FEATURE: Essential Filmmaking Equipment for Beginners

So you have decided to take a plunge and head into the dark world of filmmaking? You want to be the next Quinton Tarantino or Steven Spielberg but not quite sure where to start or rather what you'll need? Filmmaking gear can be really expensive and with the market flooded with all sorts of gadgets, some essential and some really just unnecessary, it can be frustrating deciding what to invest in and what to pass up on.

From cameras to cables, I have assembled a list of filmmaking must-haves for beginners.

Camera:

First up on the list is, obviously, the camera. You are in the motion picture business, you need something to film on. While it would be nice to own a high tech video camera with all the fancy filmmaker deets, those beasts can be hella expensive for an indie filmmaker, especially a beginner. So your next best option is the DSLR. With high image quality but much more affordable than pricey, professional-grade video cameras, DSLRs have become a staple for indie filmmakers. They can give you the same quality as many 'hollywood' productions but they also require a greater skillset to operate as they shift in and out of focus quickly. However, a few tutorials and  plenty practice should help you to easily get in the nick of things. Then again, cinematography can never be fully mastered in one go. Every shoot comes with different challenges and presents a new set of skills to be learned. The most prominent and widely-used DSLRs on the market are the CANON 5D MARK III , the NIKON D800 and the PANASONIC GH3.

Tripod:

After selecting the best camera for you, you’ll need to invest in a tripod stand for more secure, steady filming. Many filmmakers know that they need a tripod, but many also make the mistake of not taking their time and paying the much needed attention to detail as they do with the camera. If you want your film to turn out professional and reflect best quality, you will need a tripod with a fluid head which will allow for more seamless, fluid pans and you want to ensure that the tripod can support the weight you plan to load on it. It should also have the right grip at the stands for both smooth/soft and rough/hard surfaces. If you plan on taking a lot of low angle shots, make sure to check how low that tripod can stand. Without checking for all these details, you run the risk of everything you film turning into a shaky, blurry disaster! The SACHTER ACE M, the MANTROTTO MVH500A and the MAGNUS VT-400 are some of the best tripods for DSLR video shooting currently on the market.

Lighting Kit:

Now this will probably be the most expensive investment in your storeroom. I personally think that lighting is probably the most important element in filmmaking. Without proper lighting, all the work done in wardrobe, make-up and production design can easily go down in vain. And quite frankly, it doesn't matter how compelling your storyline is or how great your actors are, no one wants to watch a movie with poor picture quality, and lighting works hand in hand with your camera to ensure that everything comes out looking good. If you plan on doing a lot of inside or studio filming, you will need a solid lighting setup. Typically, a properly illuminated scene requires a three-way lighting configuration but you want five for the best results. LED panels provide a cinematic lighting effect when used properly. Look for LITEPANEL and IKAN brands.

Microphone and Boom Pole:

Capturing the audio is just as important as nailing the visuals and relying solely on the built in microphone that comes with your camera is just not acceptable. So to make sure that all the right sounds are recorded clearly without any of the unnecessary noises, you’ll need to buy both a shotgun mic and boom pole. Shotgun mic/boom kits are relatively cheap, and when coupled with a handheld sound recorder you have a great starter kit. The RODE VIDEOMATIC and the RODE VIDEOMIC PRO are both ranked as some of the best shotgun mics in the industry. SENNHEISER also produces quality gear that's affordable. A wireless microphone is essential if you plan on doing documentaries, news stories, talk shows or basically any type of filmmaking that requires interviews. The SENNHEISER EW 112P is a recommended wireless mic system.

Audio Connector Cables:

I did mention earlier in my list that as a professional filmmaker (yes, even at beginner level), it is just simply not acceptable to fully rely on your camera's built in mic to record sound. If you want the highest quality audio, you have to get either a shotgun or wireless microphone and therefore, you’ll need an audio plan to sync your microphones to your video camera. XLR audio cables are the best way to do that and can be purchased for around E300 to E500.

Of course, there are plenty of other equipment and accessories that can be found used by more advanced filmmakers, but when you are starting out and budget is tight, the above list should have you covered for good quality work. Some may find even these quite expensive to acquire at beginner stage, but I would highly advise filmmakers to invest in these basics before heading onto set and risk coming out with a disaster film that would have wasted both your money and time!