What kind of Camcorder would I have to buy that can film thnigs to in the style of a movie and?

Question

a drama like Holby City or Casualty?I know that a DV Camcorder is good for making movies but I also want a Camcorder that can make films and film in the style of something like Coronation Street, what kind of Camcorder do I buy for this?

Answer 1

When you compare the technical aspects of film to digital recordings, the color, lighting, and overall reproduction ability of film far surpasses digital.  But, that does not necessarily eliminate digital recording technology.  Today's digital film world can prove that DV tape can surpass cellulose film in many other ways especially when it comes to editing and cost.  It all depends on your specific filming needs - something an experienced filmmaker like Mande should know.

Almost every single professional camcorder records to DV tape or includes an HDV system with the digital tapeless recording system - there are only a handful of exceptions at this time. DV tape is a very good long term REUSABLE storage medium that records a full 1920x1080 resolution video.  Many filmmakers would love to go to full tapeless recording, but if you need to store the media during a long term recording (such as for movies or long documentaries), your only viable options are cheap DV tape or expensive XDCAM discs.  It would not be very smart or cost effective to store hard drives, and storing P2 or SxS media cards is more expensive than XDCAM discs.  Plus, it is extremely expensive to physically edit film.  If a mistake is made or a change is needed, more money must be spent.  Plus, film is not reusable.  You have to buy all new film stock each time you want to record with a film camera.   DV tape is not going away anytime soon.  

Video styles can be expanded and limited by one or more of these issues:  the story being told, how you intend to tell that story (visual angles, perspective, and such), the choice of camera, the recording format or resolution, the editing system, the editor's abilities, and the distribution format.

Most experienced filmmakers start with the distribution format.  This will dictate what kind of editing you need.  Chances are that your computer system is set up for DV tape.  Your editing system will limit you to certain cameras and recording formats.  How you use your creativity with the camera, recording format, and editing system will dictate how your style is expressed.  You have to weigh your story and intent (how you wish to tell the story) with the experience of you and your crew and balance it with the capabilities and limitations of the equipment you have available.

Almost all digital editing programs will handle most of the common digital distribution formats.  If you want the ability to export your movie to cellulose film, you will need an editing program that can also handle the 24 frame rate.  Most editing programs can now handle 24 frames, but your editing choice will depend on all the editing features you want compared to the capabilities of each specific program.

Depending upon your computing platform and tastes, you will probably want to choose from Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut, Avid Media Composer, or Thomson Grass Valley EDIUS.  These programs can cost several hundreds of dollars each, and their studio versions (which add on even more capabilities like color correction, DVD burning, and advanced audio editing) can cost several thousand dollars.   If you want something more affordable, you might be able to use Sony Vegas, Avid's Pinnacle Studio, or Final Cut Express for less than $100 .

Your best technique will depend on the look you want.  Most camcorders will now handle 60, 30, and 24 frames.  Most camcorders are set to the television default 60 frames.  Depending on your needs, you will probably want to test recording in 30 frame or 24 frames, but if you are new to all this, the best advice is to record in 60 or 30 frames.  You can then use your editing software to change the video to 24 frames if necessary.  Most editing programs handle and edit video in the standard 60/30 frame rate, and some editing programs have problems handling and editing with video recorded in 24 frames.  

You are trying to copy a style here, but it does not mean you need the same equipment.  Be creative.  Use your head.  Technique and understanding is the key.  Just remember that filmmakers don't mind you copying their style as long as you 'one up' them.  That means take their technique and improve upon it or find another application for it.  It makes them happy, and it is a good way to get a phone call from them or someone else you regard in high respect.

* 3 cameras were used to film The Blair Witch Project.  Two of the cameras were professional grade camcorders recording to miniDV.  The small handheld SD camera used to record the video diary scenes was a miniDV model bought from Circuit City.  It was returned a week later for a full refund after filming.  That little camera produced the world famous crying girl video shot used as the most common graphic related to that movie and was the key to the profit that Blair Witch made even after being considered a flop by many.