Worth buying this gear in my situation?

D

DDirector

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I'm in my 2nd year of College. 21-years old. I have been into photography for a few years then moved on to cinematography. I've been in it for about 4-5 years.
I want to work in the film industry as a Director of Photography.

I own only a Canon T2i DSLR.
I've shot on digital (my camera) and on 16mm and now shooting Super 16.
I only shoot short films of mainly comedy, action, horror/thriller genres. Ocassionally music videos or some other stuff.

My equipment list as of everything I own:
-Canon T2i
-Canon 17-55mm IS f/2.8
-Batteries (2x)
-16gb Cl.10 Memory Cards(3x)
-Sekonic L785 Cine lightmeter
-Arri lighting kit (300,650,1000w)
-Diffusion
-CTB gel
-Basic photo tripod
-Redrock shoulder mount

That's pretty much everything I own, of what I can remember.

I don't have much money on me. Maybe $200-300. I'm saving up slowly. In a few months, ill have more money.

I've been considering on buying some things to get me going on making better films such as:
-Matte Box
-ND3,6,9 Filters
-POL Filter
-Dolly/Slider
-Tripod
-Lights

I don't know what would be essential for me to get to make better looking films. - Quality wise obviously!

I'd like a tripod, but that's going to be a good $1,500 for one. And that's too much for me now. I do have a basic one, thatll do for stationary shots.

What would you guys consider to be some essentials to have for a low budget? Of around $500ish

*I am planning on shooting a short film in the summer. It will be all handheld, so tripod isn't my top priority for this shoot. It will be mainly indoors. I would need a lot of money to do this. So, saving would be nice to do. But, I'm not sure if its best to rent everything out for something that will not give me my money back after completion as it'll probably end up on YouTube. So, I'd rather own as much as possible than rent and not get my money back or have any gear in the end after all that money spent.
 
I think if you are wanting the bare essentials necessary for a good shot, and we're looking at the list you had, then I would go:

1.) Lighting (This will make or break your shots)
2.) Dolly/slider (A lot more freedom when it comes to composition)
3.) Tripod
4.) Matte Box

I think a Matte Box is one of those things which is nice to have but not ESSENTIAL for creating a good film. Remember that you can quite happily apply filters in post. (Obviously an ND filter on set will be a lot better than adding it in post)

Doing some reading up on some lighting techniques (http://www.lowel.com/edu/) and having a look at the equipment they use will make a huge difference.
Having a Dolly/Slider/Jig makes a HUGE difference in terms of production value as it gives you a crap-load more options for actually doing your shoot.
I've always been of the idea that a tripod is a tripod is a tripod. Even getting a basic fluid feel one like DV-7000 should be more than enough!

How are you finding the RedRock Shoulder Mount?
If you're finding that great then maybe you should look at a Follow Focus?
You can pick up a good quality FF for around $280 or go for a Hard A-B stop one for around $380, depending on whether you want to save money or not.

Apart from that, the only other thing I could recommend would be a 15mm rail mount with a Magic Arm and an HDMI monitor for attaching to the Shoulder Mount. Something which is portable but will give you better feedback than just the LCD screen on the T2i.
 
for your situation id put a good 5-9" monitor and follow focus near the top of that list. just under the ND and POL
 
I thought about a monitor, but really, how will this help me to improve the quality of my shots? Its more of a visual aid, but doesn't change much of video quality wise.
It may help on focus, but if you take your time to measure and practise focusing, I don't see the need for one really. That's what I thought. Kinda same for a follow focus. Canon lenses have a weird focus ring. Its not even throughout and requires faster turning of the focus at greater distances. Very weird and may be odd to pull focus.

I am looking for just the bare essentials for shooting. Lighting is a big thing as I am a DP, so I know what its for and how to use it. But I was wondering if there would actually be something more essential than that as lighting gets really complex and expensive, I thought renting would be a better option, but I don't know.
 
Just something I want to add...

This isn't just for me. I've been applying to several places to get jobs as a DP. Since I'm in College, not all of it is paid. Most of the time its voluntary to get experience and credit and something to put up on my reel.
So, having some equipment will benifit in the work term to get me more jobs. So, its not just having it for myself, but to get jobs as a DP/Camera Operator/Gaffer.
 
Definitely need more than 2 batteries. Buy generic off Amazon or eBay.

