With the holidays coming up, it gets tough knowing what to get everyone, or if you're like me, WHAT TO ASK FOR! Right off the top most filmmakers will tell you they want a Macbook Pro if they don't have it and an awesome DSLR. Wait! You don't have to go out and splurge, because when it comes to filmmaking, being resourceful is key and anything that can help make stories become more believable is a huge help!
Splurge( Over $100) vs. Save ( Under $100)
Splurge list ( You're really playing Santa this year aren't you?!)
* List from less to more
Leave a comment below on what you think would make a great gift!
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Splurge( Over $100) vs. Save ( Under $100)
Splurge list ( You're really playing Santa this year aren't you?!)
* List from less to more
- Light Kit
- What's so special about it? Lights are highly important for filmmakers and photographers, because it sets the mood for your story, it brings a clearer image and better quality, and it teaches more about using lighting in professional areas.
- What kind should I get? Lowel is considered one of the top light kits. If you're willing to put forth the cash, it's well worth it. Cowboy studios is also a great light kit brand for a lower cost.
- Best light kits
- * Lowel To Go 95 Tota Light Kit with Soft Case LB-30 GO-95 LBZ*
- Cost - $559.98
- Description: (2) Lowel 750w Tota Lights and Accessories and a Soft Case
- *CowboyStudio 2275 Watt Digital Video Continuous Softbox Lighting Kit/Boom Set
- Cost- $220.00
- Description:
- Two (2) Top Quality Light Stands, One (1) Support Boom Stand
- Two (2) 20" x 28" Softbox, Two (2) Premium Light Socket, Two (2) Power Cord
- Ten (10) 45 Watt 5000k Compact Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Photo Bulbs, One (1) 65 Watt 5000k Compact Flurescent Daylight Balanced Photo Bulb
- One (1) Quick-Setup Softbox with AC Socket, Three (3) Carrying Pouches for Softbox
- One (1) 2 Section Boom Kit with Grip Head,One (1) Sandbag,One (1) Carrying Case
- * 900w (3x300w) Lighting Photography Studio Kit
- Cost- $298.57
- Description:
- THREE (3) Professional Studio Strobe Lights: 300DI, with their own 75-watt modeling lights. This strobe is typically used for background, fill, or highlighting. 300DI is equipped with buzz function. The modeling lamp can be adjusted from full to proportion. With pre-flash system, it can fire on the second flash in sync. High quality barn door with honeycomb 4 Color Gels (Translucent, blue, red, yellow) Four (4) color gels to allow you to have different background colors. . One (1) Honeycomb designed to give you ultimate control on the direction of your light. Soft box: A soft box is an essential piece of kit for the photographic studio utilizing continuous or flash lighting, creating even, natural, diffused light distribution and eliminating extreme highlights and hotspots. Black/Silver Umbrella: This is an Interfit 33" (84 cm), Sliver/Black Backing Umbrella. Silver umbrellas are used to bounce light onto a subject. A wireless radio 16-channel trigger set comes in the package. Three Professional Duty Aluminum Light Stands. To give you a place to attach your Softbox, the kit includes two lightweight heavy duty aluminum stands that extend to 190cm. Lamp Modules The 300DI produces a superb light that will bathe your subjects in a variety of lighting effects. These are very high quality professional strobes that will give you years of service.
- Camera
- What's so special about different ones? Why not just get a regular camcorder and call it a day? Different cameras are going to provide different quality. Almost everyone is on the HD bandwagon and even some are onto the 3D cameras * check out my post on 3D filmmaking. DSLRs are the new hit to the film industry to provide beautiful quality and gives the filmmakers more versatility with lenses, focus, and more. Professional video cameras are going to bring the best results but cost a huge penny even after purchasing it you're going to constantly provide more accessories for it.
- Best Cameras DSLR vs. Professional Video Cameras
- Canon T2i, Canon T3i, Canon 60D, Canon 5D ( listed from low price to high price)
- Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder
- Description :
- 1/3" CMOS Sensor
- Native 1920 x 1080
- 24Mbps AVCHD Recording
- 60i, PF30, PF24, Native 24p
- 64GB Internal Flash Drive
- 10x HD Zoom Lens
- Dual SD Memory Card Slots
- 3.5" Touch Panel LCD Screen
- Dual XLR Inputs w/Detachable Handle
- Waveform Monitor, Peaking, Zebra 70/100%
- Cost: $1899.99
- Sony HDR-AX2000 AVCHD Camcorder
- Description:
- 3 1/3" CMOS Sensors
- 1080/60i, 1080/24p, 30p
- AVCHD Capture (@24Mbps)
- Wide Angle 20x G-Lens
- Manual Zoom, Focus & Iris Rings
- Dual XLR Inputs
- 3.2" Xtra Fine LCD
- 1.5 lux Sensitivity
- 3 Built-in ND Filters
- Uses Memory Stick PRO Duo / SDHC Cards
- Cost: $3499.00
- Software
- What's special about it? Professional and serious film editors often use Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, and Avid. All of these can be quite pricey but very worth it if you're thinking of taking your passion to a professional level or working for someone else as most companies require experience with these software.
