Getting started đ„
My venture into video production happened over 11 years ago when I was a manager in financial services. I made my employers aware of my video skills and demonstrated the benefits of how the business could utilise them.
Iâd like to say that the rest was history, but it was a steep learning curve to learn the difference between raw talent and having all the toys, to knowing how to create content that can make a difference to both the client and viewer.
I think many filmmakers have the opinion that everything needs to be cinematic when they are starting out! As you get more experienced, you quickly realise that no one cares if itâs shot in 10bit 4K with beautiful bokeh and perfect skin tones. If you canât tell a story, there is no point in hitting the record button.
That may sound quite harsh, but you only have to look at people in the early days of TikTok, before the time of long-form videos. These content creators could capture the audience within the first few seconds and keep them hooked for the rest of the video. Why? Because they knew how to tell a story, and equally important, they knew their audience. This was a constant battle in my corporate days, trying to explain that engagement was so important in getting the point across, even with dry, factual subjects.
Weâll look at storytelling at a later date. Over the next few blogs, weâll look at what you physically need to shoot a video, simple techniques to improve your production quality and when you or your employer will need to hire a professional service, like whatâs offered here at Eye of the Bird Films.
Kit List
Iâve included relevant Amazon links for some of the products. Eye of the Bird Films Ltd. participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Level 1 - Essentials
Camera: The best camera is the one you have with you so start with what you have, be it a mobile phone or a simple point-and-shoot camera. However, there are a few things to consider if youâre creating content for your business, employer, or your own social channels.
The bare minimum is to be able to shoot with a resolution of at least Full HD/1080p. Your smartphoneâs camera can produce incredible video content in the right conditions and so is a good start. Also, the used market is a great option when youâre starting out. Websites like MPB or eBay can be a viable option if you want to cut your teeth with a DSLR or Mirrorless camera and lens combo. You can also rent equipment which is a more affordable way to try kit. Iâve used Lenses for Hire for over ten years as it has allowed me to use lenses specific to a shoot, without having to spend thousands of pounds upfront.
Microphone: A mic of some sort will elevate your content to be more professional. You donât need to break the bank at this level, but any dedicated mic will improve upon the built-in microphone. There are budget shotgun and lavalier mics to choose from.
RĂDE VideoMicro - https://amzn.to/3xMvCTg - Amazon
Hollyland Lark M1 Wireless Lavalier Microphone - https://amzn.to/3WfUQnb - Amazon
Lighting: This is one area that shouldnât be ignored, but it doesnât need to break the bank. The more light that the camera sensor receives, means that the image will be cleaner and less prone to noise and artefacts.
Natural lighting or the lighting that you already have, for example, a table or desk lamp can elevate your content if strategically placed. Investing in a reflector is a cost-effective way to enhance the light you have available.
SMALLRIG 5-in-1 Photography Reflector - https://amzn.to/3WeO7tF - Amazon
Tripod: There is nothing worse or more distracting than shaky footage, so a simple tripod or monopod can help you keep those shots steady and minimise the distraction to the viewer.
SMALLRIG 72" Aluminum Camera Tripod - https://amzn.to/49RSA90 - Amazon
Editing/Production software: Find something that works for you. There are some great free options for both desktop and mobile such as Capcut.
Other: You will need recording media if using a DSLR or Mirrorless camera, such as an SD card as well as things like lens wipes.
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC card - https://amzn.to/49N0kck - Amazon
ZEISS Lens Wipes - https://amzn.to/3UBM0iI - Amazon
Level 2 - Intermediate Gear
Camera: Upgrading to a mid-range DSLR or Mirrorless Camera will allow you to develop your skills and techniques further you you become more experienced. They will produce a higher quality image, often in 4K, and depending on the lens you use, can work better in low light situations. These cameras allow more manual adjustments and are less reliant on software to improve the image (as smartphones do), which results in a more natural-looking shot.
Examples could be the Canon EOS M50 Mark II or Sony A6600 which will shoot in 4K and offer great autofocus.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II + EF-M 15-45mm is STM Kit - https://amzn.to/3Ux7VXY - Amazon
Sony Alpha 6600 APS-C Mirrorless Camera with Sony 18-135mm Zoom Lens - https://amzn.to/44ebxS8 - Amazon
Sony Alpha ZV-E10L with 16-50mm lens - https://amzn.to/44cKdnj - Amazon
Microphone: Investing in higher-quality audio will ensure that the dialogue is clear for the audience. A larger budget opens you up to specialist brands like Sennheiser or RĂžde for example, whether it be for a lavalier or shotgun microphone set-up. Some âcheaperâ options from DJI and RĂžde provide a kit with two wireless mics and a receiver for around ÂŁ300/$300 that can record a backup track internally and have a 32bit float recording that ensures that your audio is not clipped and allows great adjustability in post.
RĂDE Wireless PRO - https://amzn.to/4bbXNJW - Amazon
DJI Mic 2 - https://amzn.to/3UynRt8 - Amazon
Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System - https://amzn.to/3w8ip6P - Amazon
Lighting: Investing in a better camera and microphone option would be a waste if the lighting is not up to the task. Investing in two or three lights will elevate the level of professionalism in your content.
You have the choice of traditional halogen or LED lights.
Halogen lights can have a warmer and more flattering light, but can get very hot which can be uncomfortable for the subject.
