Friday, May 7, 2010

Got the camera, now what?

So you're all excited. In your hands you hold the same tools that are now being used by some of the greats in the industry, from television to movies. But whats that you say, why does your film still look & feel like a home movie ? Focus bad, framing off ?

Ah...you see the camera isn't the end all be all. These cameras are more connected to films made 70 years ago then the video era.  Do you know what ISO will start to cause noise ? What frame rate to shoot ? What shutter speed matches your frame rate ? Over the past 20 years, thanks largely to video formats, we could ignore most of these rules. Not anymore. Especially with DSLR. And this is just the tip of the ice berg. But lets put all this to the side, for now. Theres a more pressing issue.

How to make a film?  The premise for countless Direct/Produce yourself books, online videos, etc...but they miss one fundamental element. Building the team.  For those in the Bay Area, check this event out:


http://www.scarycow.com/

(fyi - i have no affliation with them, nor have I been personally, but have heard good things).

If you're not in the Bay Area, (what, there exist a world outside of us?) search and find your co-op, non profit, community group. A great first step, surround yourself with those that share your passion and then together you can figure out what frame rate to shoot at.