what kind of camera should i use to make a movie?

Question

Not a family video, a real film. Any info would be great.

Answer 1

Obviously you're not going to be someone who'll buy or rent a million-dollar 35mm setup like the movie studios use, so I'll presume by "real film" you pretty much just want to be able to put together a script, get some actors, and shoot a sequence of scenes.

Simply put, the more you pay, the better the quality of the image you get, but you can still shoot crap with the most expensive equipment while on the other hand someone with enough talent and skill can make something compelling with a $300 camcorder. Money's important, but it only goes so far.

If you're serious and you've got a decent enough purse for it, sink some money into a "prosumer" camcorder. You don't need to go high-def, but a "three-chip" camera is ideal for great color fidelity and "professional-looking" images. Note that you'll NEVER be able to duplicate the quality of film--you can fake it to some extent using a variety of physical and digital tools (and people spend thousands doing so), but a video camera will never completely convincingly look like film to someone with a decent eye.

The upper-tier prosumer camcorders include the Canon XL line and the Panasonic DVX line. These guys start at around $3500 each. The lower-tier prosumer camcorders include the Canon GL line and the Panasonic DVC-30. These go from about $1900 to $2500 or so. Prosumer camcorders will provide you with the power and flexibility to shoot some decent-looking footage--some actual theatrical movies like "28 Days Later" and "Time Code" were shot with prosumer camcorders.

But the camcorder is only the core of the arsenal you'll need to be a filmmaker--sound is half of your movie, and a decent sound kit with a variety of microphones, a "boom" (which can be fashioned from something like a painter's pole), portable mixers, and whatnot is essential. Lenses and filters. Lights and reflectors. Granted, you can rent some of this stuff, but you'll probably want to have some that's your own.

In the end, though, the only things that are vital, IMO, is a camcorder--even a $500 one you pick up at Best Buy--with an external mic jack. Personally I like Panasonic's 3-Chip GS line, starting with the GS-150 upwards--IMO they yield the best image for the price. With an inexpensive camcorder, an external microphone, a computer and freebie editing program (iMovie for Macs, Windows Movie Maker for PC's), you CAN make something that's YouTubeworthy...if you have the talent.

If you're in school, see if your school has a video production class. Start learning the basics.

Answer 2

One with a tri pod and a screen on the side so you can see what your making