Hey all:

I would encourage anyone to use NIFP as a discussion forum for questions and opinions on writing, shooting, acting and editing. I work with video for a living so I can offer up anything the manual doesn't explain.

Here's a quick take I wrote on the easiest way to shoot a music video on DV for cheap. Assuming you have ANY recent computer.

i am not a rah rah type guy, but if you have a well planned script and some kind of creative vision, ANYONE can shoot a music video. If you have even a 2001 or 2002 midrange PC or a 1999 macintosh, just fill it with ram and a big new $99 hard drive and you should be good to go for DV editing.

I am a Mac nut and work with Final Cut Pro and the FCP Studio at work. I love it. You set in and out, drag the clip to the timeline and apply effects. Infinitely customizable keys, groups etc. Video with Quicktime and OSX is rock solid and built on UNIX. No viruses ever.

As far as buying new gear, it's pretty affordable. A brand new Intel Mac mini with Imovie would do everything you need at $600-$800 or a imac at $1299 if you want to go that way to start. Link to what IMOVIE 6 can do for ya: http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

And then if you need more, Final Cut Express should have a version for intel macs soon. $299 for that. Thing I like about macs lately is with the iLIFE suite, the "free programs" are sooooo much better than the PC equiv. And with OSX and Quicktime you can pay incrementally for more PRO features. Makes sense. Want the newest version, pay the upgrade later. With Final Cut Studio at $1299 you can edit and burn High Def DVDs with pro sound, effects, graphics, etc.

PC: I know very little. Windows has issues. Linux has very little video editing software.

Here's what Avid offers for FREE. Avid FREE DV program is good but not quite like iMOVIE. PC or Mac OSX. This is a free 'crippled' baby version of what WAS the industry standard for many many years:
http://www.avid.com/freedv/index.asp

Heres the link to download all their tutorials.
http://www.avid.com/freedv/tutorials/index.asp

That said, your mileage may vary. Firewire is your friend with video.

Write for questions or post commentary, thanks!
Rhett (president at nifp dawt org)