Matt Stevens

Just so you know, I did some searches here before posting this. In 2001 I shot my short film on Super16. I have a 35mm blowup and nothing in between the A/B/C rolls and it. No 16mm print at all. I'm not very technical, but it was cheaper that way at the time. So, I have always wanted a decent looking version of my film for video. My only VHS and SVHS copies were from AVID and look like complete crap. I'm in Jersey City and figured NYC would have numerous options, but everywhere I find is for 8mm and 16mm. I've been told by some to have a new 16mm print made, but don't think I can handle the costs associated with that. I could send it out of state to some places I've found, but I really do want to sit in and make some different choices and corrections. A few shots need to be zoomed in some. One shot that is in color needs to be B&W. Nothing too crazy as I know the longer I am in there, the more expensive it will be. Anyways, can I have some advice here? It would be greatly appreciated. If I had to send it out, is anyone familiar with scanyourfilm.com?

I am trying to learn more and was at Barnes & Nobles yesterday, stunned to see how many choices there are for magazines. All are insanely expensive, but subscribing means the price is cut by an average of 66%. Only which magazines to subscribe to? I'm interested in... A magazine that will deal with photography, especially actual film shoots involving 35mm, 16mm and 8mm. A magazine devoted to filmmaking via digital means, be it DSLR or more pro-sumer High Def vid cameras. What are the best of the best? Are there any or are magazines just too dead?

I want to read, learn, understand. Searching on Amazon there are too many choices. I would like to have something recent. Thanks in advance for the help.

Yes, I know this is tough, but I just don't have the money for a Glidecam. Not right now. We are looking for something to give us smooth shots with a Canon 60D and the Hague MMC Mimi-Motion Cam Stabilizer would be perfect, but it cannot handle the weight of a DSLR with battery and lens. The Hague DSLR Motion-Cam has far too many bad reviews in regards to its cheapness to go with and it's too pricey anyway. So... Advice? Choices? Is there anything out there that will not cost us an arm and a leg? We do see the Lensse MidX Steady Cam Steadicam Stabilizer on eBay (looks like a Hague copy), but I am unable to find reviews or video footage examples (other than the video posted on the eBay auction). It states up to 9kg or 2 pounds, but I am not sure of the Canon 60D with battery and lens comes in at that or is slightly heavier. Price is right, despite ludicrous shipping costs. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Wow, we can't edit posts here? Weird. Okay, so UPDATE... My good friend just bought a Canon 60D. Today. So no Zi8. He said "Let's shoot with the Canon" and I think that's a darn good idea. We'll still use the Zi8 to record sound, as testing we performed today on it was positive. However, if I can find a better solution that doesn't cost much, I'm all aboard.

Where is the best place to look for people advertising their services or willingness to work? NYC area. One afternoon/evening of fun. If I could find a film student or grad who has some knowledge and knowhow and who wants to spend an evening working as a Guerrilla filmmaker, that would be terrific. I've searched a number of forums, but I don't see any where I could actually throw down and say, hey, want to throw down with us? I must be looking in the wrong places. I'm looking to do two shorts in the next six months, one ultra low to no-budgeter and then one that will cost me a fair amount of money. Ten years ago I did an award winning short and found my crew via my agent, who made some calls. no more agent. Not for years. Haven't done this in a long long time, so I am just out of it. First up would be the tiny no budgeter that I have even been toying as an experimental project to be shot on a Zi8 with sound recorded via odd methods (iPhone or Android phone perhaps). We do have access to other cameras, such as the Canon T2i, but it would be cool to succeed in doing a short with something as crappy as the Zi8. Bad sound can ruin a project, so I need to look into sound guys. No idea where to start. I do have a professional editor who will handle my post work, for free, because he likes my script. So that's my story. Any tips would be helpful. Oh yes, the second short would be shot in a mix of HD and Super8. Unless I could somehow get use of a 5D (or equivalent quality camera) in which case footage could be mucked with in post to get the look I want.

Thanks to everyone who lended me a help hand. I now know a lot more about this camera than when it arrived earlier this week.

Been to Vietnam twice in the last four years. Last time was January and February of this year (2010) and I will say the food is NOT awful. Love it! My wife is Vietnamese, so I'd be trouble if I didn't. The Vietnamese work their rears off, but are technically way behind the United States, Europe, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong in production. I met some people over there who worked on features and in talking with them, it goes like this... The DP, focus puller, main sound guys and editor are almost always foreigners. Average budget for some recent features was 500k. Few films go near a million. No idea about documentaries.

That would be something. I know people are using iPhones to record sound when shooting with Super 8, but I've never seen anything about video output.

My two Canon Auto Zoom 814's arrived today (purchased off eBay). Both seem to operate. Put the batteries in and the motors run. Unfortunately, the manual I found online is not for this version of the 814. Same model, but clearly from a different generation. Nothing is the same, so I just cannot figure out what most of these buttons are for. :blush: This was a kind of crazy purchase. I know nothing about Super8mm. However, I very much want to learn. Picture of my camera is below, along with numbers placed next to the parts I am clueless about. #7 is in red. That knob does not move on the model pictured. It does on the other camera, but not this one. Is it jammed? For #5, I know that turns the camera on, but what is the difference between R and RL? Thanks for your help and please, apologies to you for being clueless. I've ordered some books on Super 8mm, but they have yet to arrive.