When I graduated from film school with stars in my eyes and ideas in my head, I put every penny I had toward a brand new camera, thinking that once I had this important tool the rest of the world would come to me. I found out I was wrong in this assumption, and while I love having my camera, I am now wise enough to know that I should have spent my money on more lasting and practical investments, such as:
1. Lights: Nothing can compare to a good light kit on any set. Even a small, cheap soft box will immensely help your production quality. And being able to expertly light an interview or certain wedding moments will lend credibility to any freelance video maker, especially one just starting out. Additionally, and best of all, lights won't become outdated in six months. Sure, more expensive lights are better in all situations, but if budget is a consideration, a good light kit can pay for itself many times over.
2. Lenses: In this day and age, camera types and bodies are changing on a yearly basis; six months in some cases. This makes investing in the expensive camera bodies financially impractical, but investing in versatile lenses always comes in handy. No matter what kind of camera is being used, there is a lens adapter that makes all lenses functional on any shoot. A wide variety of lenses can be useful when on a shoot that requires a specific type of shot or situation.
3. Sliders/Jibs/Steadycams/Tripods: I've lumped all of these in one category because they're all effective for the same reason--they're stabilizers that can be used for every single shooting situation. Tripods are the safest bet when working in the video industry; you will always need a steady stable shot. This is also true for the other three, they help to make dynamic and interesting camera movements while stabilizing the picture. This equipment is universal in usage and adaptation; you can attach any sort of capture medium to a stabilizer (even an iPhone).
4. Storage Media: This is a fundamental tool that every filmmaker needs to own. No matter what is being provided or shot, the footage will need to be stored on something. The new filmmaker should own that storage device; don't chance losing footage because you have to return a CF or P2 card to a rental house.
5. General Tool Set: Lastly, go get yourself a set of basic tools--hammer, measuring tape, gaffers tape, screwdriver, ratchet, etc. One thing I have learned is that a shoot can be unpredictable. You can make yourself stand out on set by having that tool that everyone needs but for which no one came prepared. Especially gaffers tape. More than one shoot has been saved because someone came through with gaffers tape.
Written By: Jeremy Hatfield
1. Lights: Nothing can compare to a good light kit on any set. Even a small, cheap soft box will immensely help your production quality. And being able to expertly light an interview or certain wedding moments will lend credibility to any freelance video maker, especially one just starting out. Additionally, and best of all, lights won't become outdated in six months. Sure, more expensive lights are better in all situations, but if budget is a consideration, a good light kit can pay for itself many times over.
2. Lenses: In this day and age, camera types and bodies are changing on a yearly basis; six months in some cases. This makes investing in the expensive camera bodies financially impractical, but investing in versatile lenses always comes in handy. No matter what kind of camera is being used, there is a lens adapter that makes all lenses functional on any shoot. A wide variety of lenses can be useful when on a shoot that requires a specific type of shot or situation.
3. Sliders/Jibs/Steadycams/Tripods: I've lumped all of these in one category because they're all effective for the same reason--they're stabilizers that can be used for every single shooting situation. Tripods are the safest bet when working in the video industry; you will always need a steady stable shot. This is also true for the other three, they help to make dynamic and interesting camera movements while stabilizing the picture. This equipment is universal in usage and adaptation; you can attach any sort of capture medium to a stabilizer (even an iPhone).
4. Storage Media: This is a fundamental tool that every filmmaker needs to own. No matter what is being provided or shot, the footage will need to be stored on something. The new filmmaker should own that storage device; don't chance losing footage because you have to return a CF or P2 card to a rental house.
5. General Tool Set: Lastly, go get yourself a set of basic tools--hammer, measuring tape, gaffers tape, screwdriver, ratchet, etc. One thing I have learned is that a shoot can be unpredictable. You can make yourself stand out on set by having that tool that everyone needs but for which no one came prepared. Especially gaffers tape. More than one shoot has been saved because someone came through with gaffers tape.
Written By: Jeremy Hatfield
Associate Producer/Blogger
Edited By: Laura Ettinger
Edited By: Laura Ettinger
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