Oct 2009
01
what is the best equipment for starting a small business in video production?
Posted: October 1st, 2009 | Author: admin | Categories: Video | Tags: Lot, Start Business, Video Camera, Video Cameras, Video Software
Daniel R asked: I want to start my own video production small business. But I’m not sure what equipment (video camera, flashes, etc) buy? I’ve...
Daniel R asked:
I want to start my own video production small business. But I’m not sure what equipment (video camera, flashes, etc) buy? I’ve seen that profesional video cameras are very expensive. I’m on a budget of $3,000, please help!!!
Also, I need to know what video editing software would be the best for me. Thank’s a lot!
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Is there a place to rent video equipment?
It is never the equipment that is the most important, it is always the creativity and talent that matters most. If you have creativity and talent, you do not need to buy anything, because you will always be able to gain access to whatever equipment you need.
Posted on: October 2nd, 2009 at 6:49 amI agree with the post above. Creativity is the number one asset to any video production business.
I started one with my friends a few years ago, and we started off with next to no equipment. We had a single consumer camera and a G3 iMac to edit on. Over the years, people saw our work, and noticed our creativity more than the production value. Since then, we’ve grown to be able to land contracts that allow us to purchase higher end gear, but it’s the creativity that still gets us the work.
In response to your question: If I were you, I’d reserve about half of that $3000 on a camera, and the rest on audio equipment and an editing system (assuming you don’t have one already). Check out B&H Photo’s website for cameras in that $1500 price range… There’s a handful of Panasonics, Canons, and Sonys that would probably do you okay. Personally, I’ve only tried one of the Canons in that price range (GL2) and it would be great for anyone starting off. I don’t believe that it has XLR inputs for audio, however, there is a 3.5mm input for other mics (most wireless kits should be fine).
It all depends on what you plan to shoot. If it’s weddings, your’e not going to need a huge light kit (hopefully), but if it’s interviews or something of the like, you may…
As for editing, I can only comment on the Mac side of things. If that’s how you ride, I’d pick up Final Cut Express… it’s hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Final Cut Studio pack, and for anyone starting off, it’s all you really need. On the Windows side, you’ll probably want an Adobe editing package of some kind, but I’m not as familiar with what they have to offer (I believe Premier Elements might to the trick, but someone can clarify this).
Hope this helps. Best of luck with starting your business!
Posted on: October 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am3K is really too small a budget if you don’t already have a computer that is video editing ready. If you have to buy a new computer, that will chew up a lot of your investment.
But first, you need to analyse the requirements of your (potential) clients. What resolution level will they need? If they want to make adverts for air on television or cable, then you will have to be able to work with uncompressed or lightly compressed source video. If we are talking Weddings for the pleasure of mom and pop that will play on VHS, then HDD or DVD cameras will be suitable. Speaking of events, that almost always demands a second camera for cover shots. If you are working mostly indoors, you will need lighting gear. If you need audio of high clarity, then that ups the requirements considerably. Hopefully your clients will want your creativity and skill rather than come simply to rent out your equipment.
If there are other videographers in your area, find what equipment works for them. If it is out of your budget then work out an arrangement for renting on an as needed basis. Even a busy videographer usually has more equipment than needed for everyday use. Also some projects require a crew of people, and getting on their A list will give you the real experience that you seem to need at this point. This is a collegiative business at best, so join the band.
Posted on: October 6th, 2009 at 2:33 pm