Versatile Equipment?

HowdyDoo

HowdyDoo

Well-known member
I am about to embark on my second feature film conquest having learned a great deal from my first. Throughout the past two years I've shot many commercials and I've begun to realize something about my own personal approach to filmmaking and art in general.

I like to mess around. ALOT.

I am not an organized, shot-for-shot storyboard type and every time I try the text book approach to filmmaking I end up with an overly produced, generic, unoriginal piece. *This is not an attack on the process of filmmaking but more or less an observation of my own creative approach to the medium.

Since I have embraced my reckless approach, I have had wonderful results, developed my own style, and now I want to outfit my equipment arsenal to best fit my disposition.

Any thoughts on the easiest, most versatile equipment available for indie filmmaking today? For example, what's a good doorway dolly that can be used for interior/exterior shots, work in small spaces, with a quick set up? Or what's a good shotgun mic that works in all environments? I'm looking for efficient equipment that can be set up QUICKLY. Run and gun type of stuff.
 
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:shocked:

Uh thats a lot of questions.... What kind of budget are you talking about?

There are no simple answers to your questions, it usually comes down to what people can afford. Otherwise its too broad. How much do you have to spend on a mic? On a crane? On a tripod?

I could tell you all the equipment I have but that might not help you at all.

Also, one thing you didn't mention whatsoever is lights. You HAVE to have lights to make your film look like it has any production quality whatsoever. As soon as you add lights, you're not 'run and gun'ing. You can to an extent but you're talking set up for every shot. Thats why people have storyborad. To figure out how they wanna block and light a scene before hand so they spend less time figuring out what the hell to do on set, and more time directing talent.

So you've done commercials and a feature, what lighting and set ups did you use? If you dont have a dolly a shotgun mic, a tripod or stabilizer, what did you shoot on/with?
 
Versatile Equipment

Versatile Equipment

I know they're rather broad questions. My hopes were to find someone that shoots in a manner similar to mine and might be able to list off their equipment.

I guess I'm looking for a documentary style rig for narrative filmmaking.

For instance, I was filming inside a highschool cafeteria when someone told me a giant blimp was making an emergency landing on the football field outside. I wanted to grab EVERYTHING and dash outside and do the scene in front of all this because it fit PERFECTLY with the subject.

I am a very spontaneous filmmaker and am curious about what equipment is available for my needs.

Currently I shoot with a Lowell light kit and a ME66 microphone. I never have had much use for recording sound much at all up until recently.
 
I would look into a decent monopod, that would definately give you versatility for your shots and the need to "run and gun". There are a few briefcase dollys out there, but they can get pretty expensive. If you want a dolly that works good inside and outsider you'll have to get one that runs on tracks (hindering your mobility) or a scooter type dolly with oversized wheels. Instead of a dolly you might want to use a stabilizier. Barry S did a review of the Varizoon Flowpod, which can be used as a stabilizier and a monopod, so that would kill 2 birds with one stone.

Article here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/VZflowpod/
 
I would still ask what you have in terms of budget.

The me66 may be a fine mic for your budget. For around the same price, I prefer my at4073a. Or do you have like 2 grand to spend on mics. Theres some good info in the audio sectoin here. Most people I think that have plenty of money have several mics and use different ones in different situations.

As far as sticks, get something light. Any bogen carbon fiber legs will do, the head is extremely important.

What are you using now?
In the 400 dollar range, you can get the bogen 503, which is great. Spend more and get the cartoni focus which this site did an article on as well.

As for a fast portable dolly? Nothing works as well as one thats on tracks, so theres no fast way to move that around. But like loop said above, you can use a strap on dolly with large wheels. I have a set of 4 inch wheels I can strap to the bottom of my bogen, and it works ok on carpet and plush substances. Hard substances and especially any surfaces with debris however, renders it worthless. You would definitely wanna go with some kind of steadycam.
 
Sounds good!

Sounds good!

Sounds good! I am looking into that cartoni focus right now.

As for mics, that's funny you mentioned that. I actually have exactly 2k to spend on mics.

You mentioned dolly and track. I can't afford giant doorway dolly but I don't want to buy a flimsy piece of junk. Any advice on a good 2k dolly and track?
 
The only dolly I have any experience with is the DIY kind, with pvc pipes interlocked by wooden dowels. Can't help you on that.

