Hey all.
So, my wife and I are going to take a trip across country in a year as we head out to LA to live. We plan on shooting a documentary style horror film while we travel...something along the lines of Paranormal Activity...but totally different. Basically, using the same formula and style, but with a totally different concept...
Anyway...
For most of the trip, it is going to be just her and I. We'll have written a script with a through-line and a ton of dialog 'givens', but we plan to keep it mostly improv. Now, the question is...should we get a Mark still camera, or a smaller HDcam?
If we go the Mark route, we'll have a really nice look, with DOF, as well as be under-the-radar in terms of shooting in public (bare in mind, we realize that we have to shoot around most people and locations because we won't be bringing too many release forms with us).
If we go the HDcam route, we'll have a more 'documentary' look, and more importantly, we won't have to worry about focus as much. Most of the time, we will be shooting each other hand-held, however there will be times when we put the camera on sticks and shoot us both. We realize that with the Mark camera, we will be much more constricted to move, as we don't want to fall out of focus...however, we would like the convenience of size with the Mark, as well as the nice 'film look.'
Also, we have the issue of sound. If we go the Mark route, we'll need an external sound device and a boom pole/stand. If we go the HDcam route, we can use the onboard (if we are close enough to the camera), or we'll need a pole/stand also. Would it be worth investing in lavs?
What do you guys recommend? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
So, my wife and I are going to take a trip across country in a year as we head out to LA to live. We plan on shooting a documentary style horror film while we travel...something along the lines of Paranormal Activity...but totally different. Basically, using the same formula and style, but with a totally different concept...
Anyway...
For most of the trip, it is going to be just her and I. We'll have written a script with a through-line and a ton of dialog 'givens', but we plan to keep it mostly improv. Now, the question is...should we get a Mark still camera, or a smaller HDcam?
If we go the Mark route, we'll have a really nice look, with DOF, as well as be under-the-radar in terms of shooting in public (bare in mind, we realize that we have to shoot around most people and locations because we won't be bringing too many release forms with us).
If we go the HDcam route, we'll have a more 'documentary' look, and more importantly, we won't have to worry about focus as much. Most of the time, we will be shooting each other hand-held, however there will be times when we put the camera on sticks and shoot us both. We realize that with the Mark camera, we will be much more constricted to move, as we don't want to fall out of focus...however, we would like the convenience of size with the Mark, as well as the nice 'film look.'
Also, we have the issue of sound. If we go the Mark route, we'll need an external sound device and a boom pole/stand. If we go the HDcam route, we can use the onboard (if we are close enough to the camera), or we'll need a pole/stand also. Would it be worth investing in lavs?
What do you guys recommend? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.