A shopping list of equipment for beginning film makers at DVinfo.net

Rick Hensley · November 21st, 2006, 10:13 PM

Anyone know of an article or post that lists all the major things you need to buy to get started in budget short narratives or documentaries?

I have scanned some and collected the following potential items from numerous sources. This is assuming a non-changeable single lense camera. I am not saying everything listed is a MUST, just trying to get a list of things to think about. So what else is missing?

1. camera
2. on-camera lite
3. floor light kit
4. light reflectors/shades
5. filters
6. matte box
7. mics - on camera, wireless, on boom
8. mic boom, mic wind cover
9. camera crane
10. camera dolly
11. camera stabilizer (like steadicam)
12. external monitor for filming
13. mic cables
14. extension cords
15. batteries
16. battery charger
17. editing PC , and editor monitor
18. second good HD graded PC monitor for picture quality
19. follow focus control
20. tripod
21. storage cases for everything
22. wide angle converter
23. extended warranty
24. clapboard
25. tripod adapter plate if need to quick change tapes on bottom tape cams

additions?

Ken Diewert · December 2nd, 2006, 10:54 PM

Rick,

My 2 cents worth.

Start slower. Then phase it in.

Camera, mic, tripod, editing system.

Then you will likely want to add...

Lights, dolly, crane, etc... etc... etc...

In my humble opinion, it would be ludicrous to start with even half of that stuff as you will spend the majority of your time on the camera and editing. When starting out these two things require a great deal of time and commitment to learning.

Unless you have both a lot of money, and a lot of talented friends who will be; A) willing to schlep all that stuff around, and B) help you use it.

Just save your money and buy it as you need it.

Karl Heiner · December 3rd, 2006, 12:00 AM

here is my start up list/ purchases (stationary/ life recordings) theater/ studio setting)

camera
hardcase
extra batts
filter
tripot
pan handle remote control
7" lcd monitor
field monitor
case
cables
wholsale tapes/ media
tape rewinder
hand truck

Adam Bray · December 9th, 2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hensley

Anyone know of an article or post that lists all the major things you need to buy to get started in budget short narratives or documentaries?

I have scanned some and collected the following potential items from numerous sources. This is assuming a non-changeable single lense camera. I am not saying everything listed is a MUST, just trying to get a list of things to think about. So what else is missing?

1. camera
2. on-camera lite
3. floor light kit
4. light reflectors/shades
5. filters
6. matte box
7. mics - on camera, wireless, on boom
8. mic boom, mic wind cover
9. camera crane
10. camera dolly
11. camera stabilizer (like steadicam)
12. external monitor for filming
13. mic cables
14. extension cords
15. batteries
16. battery charger
17. editing PC , and editor monitor
18. second good HD graded PC monitor for picture quality
19. follow focus control
20. tripod
21. storage cases for everything
22. wide angle converter
23. extended warranty
24. clapboard
25. tripod adapter plate if need to quick change tapes on bottom tape cams

additions?

I think this list is WAY too long.

I'd start with..

1. Good camera

2. Good Tripod

3. Good computer/software.

4. 1 mic

Your personal opinion on all that other stuff is going to change drastically depending on what/where you are shooting. And as mentioned each one is going to take time to learn.

Rick, if you're interested in getting started in filmmaking of any kind, you should consider taking a course at Austin Film Works.

I'm finishing up this week. It's a good course, you learn a lot and you can network with likeminded people.

http://www.meticulouspictures.com/afw/html/index.html

Jaadgy Akanni · December 9th, 2006, 09:36 PM

1) Camera
2) Tripod
3) HDV Monitor
4) Mattebox
5) Home Depot lights
6) the Sun
7) NLE
8) Great original script, great original script, great original script, great original script
9)And most important of all: TALENT and PERSEVERANCE

Jason Strongfield · December 10th, 2006, 11:24 AM

My List according to importance.

1) camera
2) uv lens protector
3) AT4073a
4) Oktava MK-12
5) Arri Softbank IV
6) Tripod (At least bogen 503)
7) SD 302
8) 35mm adapter with lenses
9) Dolly
10) Jib

if you cant afford all these at once, RENT !

