In recent years, the accessibility and approachability of cinema quality recording devices has allowed film making to find it’s way into our everyday life. From cinema quality images created by DSLRs like the Canon 5D Mark III (only $2,800.00) and even the 6D or 7D Mark II (both of which come in under $2,o00.00), and even the awesome images created by the Apple iPhone, film making has become something that anyone can do for a reasonable price. It’s not just the ability to create video for the common person, it’s now that you, your buddy, your mom, anyone, can not only create video with their smart phone, but the images are beautiful, cinema quality. (Good lighting, angles, and story are sold separately.)

Along with the influx of cameras is the recent accessibility and affordability of editing software that is not only user friendly and simple to learn, but it’s also Hollywood quality. While Avid has been the industry standard, and is still used by many an editing house and on many a feature film, Adobe’s Premiere Pro and even for a while Apple’s Final Cut Pro have (had) been used increasingly more on television, feature films (such as Gone Girl) and on your mom’s documentary of Christmas morning and your first date – you didn’t see her in the bushes filming you with her iPhone 6 did you? While there are many “seasoned” editors who swear that there is no way you can produce a quality edited product on Premiere, more and more pieces are coming out that prove just the opposite. Again though, it’s not just the ability to create professional products, it’s the fact that, like with a DSLR, you don’t have to be a seasoned, long time film/television professional to even understand and utilize the equipment/software.

With the advent of “the cloud”, Adobe has made their long and generous line of software products available at an incredibly affordable rate per month. For around $50 a month, one could get their “holy-crap” package that comes with literally everything they have to offer; you could edit a film, color correct it, do professional audio editing, after effects, and more for a fraction of what Avid costs.

So, there you go… if you love Avid, which there is nothing wrong with, have a ball; but, if you’re like most people on Earth, I say go with the budget friendly option that will work just as well. You can take that extra cash and buy a sweet shirt or… some tacos for your friends.