm hoping to get advice.
(Not sure this is the right forum, but it's sorta related to writing, and I don't see another forum that looks like a better fit.)
Situational Summary: After watching way too much That Guy With The Glasses, I thought hey, we could do some of this! I then got more than half a dozen friends interested in possibly acting in this thing. Aware of certain limitations that come with shoestring budgets and limited experience, I'm aiming for a short film (five-minute proof-of-concept, then fifteen-minute actual story). Aware of my own procrastination, I'm thinking it'll be most of a year before I get the script together, and meanwhile: research!
Firstly, I have a little hand-held camera, but it's primarily for photos, and the camcorder part is grainy plus the sound picks up too much extra noise (e.g. traffic). Suggestions for a camera I could possibly buy in the $100-$500 range that is decent enough for You Tube-quality video? (I don't expect greater than that, though computer-fullscreen quality might be nice.)
Secondly, I know I need a separate mic but not sure what to look for; I don't think I'd be capable of raising a full thousand for this project, and am hoping for equipment to come in closer to $200-$250 in total, though I understand that might not be possible.
Thirdly, lighting. I understand that lighting is an issue, but again, I don't want to sink money into this area. What's the minimum I can get away with and still have the picture look halfway decent? (I understand the basic concept of having a strong light on one side and a weaker light on the other to reduce contrast problems.)
Fourthly, I expect to need some software. Almost certainly I will not be able to put money into this, but I know that free alternatives to lots of things exist. I've managed to make parts of fanvids before, so at some point I was able to combine show clips and sound files using free software. Recommendations?
Fifthly, anyone know of a good site for tips and info on this sort of endeavor? I'll be hunting around on my own, but this kind of hunt inevitably leads to distraction, and it'd be nice to have a good extensive website to browse rather than looking all over the web without as much focus.
Thanks!
edited 29th Jan '14 3:36:27 AM by Kilyle
Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all.