Roy Sallows · December 10th, 2006, 02:59 PM

There are a lot more experienced shooters here than I, but one thing I would recommend is an audio mixer. One of the biggest flaws in low-bud video is crappy sound. We bought a couple AT 815 mikes and a small Mackie mixer, which came in very handy both in acquiring sound on location, and in recording music afterwards.

Rick Hensley · December 10th, 2006, 05:32 PM

I never said i was getting ALL this stuff. That was never my intention or within my budget.

This is simply a list of POTENTIAL things people might consider getting someday and to see if there was something I had not considered (e.g. audio mixer - thanks).

What I am interested in doing was creating a relatively complete list and then seeing how people might prioritize the items. So I appreciate the input.

p.s. I already took that Austin class a loooong time ago :-).

Michael Knight · December 10th, 2006, 07:12 PM

High Def camera - or something very close to it.
Sturdy tripod/head combo
Protective lens filter (some say the ProMix 1/4 is a good fit for both protection and HD).
Best lens you can afford (wide-angle shots are smart for 16:9 High Def TVs - and if you're hand-holding they minimise apparent movement at frame edges).
Hard-wired or Wireless lav mics. (Covers your front-man, two-man i'vs, and very quick set-up for One Man Band - OMB).
Short shotgun - XLR style - (can be your hand-held mic, or boomed..or mounted on some cameras). With foam and 'dead cat' wind screens.
Mixer (ENG 44 from equipmentemporium is reasonable and built for this work).
Recorder of some sort (we use a Marantz) for wild sound.
Camera case (depending on size of camera of course....but we use a KATA "turtle Case" that converts to carry-on dimensions).

Speaking of which...if you're traveling, it's best to carry your camera on board, but use UPS to send tripods etc (they apparently will deliver to your hotel or place of accommodation) rather than commercial airlines which have baggage handling "holes" that you really want to avoid.

Lights?
A Lowel Tota Light and stand gives you a one-man-band situation that is better than having a camera-mounted sungun. (A Japanese crew from New York interviewed a friend of mine here recently and that's what they were using....). Very light-weight rig - including blue gel of course for the daylight situation...

Best

Michael Knight.

Wade Spencer · December 11th, 2006, 11:54 AM

Well....what are you shooting? Music videos, training videos, weddings, interviews, adult films? lol

And by the way....you listed all that lighting equipment...get a light meter too, and learn how to use it :)

Harm Millaard · December 11th, 2006, 12:05 PM

From that long list you mentioned, the primary thing missing is recordable media. You can have the camera, the batteries, and all the hardware you want, but where do you record to?

From your original question, Rick, there could be added a lot of things, just look at the B&H catalog, but what will it bring you? Start shooting now and experience what the next step needs to be. A lot of valuable advise has been given, just take it in steps.

November 21st, 2006, 10:13 PM	#1
Rick Hensley Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 52	A shopping list of equipment for beginning film makers Anyone know of an article or post that lists all the major things you need to buy to get started in budget short narratives or documentaries? I have scanned some and collected the following potential items from numerous sources. This is assuming a non-changeable single lense camera. I am not saying everything listed is a MUST, just trying to get a list of things to think about. So what else is missing? 1. camera 2. on-camera lite 3. floor light kit 4. light reflectors/shades 5. filters 6. matte box 7. mics - on camera, wireless, on boom 8. mic boom, mic wind cover 9. camera crane 10. camera dolly 11. camera stabilizer (like steadicam) 12. external monitor for filming 13. mic cables 14. extension cords 15. batteries 16. battery charger 17. editing PC , and editor monitor 18. second good HD graded PC monitor for picture quality 19. follow focus control 20. tripod 21. storage cases for everything 22. wide angle converter 23. extended warranty 24. clapboard 25. tripod adapter plate if need to quick change tapes on bottom tape cams additions?

