As the saying goes: Be nice to the PA's...because they'll be your boss on the next job. (PT Anderson as a Production Assistant in 1992)

mezzanine224 · 2012-05-25T18:28:19.184361+00:00

I guess I should have said why I posted this, because it's more than just PT Anderson doing a dumb BTS bit on set.

I like it because it shows you never really know who is going to be the next "great". In this case, it was the PA or transpo PA, that 5 years later would make one of the greatest films of all time. And even here he wasn't just locking down set, or schlepping equipment around; he was creating, he was being a dick, he was having fun. He was creating. He was doing one of the lowest possible jobs on a film set, and he was finding a way to make something.

So everyone starts somewhere. But you have to believe, even when you're the lowest man on the totem pole, that you have greatness and something worth saying. He obviously did.

This could be you. And I hope that it's me.

Snafler · 1 day

I already have a red and a 7d, and both are great for different things. So this black magic guy could be something good in the middle. I'll wait to judge until I get some hands-on with it.

Even if I didn't own a camera now, I'd probably wait to see how this BMD camera shapes up. My gut feeling is it will produce good images, but using it in a daily professional environment might be a pain. But I already deal with that with my 7d and 5d's.

under_R_run · 1 day

If you just edit personal projects, and don't make your living on it, deck out a PC and edit in Premier Pro. Your creativity will not be hampered in any way, and you'll save money.

If you edit professionally, have clients, want to add to your "professional" image, buy a Mac Pro and deck it out. Get Avid MC, FCP 7, and the Adobe Suite. You'll be able to justify higher day rates, and you'll make up the cost difference between a Mac Pro and a PC within weeks.

Snafler · 1 day

It's a camera from a company who's never made cameras, has terrible ergonomics, no physical buttons (meaning you'll be fumbling through a touch screen interface to adjust basic things like aperture and shutter speed), a tiny super 16mm sensor, and will probably require another couple thousand dollars in accessories to get it usable on real-world shoots...

...and I'd still buy it over the 5Dm2 or m3.

bgroove · 8 days

Here's how I'd approach breaking it down (and since you never said how many days you'd be shooting, and when your delivery date is, I'm going to make up days: 2 travel, 2 shoot days, 6 edit days):

Travel & Hotel & meals for you and crew - $2500 flat
Shooting days - $500 per day ($1000)
Camera, lighting - $200 per day ($400)
2nd Camera guy with kit - $500 per day (1000)
Sound guy with kit - $500 per day ($1000)
PA - $200 per day ($400)
Editing - $500 per day - ($3000)
DVD authoring - $500 flat
Incidentals, per diem - $1500 flat
Total - $10,800

This is the amount that I would probably start with as a minimum. Since you're just starting out, you should consider charging about 80% of this amount.

So let's say your total is $8,640 (minimum). That's a pretty doable amount all around.

Edit: And take TheAnt's advice about deposit. I usually ask for 50% up front, and canceling the project at any point will be subject to a pro rata of the agreement and any expenses that cannot be cancelled.

carlyisbarky · 9 days

Sure, here's my mildly out-of-date demo reel, mostly 2011 and before: https://vimeo.com/21623438

carlyisbarky · 9 days

If you think you can make enough money using a financed 7D to pay it all off in 12 months, then I could see it working. If you just want to make personal projects on it, then I'd suggest saving your money until you can buy one. That's just me though...I tend to pay for my equipment in cash (even my Red) because in this business, you never know if you'll be having a fat month or a lean month. If you have a lean month, missing a payment or two could end up costing you in fees and interest.

(Side story: I have a friend who's an audio guy and purchased all his equipment on credit cards. He hit a rough patch of work (aka no work) and couldn't make his payments. It got to be so bad that by the time he actually could start paying it back, paying $2,000 a month didn't even cover the interest and his balance went up and up. He's now getting sued and working to pay it off. So anyway, cash is better than credit).

If you're asking me if buying a 7D is a good idea or not, it depends. There are lots of options right now (T3i, 550D, 60D, etc.) but the only DSLRs that clients care about are 5D and 7D. So again, if you're just using it for your own projects you might consider getting a lower end canon DSLR and saving some money. But really, don't get too caught up in the 'what DSLR is better than what camera is better than this and that' game. Just find a camera you like and can afford and buy it. Too many people spend too much time talking about cameras and not making films. Be the guy that makes films.

carlyisbarky · 9 days

Market saturation and low-balling amateurs have driven the Red rental market down significantly.

