Q. My son is a high school senior. Next year he wants to go to community college and live at home (at least that is reasonably affordable) instead of going away to school. He wants to take an expensive major however. Video production. We have been able to save about $5,000 towards his education. We are not wealthy people. The rest will have to come from loans and maybe a grant or scholarship.
We are looking at some "entry level" pro cameras in the $1500-1800 range. That's about 1/3 of our savings for his education.
Models include these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518555-REG/Sony_HVRHD1000U_HVR_HD1000U_Digital_High_Definition.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/745707-REG/Sony_HXR_MC2000U_HXR_MC2000U_Shoulder_Mount_AVCHD.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878341-REG/Panasonic_hmc40kit_AG_HMC40_AVCCAM_HD_Camcorder.html
and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749467-REG/Canon_4922B002_XA10_HD_Professional_Camcorder.html
My concern is he starts September 2013 so these products may not even be available by then or others will be available. We hope he graduates May 2015. He tells us when he graduates he will maybe find a freelance job or shoot local cable news, build up some experience, maybe after 2 years go for a B.A. at least part time.
Is anything we buy him in 2013 (summer) going to be any use to him as a working professional in 2015 (summer)? So let's say you are a class of 2012 graduate with an AAS in video production. The camera you purchased in the summer of 2010 when you first started, do you still use it professionally? Can you make anything doing freelance news videos, PR videos or local account commercials with this equipment?
We're going to do everything we can to help him. No doubt he will still be living at home in the summer of 2015. By then he's going to have a student loan to pay off. We have a 2005 Hyundai Accent that we are going to give him for college. I hope that thing still runs when it is 10 years old and he isn't making car payments on top of that. The thing has 120,000 miles on it but runs really well. I just fear when he graduates he's going to be in deep debt and have limited employment. I may be wrong. What do you think? Thanks.
We are looking at some "entry level" pro cameras in the $1500-1800 range. That's about 1/3 of our savings for his education.
Models include these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518555-REG/Sony_HVRHD1000U_HVR_HD1000U_Digital_High_Definition.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/745707-REG/Sony_HXR_MC2000U_HXR_MC2000U_Shoulder_Mount_AVCHD.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878341-REG/Panasonic_hmc40kit_AG_HMC40_AVCCAM_HD_Camcorder.html
and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749467-REG/Canon_4922B002_XA10_HD_Professional_Camcorder.html
My concern is he starts September 2013 so these products may not even be available by then or others will be available. We hope he graduates May 2015. He tells us when he graduates he will maybe find a freelance job or shoot local cable news, build up some experience, maybe after 2 years go for a B.A. at least part time.
Is anything we buy him in 2013 (summer) going to be any use to him as a working professional in 2015 (summer)? So let's say you are a class of 2012 graduate with an AAS in video production. The camera you purchased in the summer of 2010 when you first started, do you still use it professionally? Can you make anything doing freelance news videos, PR videos or local account commercials with this equipment?
We're going to do everything we can to help him. No doubt he will still be living at home in the summer of 2015. By then he's going to have a student loan to pay off. We have a 2005 Hyundai Accent that we are going to give him for college. I hope that thing still runs when it is 10 years old and he isn't making car payments on top of that. The thing has 120,000 miles on it but runs really well. I just fear when he graduates he's going to be in deep debt and have limited employment. I may be wrong. What do you think? Thanks.
A. Hi "Upwardly Mobile":
Fellow Contributor "L" covered most of the bases quite well, but the only point he didn't underscore is that MOST good video & film production programs at community colleges HAVE the cameras, lights, mikes, tripods, and other gear that the students will learn on & use.
When I went to a local (but nationally prominent) university with a Broadcast/Film Dept., portable video was still fairly new, but all the film cameras, tripods, & light kits were supplied by the Department for students to "check out" as-needed for class projects.
And most video production students start out with Studio Production techniques (where it's easier for groups to learn 3-point lighting, camera setup & tripod/dolly operation, shot composition, audio techniques & mixing, etc.). No need for portable field gear there.
