General E&G Inquiry

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filmstud

It has been a week and I've looked at just about every entry level pro camera.
I found the Canon XH-A1S. I am not worried about it's small viewfinder or its inability to record 720p so I've decided on it. I'm going to build a workstation around video editing and specifically Premiere and After Effects to go with it. What camera accessories and Equipment should I invest in? I'm starting film school and we'll be shooting a mix of studio and on location.
All advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
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Welcome to indietalk.

There are many answers to your question. Many people starting film
school do not invest in much equipment right away choosing to only
buy the obvious - mic, boom, tripod - and use equipment from the
school. Some feel it's important to own light and grip and audio equipment.

So are you asking about lights? Audio gear beyond a simple shotgun
mic and boom pole? Do you need camera stabilization gear - can you
afford it? Will you be buying grip equipment?

I have a cut and paste list of equipment (posted often on the boards)
that would give you an overview of what low budget filmmakers use. I
would be glad to post here if it would help. Is that what you're looking
for? A list of everything? Or do have a budget and want to know the
essentials within that budget?

What film school are your starting? Do you know what they have available
to you?
 
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filmstud said:
Your list would help for sure. I'm sure the film schools got a lot of equipment but I'd like to have my own setup for accessibility.
Click to expand...
Glad to post it - or you can look around here on the
boards. I've posted it often. You didn't answer any of
my questions so I don't really know what to post.
 
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The minimum equipment I would suggest having on hand is:
a tripod
6 lights with stands
2 china balls
8 extension cords
6 power strips
black wrap and gels
2 bounce boards
a good external mic
a boom with extension cables
gaffers tape
4 apple boxes
a bunch of C-47’s - also called “bullets” or wood cloths pins
a coffee maker
a slate with marker

If you can afford it - these items you can rent:
a dolly (wheelchair or doorway)
a simple grip kit with:
c-stands (at least 6)
flags (assorted sizes - at least 8)
scrims (at least 6)
silks (at least 2)
cookies (at least 1)
sandbags (one for every light/c-stand and then 6 more)


The better the lighting kit - the more control you have over the look. My minimum setup is:
A Baby 5k
2 Junior 2k’s
6 650w tweenies
4 200w peppers
4 china balls
a kino-flo (Diva Light 400)
 
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Although many indie filmmakers use much less, a basic EFP package would be as follows:

Shotgun mic
Cardioid mic
Shock mount
Boom pole
Headphone monitor
Various XLR cables

two (2) lavalier mics
two (2) wireless tx/rx systems
Mounting tape/concealers/hush sleeves/etc.
Balanced cables

Audio mixer
Audio recorder
Audio recorder back-up
Case

three (3) Headphones

A ton of batteries


Plus a ton of other miscellaneous other accessories.
 
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