I'm new here and I have some questions for all you talented filmmakers out there...

As my subject line said, I'm new and I haven't had a chance to explore the wealth of what these forums have to offer. I look forward to seeing everyone's films.

OK, here's my question(s). What kind of equipment do you all use and what equipment do you recommend? By equipment, I mean camera, mics, video editing, sound editing, visual programs, any DVD authoring, ect. I know, this question is kinda broad, but I figured it'd make a good thread. I'm also looking into making a serious project that's legally legit, so any advice is greatly appreciated. I'll start the listings by stating what I currently have.

I currently own a sony-trv 330 digital videocamera. I use this mic accessory that attaches to the top for the sound, but sometimes electrical interference causes the sound to pop and I have to use the regular camera mic. The mic accessory does sound marginally better than the on-board camera mic, but both pick up their share of the dreaded "camera buzz". I also have a wide-angle lens...I don't know the exact specs of it right off the top of my head. With this particular camera, the film grain is quite bad in the dark, but the picture in good lighting looks nice and colorful, though it does suffer from the "jagged-edge" syndrome.

For editing I've always used the studio series, currently studio 8. Since this has built-in DVD authoring capabilities, I also use it to make my DVDs. Studio 8 works quite well when it doesn't do something stupid, like crash, which it tends to do a lot with lower-end computers. It works much better with my new computer (sony vaio, 3 ghz, 512 mb ram, 160 GB drive...you get the idea) I use the Hollywood FX Pro software built in studio for my 3d effects. It's limiting, but does more than I initially thought it could. The biggest problem, like all the studio software, is that it's buggy.

For sound, other than what I do in studio, I use and old version of acid music and recently I've been messing around with cool edit pro, which I think is now part of Adobe music, or something. I use a basic headset mic for any extra voice-over, sound effects, ect.

That's basically it for me. I'm pretty basic with my equipment: no blue screen effects, no serious 3d programs...I use a basic tripod while filming, no steady cams or anything like that. The group I film with, we're always looking to expand on what we've done. We've done 2 full-length "movies" and I think we're ready to really try and make something everyone can see. I really appreciate all the input anyone gives. There's probably a ton of this info on the board/internet already, so I'll understand if someone tells me to go screw myself.

 

Hi and welcome to the boards. I own a Canon GL2 and all my editing, effects, and so forth are done with Adobe software. I am looking into buying a shotgun mic right now, but I am currently camera mounted for the time being.

I hope you can get some of your work online, I would like to see it. I am Brad, if you ever need anything feel free to PM or AIM (darthbrad03) me.

-Brad

 

Hi, and welcome to the boards!

I only make music for fanfilms, but MY setup looks like this:

I do most of my sound things in Cubasis VST. It is cheap and I can do anything I want in it. It records both Audio and MIDI, and I can use VSTi in it (software synthesizers) as well as VST plugins, such as reverb, chorus, etc.

When recording audio I use the Sony ECM DS70P which is a great (for that price) electret microphone. I use it for almost everything nowadays, since I have got used to it's characteristics. Just last week I used it for recording flute on one project. It LOOKS kinda dopey, and you need a little mic-cord for it, so that it doesn't pick up camera noise or (in my case) computer fan noise.

Both the software and the mic was bought for under 100 USD each (or rather - the equivalent in Swedish Kronor) so...

The only thing that didn't come with the Cubasis package, was my "orchestra". I use "Edirol Orchestral" VSTi. Some 250 USD. It is really useful and the strings are great.

I tend to record flute and other solo instruments live, as much as possible, keeping the VSTi:s for background, most of the time. However, if you know how a violin player actually plays for real, you CAN mimic that with Edirol Orchestral, if you know what you are doing and don't mind doing it for every note Much like rotoscoping for music

The effects in Cubasis are really useful. Not the best around (those are REALLY expensive) but all you need for a small project studio. And - as always - they give you the results you feed 'em. Know what you do and they can sound great. Don't and... well, they won't either.

There are larger versions of Cubase, I know, but this one is cheap and a good starting point. I have still not pressed it beyond its limits, and I have tried A good, stable, program.

