I'm in a huge bind trying to finance my first short. Between getting all my gear, setting up special things to adjust for the fact that I'm in a wheelchair, and funding the actual project, it's just not looking like I will have the 300 dollars to put down for Final Cut Pro (which after the research I've done, is the software I'm most interested in). I realize that they offer a free trial, but this project isn't going to be finished in 30 days. I was wondering if there is anywhere to get a discounted price on maybe an older version of FCP, or maybe an all together different software that is cheaper, that will at least have enough features for me to produce something of decent quality. Does anyone know what I can do so I don't have to resort to editing my project in iMovie?
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is there a low-budget software option?
- Thread starter wheelman
- Start date
Hire an editor with the software and the skill.
I don't know whether this project is a feature or a short but either way you might well be able to find someone willing to cut it for you and, if they're well versed in the software and have edited things before, they'll probably do a better job anyway. You might have to shell out that $300 as a sweetener but there are loads of high school kids who will be chomping at the bit to get experience on a film that ends up on IMDB or wherever.
I don't know whether this project is a feature or a short but either way you might well be able to find someone willing to cut it for you and, if they're well versed in the software and have edited things before, they'll probably do a better job anyway. You might have to shell out that $300 as a sweetener but there are loads of high school kids who will be chomping at the bit to get experience on a film that ends up on IMDB or wherever.
I've seen a lot of great films cut on this. There's nothing wrong with it at all.
Sure, it doesn't have all the bells & whistles that other software may afford, but 95% of your film is probably going to be straight cuts & cross-dissolves, anyway... and even free dull Windows Movie Maker can do that.
If I was spending your money, the editing platform would be pretty low on the list of priorities... and with a budget of $300, I'd be thinking iMovie sounds like a prtetty good deal.
Nothing wrong with using iMovie.
Okay, you don't want to do that so that's poor advice.
Let me understand...
You have raised (or earned) the money for everything else and
find yourself short - how much? Shooting now and raising (or
earning) the rest is out of the question. So you need software
right away that costs less than $300.
Am I right?
How much do you have to spend?
Okay, you don't want to do that so that's poor advice.
Let me understand...
You have raised (or earned) the money for everything else and
find yourself short - how much? Shooting now and raising (or
earning) the rest is out of the question. So you need software
right away that costs less than $300.
Am I right?
How much do you have to spend?
Yeah, iMovie definitely won't do the trick.
I'm disabled, and unable to work, so money is really hard to come by. The whole funding for this project has come from selling music gear I have accumulated over my whole life. I had absolutely no film equip. to start with, so I'm trying to stretch the very little money I scraped together as far as possible. I could probably put 200 towards software, and I know most people wouldn't think saving another hundred wouldn't be too hard, but I live on disability and barely get enough to survive. Is there anything usable anyone knows of for 200 or under?
I'm disabled, and unable to work, so money is really hard to come by. The whole funding for this project has come from selling music gear I have accumulated over my whole life. I had absolutely no film equip. to start with, so I'm trying to stretch the very little money I scraped together as far as possible. I could probably put 200 towards software, and I know most people wouldn't think saving another hundred wouldn't be too hard, but I live on disability and barely get enough to survive. Is there anything usable anyone knows of for 200 or under?
Try Lightworks. I've never used it and I hear it's pretty tricky but it's a heckuva powerful program (and free).
I've heard a lot of good things about Hit Film, it's pretty cheap. I personally use the CS5 suite.
Hold on -- isn't iMovie limited to one video track? If so, forget it. Even if you're doing straight-cuts, multi-track editing is an absolute MUST. On occasion, I've been forced to edit with single-track platforms, and I absolutely HATED the experience. Multi-track editing is so much more efficient and just a more pleasurable experience.
Sony Vegas has a very affordable multi-track option (I think it's like $70, or something). That's my recommendation, for the cheapest option.
Sony Vegas has a very affordable multi-track option (I think it's like $70, or something). That's my recommendation, for the cheapest option.
Can you elaborate why? What do you need to do that only something else can do?
Multi-track editing. It is a must-have.
ZenSteve said:
Multi-track editing. It is a must-have.
Not you, dude.
Wheelman is adamant that iMovie is not good enough for him. I want to know what it is that needs to be done, that iMovie cannot do.
especially working with a lower end camera, as i am, there is a lot I'm going to need to do in post to compensate for my camera's shortcomings. iMovie is a little lacking in the features I want. I mean no offense to anyone who prefers using iMovie. I've just tried using it myself, and it wasn't getting me where I wanted to go. I do appreciate the advice though.
Colorista. Free
Mmm... someone will know something. Any particular effect you're trying to pull off in particular?
Audacity. Free
I'm witchoo! Vegas has free (fully-functioning) 30-day trials for their software. You have nothing to lose, and I'll bet you'll find one you'll be satisfied with.
Also, ummm, there is, ahh fuck it, I'll say it...
Argghhh, ahoy matey!
Whoah there, cowboy. I don't like this line of reasoning. Just do the best you can with your camera, during production! You should rarely ever plan to fix anything in post.
I probably shoulda mentioned that I went ahead and laid down the money and got Final Cut Pro. Yes, some of those options woulda worked, but I don't wanna have to download a new program every time I wanna do a different function. Believe me, I did a ton of research, as I don't spend the little money I have until I'm absolutely sure I'm getting what I want. I think when it comes down to it, it's mostly about preference, and what feels good to you. This feels good for me, but by no means am I saying that your suggestions are bad. And as I said, I do appreciate you giving me some more options to consider. That goes for everyone who offered up advice. I'm very new to this forum, but I've already gotten a lot out of it, and that is because there are a lot of decent people on here willing to help, and for that, I am extremely grateful. I'm sure I'll be hitting you guys up plenty for more advice as I get this project started. So I offer a big 'thank you' in advance.