252 The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, 4E

Know What You Need

Before you head to the computer store (or before you start surfing online for a good deal), there are a few technical specs that you need to be sure of.

nHow fast a processor do you need?

nHow much storage will you need for your intended project?

nHow much RAM will your editing and effects packages require?

nHow important is portability? Will you use this system on the set for organizing filebased media? If so you may want to consider a laptop.

nDo you want a second or third computer monitor?

nHow many backup drives will you need?

nWill you need to input or output videotape? If so, you’ll need a video card and a video deck.

nDo you have lots of audio sources? If so, you may want to incorporate a mixing board into your system.

nDo you have multiple workstations that you want to share media over a network? If so, do you want to invest in a networked storage server?

nDoes your editing, compositing, or 3D software support network rendering? If so, do you want to build a render farm?

There are many products and options out there for the digital filmmaker. If you’re making a traditional film with limited special effects, you don’t need to worry about most of them because your needs are fairly simple, so don’t go overboard in building your system. If you are working on a project with lots of graphics and effects, you’ll need a more robust system with all the bells and whistles and a way for multiple editors to share media. Stick with what will work best for your production and aim for a system that can support the software that you prefer to use. You can always upgrade along the way.

Photo credit: William MacCollum