HI all. After browsing this great site for the past few weeks I figured it time to join up and make myself known!

I took the plunge only 4 weeks ago and purchased a second hand XL1s for a small nature doco I plan on making. Prior to buying the camera I had no photographic experience whatsoever beyond the disposable camera kind. And to say it's going to be a steep learning curve is an understatement! Experienced users, brace yourselves for a volley of questions over the next few coming weeks! ;o)

The collective knowledge contained on this site is unbelievable and I've learnt so much already without even needing to pick up the camera. Only a week ago I got my first 'good' footage of a bird, and was blown away by the quality when played back on the TV. And all that using everytihng auto! Well I've graduated now to fiddling with manual settings and have since been able to get some more nice stuff, though a lot of rubbish also!

Anyway, if there is anyone else here from Brisbane then I'd love to hear from you or meet up and swap ideas etc. Untill then I guess I'll be picking peoples brains from the other side of the continent!

To the owner of the site - thanks heaps for a fantastic resource.
Regards
Brett

Welcome aboard Brett! It is a daunting world to get into indeed.
Especially with an XL1S running manual as I found out myself.
Gosh, the things I've learning in a year!

We learn through our failures so make a lot of them and keep
improving your skills! Good luck!

Hi all, I only recently discovered this forum and have to give it the big thumbs up.

My name is Cliff Elliott and I am 48 yaers old and have been invloved in film and video as a hobby since I was 16 when I purchased my first super 8 flim camera, progressed to video in 1986 when I purcased the first 8mm format Sony camera a CCD-V8EK.

Then in 1990 I purchased a Sony CCD-V200 and at about this time I started shooting weddings and editing using an Amiga 2000 computer.

In 1998 I purchased a Panasonic NVDX100 three chip camera and a new computer with Adobe Premiere and started in NLE.

I have recently just purchased a Canon XM2 and a new tripod and will be gearing up for more wedding work in the comming year.

I have also been involved in shooting a number of documentaries over seven yeras of the RACV Energy Breakthrough, which is an event held at Maryborough in middle Victoria Australia.

The centerpeice for the event is a twenty four hour continous race of human powered vehicles, the race is made up of teams of students from schools all over the country approximatly 20,000.

What I do is follow one school each year and record all of the training leading up to the event as well as the drama of the race, it is exciting stuff.

I also shoot school concerts and other sporting events, I am presntly shooting a Rowing season for a local school.

Thank you to every one involved with this list as it gives a person the ability to communicate with a broad group of people from all over the world who share a similar passion.

Regards, Cliff Elliott

Welcome aboard Cliff! Good to have you with us. Looks like you
are doing quite a lot of shooting and working with video. Nice!

Good luck with your future products and let us know in the "DV
for the Masses" forum when you have something to show on
the web!

Thanks Rob, a question, what is DV for the Masses?
I had a quick look around the DVi Community site and could not find a reference to it.

Regards, Cliff Elliott

DV for the Masses (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=39) is a forum here. Follow the link
I just made earlier here or see our main index (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/index.php?s=)

Thanks Rob, I will have a look, although I may have a problem viewing them over the internet as I only use a 56k modem at home here.

When I get back to work later in January I will try our broadband conection to have a look at some of the productions listed.

I just had a thought, every time I wrap up a final edit I run off a MPEG1 file as well as a DV tape and DVD, I would be happy to send you a couple of Cds with some of my work on in MPEG1 format to see if they would be suitable for your site.

One small problem is the length of my videos they are half hour and one hour productions.

If you are interested just let me know what your postal address is and I will despatch them tis week.

Thanks again, Cliff Elliott

I may have a problem viewing them over the internet as I only use a 56k modem at home here.You have me beat! I only use a 33.6 modem and it usually connects at 31K, something like that. I have no problems with these forums at that speed---lightning fast!

Hi Frank, I must say I assumed the DV for the masses was designed for broadband but after your post I did a few tests and now understand how it works, thanks.

By the way Rob, my appolagies, I now find I also misunderstood the way things work relating to videos for DV for the masses.

I assumed yet again "I have to stop assuming" that there was a central site where the videos were deposited, but now understand the individuals showing off their work do so via their own web sites.

Thanks, Cliff Elliott

Hi all,
Thought I would say hi and introduce myself.
I have been a professional camera operator for 16 years shooting mostly on SP and digi. After exploring the quality of the xl1 for a few years I jumped in with the xl2 and a mini35. I am keen to push the limits of the kit in a story telling sense, so I have decided to set up a site to help local indie film makers by renting out my kit at rates that basically cover my costs and allow me to upgrade to HD as it rolls out.
So to all the local folks in OZ if you have an idea for a shoot let me know and we will hopefully be able to do something together, maybe even in the next dvinfo video competition!