 

I'm Fig, I use an XL1s and Premiere 6.5 but I haven't had a drink in two weeks.





TheOtherGuysName on AIM, figrinfilm@indy.rr.com.

Fig

 

Well, Hello, and as was said before, welcome to the boards. First of all, 2 Full! length movies, cool. Second, I use a JVC digital camcorder, with Adobe software, AE, Premiere, Photoshop. For 3d work I've been learning Blender for about 2 years, I've gotten pretty proficient at it.

 

I am thinking about getting a Canon ZR60, is that a good camera to get?

 

Welcome!

I used a range of sub-$1000 Sony and Canon cameras to produce PwNN.

I have the Adobe Video Collection Std, so I edit with Premiere Pro, do VFX in After Effects 6.0 std, and author in Encore DVD.

I record my audio into either a DV camera or Adobe Audition using an Audio Technica MB4000C condensor microphone. In addition I use MatLAB for some VFX, and did a very small amount of work in Corel Photo-Paint.

-Spiff

 

hi. welcome. as for a camera, i use a sony 1-chip handycam (its digital8, but still looks cool.)

as for software, i would get the adobe production bundle and possibly photoshop. the main things that would help you would be premiere, AE, photoshop, encore (for dvds), and (i cant remember the name right now) their new sound editing program.

if you need any advice or just wanna chat...
d33jr -AIM,
djr_33 -yahoo IM,
djr33@fanforce.net

-Daniel/djr33

 

Currently using:

Hardware

Canon zr70mc (w/several diff. lens found on ebay. Believe me they make a HUGE difference)

Shure Mics (mostly my sm57 and sm58)

Halogen Worklamps (lighting)

Software

Adobe After Effects (special effects)

Adobe Premiere (editing)

Adobe Photoshop (clean up, fx, misc)

Adobe Audition (audio)

Winmorph (morphing fx)

vcdEasy (for burning VCDs, but will eventually get Adobe Encore for DVD Authoring)

 

Whoa guys, thanks a lot! It's neat to see what everybody else is using. Adobe seems to be pretty popular, as I expected. They make great software and I've been considering investing into some of their programs. I have access to photoshop and it's definitely the best photo editor I've ever used.

I don't own it, but encore DVD is awesome.

I've heard of Ulead, but not much more than the name...is it any good? (that's probably a REALLY stupid question) And avid?.....*drooooool*

Adobe Audition is what Cool Edit Pro became when Adobe bought them out. In fact, I think you can download cool edit pro 2.0 as freeware somewhere (i'll have to check on that) Audition is a great program, I"m sure.

I tried to find Cubasis VST and I had a little trouble locating the exact one you use, Mah-Kahn. I found references to it, but nothing that was like "Here is Cubasis VST for only $99". The only thing I found were the Cubasis SL and ect. which were around $500. I did find the sony mic for under $50...I might have to grab one of those. Thanks!

I have yet to check out the Shure mics...but on initial glance I think I'll find something of use there too...

As far as stuff I've done that's online, I don't have our "movies" online simply because they're too big..and I'm kinda bad about keeping my online stuff updated, so I haven't really been searching for a remedy to the situation. However, I do have some trailers online. Two of the trailers are for the two James Bond spoofs that my friends and I did. The first movie (called From Russia With Blah!...the Blah! part is a long story) was only an hour, but we had a "Making of" segment that was 30 minutes. The second movie (Thunderblah!) is around 1 hour 45 minutes alone..and we're working on extra content for that right now. The first movie was more or less us just messing around, but the second (which is a direct sequel) we took a bit more seriously and challenged ourselves. Anyway, here're the links for the trailers if you're interested.

1st Bond Spoof trailer(wmv format)

2nd Bond Spoof trailer(wmv format)

Here's our latest "trailer" which is more like a short....we don't actually plan on making a movie of this. And please ignore my friend's somewhat overstated drama (you'll know which one)

Car Vikings (wmv format)

These were all done through studio. I could talk about them more, but I'd probably never shut up.

Thanks for all your help. If anyone wants to get a hold of me, just PM me.