December 2nd, 2006, 10:54 PM	#2
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Rick, My 2 cents worth. Start slower. Then phase it in. Camera, mic, tripod, editing system. Then you will likely want to add... Lights, dolly, crane, etc... etc... etc... In my humble opinion, it would be ludicrous to start with even half of that stuff as you will spend the majority of your time on the camera and editing. When starting out these two things require a great deal of time and commitment to learning. Unless you have both a lot of money, and a lot of talented friends who will be; A) willing to schlep all that stuff around, and B) help you use it. Just save your money and buy it as you need it. __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

December 9th, 2006, 09:36 PM	#5
Jaadgy Akanni Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: new york city Posts: 346	here's my list 1) Camera 2) Tripod 3) HDV Monitor 4) Mattebox 5) Home Depot lights 6) the Sun 7) NLE 8) Great original script, great original script, great original script, great original script 9)And most important of all: TALENT and PERSEVERANCE __________________ I will be KING!

December 10th, 2006, 02:59 PM	#7
Roy Sallows Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 57	Small suggestion There are a lot more experienced shooters here than I, but one thing I would recommend is an audio mixer. One of the biggest flaws in low-bud video is crappy sound. We bought a couple AT 815 mikes and a small Mackie mixer, which came in very handy both in acquiring sound on location, and in recording music afterwards.

December 10th, 2006, 05:32 PM	#8
Rick Hensley Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 52	never said i was getting all this I never said i was getting ALL this stuff. That was never my intention or within my budget. This is simply a list of POTENTIAL things people might consider getting someday and to see if there was something I had not considered (e.g. audio mixer - thanks). What I am interested in doing was creating a relatively complete list and then seeing how people might prioritize the items. So I appreciate the input. p.s. I already took that Austin class a loooong time ago :-).

December 3rd, 2006, 12:00 AM	#3
Karl Heiner Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: california Posts: 342	here is my start up list/ purchases (stationary/ life recordings) theater/ studio setting) camera hardcase extra batts filter tripot pan handle remote control 7" lcd monitor field monitor case cables wholsale tapes/ media tape rewinder hand truck

December 10th, 2006, 11:24 AM	#6
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	My List according to importance. 1) camera 2) uv lens protector 3) AT4073a 4) Oktava MK-12 5) Arri Softbank IV 6) Tripod (At least bogen 503) 7) SD 302 8) 35mm adapter with lenses 9) Dolly 10) Jib if you cant afford all these at once, RENT !

December 10th, 2006, 07:12 PM	#9
Michael Knight Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mossyrock Wa USA Posts: 65	High Def camera - or something very close to it. Sturdy tripod/head combo Protective lens filter (some say the ProMix 1/4 is a good fit for both protection and HD). Best lens you can afford (wide-angle shots are smart for 16:9 High Def TVs - and if you're hand-holding they minimise apparent movement at frame edges). Hard-wired or Wireless lav mics. (Covers your front-man, two-man i'vs, and very quick set-up for One Man Band - OMB). Short shotgun - XLR style - (can be your hand-held mic, or boomed..or mounted on some cameras). With foam and 'dead cat' wind screens. Mixer (ENG 44 from equipmentemporium is reasonable and built for this work). Recorder of some sort (we use a Marantz) for wild sound. Camera case (depending on size of camera of course....but we use a KATA "turtle Case" that converts to carry-on dimensions). Speaking of which...if you're traveling, it's best to carry your camera on board, but use UPS to send tripods etc (they apparently will deliver to your hotel or place of accommodation) rather than commercial airlines which have baggage handling "holes" that you really want to avoid. Lights? A Lowel Tota Light and stand gives you a one-man-band situation that is better than having a camera-mounted sungun. (A Japanese crew from New York interviewed a friend of mine here recently and that's what they were using....). Very light-weight rig - including blue gel of course for the daylight situation... Best Michael Knight. __________________ All media since 1960. Formerly CP16/Nagra. Currently learning F350/Fujinon HSs18 x 5.5BRM, Mac G5 Quad and FCP Studio.

December 11th, 2006, 11:54 AM	#10
Wade Spencer Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wellsboro, Pa Posts: 285	Well....what are you shooting? Music videos, training videos, weddings, interviews, adult films? lol And by the way....you listed all that lighting equipment...get a light meter too, and learn how to use it :)

December 11th, 2006, 12:05 PM	#11
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	From that long list you mentioned, the primary thing missing is recordable media. You can have the camera, the batteries, and all the hardware you want, but where do you record to? From your original question, Rick, there could be added a lot of things, just look at the B&H catalog, but what will it bring you? Start shooting now and experience what the next step needs to be. A lot of valuable advise has been given, just take it in steps.