Need some advice

[cougar814]

I have /$50,00 to shoot my movie. Would I be better off to shoot my film using 16mm, Super 16 or using a 3 DV camera setup, using XL1 or another good alternative?

[AJ]

Shoot S16mm if you can afford it, you'll have more options for your post-production, including telecine to HiDef.

Shooting MiniDv will be much cheaper, but you won't be getting the quality of film.

A lot depends on the type of production and your intended distribution route.

Incidentally, I assume you have $50,000 to shoot your film, not $50.00 ??

[ScottSpears]

If you've got $50,000 then shoot film. Save some money for a "name" actor. Distributors like film better than DV. Hi-Def is an option. If you're just going to tape and don't plan on making a print you can shoot standard 16mm. If you think you might go to print, then look at Super-16,

If you have $50 then shoot DV.

Scott

[cougar814]

Its 50,000 not 50 dollars.

[AJ]

A lot depends on your circumstances, what the script involves, what your intended distribution route is, what equipment you have available, what you will need to rent etc. etc.

Personally, I would say shoot film or HiDef, but neither of those are cheap options.

You might be better spending the money in front of the camera, $25,000 doesn't go very far on a film shoot, but it'll take you a hell of a distance if your shooting MiniDv.

Really, it comes down to what you are aiming to achieve. MiniDv is cheap and cheerful, and is seen as a home format (too many sh*tty MiniDv 'features' floating around right now) wheras film is expensive and is seen as being a far more serious proposition.

If you only have $25,000 dollars to spend, and you want to pull off something really top-notch, then you should probably shoot MiniDv or even better, DigiBeta if you can get hold of it (far, far better picture quality).

Hope that helps.

[cougar814]

Thanks a lot AJ but don't you think with 25 grand I would be better off to go ahead and shoot on 16mm? Also do you think I would be better off to B&W film instead of color? That would save me a significant amount of money, no? I asked this because I am planning on shooting my first feature early next year and I have no experience with 16mm or 35mm. I have came to the realization that mini dv just doesnt get taken very seriously.

Matt

[ScottSpears]

Stay with color. Distributors want color films. If you later decide you really want B&W, then you can take the color out in post. It''ll be much more expensive to add color.

Scott

[lorefilms]

Im not experienced in the film industy, ive not even shot a "propper" feature or short yet but im working on it, but if you dont plan on taking the film to theatres then mini dv would be a good option, its cheap and to be honest i think the quality when played on a large widescreen television is awesome, broadcast quality is acheiveable easily, but i suppose it rests on the distributors out there, i agree with the point that minidv does have a stigmata as being cheap and nasty, because there are alot of bad shorts and features being shot out there, doesnt mean that everything shot on minidv is bad.
A good thing to look at is the film "Open water" not seen the full film yet as to be honest it sounds boring, i saw the adverts in the cinema and on tv, on the cinema screen you can clearly see that its minidv, its pixelated and horrible but on the tv screen it looks quiet nice.

[SailorEcchi]

$50,000 is enough to make your movie in 16mm, but it all depends on what you are trying to do and if you want your movie to play in the movies or go direct to video. It comes down to what your movie is about and how ambitious you are.

If it’s direct to video, shot it in DV with intention of giving it a film look in post (http://www.filmlook.com/).

Otherwise, 16mm is the way to go. If Robert Rodriguez made El Mariachi for like $7,000, think of what you can do with $50,000 and a good pre – production!

If you want to try something fancy, why not try Pro8mm’s negative Super 8 stock made out of 35mm (http://www.super8sound.com/). Its like 16mm, but with more grain. If you wanna try something experimental, you might like this. Send out for their demo.

I’m a sucker for the grainy look, especially in horror movies. ;D

For 16mm short ends are a good alternative, but be sure you buy from a company with good reputation.

Forget about black and white stock. ScottSpears is right. You can do black and white in post.

16mm and Super 16mm can be blown up to 35mm. So can DV, but the quality suffers.

Research Open Waters (as lorefilms suggested), Blair Witch, El Mariachi, The Last Broadcast, The Ghosts of Edendale and 13 Seconds.

You might want to research Evil Dead and Bad Taste while you are at it, if you haven’t already.