Shop Talk Directors : Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Basically when it comes to filmmaking, I tend to be cheap on the cameras. I spend more money on sound, lighting, getting the best actors I can, and getting the best art direction and locations I can. Things like that.

Right now, I only have a T2i camera, with 3 lenses. A 70-200, a 50mm, and a 24mm.

However, is shooting a feature Canon rebel, that you want to get noticed and hopefully get picked up, a bad idea?

I've looked up features shot on DSLR's and almost all of them are shot full frame, with cinema lenses, so I would be taking it down some notches, by shooting on an APS-C sensor, without cinema lenses. But I was thinking the budget could still go towards other things, but how necessary is full frame, with cinema lenses, do you think? I was thinking of upgrading to the T6i, but I would like to keep my lenses, so money can go towards other things in the budget.

What do you think?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Ryan, this is not the answer you want, but I'm hoping it's just as valuable.


However, is shooting a feature Canon rebel, that you want to get noticed and hopefully get picked up, a bad idea?

No, but shooting a feature with your severe diffidence is a bad idea. For you and for me and for anybody who wastes their time giving you advice that you refuse to listen to.

If I was to say "Yes, it's a bad idea, get yourself a used RED or at least an URSA" then you'd flood seven different message boards with questions about white balancing your new camera and framing your subject and how to adapt those Canon lenses you already have.

I know guys who went to Cannes last year with a film shot with multiple T2i's. It can be done. These guys are also prolific short filmmakers who have been doing this for years and won boat loads of awards. They're experienced enough and at the stage to get their stuff picked up by festivals regardless of the camera they used.

Get out there and get shooting. Enter filmmaking competitions and win them. Then, when you're at the stage when you've picked up awards and are a confident and competent filmmaker, take whatever camera you have and get noticed.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Okay thanks. I am not saying I am going to shoot a feature now. It's just I was wondering if it's worth investing in a more expensive camera for the future.

One thing I have noticed in my shooting, is that the camera does not shoot RAW video, so the color grading options are limited, cause it causes more noise in grading. Could this be a problem, when wanting to look professional?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Download Magic Lantern. Problem solved.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

You shooting anything on any type of camera is a bad idea. You should try your hand at other things. Take up angling or something.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Why don't you shoot it and tells us later?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

I shot one short film on it so far, but wasn't sure if it would be good enough for a feature.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Why not? The camera is just a tool.

I see you on here just talking about this and about that. Maybe you should just do it instead?

So you made one short film and you are already going to make a feature? Trust me a camera is going to be least of your concern.

The chances that first feature being picked up are very slim and if by chance your film is phenomenal, it being shot on a DSLR isn't going to stop it from landing a deal. However like I said chances of it happening it pretty slim. Just make a movie, see for yourself. You worry too much about nonsense. Your films aren't going to be award winning right out of the gate.

Maybe make some short films before you commit to blowing budget on a much larger project.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

No I wasn't planning on making a feature now, just investing in future equipment so I would get the most bang for my buck, and use the camera over and over again.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Are you the cinematographer? Most people I know own a camera or two but they actually rent equipment for bigger productions. You know it's better to rent a high end camera and spend the money you would have on it for budget of your project?

I know people who own RED cameras that by today's standards they are not high end and worst part is they are still paying it off. The projects he works on usually has budget to rent a newer RED, or couple Sony A7S MKII. Each project calls for a different camera. You want to just buy and store gear, that's your call. The money you spend on owning gear could go toward your production to hire make up artist, stunt coordinator, editor, colorist, or anyone that will help you make your film a better piece.

Or you could invest in a camera that will be in few years outdated. Your call.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

The thing about renting is, is that I would have to learn an all new camera in such a short amount of time, where as if you own the camera, you have a lot more time to learn.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Keep shooting your little home movies on your cheap toy camera. No one here cares anymore. You are not serious about learning your craft, and you don't even have the slightest clue about why you SHOULDN'T shoot a feature on a digital Rebel, so this will always just be a hobby for you until your money runs out.

NO professional will ever take you the slightest bit seriously if you show up with your Barbie's First Camera.

But good luck with your home movies.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

You're just making excuses.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?


NO professional will ever take you the slightest bit seriously if you show up with your Barbie's First Camera.


Well if that's true then what cameras should I get then?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Phase One. Everything else is for amateurs.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Sigh.

I guess you will never get it.

