IFH 126: Should You Own Your Own Film Gear? - Ask Alex

Should You Own Your Own Film Gear?
Happy New Year IFH Tribe! We are now in 2017 and this will be ana amazing, creative and monumental year for us all. I wanted to start off the year with an "Ask Alex" episode. On this episode I answer the follow tribe member questions:


Though I plan on hiring a DP for my movies, I'd like to invest in my very own camera equipment and lights. (Was thinking about investing in that BlackMagic Cinema you keep raving about.)



However, I'm being advised NOT to buy my own camera and lights! I was told that unless I'm planning on being a DP myself, and unless I plan on keeping up with all the new models of cameras coming out (which can be expensive), that buying camera equipment makes no sense.


What say you? Shouldn't an independent filmmaker seek to have his or her own filmmaking arsenal, just in case? Shouldn't directors at least try to go out, shoot, get a feel for the camera, etc., so that they are better directors, even if they'll never be DPs?


What advice would you give someone working with non-acting actors who will be getting little to no pay?

So If I go to submit my film to contests and festivals will I have problems with people in public in background shots?

Would making the background more out of focus help?

I have scenes in stores. Do I need to blur product labels?


When is the perfect time in pre-production should you start casting?


How important do you feel it is to shoot on film if your plan is to go to the big film festivals hoping to get a distribution deal? Taking Dov Simens DVD class he stresses its important, but the content is in the age of miniDV, so technology has changed quiet a bit since those DVDs were produced. Although I know the story is really more important than digital vs film, which do you feel the major film festivals are looking for today or does it matter any more? I'm looking to shoot mostly film (~75%) and mix some shots and coverage that are shot digitally (~25%).



Let's get to answering some questions.
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Slamdance Workshop Discussed on the Show
Join Blackmagic Design, Slamdance Grand Jury Award winner Andrew McPhillips, and filmmaker and host of Indie Film Hustle Alex Ferrari on Saturday, January 21 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the Filmmaker Lounge in the Treasure Mountain Inn for an in-depth workshop on the tools and techniques essential to the independent filmmaker.


Andrew McPhillips will discuss lessons learned from shooting his upcoming film “The Doll,” including how to seamlessly switch from production to post. Andrew used an URSA Mini 4.6K to shoot the film, DaVinci Resolve for editing and grading, and Fusion for the VFX. Along with serving as CG Supervisor at SPINVFX, Andrew’s work includes his animated short film “Blood Will Tell” which previously premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and took home top awards at Slamdance.

Alex Ferrari will discuss how filmmakers can make the most of DaVinci Resolve as a professional editing solution. Alex recently shot, edited and graded his new film “This Is Meg” using Blackmagic Design. He will dive into the ins-and-outs of what filmmakers need to know when editing with Resolve and how it can best fit into their workflows.

A brief Q&A will follow the presentations along with raffles for prizes, including a Micro Cinema Camera, DaVinci Resolve Studio and Fusion Studio!
Join Blackmagic Design afterward from 5:00pm to 7:00pm for a happy hour in th

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