The focus is supposed to be very good so you should be happy with that. As for mics, 2K is out of my price range, so I'd ask in the audio forum, some great info there.

Good luck, its cool you have that kinda budget!
 
I only have this kind of budget because I'm single, live in a really, really poor neighborhood in Oklahoma City, eat PBJ & Honey Nut Cheerios everyday, and spend every dollar I earn on my art. I'm kind of stupid like that.

Thanks for the advice!
 
How about a stabilizer? Glidecam...Steadicam...
That would give you the mobility you seem to crave.
 
A stabilizer is seeming more and more like the absolute best option for fast smooth motion. Any idea on the quickest, easiest stabilizer to balance?

For hand held I ordered a spiderbrace because of their price.
 
HowdyDoo said:
A stabilizer is seeming more and more like the absolute best option for fast smooth motion. Any idea on the quickest, easiest stabilizer to balance?

For hand held I ordered a spiderbrace because of their price.
Click to expand...
I am certainly not an expert concerning stabilizers. I use a Glidecam with Varizoom DV Sportster vest. It's a "low cost" option but for a little more money you can step it up considerably. This is a question best addressed by Mikko Wilson or Pookie.
 
I mean the easiest stabilizer to configure.

I have used both the first steadicam jr. made for miniDV (years ago) and the first glidecam. The glidecam was a giant pain in the butt because you had to attach the camera directly to a plate at the top of the unit. That plate also slid forwards and backwards to adjust the weight distribution of the camera. That meant that everytime you attached or removed the camera you had to change all your weight settings and the realign them before you shot. It was a pain.

That was around 7 years ago so I'm sure things have changed since then.
 
HowdyDoo said:
The glidecam was a giant pain in the butt because you had to attach the camera directly to a plate at the top of the unit. That plate also slid forwards and backwards to adjust the weight distribution of the camera. That meant that everytime you attached or removed the camera you had to change all your weight settings and the realign them before you shot. It was a pain.

That was around 7 years ago so I'm sure things have changed since then.
Click to expand...
That's still pretty much the case. But they do make quick release do-hickies now. I don't have one. Each time I use the Glidecam, I have to balance it, but I've done it enough times now it's a lot easier. I think I'm going to need to contact The Yankee and see where he got his quick release plate.
 
FYI...

Any good stabilizer with full floating capabilites (3 axis gimbal) will need to be rebalanced when anything is added or taken away. That's it's nature. The trick is to find one that is easy to rebalance, or should I say "easier" to rebalance.

Some are better than others. We have found our PILOT is easier than most in our price range.

I hope you don't mind my butting in.

Smooth Shooting,

Tery
Indicam
 
pilot...

pilot...

Please... butt in. That's helpful information. I'd never heard of the Pilot stabilizer until now. I really did not like the Glidecam set up because of the four gold screws used to hold the sled in place. I was just WAITING to drop or loose them in the middle of a shoot and render the whole rig useless.
 
HowdyDoo and all,

I think you mean the eight gold screws as there are four on the bottom of the camera stage for the side-to-side adjustment as well.

I have owned a few Glidecams and am aquainted with the owners of the company. I like them and am glad they made an inexpensive good stabilizer.

We did make changes to things we wanted improved. We use only two wing nuts on the camera stage so balancing is made easier. Also our gimbal is machined and adjustable on the post. This makes drop time balancing much easier and keeps the system more linear. The machined gimbal costs a lot more to make but it's worth it.

We also have a dual articulated arm support system that really is a must if you do any serious shooting. It makes it so much easier to hold and handle. When your strained you're not concentrating on the shot as much.

Smooth shooting,

Tery
Indicam
 
Wow. I really like the look of your rig. The backpack/vest idea is perfect for my needs. Is it $1490 for the whole rig or just for the articulated arm?
 
HowdyDoo,

Thanks for the comment. It is a good rig.

$1490 (does not include shipping etc.) is the price of the complete system at the present time. We will be changing our pricing structure soon as the price of aluminum has gone WAY up.

Tery
Indicam
 
Hey Tery,

I like your site, but it never mentions the weight capacity of the indicam. It mentions how much total the sled should be, but how much total weight should the camera + MB + etc...?

-j
 
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