It was over five years ago when I heard the news:  You could make a movie for almost nothing ($ $ $) with this new DV technology.  I was ready.  I'd written more than a dozen screenplays, half of them had been optioned at some point (one by Bette Midler), but only one had been produced ("Blood Relations" -  Miramax).

          I'd wanted to direct, now here was my chance.  I could get access to the equipment (our local cable station had a Sony VX-1000 that I could borrow, and a computer I could use).  I have some friends who are accomplished actors.  I could write the script.

         All the elements were there to make a movie for under a thousand dollars (Final Budget: $850.00).  Of course, I'd have to manage the production, operate the camera, direct, then edit all the footage into that final cut.  No problem.

         Okay, there were problems.  Lots of 'em with the technical stuff.  I didn't know anything about digital camcorders.  Even less about computers.  But I plowed my way through the entire process, and somehow made it to the "final cut" -- (a 104 min. family-drama entitled "Twist Of Faith")

          I'm exhausted.  I knew it would be a challenge, but it was more than I'd bargained for.  Mainly because I had to learn everything the hard way.  There weren't many "How-To" books or videos that covered the many facets of making a movie with these new gadgets.

          I'd bought an instructional video for the Sony camera, and another for the Premiere software, and they were a big help, but at times they were a little too technical for my novice status.  And there were so many more areas of the process where I could have used tips, pointers, direction, HELP!

          So I began writing the instructional video that I would've killed to get my hands on when I first began this project:  An in-depth tutorial covering not only video-editing (with Premiere Pro, 5-hours), but also the Mini-DV Camcorders and a few related subjects such as lighting and directing.

         The "How-To" video was, at first, intended for anyone embarking on the same journey -- making a movie.  I quickly realized that most of the material would be just as valuable to someone interested in video production of any kind:  producing commercials, documentaries, educational or training tapes, or just making the coolest home movies on your block now that the price-range is within the budget of the home consumer.

 

  

Part One    Part Two    Part Three