Renting this package from a camera house could cost you around $900/day (if this is a Scarlet) or $1300/day (if this is an Epic).

On the flip side, it wouldn't be that hard to find a young owner operator who would gladly rent you his Scarlet/Epic package for $300/$500 a day. I've seen it...it's crazy.

I have a Red package, but it doesn't leave my house for less than $800/d. If a client can't/won't rent that, that's what my 7D is for.

Also, purchasing a Red isn't that hard if you have a steady income and a tendency to be cheap and save your money. But I wasn't able to buy mine until I was 29 and had my production company up and going for about 6 years. As a recent college grad it would have been beyond my reach, obviously.

ancientworldnow · 17 days

Okay, we might be saying the same thing then. A link to the old /r in the combined /filmmakers would be great, as long as it's read only.

ancientworldnow · 17 days

Don't make the re-direct optional, that won't solve anything...if anything, put a link to the other /r/'s archive somehow.

ancientworldnow · 17 days

Thanks for making this happen.

capoeira_dude4 · 18 days

This is a pretty naive comment. Either your experience has only been one of "in the room", or you're ignoring the fact that dozens of people contribute in 100 vital ways in a legit production. And being caught bragging in an online forum can be pretty embarrassing, so that's probably why you won't get many follow-ups.

Edit: Also, behind the scenes is 99% of production, so why are you implying that is a negative? Or am I just reading your tone wrong?

spec_redditor · 19 days

Oh wow that's large. The one we have access to is much smaller, but hopefully can handle a lightly rigged scarlet. Thanks for the info!

capoeira_dude4 · 19 days

Director/Producer in LA. Emmy nominated (prime time...none of that regional stuff), produced for Comedy Central, VH1, G4, and many others. Directed a TV pilot for Epic Meal Time last November, and just wrapped a 2 hour show for ABC that will air toward the end of May, and a whole load of stuff you've seen/not seen. I've worked with Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Ryan Seacrest, and dozens of other stars.

(whew, that was the most I've ever admitted in public in a single post and I feel a little nauseas now...also most of my online anonymity is gone).

spec_redditor · 20 days

I agree. It starts off strong, but by the time you get to the driving shots, it starts to scream "spec". I'd suggest cutting it down to a 30 second spot and getting rid of some of the messier setups (tractor in the background, a couple unflattering angles). I think it'd play stronger if you could make some of the shots pop a little more too color-wise.

Solid effort though. I think it's just long enough that we start to see the shortcomings. Tighten it up and you'll have a much stronger spec.

spec_redditor · 20 days

Is "Red MX" your way of getting around saying "Scarlet"? ;)

Any pics of your car rig? Shooting a short this month (edit: on my Red MX Scarlet) with some car shots and we have an old beast of a rig. Just curious as to what you used.

BetaMemeTester · 22 days

I remember those shows (I also know who you and your brother are). I think that was the month I did 2 Girls 1 Cup.

Your experience is familiar...I've been on both sides (low quality and high quality) of making shows. They can both be fun but each are hard for different reasons.

Hope you make another show.

BetaMemeTester · 22 days

What shows did you make?

Going to the screening is definitely the best part of CH101. I've had shows in, and couldn't make it to the screening and it was a huge bummer....just didn't feel the same.

Once in a while I need a break. Sometimes you get to episode 3 or so it starts being less fun. I haven't made anything since last October and I'll probably get the itch to do something this summer.

BetaMemeTester · 22 days

Stabber - http://www.channel101.com/episode/141

Fireball 27 - http://www.channel101.com/episode/807

Star Reign - http://www.channel101.com/episode/288

Robocop - http://www.channel101.com/episode/457

Hallelujah Mountain Springs - http://www.channel101.com/episode/203

Karate School - http://www.channel101.com/episode/566

Seinfelnd - http://www.channel101.com/episode/670

I really think all these shows are great...but obviously weren't going for a 2nd episode.

mezzanine224

TROPHY CASE

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