thanks Cwhit

that kinda sums up everything.

and as for the camera, I guess i'll go for a combination of form-factor ubiquitude, with best image quality for the money. So I'll stick with my canon hv-20 choice.

thanks all.

And remember that new cameras come on the market about every 3-5 months. By this time next year you can find a great used 24p or whatever camera you want...or by the time you graduate who knows what will be out there to use...whatever it is you will be ready with your skills to utilize a fairly new camera and kick some serious tail! For learning purposes you simply need a camera that shoots. Learn your shots, your lighting and keep shooting. Study and shoot! One of the best study techniques is to watch your favorite films with the sound off. Then you pay attention to lighting, framing, shot selection and editing.

Excellent points CWhit. However, it is not motion blur but frame rate, and the speed of flicker. Motion blur is controlled by the shutter angle and is dependent, but not directly tied to, fps.

quote:

One of the best study techniques is to watch your favorite films with the sound off. Then you pay attention to lighting, framing, shot selection and editing.

Sounds like a good advice.. I'll do that.
I'm fully aware that as in anything else in life, practice (i hate to sound a cliché) makes perfect (aaaarghh).
The ability to transfer what's on your mind to the screen only takes skill, and skill takes practice. As for talent, that's beside the point here

Thanks for the correction TitaniumDonut. It's great to see people get past the frame rate issue and get to what's most important... shooting...shooting...shooting! Go for it!