is there a low-budget software option? - IndieTalk

wheelman · 03-23-2012, 07:59 PM

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?

NickClapper · 03-23-2012, 08:06 PM

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.

Zensteve · 03-23-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelman

so I don't have to resort to editing my project in iMovie?

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.

directorik · 03-23-2012, 08:19 PM

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?

Scoopicman · 03-23-2012, 08:47 PM

You might want to check this out:

Zero Budget Software Guide!

wheelman · 03-23-2012, 08:49 PM

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?

NickClapper · 03-23-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelman

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?

Try Lightworks. I've never used it and I hear it's pretty tricky but it's a heckuva powerful program (and free).

benevans192 · 03-23-2012, 09:01 PM

I've heard a lot of good things about Hit Film, it's pretty cheap. I personally use the CS5 suite.

wheelman · 03-23-2012, 09:03 PM

I just checked out lightworks, and started to get excited. Then, I noticed its not mac compatible, and I use a mac. but thank you.

knightly · 03-23-2012, 09:46 PM

http://gopro.com/3d-cineform-studio-software-download/

Cracker Funk · 03-24-2012, 12:33 AM

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.

Zensteve · 03-24-2012, 01:10 AM

Adobe Premiere Elements - $99

Adobe Premiere Elements & Photoshop Elements (bundled) - $150

... I'd still be looking at other pieces of kit first, though.

Quote:

Yeah, iMovie definitely won't do the trick.

Can you elaborate why? What do you need to do that only something else can do?

Cracker Funk · 03-24-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zensteve

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 · 03-24-2012, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenSteve

Can you elaborate why? What do you need to do that only something else can do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker Funk

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.

wheelman · 03-24-2012, 01:51 AM

Multi-track editing is just one of the many features I'm looking for that iMovie won't handle, or handle well enough. Also, color correction, good masking, decent audio editing. the list goes on and on.