Of your current kit I'd sell the light meter and the Arri kit and invest in a really good, solid tripod. I wasted my money on one of those "ePhoto" tripods and eventually sunk some money into a Sachtler and it's literally not even comparable. Those ePhoto things have no business being called tripods after seeing how well a Sachtler works. Instead of a matte box just get a rubber hood that screws onto your lens, they can be had for 4 dollars online. Every time I've been on a DSLR shoot with a matte box it's been a nightmare. Invest instead in a nice set of screw-on ND filters. A nice set of those will cost less than a single 4x4 filter for a matte box. Sliders are cool but there by no means essential. Definitely put a solid tripod above a slider.

Be on the lookout for grip/electric/AC jobs, as that's the best way to start working your way up to DP and gaffer jobs. Of all the departments on set, camera seems to have the longest "gestation period" so be patient and don't be bummed if you're not working as a successful DP in the next 2 years. The most important investment you can make in your career is investing your time and energy in shooting and getting better, so don't get wrapped up too much with the gear end of it and just get out and shoooooot!
 
My lightmeter and my Arri kit are the most important pieces of equipment I have! I would never sell them!
I'm not selling anything I have to get something else. I buy it because I use them and need them.
 
You don't know whether you'll be stuck in a studio or shooting run-and-gun style in the future, and if you don't want to even consider an external screen or a follow focus then I don't really know what else to say...

When you're talking with the budget you have set aside, you need to be looking for bang-for-your-buck, and right now I think you're going in the wrong direction.
 
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first above all on that list I would put a decent tripod then the ND filters,

Libec has some very decent starter video tripods.

sliders, matt boxes , follow focus are the nice to have extras but far from necessities. Know of several people that have very nice and expensive shoulder rigs with mattboxes, and FFs with monitors that just sit in their car because its too much of a hassle to set up and end up just using the basics.

there are hundreds of filmakers making decent stuff with out the gimmicky things but solid basics.

Then invest in lighting.
 
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Good tripod ($600 range minimum, more if possible)
Sound (unless you do the much better option and partner with a dedicated audio guy)
Lights
Some way to come off tripod when needed (shoulder or steadi)

Everything else is gravy. It speeds up production, increases your options, but isn't critical.
 
I understand how a monitor is a useful tool and comes in handy. But I don't believe it is essential to have.
I am still purchasing lights as I know that it is an essential to making good "pictures".
 
$1500 tripod? Really?

As stated above, you have a sub-500$ camera, why would you waste 1500 bucks on a tripod? Get a decent fluid head tripod for under 200$, MAX. I've been shooting for a very long time and never spent anywhere CLOSE To 1500$ on a tripod.

Essentials:

Audio
Lights
Steadicam/shoulder
Batteries
Memory/Storage
Loope/external Monitor
Crane/Dolly
 
The only issues I see with either of the tripods presented is their overall height. I have the 717 and it's short, 5'0". There really isn't an alternative under $500.00 though.

I bought a 6" Manhattan monitor. It's so much better for focusing, but I have a 7D and it has HD output.

You might want to look at software. Red Giant has some great products. Depends on what you're shooting I guess.
 
In my preferred order...

1. audio (juicedlink and mic or other)
2. filters (ND's, CPL, etc)
2. lighting (i prefer focuseable halogens; you can shoot at whatever shutter speed without flicker/banding, and you can have hard or soft light with diffusers)
3. steadicam/shoulder mount, and learn how to use it (or a rail system with shoulder mounts, which i prefer)
4. follow focus (and practice)
5. external field monitor (you would be surprised how useful they are)
6. tripod (at first i used boxes, logs, milk crates, i even hung my cameras by the straps instead of dishing out big money for what gravity can do for free)
7. dolly rig (i have one that i never use; i prefer shoulder mount)
8. Mattebox (i had one, hardly used it, and sold it. also 4x4 filters are crazy expensive. you can use practically anything to block lens flare)

In order of what i use the most...
1. audio gear (juicedlink, rode NTG-2)
2. lighting (i have 8 800 watt focuseable halogens, 4 softboxes, and sticks for them including 2 booms, all fits in 2 duffel bags)
3. shoulder mount/rails
4. follow focus
5. field monitor* (used to have one for my XH A1, i miss it but the T2i's have pretty poor performance via HDMI, with MagicLantern Magic Zoom and good eyes i do just fine)
6. Tripod (i keep the camera moving most of the time)

i have never used a dolly or crane, but if i did i would likely figure out a way to maintain control of the follow focus (10'+ follow focus whip lol) and use an external monitor. I will likely never buy another mattebox (i had a pretty nice one too) because they are a pain, filters are expensive, and my Adidas hat can block lens flare with a rubber band around the lens barrel, or a box; whatever. I know they serve a purpose, and when i had mine and filters i used it, but overall it was $1500 better spent on lenses and other gear. frankly a used pelican case is also a good investment. and lenses.
 
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