Toys
Josh Oakhurst has posted a provocative article about the pitfalls indie filmmakers invariably encounter when they focus too much on acquiring the latest and greatest tools.
He uses two case studies to support his position, which is that the attention on every indie production should be on the quality of the project and the skills of the people you’re working with. In his examples the filmmakers both spent more than half their original budget on a new camcorder, leaving little for sound, post, or people. Fortunately for them, they appear to have Josh on side now and hopefully he’ll be able to guide them to success.
I have to say that I meet a lot of aspiring filmmakers as part of my day job and recognise the process Josh outlines. $10000 may not be a lot of money in the scheme of things, so to my mind, there’s even more reason—if not responsibility—to spend it as wisely as possible. It’s certainly not good to expect people to work for free when you’re sitting on a “truckload” of new gear.
Also take Josh’s advice to heart, think about your plans for the equipment, does this make sense for your production or workflow, and will you get a good return on the investment. Before you buy anything consider your real needs and how much use you’ll get from your purchase. A long-term strategy may not be in your best interests, it’s probably better to focus on the specific needs of your current production.
In Vancouver you have options like Cineworks and Video In, or Guerilla Rentals to investigate, before you start negotiations with the bigger rental places. One of the nice things about the first two non-profit organisations is that they’ll also help connect you to established local communities of experienced and knowledgeable filmmakers—they might just share your interests!
UPDATE: Mike weighs in on the subject…
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