Help needed with a Theatrical production.

[I need help please]

Hello,
My name is Alex and I am the Props Master for an up comeing production of AS YOU LIKE IT at Messiah College in Grantham PA right next to Harrisburg. Here is my issue, I have been given the job of trying to find an 8mm camera (60's Vintage) and make the live action being filmed go directly to a projection screen. Anyone have any Ideas? I really only need a 8mm camera that can be hooked to a high tech projector directly. Oh yeah and I have maybe $20 dollars tops that I can give to this in my buget.

If you have ANY suggestions please EMAIL me at AL1178@messiah.edu

Thank you so much
-Alex

[Andreas Wideroe]

Eh, what do you mean? Do you want to use the RGB outputs of a vintage 8mm camera and hook it up to a projector? This is film you're talking about, not video... You can't connect these cameras to projectors. What you can do is film the whole stuff, send the reels off to a lab, have it back in 2-4 weeks and then project it.

However, you could always achieve something by putting a small videotap-camera on the viewfinder and then connect the viewfinder to the projector. Actually, then you don't need the 8mm camera at all...

Have a look at eBay for an old camera, there are plenty there within your budget.

Andreas

[DriveIn]

....at Messiah College

If you are at a college, there should be someone around there with a modern video projector used for power point presentations, lectures, ect. Do you have an audio visual department that could go over this with you? Then you just need any cheap color or black and white security camera shoved inside a pseudo camera housing to simulate the stage effect. Set a vintage projector on a table over the modern video projector to simulate the use of the projector (the projector would be a prop, running but not functioning). It'll take more than $20, unless all the equipment is available on campus. Good luck, don't break a leg running around trying to find a vintage film camera. It won't be your answer based on your description. Save the broken leg for opening night.

[jessh]

one option not mentioned would be simply to film the exact same thing that will be happening in front of the camera before hand, and then projecting it during the actual play. It won't be right on with what the camera is actually looking at, but depending on your requirements it might give a cool effect.

I have an 8mm camera at home that I could probably fit a pinhole camera and video transmitter in, the lense elements are also easily removed. Though that would cost more like $200 than $20.

~Jess

[Lucas Lightfeat]

one option not mentioned would be simply to film the exact same thing that will be happening in front of the camera before hand, and then projecting it during the actual play.

~Jess

Er....isn't this exactly what Awand just suggested. In my experience of theatre, this is a dangerous idea, as the actors will have to do exactly what is on the film. I suggest that hiding a video camera inside Super8 camera is not quite possible for $20, though if you try it a cheap security lens is the way to go.

A Beaulieu 8008 is the camera of choice - it is an 8mm video camera, but it looks a bit like a super8 camera. Hide the wires through the actor's clothes maybe - it shouldn't look like a video camera! Insert the sound of a cine camera over the PA system perhaps.

If you buy a really cheap old video camera, you could gut it and make it look like a cine camera by making a new fake 50's shell for it.

Good luck,

Lucas