Technology advancements are making it easier for anyone to create their own films, whether long-form or short. You don’t always need a degree in filmmaking to produce high-quality videos. However, you need working pieces of equipment to film. But they don’t always come cheap, especially if you’re still a student.
That doesn’t mean you can’t direct and film good movies on a budget. Many professional filmmaking tools have affordable counterparts for beginners like you. If you’d like to begin producing your own indie films without breaking the bank, here’s a brief list of the essential filming equipment that’s easy on your wallet:
1) Editing Software
Before anything else, you must have at least one photo and video editing software on your device. Photo editors are essential for creating posters to attract potential viewers to your film. Unfortunately, most pre-installed photo editing programs don’t have a wide array of artistic options. Hence, you can download a free and beginner-friendly app or use an online free flyer maker to create professional-looking publicity materials that match your work-in-progress.
Regarding video editing apps, pre-installed ones on Windows and Mac aren’t up to par with some of the best software. These programs don’t always offer enough assets to help you create great films despite their availability. It’s why most novice filmmakers would instead download free apps or spend a little bit on higher-quality editing software.
Luckily, many video-creating tools like DaVinci Resolve and Filmora come free, sometimes requiring a small fee for a premium version with the extra features. Even with the unpaid version, you can still edit your film seamlessly and add enough special effects and filters to your liking.
2) Cameras
The next most essential piece of equipment you need is a camera. Without one, you can’t record anything on video. But it’s also vital to gauge the camera’s condition and features aside from its price. You’d want a device that fits your budget yet provides high-quality videos.
DSLR cameras are the go-to for many novice filmmakers. You’ve probably seen several YouTubers use one for their vlogs. DSLRs look expensive—some of them are—but you’ll be surprised to find affordable models from brands like Canon and Nikon. Look for one with replaceable lenses so you can change shots and focus without changing your camera.
If you want to save money as much as possible, your smartphone may already be the best camera you have. Most of the latest phone models record clear, movie-quality videos that you can edit straight from your device. You can even buy detachable phone lenses for similar camera effects if you use a DSLR.
3) Tripods
Unless you intend to create a found footage film like The Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity, it’s crucial to have a tripod to stabilize your camera. Shaky shots and improper framing are common mistakes by newbies. So, even if you’re a novice on a budget, you mustn’t ignore the steadiness and position of your camera. Therefore, you’ll need a tripod.
You’ll find many affordable tripods in different sizes. Some are handheld with easily adjustable legs like the GorillaPod. Others are standing tripods made of aluminum alloy. They’re tall enough so you can operate one without hurting your knees or your back. There are also affordable monopods available if you don’t enjoy the bulkiness of regular tripods.
If you have the extra funds and plan to skip the DSLR or your phone, you could use a camcorder with a built-in stabilizer instead. They’re also handheld and record crisp, acceptable videos even by professional filmmakers’ standards.
4) Audio Equipment And Software
Great films not only have excellent shots but clear audio, too. Even if you don’t wish to include dialogue from your actors, background sounds and music can alter the look and feel of your film. Thus, you must pay good attention to the audio during filming and while editing.
While filming scenes, you must have at least one good microphone to pick up your actor’s lines when they say them. Shotgun mics are the perfect tool for DSLR camera users. Just mount it to your camera and record. It’s compact and only picks up audio from where it’s pointing. But if you’re filming action sequences, find a lavalier microphone that receives omnidirectional audio and is small enough to attach and hide in your actor’s clothing.
As for audio editing software, Audacity is an excellent novice- and budget-friendly program since it’s free to download and relatively easy to use. Thanks to its available assets, the software lets you remove or lessen background noise and create sound effects. You could even speed up or slow the audio as you wish or truncate uncomfortable silence from longer shots.
5) Lighting Equipment
Lighting is one of the most challenging film elements to control, especially if you’re using natural light. But for videos filmed in one location like a small room, you can play around with lights with house lamps, torches, or other artificial lighting.
Once you gain experience and your budget increases, you can invest in reflectors, soft box lights, and ring lights. You may also get some LED panels if you have a crew to help you out. You’ll see the improvement of your succeeding videos when you keep the lighting as one of your top priorities when filming.
Conclusion
You don’t always need expensive and professional tools to create art. Even affordable equipment can do the job well if you take your time to choose the best options for your budget. Filmmaking is a great activity to turn your stories into movies, and you shouldn’t be weighed down by pricey gear so that you can film something top-notch.
Cory Cleveland is a production assistant and a film enthusiast. He has been sharing his expertise in filmmaking through writing guest posts. Cory also enjoys watching movies and series and script writing in his free time.
