This question is for video producers!!!!....?

Question

Is there a trend toward digital filming and production? Is it likely that in the forseeable future that digital equipment would be preferable?

Answer 1

Yes, there is a trend, but for low budget filmmakers.

This is because as advanced as reel tape may be, 16mm film is still better quality. Also 16mm film requires the audio to be recorded seperately as opposed to digital which is recorded onto the tape in poor quality. (You can spring for extra recording/mixing equipment ect. but it's going to cost you as much as filming on 16mm at that point.)

As for MiniDV, features are NEVER filmed in MiniDV because of the skyocketed costs of converting it to a reel for the theaters.

Documentaries use digital, the movie ZODIAC was shot in digital, it's used mostly because you do take after take without clapboard and no stopping, there is no need as you can just delete and tape over film.
I guess there is a trend mostly because of the fact that it's new, but is still used by low budget filmmakers and documentary directors.

It's just easy for the filmmaker to edit it themselves, you DONT need to rent out an editing studio and splice splice splice, you can simply plug your minidv into your macbook pro through a firewire card and you're off to the races.

I would consider using digital if I were trying to squeeze a penny, but I know that traditional 16mm film is still miles ahead of digital.