A shopping list of equipment for beginning film makers

[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?

[Ken Diewert]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.