:D

Especially for horror on a low budget, I don't think you'll need a top quality video camera.

The thing is, most people want their short films to look like a Hollywood movie, but they never will. You can either try (badly) to make it Hollywood-ish, or you can revel in the fact that it was shot on DV.

DV footage recorded using hand-held cameras, for example, makes things appear more 'real', almost documentary-like - a fact that Hollywood is only now picking up on (and I'm not just talking about Blair Witch).

In short, unless you plan on blowing your video up to 35mm filmstock, getting a top of the line camera isn't too important. Getting good actors and sound recording - as well as editing the damn thing - now that's the tricky part.

Thanks for the reply... I can't afford a big, professional Hollywood camera anyway...I just didn't want something that was extremely bad quality.

As for the editing, I know some people who have edited videos...a couple of my friends make German Expressionist Films quite often...they have a bunch of dvd's they made. I was supposed to get to be in one of them sometime... but I'm hoping maybe they'll help me some with my video editing.

Good lighting is also very important as well when filming. Video tends to look quite harsh under bright, direct light so soften it by using pieces of regular window screen or transclucent plastic("diffusion"). It will make a world of difference in how your footage will look.
CK

Thanks! :)

cameras dont matter really, as long as you have one you can make a killer flick

















Note:editing program
actors
idea
(all of the above might be needed also)

:) lol :)

MANUAL SETTINGS. Whatever camera you get look for these key features:

Digital Format (miniDV or D-8. miniDV is proabably easier to work with at this point and there are more options)
Firewire in/out and if possible analog out for making VHS copies.

Manual settings. You want to be able to manually control as many things as possible, but especially focus and exposure. Manual white balance is a big plus, or at least preset lighting settings.

An external mic input. Most consumer/prosumer cameras have an on camera mic that is only useful very close up.

Lots of people look for low light capability. This usually makes use of gain and results in that grainy look.

For small cameras image stabilization is helpful. A flip out monitor and extra battery are great. You may also want to invest in a monopod (about $30 for a decent one.) You can really make use of one of these. Twist the head and rest the rod on your shoulder and your little camcorder becomes a shoulder mounted cam. Hold it high on the neck and you can get near steadicam type shots with a light camera.

That's just some info. I have a camera I use for professional stuff, but my vacation camera has most of these features and I find them useful when I need to use it as a main camera because we are shooting in small place or public area and do not want to draw attention with a bigger camera.

Thanks! :)

that one Tyco makes