LEDs are dependent on cost. Cheaper lights tend to be quite harsh with minimal adjustability (usually with a colder light when compared to the halogen lights. However, Bi-colour LED lights allow you to adjust the warmth and brightness of the lights, allowing you to create the look you desire. Weâll look at lighting set-up options in another blog.
My go-to lights are from Aputure and have been a great addition to my kit bag thanks to their colour accuracy, brightness and wireless connectivity.
NEEWER 2 Pack LED Video Light - https://amzn.to/3JAvo4r - Amazon
Aputure Amaran 300c - https://amzn.to/3WepugI - Amazon
Stabilisation: The level 1 tripod should be good enough for the new set-up, but depending on the type of content you produce. If youâve got a large telephoto lens for your shoot, then you may find that it wonât be able to support the weight. Some solid, budget-friendly tripods from Manfrotto are always reliable. You may need to invest in a video tripod fluid head, which gives you smoother control of pan and tilt movements while filming.
SMALLRIG 73" Video Tripod - https://amzn.to/4aRHu54 - Amazon
Level 3 - Professional Grade
This is where things get serious, and sadly, so do the costs involved.
High-End Mirrorless or Cinema Cameras: You see a step up in image quality as well as the ability to capture so much more detail compared to cheaper offerings. These cameras usually have a much larger sensor, allowing more light to be captured which leads to a cleaner image with lots of detail, low noise and improved low-light capabilities. They have the option to record with a log profile, which allows for a lot of data to be captured. Some cameras can shoot in a Raw format, which means that every single pixel is captured allowing for greater creativity in post-production.
These cameras can also shoot in higher framerates for those buttery slow-mo b-roll shots. The
Manufacturers like Sony, Canon and Blackmagic are producing great cameras in this price range. I shoot with the Sony FX3 and FS7 cameras.
Shooting on high-end cameras will be enhanced by using (the more expensive) cine-lenses which can create a more organic, natural look, compared to the photography lenses weâve been using so far, but come at the cost of having manual focus and so youâll lose out on the incredible auto-focus these cameras offer.
Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera with 28-70mm Zoom Lens Kit - https://amzn.to/3WaFkco - Amazon
Canon EOS R6 Mark II Full Frame Mirrorless Camera & RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens - https://amzn.to/49XEMK2 - Amazon
Gimbal Stabiliser: These provide you with greater options for your shoot by providing a smooth cinematic shot, and stabilising your camera during movement, essential for professional shots. They provide greater options for your shoot, for example, a sit-down piece-to-camera shot could be done as a walk-and-talk shot - a great option if youâre showcasing a product or location.
Iâve been using DJI gimbals for the past ten years.
DJI RS 4 - https://amzn.to/49OhZAh - Amazon
DJI RS 4 Pro - https://amzn.to/3w51mmh - Amazon
Advanced editing software: High-end cameras come with more advanced recording formats so you will need an editing sweet that can deal with them. Additionally, you will need the ability to colour-grade your Log or Raw footage - something that the free software wonât allow you to do to the extent you need.
Paid-for NLEs (Non-linear editors) such as Adobeâs Premier Pro, Blackmagic Designâs Davinci Resolve, and Appleâs Final Cut Pro allow you to stretch your creativity further and can cope with the file formats available to you.
You just need to make sure that your computer is powerful enough to do so!
Iâve been using Final Cut for the past 12 years as Iâm a Mac user, however, Iâm making the switch to Davinci Resolve 18, having tried the free version on a small project. Itâs incredible! Iâll be moving to the paid version in due course.
Motion Graphics, Visual Effects, and Compositing Software: Depending on the content you are producing, you may need to create elements to animate, create titles, and other effects. Software such as Adobe After Effects are powerful tools that allow you to do this but can be costly - After Effects is part of Adobe Creative Cloud which has a monthly subscription of around ÂŁ40-50/$40-50.
Davinci Resolve Studio offers a comparable motion graphics offering (Fusion) and Appleâs Motion software will allow you to create animated compositions and titles for Final Cut Pro X.
Monitor Recorders: These are an essential part of any professional filmmakersâ kit, ranging from small on-camera 5â monitors to large high-resolution studio monitors for on-set productions.
They allow you to view your shot on a larger screen which allows for better framing and ensuring your subject is in focus thanks to enhanced in-built tools. Some monitors can also record the image directly from the sensor, allowing for formats such as ProRes, ProRes RAW and other Raw formats to be recorded onto an SSD drive.
Atomos Ninja and Shogun monitors are probably the best in the business in terms of price, compatibility, and functionality.
Atomos Ninja 5.2" HDR Recording Monitor - https://amzn.to/4deIhyD - Amazon
Atomos Shogun 7 4K HDR Pro/Cinema Monitor-Recorder-Switcher - https://amzn.to/4beUxgV - Amazon
Additional items: Youâll need extra batteries, media as well as additional set equipment to shoot a large-scale production.
Angelbird AV PRO SD Card MK2 V90 | 128 GB - https://amzn.to/4aPWL6r - Amazon
Level 3 can seem quite daunting, especially as the cost of the equipment alone can be quite astronomical. Some of this can be negated by hiring a professional to come in and help with your productions. In the next blog, weâll look at the benefits of hiring a video production company to film your next project or campaign.
