Seems the debate in other forums is whether you can make a cine-looking video. My question is, does it make a difference? Is it the look of the product or the story line, character developement, and acting? I realize production value goes a long way to catch the eye but I’ve seen basement and back yard vids that really hold my attention. Any opinions and examples?

As long as the look goes along with, carries, makes more of the story, great - but I dont know if Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would have gone over so well on Mini DV. On the other hand I think films have been ruined by concentrating more on the look than the performances, a beautiful image about...nothing..audiences feel cheated..

it really just comes down to business, how do you think your film would be best served and what will gain the most attention? Socially film has a much higher respect level then then video, and probably always will. It also has a long history, but this doesn’t mean a shot on video movie cannot be successful, there has been many examples that have proved this. But the quickest easiest way to get noticed or gain distribution is by shooting on film, of course accompanied with a great story first, good acting, directing and all of the above, filmmakers today rush too much and making a movie today has become more cool then craft.

I know this makes me sound as if a film advocate but I am not, I think film looks great if you have the money, but digital has a huge advantage over cost. I run a film festival The Independent Digital Film Festival, (http://www.withoutabox.com/login/4929) and all we accept is digital films to try and bring more awareness and validity to the medium and I’ll tell you there are some filmmakers out there that shoot on video and do a fantastic job of rivaling a high budget shot on film project.

-jason

Obviously there’s little chance of shooting an epic movie like “Hero” or something on an SD video camera but I’ve seen some amazing stuff shot by amatures in HD with 35mm lens converters and color corrected with some great VFX thrown in. However, all that effort, in my eyes anyway, goes to pot without good acting and a story.

I shoot with a dvx100a and feel I’ve gotten some decent stuff - but I haven’t gotten the best actors and I think this would make a huge difference in the outcome (along with hiring a better DP then myself!)

Hey Jason, checked out and registered on your site!

Ron

It seems to me that video is quickly catching up to film in the areas of texture, grain and color.  The panavision genesis uses film lenses and is almost indistinguishable to the average eye.  Distributors are still insisting on film deliverables due to global venues, but that is changing rapidly!

That makes me smile. I just read on another forum about the new HD camera that Panasonic will be releasing in the fall with a low price point. For documentary work or with a 35 converter it will probably be a super-viable option for creating something with the hopes of transfer or traditional distribution. Although I’d mush rather have a Red - we can dream....