For field production & Electronic News Gathering, a good college will have a fair number of camcorders for students to use & check out (if needed for outside-of-class projects).
The same is true for Editing Software & computer workstations. Some college programs might be economizing and making students supply their own laptops for this, but all the major software companies offer Academic Editions of their normally-expensive edit suites at discounted prices. And of course, nowadays, apps like iMovie (Mac) and Movie Maker (PC) come "free" as part of the operating system and can accomplish what older (and expensive) software used to do, as far as basic editing.
As "L" mentioned, do a bit of "homework" yourself by contacting the community college's department head & instructors for your son's chosen major. Tour the facilities (studio and edit suites) and ask about the "equipment room" for student project gear. See what textbooks (a major expense) are required, and whether computer/laptop & software expense will be part of what's expected of your son. Only if there's little-or-no camcorder gear (or no hands-on studio cameras) would I recommend buying anything like the models from B+H that you listed.
Almost every cable TV & freelance video job I've had over the past 30 years has "supplied" (rented or company-owned) the cameras & grip gear I needed. I bring my own gear only when it's a "favor" or when what I have is better-suited to the task, or they want a "director with gear". My point being, your son doesn't need to own =any= camera gear to make a living freelancing. A good camera operator can stay busy in almost any part of the country, with just his/her skills. (Same for sound mixers & boom/wireless mike operators.)
hope this helps, and hope it saves you some money,
--Dennis C.
Â
Fellow Contributor "L" covered most of the bases quite well, but the only point he didn't underscore is that MOST good video & film production programs at community colleges HAVE the cameras, lights, mikes, tripods, and other gear that the students will learn on & use.
When I went to a local (but nationally prominent) university with a Broadcast/Film Dept., portable video was still fairly new, but all the film cameras, tripods, & light kits were supplied by the Department for students to "check out" as-needed for class projects.
And most video production students start out with Studio Production techniques (where it's easier for groups to learn 3-point lighting, camera setup & tripod/dolly operation, shot composition, audio techniques & mixing, etc.). No need for portable field gear there.
For field production & Electronic News Gathering, a good college will have a fair number of camcorders for students to use & check out (if needed for outside-of-class projects).
The same is true for Editing Software & computer workstations. Some college programs might be economizing and making students supply their own laptops for this, but all the major software companies offer Academic Editions of their normally-expensive edit suites at discounted prices. And of course, nowadays, apps like iMovie (Mac) and Movie Maker (PC) come "free" as part of the operating system and can accomplish what older (and expensive) software used to do, as far as basic editing.
As "L" mentioned, do a bit of "homework" yourself by contacting the community college's department head & instructors for your son's chosen major. Tour the facilities (studio and edit suites) and ask about the "equipment room" for student project gear. See what textbooks (a major expense) are required, and whether computer/laptop & software expense will be part of what's expected of your son. Only if there's little-or-no camcorder gear (or no hands-on studio cameras) would I recommend buying anything like the models from B+H that you listed.
Almost every cable TV & freelance video job I've had over the past 30 years has "supplied" (rented or company-owned) the cameras & grip gear I needed. I bring my own gear only when it's a "favor" or when what I have is better-suited to the task, or they want a "director with gear". My point being, your son doesn't need to own =any= camera gear to make a living freelancing. A good camera operator can stay busy in almost any part of the country, with just his/her skills. (Same for sound mixers & boom/wireless mike operators.)
hope this helps, and hope it saves you some money,
--Dennis C.
Â
Am going to disneyland in 2 weeks . Am going the 21 of april of 2013 Will it rain ? What should i pack?
Q. I might get my period the 21 too -.-t. Its my first time goinq am so EXCITEEEEEDDDD!!!!!!
A. Well it is impossible to say whether it will rain at that time, the last time I was there around the end of April there were a few days with a bit of light rain, the best day was the one they actually predicted rain, there were beautiful sunny skies that day.
