About to go into business, but short on cash..please read

nobody
Member

I want to start up my own production company and I am in the learning process as I type this. I plan to shoot weddings, parties, and special events. But I have little experience in video capture (other than my home movies). But I have a real desire to learn. My plan is to have 2 cameras when I start, but I need to buy one now to get pratice with. I know one of my cameras will be a GL-2 or something similiar, but my secondary camera is to be lesser in cost but still adequate enough to edit into professional quality video. I have Premier Pro and After effects that I am learning on my own...Any suggestions on a camcorder to start out with that will enventually be considered a good "secondary" camera?? ... and any other advice on starting my business (ie: licensing, copyright, and legal things to be aware of)

Posted 8 years ago #
mrvideo
Member

You might want to view the camcorder shoot-out B & H and Camcorderinfo.com have put together in the past month or so. They've tested image quality in normal and low light on cams in every price point:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Reviews&level_b=Camcorder.htm

Good luck with your new business!

David Hurdon
http://www.contentshop.tv

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I would say start slow!!!! I've been in this about a year now! I just shot my first wedding!! You don't have to have all this equipment worth $1000 to do video!!! I think most customer just want a nice video. There is alot of people who have nice equipment but there video's have no substance! I'm starting cheap! I don't even have a 3CCD cam but I know how to put a video together! Most customers don't care or know what a 3CCD cam is. Don't get me wrong you do want to get better equipment but most customers just want to have video they will cherish! You can start with a nice digital cam anywhere from $500 - and up. Remember this is just to start with. You need to find some relative or friends that you can do a video for. Do it for a cheap price. What you want to do is get your name out there. This will give you experience and it is a good way get customers. Once you get established you go for the better equipment and you now can charge more for your service and you will increase business.
Starter camcorders try the Sony TRV950 and the Panasonic DV953 priced anywhere from 900-$1400 bucks. These are good 3CCD cams. Probably not as good as the GL2(which is what I want too). If those are to much for your budget go after a cheaper digital camera preferably one with a mic input!!
Oh yeah go to Videouniversity.com. They have a great book and video you can order that tell you all you need to know about weddings. I have them both and I am glad that I did get them.
Wish you much success!! Let us know how things go!!

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

Brian,

Shooting weddings for profit is one of the more difficult video businesses to do well in.

The reasons are many, but mostly hinge around being involved in a highly stressful situation where most of the elements you need to shoot good video are out of your control (lights, audio, actors, weather, etc.)

Plus, you have to find clients, set up the shoots, and work on their schedules, not yours.

When I started out, I started shooting 'how to' videos, demonstrating how to do various tasks or use different products.

I liked these kinds of videos because I could shoot them when I wanted, and where I wanted (in a very controlled enviroment with the lights and audio set up the way I wanted).

If you are good on-camera, you can even make these productions without a crew. But if you don't want to appear on camera, you can find or hire talent to do the presentation, while you tape and then edit.

I've produced more than 50 how to videos (and now DVDs) this way, and it has turned into a great business.

Easy to get into, easy to produce, easy to edit, easy to market - and best of all - no dealing with stressed out brides!

Bill Myers

http://www.producehowtovideos.com

Posted 8 years ago #