Film Competition. Is this equipment sufficient?

[JD Rosensweig]

Hey all,

 

I'm participating in a 48 hour film competition in the upcoming weeks. I am not a film student, I just like cinematography and have read a few books about making a movie. I did, however, participate in a film competition a few months ago and I learned a lot from the experience. For example I learned the pains of not having good sound equipment and the downsides to using a consumer camera rather than something in the prosumer/professional range.

So in preparation for the event I've looked into a bunch of equipment rental stores and I've gathered these equipment choices as my options:

 

 

Camera Choices:

1. Sony HVR-Z1U
   
   
2. Sony DSR-PD170
   
   
3. Sony DSR-PD150
   
   
4. Sony DSR-VX2100
   
   

ME66 shotgun microphone

Fishpole

Tripod

Lighting Choices:

1. Lowell 3-Light Kit
   
   
2. Videssant 3 light kit
   
   

 

Does this equipment seem reasonable for a competition like this? Is there anything else I need to make this project a success? Should I go for HD despite the higher cost or stick with the SD cameras? With SDs the rental cost is about $350 for all of this stuff. However HD bumps it up to about $500 for everything.

 

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

JD

[Scott Lovejoy]

Has this already passed? If not I have advice for you. If it has, let us know how you did and what decisions you made.