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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
DC/Baltimore People

Renny McCauley
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Sep 12, 2004, 11:15 PM

Post #1 of 9 (3121 views)
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DC/Baltimore People	Can't Post

Hey, I jumped over here from the weddings forum. I'm looking to make a DV short in the next few months and I have a lot of questions about getting equipment etc. If there are any people here from the DC/Baltimore area, do you know of public access organizations that I can borrow equipment from & also if they have studios to shoot in? And as a secondary question, do you know of places to rent equipment? I'm going to need mics, lights, jibs, and other stuff along those lines. I'll hold off on further questions until somebody answers. Thanks.
Renny McCauley
SkipJack Studios.

videobear
Veteran

Sep 13, 2004, 9:14 AM

Post #2 of 9 (3114 views)
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Re: [Renny McCauley] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

For access to equipment, contact the local cable stations. Sometimes, they will have public access programs.
For equipment rental, try Ventana Rentals, 1825 K St NW, (202) 785-5112.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Renny McCauley
User

Sep 13, 2004, 10:54 AM

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Re: [videobear] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Doug,
Do you know the names of the cable stations around here? I don't have Cable, so I'm kind out of the loop on this stuff. When I look in the phone book or search the internet, I get lost in a lot of bad information. Thanks for the tip on the rentals place. I'll check that out.
Renny

Bill Kinkle
Veteran

Sep 13, 2004, 8:52 PM

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Re: [Renny McCauley] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

I recently finished making our first short movie. We made it a little north of you up here inthe Philly area. We actually had a lot of luck with locations and props simply by asking people. Permits to shoot were very easy to get, once we were insured. Insurance costs us around $300 for the year and covers us for 3 million (I think). Once people know you are insured they are very cooperative and in most cases excited to be involved in an independent film.

almaric
New User

Dec 3, 2004, 10:21 PM

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Re: [Bill Kinkle] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bill, that sounds like a great rate on your insurance. Do you mind if I ask who you go through?
Allen Richards
www.B-Independent.com
Online Cult-Cinema Moviemaking

Pacman
User

Dec 13, 2004, 9:40 AM

Post #6 of 9 (2314 views)
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Re: [Renny McCauley] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Renny. I see your post is a few months old, but I just now stumbled onto it. Did you shoot yet? If not, are you having any luck finding places to borrow equipment from? I just worked a TV spot for a production company that is based in Baltimore. They were fairly well equipped and the director was a pretty low key easy going guy (Thats a first!). I won't post his info on the net, but if you are still looking for equipment, I will give him a ring and see if they are interested in supporting you, or renting equipment, to get a DV short off the ground. I can get you some names of good crew people too, if you need. Let me know if you need/want any help with this still.

PAC

Renny McCauley
User

Dec 13, 2004, 9:52 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2306 views)
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Re: [Pacman] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Pacman:
I am still looking to get this sucker going, though things have changed a lot since I first posted. I think my main concern about shooting is now finding a good place to shoot. I am going to be shooting purely blue screen, so I want a large open area with the ability to either paint a wall or hang up a giant blue screen. I also really need a quiet area so I can record quality audio.

I have a lot of equipment including cameras, microphones, tripods and such. I have a few lights but would like to tack on some more seeing as I need to light up the blue screen and all. I am trying to focus on controlling the production values: audio, lighting, acting, and camera. Hence the blue screen in a studio atmosphere. I will probably not require crew because I am shooting in this manner.

So, to answer your question, I would love to get ahold of these people. I am heading off on vacation in a few days so this is sort of the last thing on my mind, but can I email you when I get back in January?
Thanks again:
Renny

Pacman
User

Dec 13, 2004, 10:24 AM

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Re: [Renny McCauley] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh I hope you're going someplace warm and where they hand you big drinks with the little umbrellas in them!! Wherever it is I'm jealous. No vacation at all for me this year. Mad

Just PM me here at VU in January and we can get in touch then. Hmmmm.....and if that doesn't work out I know the owners of a playhouse here. They just updated their entire lighting system and grid. You could blue screen 100ft X 25ft on that stage. It's a little over an hour from Baltimore though and I'm not sure of their show schedule or if they would even consider it. Definitely not a freebie there. They would charge their mothers to use the place. hahahaha. (Oh geez I hope they don't see that!)

Talk to you later.

Added: BTW - Did you ever fix your G5's noise/artifact problem? That was you that posted about it, I think. What the Heck was wrong with it??

(This post was edited by Pacman on Dec 13, 2004, 10:27 AM)

Renny McCauley
User

Dec 13, 2004, 3:13 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2285 views)
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Re: [Pacman] DC/Baltimore People [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, headed to Texas-Houston and South Padre, so yeah, I'll probably have a few drink with umbrellas and definitely a lot of drinks with limes and salt on the rim.

The G5 is not fixed. I am running it at reduced processor performance which fixed the problem, but obviously has some serious disadvantages.

Thanks for the help. I'll definitely be in touch with you in January.
Renny