Any cheaper alternatives to these Sound and Light packages? Please help

S

Steve33825

Member
Ok I'm a independent filmmaker whose just starting out. Actually I've been starting out since 2007 and I was supposed to shoot my first short film this past summer but I had an unexpected financial delay which stopped me from getting the rest of my equipment. I have the camera (HV-20 Canon), I have the headphones (MDR-7506 Sony), and I have a Targus tripod. I'm missing my sound and light equipment which I'm stuck saving up for until next year. I find these packages to be ideal, but I'm trying to see if perhaps there's a cheaper alternative to them so that I wont have to wait so long to save up and purchase them:

SOUND
DVcreator Location Sound Package $499
http://www.dvcreators.net/rode-ntg-2/

BeachTek DXA-6vu Dual Phantom XLR adapter $359

LIGHTING
Indie Filmmaker 900 Series from EOS Lighting Inc $495
http://www.eoslightingllc.com/cm/filmmakers/tungsten/indie-filmmaker-900/

5 in 1 Folding Fill Reflector $175
http://www.eoslightingllc.com/cm/fi...es/5-in-1-folding-fill-reflector/?type=detail

Tungsten Boom Support System $195
http://www.eoslightingllc.com/cm/fi...ies/tungsten-boom-support-system/?type=detail

I'm going to be shooting independent shorts to feature length projects. If you see anything here I don't need, please let me know. Sound and lighting equipment is the last thing stopping me from making this film as far as shooting/production equipment goes. If you can help me find any cheaper alternatives (but are not poor quality but acceptable enough) to these items/packages, that would be great. Thank you very much :)
 
Random thoughts:

- What kind of film are you shooting? (Day/Night, Indoor/Outdoor) This will give us a better idea of what to recommend.
- That Rode mic is fine (I have the NTG1, it's great for the price), but I would recommend a different boom-pole. Go for the cheapest carbon fibre Gitzo. It's around the same price, and much better.
- The lighting kit doesn't really have that much in terms of wattage. If your entire film consists of closeups it might work... maybe.
- That reflector kit looks a little pricey, though having never used it, who knows, maybe it's really high quality...
- You're looking at a lot of kits. Theoretically this could save money, but you're better of buying stuff separately. It's usually cheaper and higher quality.
 
That sound kit will work well, but the Rode NTG-3 / $1 Blimp deal is a steal if you can swing it.
 
Or, how about just rent some really great equipment (and shoot on the weekends, when rental houses will cut you a deal)?
 
Vanlam,

First off, how much wattage would be enough then? Would it make any difference to use that same company's Fluorescent light/Day FLO package instead? Secondly, its not depending on what type of film I'm shooting here I'm going by what I can use for ANY type of film *long-term*, both indoor and outdoor, I'm looking for something that's do-able for both. My problem with buying stuff separately and not in a kit is that I'm not too knowledgeable about the smaller stuff like cords, etc. With kits, all that small stuff comes with it, and anything else thats missing from the kit I can just buy separately.

jwing,

I would prefer to own the equipment as opposed to renting it. Renting charges by day or hour right? Well suppose a huge delay happens on set, or I have a flaky pivotal cast member who doesn't show up more than once, or something else? I just wasted renting money right there. If I owned it, no skin off my back, pack it up and try another day. Plus I won't have to pay money to rent the stuff when I do a camera/footage test scene prior to shooting.
 
That bounce is awesome, but super expensive. If you're on a budget then I say you go with your basic bounce board. The cost will be next to nothing and you'll have more of it. You can even get some silver backed board to add some different looks, or buy some muslin and soften/warm it up. I may be alone but I see basic white bounce board used more often than that 5 in 1, though I have met people who swear by the 5 in 1.


I agree about the lighting kit not having the wattage.
 
Scott,

So how much wattage is enough wattage? Would it make any difference if I go for the Fluorescent packages on their site instead?
 
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