If any body out there has some time I would really like to know if my site works ok on different platforms and browsers particularly the mac and aol browsers.
site is http://www.indiefilmsupplies.com.au
Let me know what you think as it is my first crack at a web site.

So if you are around the South East Queensland area drop me a line and we can perhaps catch up for a beer!

Thanks
Noel

Hi,

Im an 18yo guy from Australia, about 2 hours from Sydney. (A rural area called Megalong Valley near the Blue Mountains if anyone knows that).

There seems to be quite a few "aussies" at this forum, and I was just interested to know how you feel about our film industry. I know it keeps getting bagged out, but I also read that there's actually nothing wrong with it (and there's been multiple pretty successfull films this year). So Im a bit confused..and this concerns me because Im at Uni, studying film (media arts communication degree) and want to know that there may be some work on the other end. Im not entirely sure what field I want to persue yet because I find it all very involving, though a dream would be directing i think. I acknowledge though that I may have to start very low, and I am very willing to do this.

Hey Josef,
Ron from Melbourne here - 43 yo. I've had many discussions with friends re the Aussie industry. Pretty much most of my friends like myself and my lovely lady are actors, directors, lighting and sound gurus. We do so much community theatre because the industry doesn't want to accept us. I have had the pleasure to work with some of the most talented actors in Australia, yet they are no longer persuing a professional career because they are no longer in the younger age bracket. A friend of my was very heavy into fighting the free trade agreement because he said that it would destroy our personal identity. I believed that we had lost it many years ago. Turn on the TV in prime time and we will see American show followed by American show. The only Aussie shows will be Neighbours or Home and Away which most will agree are far from quality television, highly successful, but far from quality. The Australian Industry has such a good opportunity to be a leader, but those who make decisions will always give money to people who are known to make crap like "You and You're Dumb Mate" and at the same time they turn away unknown people who have a great idea like "SAW". No second prizes for guessing which movie made more money and was more successful in all areas? You said that you have read that there is nothing really wrong with our industry. Correct - if you believe everything that you read. I am not sure what sort of success this years films really had, but last year the top 5-6 films in Australia only managed to make approx 3-4 million at the box office total. SAW I think made over 100 million. Our industry doesn't trully support its people and we as audience don't support our industry. We could make the best movie ever and it would still fail against a poor American film if that film has a star. We support overseas films - not our own.

I am currently writting a film script. When it's complete I intend to source funds, actors, crew, etc on my own. I might find it hard going, I might not succeed, and it might not be 100% perfect quality, but I will know that I didn't have to rely on a stale industry to make me feel like a reject.

Wow - it must that time of the month. I am ranting and raving, must be the after effects of the dog bite.

Finish uni and then be as pushy as you can to get where you want to be. If they are not interested, then go solo, you'll probably get a better end result.

So how do you think other side of the industry compares to the major & international film scene. That is, corporate, advertising, events video etc...

Do you think there's that similar struggle to break into the industry and make a (comfortable) living from camera op / editing / producing / whatever? and the struggle to maintain what is gained?
Or are there too many people wanting the same job with no one willing to pay what it deserves?

There seems to be quite a few "aussies" at this forum.That's very true. I have no idea why this is, but I'm very happy that DV Info Net has earned its appeal to a worldwide audience. In addition to Australia we're also fairly popular in other English- or mostly English-speaking countries, such as the British Isles, Canada and New Zealand. Early on in the history of this board, I let on that I am a huge fan of the Oils, and that may have been part of the draw which initially brought in the first Aussies around here, I don't know. Glad to have with us every last one of you, anyway.

See, and I thought it was because my cousin plays cricket for Victoria.

Hey chris,

You might be ineterested in this...Have you seen Midnight Oils video clip to Power and the Passion? Well the mural they are playing in front of for most of the clip, (the one which says "A land of corporate gains") was painted by my mum!

Wow, that goes way, way back... to the early Eighties! Oh, the temper of the time!

Talking about classic songs, how about classic films. I just noticed the little note at the bottom of Chris Hurd's replys. Tuesday is Soylent Green Day. WOW, Soylent Green, what a classic, classic movie. The thought of a food shortage in the future forcing people to eat people. It was scary when it first come out.

WHos your cousin Charles?

Josef.

If your regional its good. Im actually in Albury, on the New South Wales/Victoria border currently working for a regional Network. They have good opportunities to get in the bizz. Melbourne has too many people wanting in, with too little jobs.

