Renting a RED camera - is there anyone that can help a low-budget filmmaker?

[Frankie Fiore]

Hi all,

I am really hoping there might be a warm-hearted person on here that is willing to help me out.

I am an indie filmmaker with pretty much no budget. I'm a published author of a novel that has sold 500+ copies already. While I know a lot of authors may say this, I truly have high hopes that my novel could very easily be the next greatest TV series. There is a contest that I would like to enter my film into, upon completion, and that is my first and foremost goal of wanting to shoot my film. Afterwards, I plan on submitting it to the Florida Film Festival.

To get to the point - I cannot afford to purchase (or even rent, for that matter) a RED camera to accomplish what I want to accomplish. Is there ANYONE that is based in Florida that would be willing to join the production with me using their RED camera?

I've been trying to pursue this for over a year now and have not been able to achieve the required money that I would need to purchase my equipment. I do, however, already have a full cast ready to go - and a screenplay to boot. The plan is to shoot the first 25 minutes of the film, thus making it a TV pilot rather than a 2 and a half hour movie.

If there's anyone that would be willing to help me, I honestly can't even tell you how much it would be appreciated.

Or, if you guys have any ideas or suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Brian Merlen]

Where are you based? Recent grads like myself would be your best bet as far as shooting Red for cheap. Does it have to be Red? Why not 5D or something more affordable? BMC camera?

I am a camera tech/editor transitioning into being an Op. I did some low end stuff as an op, nothing super big before. So if it has to be Red someone in my shoes would be your best bet. Low overhead, non union, just getting started. But we can't pay our bills with favors so at least having a budget plus deferred pay in the contract might make you have a chance. Getting it done on spec no money down on Red isn't that realistic, that is unless some hot chick hollers at me to use my Red. That actually happens to me more often then one might think lmfao!

 

[Derek Morrison]

Sent PM

 

[Marc Wielage]

To get to the point - I cannot afford to purchase (or even rent, for that matter) a RED camera to accomplish what I want to accomplish. Is there ANYONE that is based in Florida that would be willing to join the production with me using their RED camera?

I think it's not professional to ask real working professionals to work for free, especially if they have to provide equipment for free. A more realistic goal is to figure out how to raise a certain amount of money to get your film made, even at a very ultra-ultra-low level. Kickstarter and other sites have mechanisms for raising money this way.

The plan is to shoot the first 25 minutes of the film, thus making it a TV pilot rather than a 2 and a half hour movie.

Be aware that it's a thousand times harder to sell a TV series than it is an indie feature. Maybe a better idea would be to take your novel, rewrite it as a script, and then spend a few months trying to get an agent. Once you have an agent to represent the script, then it's possible they could find a studio or a distributor willing to fund it. You still need a director, a cinematographer, and a crew to help realize your vision, so believe me when I say, this is a long road, and you can't rush it -- especially if you're not in NY or LA and you don't have any resources.

Note also that there have been some huge, established novels that took many years to sell. For example, back in 1999, I worked on Cider House Rules for Miramax, and got to know producer Richard Gladstein fairly well. Gladstein told me it took them more than 10 years to sell John Irving's Pulitzer-prize-winning novel as a script, and Irving himself wound up writing that script and making drastic changes in order to make it more "film-friendly" (encompassing 2 years instead of 20, stuff like that). The movie wound up making a ton of dough and got several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Beautiful cinematgraphy by Oliver Stapleton, too.

 

[Frankie Fiore]

Where are you based? Recent grads like myself would be your best bet as far as shooting Red for cheap. Does it have to be Red? Why not 5D or something more affordable? BMC camera?

I am a camera tech/editor transitioning into being an Op. I did some low end stuff as an op, nothing super big before. So if it has to be Red someone in my shoes would be your best bet. Low overhead, non union, just getting started. But we can't pay our bills with favors so at least having a budget plus deferred pay in the contract might make you have a chance. Getting it done on spec no money down on Red isn't that realistic, that is unless some hot chick hollers at me to use my Red. That actually happens to me more often then one might think lmfao!

