I have been directing opera for the last 11 years.
I just got a job directing a show I created at the Kennedy Center in 2004....way excited about it...

I am here in LA trying to start working with film...I need advice about how to start...I would love to meet other people making
independent films...I am not sure what to buy or rent and how to use it...I know my way around the AVID a bit...I am technically-minded enough to teach myself...Anyone have any ideas???

THANKS
BLUEBEARD...aka Brad
310-621-9575 cell

You might want to get in touch with Charles Papert who is an active participant here. You can also check out his web site at:

http://www.instantfilms.com/

He might be able to point you in the right direction.

I was about to post the same message. He is one of the most knowledgable people I have read.

Checkout his film work at Ifilm.com

Brad,

first, consider the difference between film (celluloid) and digital video -- and consider opting for the latter as an artistically viable and economically much more feasible way to go.

Concerning a worthwhile take on this topic, Jon Jost's articles in DV Magazine are well worth perusal -- e.g.:

http://www.dv.com/columns/columns_item.jhtml?LookupId=/dv/xml/feature/2001/jost0901&category=Cinema%20Electronica&_requestid=2526078

Jost's approach takes the camera as primary -- i.e., as generative of material and ideas (rather than merely an instrument subserviant to the conventional rigamarole of script, non-cameraman director, hierarchy, blah-blah) . . .

Second, in general, as you review equipment / medium issues and suchlike, chances are you'll end up concluding that a 3-chip ("prosumer") DV camera is a good way to go; -- among the most notable options in that regard at this point are the Sony PD150 or VX2000, or the Canon GL2 or XL1S.

For editing systems, on the Mac side (as perhaps you are, what with mention of Avid), Final Cut Pro has enjoyed popularity. On the PC side, Premiere and Vegas Video seem the flavors of the era. (I happen to use Applied Magic's Screenplay system.)

Good luck in your quest.

d.i.

ps: as mentioned on phone just now, one wise film-world figure in LA (in my estimation) is filmmaker / director / critic / theorist Peter Wollen, who has in recent years been running the Film & Television Department at UCLA. Considering he is thus in contact with a continual stream of bright-eyed film/video aspirants, it seems likely that a session chatting with him might prove valuable toward sorting out aims & purposes as well as perhaps some of the local options and possibilities . . . ; (I'm here presuming such a professor may be amenable to sit & confer with one of your ilk, w/o necessity of being involved in academic program)