A camera is just a tool. Tell a good story FIRST, then worry about the camera. The mission dictates the equipment, not the other way around like you have it.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Alright, perhaps, I am worrying too much about the performance of the equipment :). I mean there are some equipment I should have sure I figure. I figure that say, a boom mic, is better than the on board camera mic obviously... But I should get too worried, or too carried away with it.

I just figure why do big budget movies spend all this money on high performance equipment, if story telling is a lot more important.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?


I just figure why do big budget movies spend all this money on high performance equipment, if story telling is a lot more important.

Because this quote illustrates why exactly you have been wasting our time for the past eight years. If you don't understand this basic concept, then there is NOTHING anyone can do for you.

If you want to make nothing but home movies until all your money is all gone, then keep worrying about the equipment.

If you want to be a filmmaker, take three years of film school, and then revisit this question. All will become clear.

Many filmmakers become filmmakers because they make films. They learn as they go, and improve with every project. You, on the other hand, haven't learned the one most important basic concept in filmmaking in the past eight years you have been on these boards.

Either go to film school and start at lesson one, or find a new hobby. You don't have the basic knowledge to do this one.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Big budget films have...well you know big budgets.

Why don't you make projects that fit YOUR budget?

Why not make a sappy short about lone filmmaker worrying that his camera isn't good enough but instead of actually doing anything with it he just sits on a dying messenger board?

I see you constantly asking about some complex plot about cops and robbers or something with many characters and subplots.

And for what? What have you actually done with that script? You're just jerking everyone by the tail with questions that you could find answers for yourself.

If you only invested half of the time you're putting into this research and worrying about equipment, maybe you'd be actually closer to making that cops and robbers movie. Maybe not.

When this board dies later this month...will you finally go out and start doing it?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?


When this board dies later this month...will you finally go out and start doing it?


Unfortunately, there are other message boards where he does the exact same thing. Everything he learns in this thread, he'll misinterpret and then ask for clarification on one of the other message boards. I am a regular at one such board and in a few days there'll be a new Ryno question "Some people have told me that I need to spend less time researching and learning, and more time using my camera, so where can I find something to shoot?"

After the IMDB boards die (may they rest in peace) he'll just crank up the posting on those other message boards and still learn not a fooking thing.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

...you're right.

I guess I am just hopeful and naive.
I know someone like Ryno so it hits close to home.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

In a Ryno thread, I assure you you're not the naive one

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Someone called it a vortex. It is more like a black hole of anti-matter that once it sucks you in, you will have no hope of ever emerging.

And to think I used to do the Kessel run in 13 parsecs.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

That's probably the most apt description of any Ryno thread. Even those of us who have seen him do this over and over again for years still get sucked in. The questions seem genuine at first.


On a side note, firearms trainer (and arriflex and even aiwaz), I thank you for your input and your patience with this board. I know it's mostly newbie bullsht 99% of the time but those of us who are serious about filmmaking, whether as a passion project or as a career aspiration, greatly appreciate the feedback from working professionals.

Now what camera should I buy?

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

I second this. There were some great folks in here, and a lot of working professionals came on here anonymously over the years to help newcomers. Those are the folks I will miss the most. They were the ones who understood the true meaning of the term "shop talk," and "paying it forward."

On a side note, I actually had the pleasure of meeting FT in real life the last time he was down in California. I attended a workshop he was giving, and let me assure you, he is as calm and patient in real life as he appears on these boards.

Re: Is shooting a feature film on a Canon rebel, a bad idea?

Thank you JP. I try.

I will admit that a few people over the years tried my patience.

I have met so many IMDB friends in real life. Most of them are long gone from these boards but i still remember going for dinner with a writer/actress I know from these boards the last time I was in California and as we took the hotel elevator down, the doors opened and in stepped ANOTHER shop talk friend that I had never met face-to-face.

But 30 years in this business is probably enough. I have met some wonderful folks; worked with some amazing people both in front and behind the camera, and made friends around the world. It's been a great career.

But don't worry; I am not going anywhere. For as long as there are still good people NOT making it home safe at the end of their day in the film business, I will still keep advocating for safety, making a pest of myself with producers and lamenting with the DOP that we are probably the two oldest people on set. Other than maybe Randall Wallace and Lasse Halstrom, I probably have t-shirts older than the last 30 directors I worked for.

On the other hand, perhaps people SHOULD listen to the old man in a young person's game. He just may have something to say.
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