Bloody Victorians! - all most as bad as NSW cockroaches :)

Hi Josef,

We seem to have moved a little of track on "dis here old tread" so just moving back quickly before jimmy Barnes comes on for his next set, I think the industry here in Oz is great, just don't expect to make a living out of it. Don't get me wrong, I think there is scope for a career but it is competitive and even being the best at what you do still puts you in a lottery for regular work. If you do manage to make a regular wage then indeed you are fortunate to be working with great people and in a great industry. I think most people in the industry have film/TV/corporate as a profession, ie they are consummate professionals with outstanding talent and love of the game, but do other work to pay the bills at one time or anther.
Don't forget to look at short film / indie work as that is a growing segment that does not have a lot of the pressure of "must not fail" attached to it as the feature/tv market seems to. As a result the cast and crew seem to be happier, try harder and really push the envelope as well as the most important part, they have a great deal of fun doing what is their passion.

So good luck to you, it can be a hard road, but in this industry its the journey that has all the adventure not the destination.

Noel

Bloody Victorians? NSW cochroaches? Go the Mexicans.

As I am 90% actor and 10% filmmaker, when I made my first comments to this thread regarding the Australian Film industry, I was looking from an actors perspective. As an actor the quality of acting in Australia is not great. We have the talent, but they are more than often overlooked. Also the quality of our scripts is lacking. For every one great script, our industry overlooks so many quality scripts. A friend (ex professional actor and director) recently added that too often films look like a first draft.

From a technical perspective - it is obvious that Australia has talent to spare from the quality of the filming and the fact that on so many occassions we seem to be the leaders in the industry with new technologies. The beauty of being in the industry behind the camera is that you are not judged by a photo. You can create a CV that people will read. As an actor it is disheartning to know that how you look in a 6x4 glossy can determine whether or not you get a chance to show what you are capable of.

I believe that Australia has so much opportunity to be the best in this industry in the world. Unfortunately it is not open to wholesale changes that would send it forward and away from the stagnation it lives in at present. It's run but people who need to embrace a challenge, and take greater risks.

This is a great, it's getting me more motivated to complete my script.

There are some great films made down there, the Matrix trilogy, one of my favorite SciFi series Farscape that had mostly OZ talent. I heard they are making the new Superman movie down there.

Do the unions have a negative effect on trying to make changes?
(I'm not anti Union, just wondering).

btw, I met some really great OZs last August at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas. They were all volunteers helping out at just about everything. (As a near life long trek fan, that was the first one I ever went to, and I didn't wear a costume, I promise).

Yeah they do seem to like Australia for the big Hollywood films. I think Fox in Sydney was used a lot for the new Star Wars movies. And Stealth was shot here...of all places in the world, they came to the tiny rural valley (population of <200) of Megalong - where I live!! It was a treat for me, an avid film fan, to be able to stand on the biggest set of a 100-million dollar blockbuster. Pity it was a terrible film, but it was so much fun for me - plus I got to know the location manager who was a great guy. I also got to meet Dean Semlar who was DOP, which was an honor.

Yeah they do seem to like Australia for the big Hollywood films. I think Fox in Sydney was used a lot for the new Star Wars movies. And Stealth was shot here...of all places in the world, they came to the tiny rural valley (population of <200) of Megalong - where I live!! It was a treat for me, an avid film fan, to be able to stand on the biggest set of a 100-million dollar blockbuster. Pity it was a terrible film, but it was so much fun for me - plus I got to know the location manager who was a great guy. I also got to meet Dean Semlar who was DOP, which was an honor.

Very cool indeed. Did you get to meet Jessica Biel?

no, but she was the main actor on the set at that time. I was standing about 2 metres from her for ages, but she was really busy getting made-up, and reading stuff. In fact, no one was talking to her! It was pretty surreal...and yes, she was lookin' good!

Yeah they do seem to like Australia for the big Hollywood films. I think Fox in Sydney was used a lot for the new Star Wars movies. And Stealth was shot here...of all places in the world, they came to the tiny rural valley (population of <200) of Megalong - where I live!! It was a treat for me, an avid film fan, to be able to stand on the biggest set of a 100-million dollar blockbuster. Pity it was a terrible film, but it was so much fun for me - plus I got to know the location manager who was a great guy. I also got to meet Dean Semlar who was DOP, which was an honor.


Agreed, Stealth was awful. On the other hand, Mr Dean Semler is about the coolest cat working in the biz today. I had the pleasure of working for him on his directorial "debut" back many years ago. Sadly the film was a flop and was cursed with bad luck, but Mr Semler took it all in stride. I learned more as an AD on his set then I did in my previous five years in the business. It's a shame all Academy Award winners can't be as humble as Dean Semler. It's also a shame he never directed again, not counting that stupid Steven Segal movie.

Jipsi K.

yeah he was really really nice. I didnt talk to him for long, but when I was introduced to him he actually was genuinely interested and very down to earth (a genuine aussie!) Actually nearly evryone I met on the set seemed really nice. Specially the fx guys.

*gasp* Am I the only one???
Q

I would almost certainly say yes......

okay, right, yeah, there ARE other people in Darwin, Australia....(aren't you clever!)
I was referring to are there any other members of this forum, in Darwin, Australia.....the Great Northern Expanse, the Gateway to Asia, the Fabulous NT!

