16mm or DV?

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I've been reading quite a lot about this topic. I initially wanted to shoot my feature in 16mm but the flexibility that DV offers has got me thinking.

Could u guys throw some light on this (my budget is limited to around 10-15K).

Also, how much does it cost to convert DV to 35mm and how much for 16mm to 35mm.

Thanks a lot.

-- DK (formywork@hotmail.com), April 05, 1999

Answers

I just wanted to say that I am also quite interested in the prices for tranfers from DV to 35mm. I will say this: You will have a hell of a time getting a good looking feature done on 16mm with that size budget. It has been done before, but not without a lot of luck and work. DV will give you way more flexibility and is a whole lot cheaper. You will be able to put the money you save into other areas of the film. I say give the DV route a try. -good luck

-- andy rydzewski (aar5@axe.humboldt.edu), April 07, 1999.

DV to 35mm

according to panelists at SXSW Film Conference, the cost for a good quality 90 minute DV to 35mm is approx. 30,000 to 35,000. 16 mm to 35mm 25,000 to 35,000

-- Mark Fradl (Cybershaft@aol.com), April 08, 1999.

Know's his stuff

Listen to Mr. Rydzewsik. He know's what he's talking about. Trust me, im his friend.

-- Jimmy Sauce (beezfan19@yahoo.com), July 14, 2003.

A book that might help you stay within budget is "Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices" by Rick Schmidt. Worth picking up if you haven't already. Aside from that, the website on DV transfers I went to (http://www.dvfilm.com) says that it's best to shoot on 16mm for your raw footage, convert it all to DV (apparently just screen it and tape it with a DV camcorder, like illegal movie merchants do) to save money on editing, and then convert the DV to 35mm film. Good luck!

-- Dan Seitz (Dansietz@aol.com), April 09, 1999.

While the cost to transfer to 16mm or 35mm is high usually you can submit you film on DV or Beta Sp. IF you then get a distribution deal and sell your film they will pay the bill.

TO Shoot on 16mm then just film off the wall for DV and then to transfer the DV to 35mm is incorrect advice. What is done is to shoot on 16mm, do the off the wall for DV and use the DV to build up the edit list that yoo then go back the your original 16mm film and cut it for your final program. It would be a total waste of money IMO to take 16mm transfer to DV and then back to 35mm if you were not going to go with a quality cine conversion. John Ferrick

-- John Ferrick (Ferrick@postmaster.co.uk), April 20, 1999.



I would recommend DV all the way. I did some shorts on beatiful 16mm. negative but it was not worthy having a nice film on negative without money left for post. I suggesto go all the way DV. You can buy your own equipment and the tape stock is cheaper considering you don't need to have a costly processing and video transfer. Digital image is great and if you find a distributor, they can enlarge the film to 35mm. I will shoot my first feature on DV and as long as I don't have the budget to make a film on 16 or 35, I will stick to DV.

-- Antonio Bunt (arlequinfr@nova.net.mx), May 11, 1999.

I would recommend DV all the way. I did some shorts on beatiful 16mm. negative but it was not worthy having a nice film on negative without money left for post. I suggest to go all the way DV. You can buy your own equipment and the tape stock is cheaper considering you don't need to have a costly processing and video transfer. Digital image is great and if you find a distributor, they can enlarge the film to 35mm. I will shoot my first feature on DV and as long as I don't have the budget to make a film on 16 or 35, I will stick to DV.

-- Antonio Bunt (arlequinfr@nova.net.mx), May 11, 1999.

If your budget is only about 10-15k the reality is (unless you own the camera, sound gear, the lab, the posthouse, the grip and electric truck, the caterer, the filmstock etc.)I think the decision is easy. I'm sorry to say the days of the 15k 16mm feature are gone. Besides what all the books say about El Miriachi at 7k and Bros MacMullin at 20k, there is no way in hell. The cheapest 16mm feature I have ever produced cost 65K and that was because It was truly a film camp. I had three A-teamers on the crew and that was it, everyone else had not a clue. That's the beauty of DV for 15k you can almost buy all the equipment including the camera, soundgear and desktop platform to post it. KISS= Keep It Simple Stupid, learn it, know it, live it. If the film needs to be blown-up, let the studio who just bought it do it. Believe me, if your script is strong it doesn't matter if you shot it on a Poliroid 600. Remember even if the only people who ever see your film are your friends and family sitting around on a Saturday night, it's still a success. Thank you for letting me vent, and good luck! Chris Pfeifer Tonic MotionMedia

-- Chris Pfeifer (tonicmotion@aol.com), September 07, 1999.

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