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First time filmmaker needs technical advice

from Kevin Bowen (kcb@riordan.com)
I am a screenwriter who is planning to shoot a feature late summer 2000. While I have some experience working with actors and have confidence in my ability to choose and block all the set-ups required for a feature, I have no technical experience. (Excluding a few small Super 8 video projects shot and edited in Grad School.) I am in need of advice on everything required to shoot on digital video. My aim is to buy every piece of equipment I need to shoot, record, and edit for under $8000. (Is that possible? I want the best picture and sound quality I can get that fits into my budget. I eventually plan to transfer from DV to film.) Any help on the following topics would be greatly appreciated. Please keep in mind that I'm a technical babe in the woods. I really don't know much more of what it takes (from a technical standpoint) to shoot a movie than your average person off the street.

1. What's the best camera to buy? (The Canon XL-1 look promising.) 2. Should I record the sound using the camera or should I buy a separate recording unit? If I should buy a separate recording unit, any recommendations? I want to have a professional sound mix (music, effects, etc.) What do I need to record separate audio tracks? 3. What editing software should I buy? I want to edit everything on my home computer. What do I need to buy so that I don't lose any picture quality when I transer back and forth? 4. What do I need to know about transferring from DV to film? What do I need to do while shooting to make this transfer easier? How much does this usually cost?

E-mail me any help you can give me at KCB@RIORDAN.COM

Thanks.

(posted 8905 days ago)

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