Microbudget Movies:
Gear

Choosing the right gear for microbudget movies might not even be an option for you. If you already have equipment (or access to equipment) you’re probably going to use that. As with all other aspects of the microbudget movie experience you can’t let appearances get you down. A lot of great cameras today look to the casual observer like a piece of “home movie” apparatus. Sometimes this works to your advantage when over zealous authorities want to see the permits you don’t have.

The debate over the latest and greatest piece of gear is too involved for this brief outline section but there are a few basic things to look for in any camera that you might consider using.

Assuming you’re shooting video any three-chip camera is a good jumping off point. (Although some newer High Definition cameras use a single sensor instead of “chips”.) The next big ticket item is XLR audio input capability (whether in the form of XLR jacks on the camera itself or by hooking a box into the camera that allows for this type of microphone connection.) A headphone jack and manual focus complete the “must haves” on any camera setup. (Though the manual focus could probably be debated as a must have.) Camera manufacturers and video retailers would probably hate to hear the process broken down to that basic a point of view but in truth, everything else is either a luxury or a matter of personal, subjective taste. At the end of the day the person behind the lens is going to be the biggest factor in determining what kind of results you’re going to achieve. A good shooter can take a decent picture with a cell phone but if you can lay your hands on a camera with the basic “entry level” professional features described above that same shooter should be able to do some very nice things.Audio is a huge factor but frequently ignored or given only slight consideration when considering your gear choices. Don’t fall into this trap. The audio capabilities built into even the most basic camcorder are astonishingly professional. The trick lies in using a good microphone, using it effectively and getting it plugged into the camera. Using a microphone mounted on or built into the camera is fraught with peril. This often results in picking up all sorts of extraneous noise like the internal workings of the camera itself, or the sound of someone touching the camera to activate the zoom or perform some other function. It can also pick up the sound of the camera operator breathing. Get the microphone away from the camera and close to the thing you’re trying to record.

As with everything else in microbudget movie making your lighting and grip gear need not be too prepossessing to accomplish the task. A trip to Home Depot can do wonders in this area. Standard work lights do the trick. (Although you may want to paint them flat black if they’re bright yellow.) Paint roller extensions can be turned into very effective boom poles and a sheet of foam insulation can become an incredibly effective reflector. And you can buy duct tape at Big Lots or Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars a roll instead of paying $50.00 or more for “gaffers” tape from the “expendables” department at a professional camera store. (Because money is one expendable you don’t have in surplus.)

Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to convert “household” items to fit your needs. Sometimes you don’t have any choice but to buy specialized equipment (breakaway bottles come to mind) but many times you can come up with lower cost alternatives that may not impress anyone on the set but will get the results you want on screen.