Hi Noel and welcome aboard (H)DVInfo.net! My appologies for such a late
welcome note. We're glad to have you aboard!

hello,

just thoguht id finally introduce myself as ive been a dedicated lurker here for a while.

Im a film student in Brisbane, Australia. This sites an amazing resource for expanding your knowledge.. that is if you can decipher half the jargon you guys write about.

I think a lot of it is probably just experience.. which will come im sure.

You'll probably see more of me in times to come.

Nice to meet you all,

As a fellow Brisbane local, I can tell you Ben is no tourist.

A nice presence Oz has on this site.

Oh, and Ben, welcome!

Hey Ben,
Just wondering if you are working with actual film at your film school or are you guys using digital now?

Hi all. I'm Brett. I've just bought a new Sony FX1 with Rode Videomike and currently have a Manfrotto monopod - tripod still to come!
I used to work for TV News in Melbourne many years ago as a links operator and VT operator as well as a VT operator in the UK for a company called Deluxe Media, but now work as an emergency services dispatcher in Ballarat.
I have just built a new PC system based on an AMD dual core processor and 2 19" widescreen monitors.

Welcome, Brett! Sounds like you're getting yourself all geared up for something. Whatever that may be, I wish you the best! Have fun!! :)

Hi Brett,

Im also from Australia(Melbourne).....and have the HC1, Rode Videomic with the deadcat wind muff that all my non-film friends like to pat, and of course the Manfrotto tripod, and a kind of interesting light collection.....

Hi Brett, welcome aboard (H)DV Info Net, good to have you with us!

I'm a uni grad (Film and TV/ Communications and Cultural Studies) from Australia.

I'm currently using a Canon XL2 which I bought with my partner. I'm a narrative film person, he's into documentaries. Somehow we make it work.

I've previously shot using the Aarton 16mm camera and the DVC Pro. Love 16mm but the cost of film is prohibitively expensive. If you want to see some stills of what I've shot, check out www.dorothythemovie.com

I'm usually over at Zoetrope, but come here because it is more technically oriented.

I was a little disallusioned by the responses on this site at first. Because there is a wait as you get approved, it gave me time to have a good look through the posts. I saw a lot of great information given freely, which made me feel good about the site, but I also saw a lot of attitude, which did not.

The search function is great - I'm not knocking it - but there can be a multitude of results. Not a problem, but sometimes you haven't worded something exactly - possible because you don't know the terms or whatever. So, then, it can't hurt to ask, can it?

Apparently not.

It seems that many of the times people have asked questions, there have been a bitchy "It's in an OLD post! I can't believe someone is asking this AGAIN!"

Or, as I read in one thread, someone was told they shouldn't be using a camera because they either didn't know or were flippant about the terminology.

I understand it can be a little frustrating having people ask the same stuff all the time. But given the large number of posts on this board, cut people a little slack. The attitude is appalling.

There are some genuinely good people on this site giving out some fantastic information. Some of them even do it without snipe. I hope that when I have a question, it is answered by one of them.

Hi Jasmine,

Good to see some fellow Melbournians on here. I think you'll find this an incredible resource, I know I have. As for the "attitude", most of those posts are made because an almost identical question has recently been asked and is often on only the 2nd page of posts in a particular thread.

Is your short film "Dorothy" online anywhere? I'd be keen to see it. You don't see much 16mm material around these days.

Cheers,

Mark

We're still waiting to hear back form some festivals, which tend to frown on ti being available online. I can mail you a copy, if you're local.

I'm new to Melbourne, which is going to make it interesting when it comes to shooting! I'm used to a crew of at least six...

Jasmine: welcome aboard DV Info Net. We do our best to be a better forum (experience).

If you see a problem with a post please click on the little red triangle to report it and describe what's wrong with it.

A moderator will then look at it and see if it's a problem or not.

It's hard for the moderating team to keep up with the massive amount of posts every day!

Thanks,

That'd be good, if you're after crew feel free to PM me. I'm finishing up my degree at the moment, but I still have a bit of spare time for extra productions.

Rob- No problem. One thing I had noticed was how absolutely MASSIVE this board it. It really is a great resource. I'm sorry if I came across a little prissy as I had just searched for an answer the a question and all I could find were people who had asked and been criticised. I do think this place is worthwhile, and nobody is outright nasty.

Mark- I am always after a crew! What are you studying? I've a project floating at the moment, trying to get off the ground for an oct/nov shoot.

Hello from Donvale. Never thought Id find Melbournians on this site. These forums are really great for specific info on dv.
I too am annoyed by those smart ass lines like "Common man, this topic was covered over a year ago"........... Maybe but new people join everyday so old topics can have different anwsers these days. Plus these forums are huge!!!