The problem with a lot of films these daze is that it is all about geewiz and not story. (particularly Hollywood – look at anything Micheal Bay does) This best films are the small independent film because they have to focus on story. That is what filmmaking is all about – telling a story. But this is not new. I remember working at a theatre in the early '80's and the owner and I were complaining back them about the lack of story in Hollywood films. Why is Pixar so successful? Story!
Gear is the ends to a mean. It helps you tell the story. The better you know your gear, the better you can craft your story. This is why it is very important to have the right gear for your abilities. Some require less and others more. I am of the less. I grew up with SLR's and 16mm cameras, so I know them well. Some grew up with video cameras so they know them well and want their camera to be like that. I do not recommend everybody use a HDSLR. It is more like a film motion picture camera than a video camera. It requires the patience and practice the a film camera requires. Some just do better with a video camera. The manufacture's are responding to that need of a large sensor video camera the does not rob the bank. But, it will still require good focus techniques because of the shallow depth of field.
Learn your craft so you can tell a great story.
This was a response to a great article on ninofilm.net