Haha, no hot chicks here to holler. Just a married man, two kids, and not much money for a film budget lol. I understand what you're saying, however. A very minimal amount of money might be possible, plus free meals and covered travel (maybe?). I just can't afford the average $800-$1000 a day for a RED rental.

And no, honestly, it doesn't have to be RED. It could be any high-performing camera that will provide great quality. A DSLR like the Mark III (from someone who can also provide excellent lighting and sound) might also work.

 

[Steve Sherrick]

And no, honestly, it doesn't have to be RED. It could be any high-performing camera that will provide great quality. A DSLR like the Mark III (from someone who can also provide excellent lighting and sound) might also work.

I like that you are thinking this way. Good lighting and sound will have more impact than spending all the money on an expensive camera package. Now if you can get good lighting, sound and a RED then even better but you have it right in terms of priority.

 

[Frankie Fiore]

I think it's not professional to ask real working professionals to work for free, especially if they have to provide equipment for free. A more realistic goal is to figure out how to raise a certain amount of money to get your film made, even at a very ultra-ultra-low level. Kickstarter and other sites have mechanisms for raising money this way.


Be aware that it's a thousand times harder to sell a TV series than it is an indie feature. Maybe a better idea would be to take your novel, rewrite it as a script, and then spend a few months trying to get an agent. Once you have an agent to represent the script, then it's possible they could find a studio or a distributor willing to fund it. You still need a director, a cinematographer, and a crew to help realize your vision, so believe me when I say, this is a long road, and you can't rush it -- especially if you're not in NY or LA and you don't have any resources.

Note also that there have been some huge, established novels that took many years to sell. For example, back in 1999, I worked on Cider House Rules for Miramax, and got to know producer Richard Gladstein fairly well. Gladstein told me it took them more than 10 years to sell John Irving's Pulitzer-prize-winning novel as a script, and Irving himself wound up writing that script and making drastic changes in order to make it more "film-friendly" (encompassing 2 years instead of 20, stuff like that). The movie wound up making a ton of dough and got several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Beautiful cinematgraphy by Oliver Stapleton, too.

Marc,

You have a good point, and I appreciate what you have to say. Part of me did not want to post it because I too felt like it may be inappropriate. However, I am not necessarily searching for someone to work for free. I am searching for someone who has the willingness to read the screenplay and believe that it has great potential; someone who wants to put forth the effort (and equipment) because they have faith in the project, want to spread their name, and also help others accomplish their goals at the same time.

And you're right - it is a long road. I've never been down this road, but I've researched quite a bit and have read very similar things. I know that numerous authors are wanting to transform their novels into movies. It's very difficult not being in LA or NY. In fact, I often wish I just knew someone who was high up in the industry that would at least give my work a read.

I have been told the same thing previously about searching for an agent and letting them market me. Then, find someone interested in the series and let them pay me to write it and produce it. However, I have high hopes of entering this contest. I have a 3 month deadline and there's a humongous cash prize (did I mention I'm willing to split it? ). I sincerely feel like, if I had the equipment to film, I will win.

I know that cinematographers, directors, producers, etc. are all necessary. You are absolutely right. It is very difficult to film something as not only the camera operator, but also the director, cinematographer, etc. I do, fortunately, have an entire shot list in my head...if that helps any.

EDIT: I forgot to mention - I actually tried posting on Kickstarter and had no success. I couldn't find the appropriate way to target my audience. No one saw the post and thus, no one contributed.

 

[Frankie Fiore]

I like that you are thinking this way. Good lighting and sound will have more impact than spending all the money on an expensive camera package. Now if you can get good lighting, sound and a RED then even better but you have it right in terms of priority.

Thanks, Steve!

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

I am in the Pensacola area with an Epic and Canon lenses. Some issues have temporarily stalled work on my own film project, so I might be able to help if you want to talk further by PM. Good luck, in any case.