Joel Blumer

Hey thanks, you guys have really been a great help! I just wanted to give a few more specifics about my personal thoughts. I was thinking that if I would get accepted into a film school, and graduate, and have trouble making it into the business, that I would do something else maybe in videography (I already do a few weddings), and i was thinking that I could do something like that for a period of time until I made it in the film business. Could anyone tell me if this would work? You guys have been great with your responses, and I would greatly appreciate as many more replies from as many people as possible, ALL imput is welcome!! Thanks again, Joel

Hello all, I am an aspiring filmmaker, and I am going into my senior year of high school, and of course, like all seniors I face the critical decision of what to do with the rest of my life. So thats where you guys come in. I am in love with the idea of being a filmmaker, and also with the idea of going to a film school. I have heard wonders about film schools in NY, and also how almost anyone who went to a school in NY loved it, Ive been researching the schools that are supposedly at the top, (RIT, NYU, BARD, and others). What I have been in search of is the opinions of experts who are in the industry, or who are trying to get it, what I need to know is whether I have what it takes to become a filmmaker (I am interested in Directing or D.O.P.). Is there anyone who have went to one of these schools and had great success? Is there anyone who is having trouble making it? And how hard is it to get into these schools anyway? (I heard that only 60 out of 600 students get into RIT Film, is this true? or a myth to scare away applicants?) I have won a couple awards, but how good of a movie are they looking for to get accepted? And btw Film is not the only thing I am good at, I have been into engineering for a long while, and only recently been considering how great it would be to enter in the the filmmaking industry. And also my parents are willing to support me in whatever i want to do, but 40k/year is a lot to spend if your not sure of whether your going to have a job after 4 years,(and i agree). Well any way, haha sorry for all the questions, but I would GREATLY appreciate any comments or advice from directors, D.P.'s, Students etc. THANKS SOOO MUCH!

Hey guys, thanks for all the great info! If HD turns out to be in the budget, I think that I will go with the varicam, because if its lower cost and slow/fast motion effects. Since I am a big fan of very shallow DOF, I have decided (through info I disovered on this board) to go with the Pro 35 with Zeiss Superspeeds. Although I do have some other specific questions... like what software is required to remove the 3:2 pulldown? can it be done in FCP5? And also, when over or undercranking, must it be done in factors of 24?? (like 24 X 2 = 48? or 24 / 2 = 12) or can it be done in any rate then still converted back to 24fps? Also... I may like to have a high quality zoom lens for some jerky focusy camera techniques, (haha sorry I dont know any term for it) any recomendations? And lastly for anyone here who has used the varicam on a shoot, (someone who has used it for a MV would be even better) can you give me some hands on/heads up advice? or any settings I should stress on when I shoot? (Platform has not been decided but right now I am thinking of a outdoor night shoot possibly in a metropoloten area) You Guys have been a great help, keep up the good work!! Thanks!!

I have been asked to produce/direct a music video for a local band, and I am wondering whether HD would a good way to go. I am looking for an alternative to film but with nearly the same results, the film alone would require a huge budget (not that HD is cheap either). I have read many articles about HD 24p, but I am wondering if it would be possible for some experts to help me through the confusion. I am considering renting either sony's cinealta, or panasonic's varicam, but I need help through all the confusion, including... 1080 sony vs. 720 panasonic (panasonic appears to be cheaper, but is it worth losing the resolution?). I also need help concerning good HD lenses(prime vs. zoom), HD Monitors, Matte boxes and Good filters, Lighting for HD, and everything in between. Also, for post production, I am wondering if a power mac g5 dual 2.7 with Final Cut Studio could handle HD (I don't have one currently but I will by the time production arrives), I know that they advertise HD and native HDV, but can it really handle it? or does it require tens of thousands of dollars of hardware to even edit at low res?? I dont have that kind of money and it would be useless because I do not plan to move to HD permanently. So whatever you people can help me out with would be great.