10 Essential Pieces of Equipment For New Film Makers

I'm just getting started in film making. (Love the forum by the way.) Anyway, I have a budget for equipment of say $3500. Could be a little more if needs be. But I can't for the life of me figure out what the absolute must-haves are to make my first film.

I've read dozens of posts/articles about so many different types of equipment from software to cameras, to lenses, to microphones to mixing boards, that my head is spinning.

I guess what I want to know is: what ten pieces of equipment would you recommend the newbie buy to make their first respectable film? (Kind of an Indie-Film-Making-Starter-Kit) I'd like my finished product to be capable of being entered into festivals---even if the chances are slim to none of winning, I'd like to do my best to not produce a piece of junk.

Thanks in advance for all your help,
_Coal
 
More details would help. Do you want specifics or generals? Ill assume your shooting a narritive short:

1. Camera (or its not a movie :P)
2. Shotgun mic with XLR cable
3. Lights (4 pieces should do along with some china balls)(does this count as 4?)
4. Boom pole
5. Mixer
6. Slate
7. Expendables like gaff tape, black wrap, dueve, etc

i
 
Canon Eos 5D mk ii
spare battery
2 x class 6 16GB SDHC cards
18-55mm lens
50mm f1.8 lens
Zoom H4N
Rode NTG 2 kit
XLR cables
MDR-7506 headphones
Gaffer tape
Crutch leg tripod
1 Blonde
2 redheads
2 china balls
defuser sheet
reflector

I think you may need that bit extra... + I'm assuming that you have about $1500 worth of editing equipment to deal with the footage?

SMITH
 
Ah, just re-read your post, you want editing software... well Final cut pro if you've got a mac. Maybe drop down to the 7D or the T2i if the 5D is busting the bank
 
It's not a good idea to make a list of 10. It just doesn't happen in neat little numbers like that. You need to break down each dept. with equipment, expendables, etc.
 
I was sort of enjoying the unintended countdown format too, but then again I also think Monk was a normal guy so you really can't go by me.

In any event, these are some good suggestions which I'll do some looking into. I have about three or four different screenplays barking around me right now and I'm not sure which one I'm going to go with but it seems wise on such a shoestring to limit the number of locations as much as possible. I've been writing my whole life so I feel like I can mold the story around the locations/budget. Basically what I'm looking for is a shortlist of 'must haves' in terms of equipment and post production software for the new guy. I don't want to spend the next few months shooting something and then find out that my audio sounds like a tin can. Likewise I've viewed the shaky VHSesque results of not paying enough attention to lighting. I guess I was hoping to tap into that 'if i could do it all again and start out with XYZ this is what I would buy' sort of thing.

Again, thanks and any further suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Well, for that amount you can probably budget a pretty decent 2-5 days of shooting with up-and-coming student or just starting out freelance types for token short narrative film rates, with someone else's kit and setting aside a substantial budget for food.

Heck. You might be able to fund two of those scripts with that money.

Just a thought. But if you're goal is writing and directing, gear isn't necessarily what you need. If you're goal is to be a DoP, or an editor, or a production mixer, etc - then gear is more essential.

I figure the expenditures are determined by the long term goals. An editing station of your own is pretty much essential, even if you don't end up as the final editor.
 
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I guess what I want to know is: what ten pieces of equipment would you recommend the newbie buy to make their first respectable film? (Kind of an Indie-Film-Making-Starter-Kit) I'd like my finished product to be capable of being entered into festivals---even if the chances are slim to none of winning, I'd like to do my best to not produce a piece of junk.
I'll play. And give you a list.

But first; you're just getting started. You know that equipment -
even more than ten essential pieces - isn't what is going to get
you a movie capable of being entered into festivals. You have just
as good a chance of getting accepted in a film festival with a
great movie made with an old VHS camera, a 30 year old mic and
household lights as you do getting accepted with a movie made with
all the top of the line equipment. And I'm sure you know that it's
the skill and talent of the people using the equipment and not the
equipment. If you do not know how to use a 30" China ball or a
Rode NTG 2 you won't be able to make a movie that's any good.

I don't want to spend the next few months shooting something and then find out that my audio sounds like a tin can.
This is why most filmmakers hire an audio person. And why all
professional directors and producers do. But if you want to do it
yourself (which is how everyone of us posting here started) then
you should prepare yourself. You will spend months learning how to
get good audio. It's not easy.
Likewise I've viewed the shaky VHSesque results of not paying enough attention to lighting. I guess I was hoping to tap into that 'if i could do it all again and start out with XYZ this is what I would buy' sort of thing.
In all honesty, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a
single thing. I loved learning and making mistakes was part of
that process. I spent months working of films that were poorly
lit, badly exposed, had terrible audio, and just plain sucked. I
spent months working on and building my own do-it-yourself
equipment only to have it not work. and I wouldn't change a thing.

Okay, you want a list of 10 Essential Pieces of Equipment For New
Film Makers:

Camera
Tripod
Mic w/all cables
Boom pole
Four lights with stands
Four power strips
Five extension cords
black wrap and gels
gaffers tape
a slate with marker

I'm gonna add four more essentials making the assumption the first four on my list fall into the "well duh" category.

2 china balls
2 bounce boards
a bunch of C-47’s
a coffee maker
 
Decent of you Directorik to put so much time/effort into a list. Appreciate the help. I get your drift: the ouch of mistakes sticks better in any realm than being told what to do.

I guess to distill it down I'm just hoping not to waste too much money at the get go. (The skills on the other hand nobody can hand me.)
 
I guess to distill it down I'm just hoping not to waste too much money at the get go.

Then you're in luck! Make your first film with as little equipment as possible, which will help teach you what you need for the next time around...

I have this aluminum case for my old (OLD) Sony tube VHS camera (before camcorders, before CCDs...you had to hook this up to a separate VCR to record anything. Sigh...I still love that camera). About 12" by 14" by 24". I took the camera and the foam out and lined it with felt and filled it with everything I NEED to make a movie. It's my one-man-band "run and gun" box.

1. Camera in carrying bag (Canon HFS100)
2. Compact tripod (SLIK Compact XL)
3. Shotgun mic (ATR 6550) with 20' extension cord
4. Shock mount and handle for attaching the mic to the camera
5. $14 Steady-Cam (basically a set of 3 12" aluminum pipes and connectors and weights which help give the camera a larger mass for steadier handheld shots)
6. Headphones for monitoring sound
7. Macro lens
8. Extra batteries for the microphone and extra rubber bands for the shockmount
9. 8x10 white card for white balance
10. Notebook and pencil for logging shots

And I mean "run and gun" quite literally..."There's a doins' transpirin' at the ol' mill! I could maybe make a direct cinema-style documentary if I LEAVE RIGHT NOW!" I have made decent impromptu films with just the things in that box.

For anything planned, I rely on directors of photography, lighting designers and audio personnel who bring their own equipment.
 
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