- Final Cut Pro (Mac based software)
- What does 'The Social Network', and 9 Oscar winning documentaries have in common? You guessed it, they were edited with Final Cut Pro. Needless to say this is a very professional video editing software Mac holds a candle to.
- Cost? If you're a student it can be bought for $300. If you're aren't a student it can cost up to $1200.00 Final Cut Pro X costs $300, but has received many low ratings for it seeming to be like an advanced iMovie. Final Cut Pro 7 is still on top.
- Adobe Creative Suite ( Mac and Windows based software)
- What's special? The After Effects program that comes with the suite is every special fx and graphic artists dream! This software can make it look as if someone just got hit by a car, animate, and so much more!
- Cost? Adobe Creative Suite costs around $1600.00 You can purchase one program separately, but to buy the suite together saves so much more money if more exploration is wanted! But for a great deal go to Amazon for Windows Based computers here - Great Deal!
- Sony Vegas Pro (Windows based software)
- What's special? Vegas Pro 11 just added the 3D video editing tool to their software! You can burn Blue-Ray discs, Edit HD, SD, and 3D format, and more. It's an excellent editing software for people using Windows computers to deliver high quality results.
- Cost? $600.00 , you may not be able to do the high end graphics like you can with After Effects * which is separate from video editing*, but for this price that's a steal!
- Light Kit
- Light kits at a steal!
- 2 Photography Studio Continuous lighting kits with two daylight CFL light bulbs and comes with two umbrellas!
- Cost? $52.99 !
- Ok, what's the catch? You won't have as much versatility as you have with light kits with barndoors, but speaking from experience this is an excellent light kit that gets the job done at a low cost.
- Light Accessories ( If you can't afford a light kit, accessories are even better!)
- 22" 5 in 1 reflector disc, this can turn any light to a sunnier effect, soften the light, create different moods, and diffuse any light you are using whether is daylight or artificial light.
- Cost? $7.65!
- Ok, what's the catch? Instead of using umbrellas, all you need is either a C-stand or someone to hold the reflector for the light effect you're going for. Most reflectors cost this much and are very compact to throw in the car.
- Light Cube ( Even I want this!)
- Professional Studio Photography Light Tent, Ever see those commercials where it's a product that's perfectly lit in an all white background? with no shadows? They used a light tent! This is even perfect for photographers.
- Cost? $36.95
- What's the catch? Nothing.
- Camera
- There are tons of HD cameras out there for a lower cost!
- Kodak PlaySport Camera is a great HD Pocketcam that is also WATERPROOF! Throw this in your bag and get a realistic feel for an artsy documentary or a great " docuhorror" ( Blair witch project, paranormal activity, etc.) It makes the story sometimes seem more real.
- Cost? $99.95 ( Yeah I know it's pushing the $100.00 limit)
- What's the catch? Although the quality is great for such a low price, there is less versatility with creating a cinematic effect.
- Camera Accessories ( Close to 100 killing your pockets? Have no fear lower prices are near!)
- SD Cards!!! Every filmmaker and photographer can never have enough. Memory is always needed The more we can record without having to delete, the better!
- Transcend 16GB HD SD card ( this can get up to an hour on a DSLR camera of recording and more on lower quality cameras)
- Cost? $19.99
- What's the catch? There's no catch, SD cards can get very expensive so this is a great price!
- * Find more on Amazon! The higher the GB the better!
- Software
- Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 (Windows based)
- This software enables you to edit with 3D formats! Edit with cool graphics, Holds over 360 songs and music to use in your projects, and more.
- Cost? $63.99
- What's the catch? The features are limited compared to Sony Vegas Pro as far as all of the things you can achieve, but for a fresh amateur filmmaker just starting out, this is a great deal!
- Amazon Gift Card
- Amazon has the best deals and prices on anything found on the web! I've bought almost all of my equipment from them and I would have loved to have an Amazon Gift Card.
- Cost? What ever you decide!
- What's the catch? Depends on if the person you're shopping for likes to shop online or in the store. If they like to shop in the stores try a Visa Gift Card!
Leave a comment below on what you think would make a great gift!
