Listmania!
My Recommended Film Production Setup!
Sony HDR-FX1 The World's First High Definition CamcorderSony HDR-FX1 The World's First High Definition Camcorder
Buy new: £1,836.80
Used by my local film school. Also popular is the Canon DM-XL1 or 2. But RENT them, don't buy - too expensive.
Sony 10 Pack 60 min DVM PremiumSony 10 Pack 60 min DVM Premium
Buy new: £12.62
Got to have tapes to record upon! These are very popular!
Sony VCT-R640 Standard TripodSony VCT-R640 Standard Tripod
Buy new: £24.99 / Used from: £22.50
You'll need a tripod too, since you're too smart to try and make every shot handheld (But try it every now and then).
iMac 20" Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz,1GB,250GB,SuperDriveiMac 20" Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz,1GB,250GB,SuperDrive
This is the cheapest iMac I could find. Apple iMacs are recommended for audio/video editing.
Logitech X-230 Multimedia Speaker System - 32 Watt (Total) (2.1)Logitech X-230 Multimedia Speaker System - 32 Watt (Total) (2.1)
Buy new: £31.90 / Used from: £26.99
The reviews say it all. You need to be able to hear your audio crisply.
Final Cut Express 4.0 Full Editon (Mac)Final Cut Express 4.0 Full Editon (Mac)
Buy new: £104.48 / Used from: £104.00
The best editing system around, slimmed down and affordable! You can get Final Cut Pro if you have the £££!
50mm x 10M Black Cloth Tape Rhino50mm x 10M Black Cloth Tape Rhino
Buy new: £5.77
Tape is necessary for holding down wires and cables. Go to Maplin for it and wires & connections.
Verbatim 43533 DVD-R 4.7GB 16x Printable 50 pack spindleVerbatim 43533 DVD-R 4.7GB 16x Printable 50 pack spindle
Buy new: £11.99
A popular brand to record your masterpiece on to. Try Sony and Imation discs as well.
LaCie D2 Qudra 500GB Desktop Hard drive, Quad Interface USB 2, Firewire 400 & Firewire 800 and eSATA , 7200RPM, 16MB Cache, Design by Neil PoultonLaCie D2 Qudra 500GB Desktop Hard drive, Quad Interface USB 2, Firewire 400 & Firewire 800 and eSATA , 7200RPM, 16MB Cache, Design by Neil Poulton
Audio/video data takes up massive memory! You may need two!
Sony GVD-1000E MiniDV Digital Video WalkmanSony GVD-1000E MiniDV Digital Video Walkman
I used this as an example. Go to Maplin instead and buy a 8-12" TV/monitor to check your video.
Teach Yourself Film (Teach Yourself General)Teach Yourself Film (Teach Yourself General) by Tom Holden
Buy new: £4.29 / Used from: £4.63
Don't know where to start? Don't worry! This book tells you EVERYTHING in under 200 pages!
Save the Cat!: The Only Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever NeedSave the Cat!: The Only Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
Buy new: £8.39 / Used from: £6.71
A brilliant book that breaks down scriptwriting through basic structure and beat sheets.
Make Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade DirectorMake Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade Director by Lloyd Kaufman
Buy new: £7.14 / Used from: £3.50
Lloyd Kaufman, head of B-movie studio Troma, breaks down independent filmmaking competely. It's fun & essential.
The Guerilla Film Makers HandbookThe Guerilla Film Makers Handbook by Chris Jones
Buy new: £21.44 / Used from: £16.99
When you're ready to step up, get this! Everything you need to know and then some!
Raindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget FilmmakingRaindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking by Elliot Grove
Buy new: £18.59 / Used from: £19.00
A good book as well, with a CD-ROM.
Film Finance Handbook: How to Fund Your FilmFilm Finance Handbook: How to Fund Your Film by Nicol Wistreich
Buy new: £17.91 / Used from: £23.62
Where's the money gonna come from? Probably the best guide on funding, tax breaks, distribution deals & profit & loss.
Jump Start Your Awesome Film Production CompanyJump Start Your Awesome Film Production Company by Sara Caldwell
Buy new: £12.99 / Used from: £23.24
Setting up a company for your film or films is essential. This book is light, but handy and inspiring.
Living in Oblivion [1995] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Living in Oblivion [1995] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £15.02
Available on Region 2, but read the reviews here. The problems of making a low-budget movie...
The Player [1992]The Player [1992]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £7.43
Money talks and bull**** walks - how most Hollywood movies are put together. Scary!
Shine: A Powerful 4-step Plan for Becoming a Star in Anything You DoShine: A Powerful 4-step Plan for Becoming a Star in Anything You Do by Larry A. Thompson
Buy new: £13.86 / Used from: £0.33
I found this very encouraging, maybe you will!
One Hundred Films and a Funeral: The Life and Death of Polygram FilmsOne Hundred Films and a Funeral: The Life and Death of Polygram Films by Michael Kuhn
Buy new: £13.99 / Used from: £10.13
Why there's no UK version of Hollywood... A useful reality check...
Big Picture, THE: Money and Power in HollywoodBig Picture, THE: Money and Power in Hollywood by Edward Epstein
Buy new: £4.30 / Used from: £4.27
Great book, and tells you how movies were made from 1930s - today...