Features

Mockery · #1

I just snuck in and won an eBay auction for a Sony VX-2000 Camcorder that I've been keeping an eye on all week long. Snuck in and won it in the final 25 seconds. This is the camera which I am going to start making short films with and it might even end up being the camera that the zombie flick itself is shot on!

I got a sweet package deal. The Sony VX-2000 camera has had very little use (under 10 hours, which was one of my requirements), got an XLR-PRO Audio adapter with it so any sound I record will sound a LOT better than using the built-in mics, a really nice tripod and carrying case, 3 batteries (including the big Sony NP-F960 which will last for 9-10 hours of continuous use!), memory stick & external memory stick reader, 3 new Fuji mini-DV cassettes, and more.

This is a really big deal for me because now the wheels for doing the zombie have been set in motion. The plan is that I'm going to start making short films this year to get my feet wet and then once I'm really comfortable with the process and I've got enough money raised, I'm going to start on the big zombie flick.

Very exciting.

thebiggameover · #2

do you allready have some scripts you are going to use?

Mockery · #3

I have some ideas for short films yeah, but nothing definite yet. I'll decide on that shit a bit later. This is just really cool cuz now I'll be able to add Flash videos 'n what not to I-Mockery.

For those of you who are interested, here's pics of the setup I just bought:
http://www.lowfrequency.com/vx2000

Immortal Goat · #4

How much did you end up spending on that setup, RoG?

And also, I kinda pride myself on being able to write interesting scripts. If you are interested, I would be willing to do a collaboration story. But if not, then meh.

agroskaterik · #5

Wow, that is a nice set up. Me and some friends are planning on working on some short films this summer as well. We might even get a public access show :O. We're gunna look into http://www.channel101.com also. You guys should too.

The Retro Kat · #6

Yeah, damn that is an amazing set up. How much did it cost you in the auction.

Mockery · #7

Thanks a lot. I've been saving up my PayPal bux for a while now. The whole setup was $2100. I've been watching auctions for months now and I finally found the perfect one for a damned good price. I can't wait to get it so I can start testing it out. :o

The Retro Kat · #8

Jeeze, I need to save my pennies.

AChimp · #9

I shudder to think what the cut PayPal took on that transaction was.

Mockery · #10

Quote:

Originally Posted by AChimp

I shudder to think what the cut PayPal took on that transaction was.

Hehe yeah I was laughing about that, but it's not my problem. Some eBayers charge a fee for using paypal on big auctions, this guy didn't... and I wouldn't have bid if he did.

James · #11

Does it have night vision? If so, you and Proto should make a sex tape.

pjalne · #12

That is a damn fine camera, Rog. I've used one of the previous models in the same line (PD-150) quite a bit, and it rocked. I hear the VX has ever better contrast treatment and can shoot in pretty dark places without looking like crap. And the colors are SO much better than your average consumer camera.

Good thing you got that extra sound equipment, though. Even a semi-pro cam like that rarely has a decent mic. It should work on vacations and stuff, but once you want something a little more professional-sounding, you need to plug something in. Especially because of the wind.

OH THE FUCKING WIND

EDIT: I looked closer at the pictures, and see that extra lenses aren't included (they seldom are). I would highly recommend that you get a wide-angle. It grabs you an extra couple of feet's distance if you're shooting in a cramped space (I wouldn't use it around corners of rooms and stuff, though, as it seriosuly bends lines at the edge of the screen), but more importantly, if you want to shoot action, it injects so much movement into the environment, especially if you track through a forest or a back alley or something similar. Wide-angles are of course primarily used for big landscape shots, but if you want the zombies coming in from everywhere with a moving camera, a mid-close framing with action on many planes gives a cool effect that engages the viewer more than a normal lens would.

Mockery · #13

James, I was actually hoping it had x-ray vision. It doesn't. I think I got ripped off.

Pjalne, thanks, yeah I've heard nothing but good stuff about this camera and I'm really excited to start using it. I've seen footage shot with lower-end Sony models and was impressed as it is, so I know the quality of these shots will just be superb (though I wouldn't mind having a Panasonic DVX100 for even better quality, but I don't have 3-4k to blow on just a camera alone with no extras haha) In regards to the wide-angle, believe me that's one of the things on my list to purchase along with a fish-eye for those wacky closeups.

pjalne · #14

Haha, yeah, you'll need those. I love the fish-angle extreme close-ups in Raimi movies.

Protoclown · #15

There will be sex tapes.

Drev · #16

Do something involving puppets. :O

ScruU2wice · #17

Wow thats an effin amazing camera. All we work with is agro's nifty camcorder. We might pic up some shotgun mics for some short's we're planning and a sitcomish thing we might be doing. You're gonna shoot some awesome stuff with that camera which you better put on your site

Alive · #18

These cameras are excellent for picking up fine details, like moist skin pores and light fuzzy hairs *cough* just thought i would add in that little interesting tid-bit...