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ADVICE needed on documentary filmmaking equipment

6 years, 7 months ago - Susie Coreth

Hi All,

I need some advice on what equipment is best to buy/ hire for a short documentary film. The quality need to be high (big screen), but I have a low budget.
I will be filming interviews (inside and on location) and scenery from a small four seater aeroplane, so the equipment needs to be small and compactable. I will need a zoom lens that can cope with filming from above an aeroplane formation plus the city/ landscape beyond it, ideally able to capture both in one focal length.

I am an amateur filmmaker so am looking for any advice on what equipment I should be taking - camera, sound, lighting...

Thank you,

Susie

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Response from 6 years, 7 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW

6 years, 7 months ago - Hardy Saleh

I am a documentary filmmaker working on an ambitious short project at the moment.

When I started I had the choice between a Canon HF G25 camcorder with external mic and a 4K Sony A6300 stills form factor camera with associated rig etc. I was advised to use the A6300 because of the image quality. I have since conducted 18 interviews with it for the film and can say that whilst I am very happy with how the film is coming together I am certain that the camera has been a hindrance to the story and substance of the film.

I couldn't afford to make the investment at the time but if I could have I would have purchased a 4K camcorder style camera with XLR inputs such as the Sony NX-80. It has a relatively large sensor for the form factor and a very good autofocus system. It also has stabilisation, a built in zoom lens and ND filters. All things that are not typically built into DSLR form factor cameras.

I would also add that you need to give consideration to the sound. A wireless lavalier microphone such as the Sennheiser system is great, and perhaps a decent external on-camera mic as a backup/ambience.

I have shot only available light so cant advise on what you need for lighting setups.

In short I would advise that you keep the kit as minimal as possible and learn it thoroughly, that way you are not spending time charging several types of batteries and offloading data from camera and second system sound etc which really does get in the way of even an experienced self-shooter documentarian. I would argue that you should be spending as much time as possible on interview/story prep and as little as possible on kit.

Response from 6 years, 7 months ago - Hardy Saleh SHOW

Response from 6 years, 7 months ago - Tony Franks SHOW