a great project idea with crap equipment
OR great equipment and a crap project idea

You've gotta be kidding. Without a good idea nothing else matters....

garbage in = garbage out. I'll take a good idea anyday.

You know whats funny is that during my time at SDSU's film program I have been involved in both! hahaha...

One time, I had a full set of prime lenses, an Arri II 16mm camera, a spyder dolly with 30 feet of track, a full lighting set-up including an hmi and numerous grip equipment (i.e. flags, clips, c-stands, etc) and not to mention a crew of at least 16 if not more. That project was as assignment ... was more trouble than it was worth, not very satisfying.

Then I did this other project with just a vx1000 and a few people but the idea was far more exciting, and you know what -- that project is competing at this years Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester. SOOOOOO

From personal experiance -- good ideas will always film better no matter what your equipment.

however there is something to be said for a certain level of expected production value, but its the piece not the puzzle.

I would rather have the large budget...

I purposefully limit myself to lesser equipment. By keeping everything lower end, I have to compensate by being innovative and creative. As far as I can see, that shines through in the final product.

A good example of this original question is a comparison of the recent "remake a Japanese film" trend (i.e. "The Ring", "The Eye"). The American version (The Grudge (http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/the_grudge/)) will have a much higher budget and great special effects, when the original (Ju-On (http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/ju-on.html)) had to get the same idea accross with live actors and make-up (if you watch the trailers, compare the clips when the woman is in the shower). Personally, I have a lot more respect for those that turn a little into a lot.

Of course, if your goal is making money, it's totally different story ;-).

"I purposefully limit myself to lesser equipment. By keeping
everything lower end, I have to compensate by being innovative
and creative"

I tell myself the same thing seeing as I don't have any money.
Only kidding.

I have to echo most of the comments that were made here
already, without a good idea all the equipment in the world is
worthless.

I'd rather watch a well crafted idea shot with a 2 dollar budget
than any poorly conceived film with a 200 million dollar machine
behind it.

Of course, the thing is, good ideas don't cost money, and there is
no excuse for shooting a bad script. There is really no reason
why we should ever have to make this choice.


-Luis

"I tell myself the same thing seeing as I don't have any money.
Only kidding."

You caught me, Luis. But I figured I might as well save a little pride when possible.

"I figured I might as well save a little pride when possible."

Thats why I think it's so important to have the good idea.
An idea may not cost money, as I said earlier, but they are worth a lot.

We can have pride in that, if nothing else.

Besides, most films I see wouldn't be saved by any increase in
budget, only an increase in quality of the material.

Its like you said originally:
"I have to compensate by being innovative and creative. As far as I can see, that shines through in the final product"

Even with a budget though, there is no excuse for not being
innovative and creative. We shouldn't feel as though we're
compensating, it isn't a crutch...it's a requirement.


-Luis