Late April is generally warm enough to dress reasonably light however there is always the possibility of light rain or slightly cooler than average temperatures. I always suggest bringing clothing that can be layered rather than of a specific weight at this time of year. For example light shirts or T Shirts with a sweater and light water proof shell is what my family takes when we go at this time of the year in addition to a light spring type jacket. If you are staying around Disneyland there is not a lot of requirement to dress up. I try to bring a dressy shirt and casual dress slacks just in case along with some decent looking but comfortable shoes. The important thing is to always bring comfortable walking shoes and wear clothes that you are comfortable in. You will do a lot of walking and standing while you are there so being comfortable is very important.
A couple of other suggestions. For pants I sometimes bring the ones with the zip off legs. That way if it warms up during the day it is easy to convert them to shorts. Make sure the pants you wear have deep pockets preferably ones with closures (zipper, snaps, buttons, velcro) on them (there are various cargo/travel pants available for both sexes). That way you can carry a wallet, etc in them safely with the pocket securely closed. Although Disneyland is safe enough there is always the possibility of pickpockets in the crowd. I would not suggest carrying a purse as having two free hands makes the park more enjoyable and you never have to worry about putting it down somewhere and "losing" or forgetting it. I have seen people with fanny packs but when we go we just prefer to carry what we need in our pockets. We even have a pocket sized digital camera.
Of course you need to bring personal items to meet your needs while you are there. Pack for this eventuality and leave most of them in your hotel room along with your other items. Just carry what you need with you. Another option is to rent a locker and use it as needed during the day. Just remember each time you open and close the locker it costs you money so try to limit this. We generally rent a locker, put anything required for later in the day in it then leave. If we do any souvenier shopping we drop our purchases off at the locker once we finish shopping. That way we can enjoy the various rides and attractions without worrying about packages. I generally try to set aside a certain time for shopping. This is especially handy if you more or less know what you want. I purchase, or try to, most of the items in one shopping trip. That way you can also drop all your purchases off at your hotel room then return to the park. Of course I still end up picking up small items however they either go in a locker or in my pockets (if they fit).
Late April is generally warm enough to dress reasonably light however there is always the possibility of light rain or slightly cooler than average temperatures. I always suggest bringing clothing that can be layered rather than of a specific weight at this time of year. For example light shirts or T Shirts with a sweater and light water proof shell is what my family takes when we go at this time of the year in addition to a light spring type jacket. If you are staying around Disneyland there is not a lot of requirement to dress up. I try to bring a dressy shirt and casual dress slacks just in case along with some decent looking but comfortable shoes. The important thing is to always bring comfortable walking shoes and wear clothes that you are comfortable in. You will do a lot of walking and standing while you are there so being comfortable is very important.
A couple of other suggestions. For pants I sometimes bring the ones with the zip off legs. That way if it warms up during the day it is easy to convert them to shorts. Make sure the pants you wear have deep pockets preferably ones with closures (zipper, snaps, buttons, velcro) on them (there are various cargo/travel pants available for both sexes). That way you can carry a wallet, etc in them safely with the pocket securely closed. Although Disneyland is safe enough there is always the possibility of pickpockets in the crowd. I would not suggest carrying a purse as having two free hands makes the park more enjoyable and you never have to worry about putting it down somewhere and "losing" or forgetting it. I have seen people with fanny packs but when we go we just prefer to carry what we need in our pockets. We even have a pocket sized digital camera.
Of course you need to bring personal items to meet your needs while you are there. Pack for this eventuality and leave most of them in your hotel room along with your other items. Just carry what you need with you. Another option is to rent a locker and use it as needed during the day. Just remember each time you open and close the locker it costs you money so try to limit this. We generally rent a locker, put anything required for later in the day in it then leave. If we do any souvenier shopping we drop our purchases off at the locker once we finish shopping. That way we can enjoy the various rides and attractions without worrying about packages. I generally try to set aside a certain time for shopping. This is especially handy if you more or less know what you want. I purchase, or try to, most of the items in one shopping trip. That way you can also drop all your purchases off at your hotel room then return to the park. Of course I still end up picking up small items however they either go in a locker or in my pockets (if they fit).
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