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Ethan
I'm a high school student interested in film. I want to make application videos for colleges and other short films on the side.
I'm planning on getting the Canon Vixia G30 but I want good audio quality as well. What's the best optiob? I have sort of a low budget; I am in high school, after all.
Well most of the budget is going to the camera. I have some experience with filmmaking and I'm definitely going to use the wide range of features the G30 has. The camera's microphone would obviously not be good enough...I'm looking for advice on any certain brands or models of (shotgun) mics that are good quality. Preferably less than $200. If possible, within $100?
Answer
My son's high school film club recently picked up some Rode mics, suggested by parents who are in the industry and donated the cash to purchase them and new cameras. You should be able to find one in your budget, probably close to $200. Google to look for reviews.
Film programs, even the top one, USC SCA Film & TV Production, don't care so much about the technical side of things in application films, they care more about story. USC Film & TV major is now a BFA, and they're really focused on story, I know the alums who were involved in the changes. (Great program, starts off in freshman year, not sophomore as in the past.) Many of the application films of admitted students that I've seen are quite simple, filmed on their mom's camcorder, etc, but they have great story. They are actually more what many applicants might think that CalArts would be looking for as far as style. Several from this past year didn't even have dialogue. There are plenty of kids in my area (LA) with access to professional equipment (parents VIPs in the industry), but their very professionally done films don't get them admitted if they don't have the story (they had the GPA and SAT scores). Too often fancy equipment replaces story. A too technically good film can be a turn off to admissions, it's like the filmmaker has their style already set, and college is about learning.
Top film programs are very competitive, USC SCA, UCLA (junior level transfer only), NYU Tisch have about a 4% admit rate to their film/tv production programs. They use their amazing film programs to bring in top students, so GPA and SAT are important. They can find plenty of top students with talent to fill the spaces, so a great portfolio without good GPA/SAT typically won't do it if you want to be admitted to a good film program.
Start researching what you need for various college film applications now, the additional materials - films, writing, etc. You may have to shoot several films. Like USC wanted a film with a maximum of 5 minutes in length, NYU has been 10 minutes, and Chapman Dodge has wanted a 2 minute film about you without you in it. You could use a 5 minute film for both USC and NYU, but many applicants tend to want to go almost to the maximum allowed time. Interestingly, quite a few of admitted applicants had shorter films, like 2 to 3 minutes at USC. (Do not go over the maximum length.) Since it's so competitive to be admitted, you may have to do a lot of additional material applications, so the summer prior to your senior year could be very busy. Often the deadline for film program applications is earlier than the regular deadline because the time it takes to look at all the films, so keep that in mind. And don't overlook the writing, as that can be even more important than the film. Google: USC (Chapman, NYU, etc) admission films to get an idea.
Hollywood Reporter top film schools (some are grad school only)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/best-film-schools-hollywood-reporter-595712
NY Times article, For Film Graduates, an Altered Job Picture
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/movies/film-school-graduates-job-prospects-at-usc-nyu-ucla.html?_r=0
Good luck!
My son's high school film club recently picked up some Rode mics, suggested by parents who are in the industry and donated the cash to purchase them and new cameras. You should be able to find one in your budget, probably close to $200. Google to look for reviews.
Film programs, even the top one, USC SCA Film & TV Production, don't care so much about the technical side of things in application films, they care more about story. USC Film & TV major is now a BFA, and they're really focused on story, I know the alums who were involved in the changes. (Great program, starts off in freshman year, not sophomore as in the past.) Many of the application films of admitted students that I've seen are quite simple, filmed on their mom's camcorder, etc, but they have great story. They are actually more what many applicants might think that CalArts would be looking for as far as style. Several from this past year didn't even have dialogue. There are plenty of kids in my area (LA) with access to professional equipment (parents VIPs in the industry), but their very professionally done films don't get them admitted if they don't have the story (they had the GPA and SAT scores). Too often fancy equipment replaces story. A too technically good film can be a turn off to admissions, it's like the filmmaker has their style already set, and college is about learning.
Top film programs are very competitive, USC SCA, UCLA (junior level transfer only), NYU Tisch have about a 4% admit rate to their film/tv production programs. They use their amazing film programs to bring in top students, so GPA and SAT are important. They can find plenty of top students with talent to fill the spaces, so a great portfolio without good GPA/SAT typically won't do it if you want to be admitted to a good film program.
Start researching what you need for various college film applications now, the additional materials - films, writing, etc. You may have to shoot several films. Like USC wanted a film with a maximum of 5 minutes in length, NYU has been 10 minutes, and Chapman Dodge has wanted a 2 minute film about you without you in it. You could use a 5 minute film for both USC and NYU, but many applicants tend to want to go almost to the maximum allowed time. Interestingly, quite a few of admitted applicants had shorter films, like 2 to 3 minutes at USC. (Do not go over the maximum length.) Since it's so competitive to be admitted, you may have to do a lot of additional material applications, so the summer prior to your senior year could be very busy. Often the deadline for film program applications is earlier than the regular deadline because the time it takes to look at all the films, so keep that in mind. And don't overlook the writing, as that can be even more important than the film. Google: USC (Chapman, NYU, etc) admission films to get an idea.
Hollywood Reporter top film schools (some are grad school only)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/best-film-schools-hollywood-reporter-595712
NY Times article, For Film Graduates, an Altered Job Picture
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/movies/film-school-graduates-job-prospects-at-usc-nyu-ucla.html?_r=0
Good luck!
What type of camera to get?
Kay
I am going to start making videos for youtube and I want them to be good quality. What would be the best camera to get? Is it better to invest in a good one now or later? Also should I get Vegas Pro Studio software or Movie Magix
Answer
Check out the top rated and affordable camcorders to pick: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html
Check out the top rated and affordable camcorders to pick: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html
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