There are some people who are really passionate about cinematography but most people have DIY equipment, such as steadicams, sliders, etc. But does the DIY equipment really suffice for creating a professional product? It seems a lot of people have agreed or disagreed on this online. I would also want to hire an audio person, but have not been able to find any yet, but I would assume they have their own DIY boompoles and shockmounts as well since so many others do in other areas. The ones with pro equipment charge a lot more, but is DIY just unacceptable on a professional level?
Should I hire someone with DIY equipment?
- Thread starter harmonica44
- Start date
Watch video samples of their work, to see how well they can use their equipment. If it looks professional enough to you, then yes.
However... if the film budget is calling for professional people with professional gear, they ought to be showing up with the appropriate gear.
Since your budgets tend to be in the smaller range, you shouldn't be too upset if the cam-operator shows up with a skateboard dolly and pvc piping.
Well the script I want to do, I storyboarded so it can be done specifically with a steadicam, slider/ or dolly. And a tripod. So if they can pull off all those, than I guess it's good I guess. I'm staying away from jib shots, cause they are too hard to get around and fit in a lot of locations. Also most people have not used a steadicam but they said they will be willing to learn on a DIY one, and get ready by the shoot days. Is this bad, or should I give someone a shot, if they are strong and passionate in other areas of experience?
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The original steadicam was a DIY project by Garret Brown. It was a solution to a novel problem he'd been having on set... so he built a solution. Scissor clamps for hanging lights from suspended ceiling rails were a DIY solution to solve a problem on set. Barndoors, scrims, dollies, pan and tilt heads for tripods, jibs, silks, diffussion, gels, clapboards, SYNCH SOUND FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Everything you see on set started out with a DIY project. I just had this conversation with my dad last night about how everyone sees the end product of development, but ignores the development process. Everything you can buy was first made by someone who saw a problem to overcome with a thing.
I could buy a cheap knock off of many of the "PRO" products you're asking about... but quite frankly, they don't live up to the build quality I can produce in my garage. Do you want someone on set who can unwrap something from a box, or who can produce a solution should the need arise... I'll hire the DIY guy any day of the week!
Everything you see on set started out with a DIY project. I just had this conversation with my dad last night about how everyone sees the end product of development, but ignores the development process. Everything you can buy was first made by someone who saw a problem to overcome with a thing.
I could buy a cheap knock off of many of the "PRO" products you're asking about... but quite frankly, they don't live up to the build quality I can produce in my garage. Do you want someone on set who can unwrap something from a box, or who can produce a solution should the need arise... I'll hire the DIY guy any day of the week!
What do you think the grip guys do on set when there's a problem that needs to be overcome?
They build a 'DIY' solution.
As to the specific question, if you were comparing apples to apples - ie, someone who had never used the professional version or the DIY version, the professional gear would likely come out on top.
BUT, you're talking about people who are experienced with the gear, who built it themsleves, know the pitfalls and how to overcome them. So the answer is it depends. You may find that someone who built a DIY $50 shoulder rig gets the same type of shots as someone who bought a $1200 shoulder rig.
They build a 'DIY' solution.
As to the specific question, if you were comparing apples to apples - ie, someone who had never used the professional version or the DIY version, the professional gear would likely come out on top.
BUT, you're talking about people who are experienced with the gear, who built it themsleves, know the pitfalls and how to overcome them. So the answer is it depends. You may find that someone who built a DIY $50 shoulder rig gets the same type of shots as someone who bought a $1200 shoulder rig.
If you're not paying them much, then don't expect a lot. But honestly, it's not really what they have but how they perform with what they have. Hence, I agree with Zensteve that watching their reel would be essential. I recently hired this DP because I was impressed with his work in another film. I was surprised when he showed up on the test set with a rig that looked like a wrecked Robocop suit. Hey, he got the job done so no complains here.
As so many others have said, it's all about the final product.
And, after all, isn't a DSLR really a "DIY" film camera? Isn't it standing in for something more "sophisticated"? After all, DSLRs are still cameras, not video/film cameras, and they are being used for a purpose they were not really intended to perform in the first place.
In the end the audience will not care what equipment was used, all they will care about is the film experience.
And, after all, isn't a DSLR really a "DIY" film camera? Isn't it standing in for something more "sophisticated"? After all, DSLRs are still cameras, not video/film cameras, and they are being used for a purpose they were not really intended to perform in the first place.
In the end the audience will not care what equipment was used, all they will care about is the film experience.