Well, I will do my best to answer all of this
1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
Budget is probably close to $600+birthday (around 400-500 more)
2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?
Little to no experience, but I am very willing to learn. I have used my moms Sony alpha 500 with Minolta lens'.
2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
I have none of my own.
4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)
I plan on using it to film skiing as well as other possible endeavors. And perhaps a little still photography as well.
5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
This would be nice, but not 100% necessary.
6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)
Follow cams and probably film from a tripod. Not a huge park skier
7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
2009 MBP 13 inch
Processor 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
Plus 1 tb hard drive
7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
I have nothing yet, possibly "investing" in FCP or something similar
---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?
Yes
2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?
No
3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?
No
4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?
Yes, if need be.
5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
We will alternate in the BC but I will film most park