Re: how to exploit miniDV ARTISTICALLY on the big screen?

Ed,

I think that aside from the economic reasons, many choose to use a mini DV camera for "stealth" purposes. I know we do this in the news genre when we can't get permission to shoot at a specific private location, or otherwise don't want to tip our hand, while other requirements of non-expectations of privacy prevail.

Nowadays it can be quite costly and labor intensive to properly get permission and/or permits to shoot on both public and private locations, with insurance requirements and public safety issues and the like. It is often difficult to convince those in authority that your project is "non-commercial" and they should waive otherwise restrictive location fees and requirements.

Most independent filmmakers who systematicly "steal" location shots have become adept at describing their projects as documentaries and thus hitch hiking on the presumed 1st amendment rights of the "press" that include unhindered access to public property.

Otherwise, as regards the technical stuff, it should be quite obvious that one should exercise the care and planing that goes into making any artistic film; previsualize the shot/scene, make sure all the participants know what to do, even rehearse if necessary. Choose the time of day and direction to shoot in consideration of the sun or other source of available light. Support the camera on a tripod or dolly or other mount that will allow the type of shot that we are used to seeing in a film exhibited where you hope to show it. If handheld, the skill of the operator must come into play, etc.

The beauty of your question regarding "artistic exploitation" is that it presumes that an artist in involved, has a vision and a plan and will presumeably execute and refine it until such time as he/she is satisfied! One of the possible results is art....another is garbage.