Actor/Writer must purchase a video camera and mac computer. Please help!

Question

I'm an aspiring actor who has decided to purchase a camera and mac computer. I decided this after much contemplation regarding my current situation. I'm leaving too much in other's hands by holding out hopes to use student film footage for my reel. The truth is, of the student films I've acted in, the quality of each film is mediocre at best. I'm not comfortable with the idea that putting my best foot forward with agents and managers submission packages (headshot, resume, reel, letter) will be these films.
The bottom line is, I want to take full control of the situation. And by doing that, I want to purchase a camera and mac computer to edit and burn the footage with (writing my own scenes, gathering Boston and NYC based actors via Craigslist). I should add that my desire to buy a camera goes beyond creating my reel. I also have a strong interest in putting together some short films I've written.
I don't know much about cameras, so I guess the first question is do I get a standard or HD camera. Also, do I opt for something like a Canon XL2, or aim for something under a grand? A good friend mentioned once that if I wanted to start shooting films to submit to festivals, then to go for a XL2. How long would it take me to learn how to use said camera? What would the difference be if I aim for something under a grand quality wise? If I don't get such a pricey camera, than I'm looking at a mini dv based camera.
I want to do my full on research before I invest in anything. Price is not an issue. Everything is going on credit cards and I want this to be the main focus on my life. My reel and my short films. With the reel coming first.
As for a mac, I'm thinking about a macbook pro, unless anyone here suggests otherwise? It has to be a laptop for when I move back to Manhattan in the fall with my finished reel.
Any and all comments are greatly appreciated in advance. Feel free to ask me any follow up questions if you need more info to make a suggestion.
A huge thank you in advance. Cheers.

Answer 1

Dear Blair:
Because you and I are in similar
circumstances, I decided to add
your thread to my active list.
You can see my writing in Goat's
thread, "choosing a camera," to
recognize the similarities and
differences in our positions.
In a nutshell, I am gearing up
for music video production, both
custom order for bands and for
cable release.
I can tell you a couple of things
about ordering your Mac Pro.
Most everything has already been
taken care of by Mac, but be sure
to option the 7200 rpm hard drive.
The price diference is negligible,
but the recommendation regards
audio quality.
Second, be sure to get the 4mb
L2 cache, not the 2mb. I think 4mb
is standard, but check it out.
The reason is that with long runs,
the cache does not have the chance
to refresh itself as often as it
would in, say, web surfing, where
you stop and go frequently. I was
uncdertain about this when I ordered,
but fortunately, the machine came
thrugh with a 4 mb L2.
I thinnk you are all right ordering the
MacBook Pro at this time. I have no
regrets. Still, there are things to
be considered, and that's where I am
right now. So, see the thread and keep
in touch. There are a couple of outstanding
contributors to the thread, ian and integron,
to name two.
In your field, post dubbing is going to
be very important to you, am I right?
To get the best quality you want a
synced scratch voice track and capacity
to improve it in the studio. So, in
your search, be sure your rig supports
true voice overs, meaning, you can listen
to the original audio while watching the
action, and over dub a studio quality
track. Remeber, everytime the cameraman
moves the camcorder, the mike moves. You can
see the problem.
In my case, music video, live, I want
a separate audio master, which goes into
the release track along with effects and
narration, and that master has to be good
quality and consistent level. Got me?
In your case, what they call a scratch track
is the basis for later studio reproduction,
I mean, you watch the picture and lip sync the
words.
You mention camera and that is what we are
talking about in the thread mentioned. I have
used Adobe Premiere, so I assume Final Cut
is going to do the job. I did add Final Cut
Express to my Mac order, and it came in the
package as a CD, for an extra $80. I think
it will have been worth it.
So, those are the only three options I asked
for when I ordered the Mac -- the cache, the
HD speed, and the FCE.
Like you, I am looking at the Canon and the
Sony tape storage. Before I jump. I want to
be danged sure the MacPro will support editing
functions. We are discussing now the CCD vs.
the CMOS and there are several issues. I am
hoping to shoot Hi Def wide screen original,
loking ahead. I don't htink that may be an
issue with you. As I see it, you want to basically
demonstrate your talent. However, editorial
ease and control should be an issue with you.
Remeber, the studios are run by very conservative
people, so you might lay low on the tech dazzle
and pitch to the fundamentals of acting with
a nuts and bolts presentation they are more
likely to respond to as opposed to drawing
attention to the technology, which to them
simply represents more unwanted investment.
Best wishes,
Ed Shaw