IronFilm

Never heard of "contained thriller", thanks. Good further analysis and breakdown. I wish I could work with more screenwriters who really truly and deeply understand to the core what it means to make an ultra low budget movie. (because the easiest way to make budget savings is in the script!! Thus why it is so essential the scriptwriter is on board with that) ​ You're forgetting that: 1) a movie which costs millions *MUST* get fairly mass distribution so as to recoup the costs and then make a profit. Even a film which cost in the tens of thousands needs at least a certain degree of minimal market penetration. Which is no easy task, and indeed the odds are stacked against them for most. 2) but a film which costs a few thousand, or even just a few hundred, doesn't have the same pressing needs to have such a far reach. Even just an incredibly tiny number of viewers can be sufficient to recoup the financial outlay so as to enable the filmmaker to make their next one. Mainstream distribution is no longer essential for this second category of films. So while going for 2) isn't everybody's cup of tea, I do understand and respect those who do choose to take that path instead. (but yeah.... why not at least use lav mics instead of a camera mounted shotgun??)

That is nice footage from the A5100 :-)

If the last time you filmed anything was with a Canon XH-A1 then I'd certainly go with a Sony A7s / Samsung NX1 / Panasonic GH4 over a Blackmagic Design camera, just so that you've got an easier learning curve. Then once you've made your film with that, you could do your next one with an URSA Mini (and by that point in the future, you could probably pick up a kit for a couple of grand or less!).

Sony A6000 or Sony A5100 for sure (my latest blog post is about these two: http://ironfilm.co.nz/best-low-light-camera-which-isnt-the-sony-a7s-for-those-on-a-lower-budget/ as they have great low light!). Panasonic GX7/G6 are another possibility. Otherwise I'd only consider other choices if your budget goes up (Samsung NX1 / URSA Mini / Sony A7s / etc) or down (Panasonic GH1/GH2 or Sony NEX-5N).

Absolutely go with ZF!! ZE would just be an unnecessary pain in the arse for no purpose whatsoever

​One of the hardest things in scriptwriting is to write a good low budget film. http://www.scriptmag.com/features/alt-script-five-good-reasons-to-write-a-no-low-budget-script http://www.scriptmag.com/features/alt-script-four-ways-to-control-your-scripts-budget-without-compromising-the-film

​I would not bother wasting another second waiting for Canon Rebel to be worthwhile, never really has been. And next to zero chance any of the next couple of models will be some amazing breakthrough. Cut your losses, and get yourself a Sony A5100 with a focal reducer (cost me US$410 in total for this combo), it will blow the socks off in low light and overall video performance compared to whatever Canon Rebel you're currently using :-) Yes. Also, don't rule out getting an older D5200. Is what I'm often using, and it goes for very very cheap these days, even though it is a great camera: http://www.eoshd.com/2013/02/nikon-d5200-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EANtxttUjIo

​Yup, they're so cheap you can easily pick up 2 or 4 of them, and go with whichever one you personally prefer.

​Premiere can use HitFilm Plugins :-) Which is a more than good enough reason for many people to get HitFilm 3, even if they don't intend to use it as a standalone NLE.

​HitFilm is tailor made for 90%+ of amateurs and the many professionals who are a one man band do everything guy. There is a quite popular group on Facebook about HitFilm if people want to find out more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/426174967509293/ ​ You're implying wedding videographers are not professionals??? Well, I'd say the many many of them around the world who earn a full time living from this would disagree.

Anything similar to Dedolights 150W/100W but cheaper? I really like them when I've used them, but they would seriously stretch my budget to buy a set.

​Yup, that is why I am consider the JVC GY-LS300, because low end corporate is exactly what I'm aiming to target.

​ I'm guessing he already he does, at least from his VFX background. But if he doesn't have a shooter/director showreel too, I'd hold off in dropping a large sum of money until that is assembled.

Obviously the best option would be an A7s, I'd seriously suggest stretching to that if you can. Otherwise, go for a Sony A5100 (I got mine for a mere US$310 like new from Amazon some months back. Go for the A6000 though instead if overheating could be a serious concern you wish to avoid) plus a focal reducer (another hundred bucks) plus a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 (which would be a few hundred dollars second hand). Won't be as good as an A7s of course, but is the next best thing on a budget! A5100 is the A6000 but with XAVCs added in as a bonus, and at a cheaper price too! http://www.eoshd.com/2014/04/surprise-sony-alpha-a6000-video-mode-huge-improvement/ And the A6000 is the D5200, but with a mirrorless mount and more features. Which allows you to double the light with use of a focal reducer! http://www.eoshd.com/2013/02/nikon-d5200-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii/

Makes a great point, I agree! I hope for Batman vs Superman they use a contrasting mix of saturated vs a darker look.

So "outfit a studio" doesn't include any costs to actually outfit the studio in terms of non-camera gear? (or lights/batteries/cards) As even that, can quickly add up to a lot, as a photographer in my city detailed earlier this week on Petapixel (she is very impressive, still a teenager!): http://petapixel.com/2015/04/20/how-i-built-my-first-photo-studio-over-the-course-of-three-months/

JazzBox, how did you manage to get your hands on an early pre-production copy?? :-o

Depends hugely on your specifc needs, current and future clients. Plus does this include the various start up costs for a business? Marketing? Setting up an office and studio space with a green room and sound proofed room for recordings? All of these can very quickly eat into your budget. Leaving not much at all behind for gear! So thus the suggestions in the other thread makes lot of sense then even in the context of this large budget. Get a FS7 or URSA Mini as the main camera, plus a NX1/A7s//BMMCC as the supplementary cameras.

​Fair enough, that makes sense ;-) But does the budget have to go only on a single camera? Maybe spread it around on other needs.

jax_rox, I'd say it is because of the weakening AUD. Our NZD is almost at parity with yours!

He'd mean filming weddings. Which is a big area for some people, such as myself.

Go with Sony A7 or Nikon D600. (Or even D700, if you really don't care about video) However, I personally would suggest just not bothering with so called "full frame". ESPECIALLY if you're on a restrictive budget.

What on earth are you on about? None of these lenses have "dispensed with the aperture", that doesn't make sense. Of course they have an aperture, even fixed aperture lenses such as the Olympus 15mm body cap lens have an aperture (f/8 in this case). But it sounds like you're just referring to typical Nikon G series lenses, which is what I was addressing in what you quoted from me.

No. Won't happen. Only new ones which will get shipped this year is the ones that just got announced at NAB (fingers crossed). If you want a BMPCC v2, then get the BMMCC with a BMD VA.

This is the awesome thing about Nikon F mount lenses, they don't need *any* electronics for controlling aperture! :-) Just uses a simple mechanical lever. Thus their adapters are waaaaay cheaper and waaaay more reliable than the ones for Canon EF.