Plus, er, earplugs.
When using a microphone, watch the sound levels of the recording device.
(more…)Tag: gear
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #119
That’s not technically a “special effect,” there…
Regarding cables, lights, power supplies and other things plugged into the wall: These things should not get hot. If they feel hot to you, tell someone immediately. You don’t want them getting any hotter, and you definitely don’t want them to start smoking or burst into flame.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #117
Artsy blue-green color grading notwithstanding…
If you’re using a monitor (which you are, right?), then do your best to calibrate it. Calibration is simply setting the contrast, brightness, color levels, and other controls to be as accurate as possible.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #116
Do you see what I see?
Always use a monitor so that you can see what the camera sees without making your DoP move. On rare occasions, a monitor is contraindicated, but those are very rare occasions. You always want to know what the camera’s seeing.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #84
Unless the price of gold skyrockets.
There’s usually a difference in quality between really, really cheap cables and reasonably priced cables.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #81
But not all in the same closet, please.
Make sure your location has running water, sinks, toilets, garbage service, and toilet paper. If it doesn’t, you need to supply this yourself.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #71
We’ve got the pow-ah!
Your location owner might have to lock their doors after a certain time, but if you ask nice, they might let you run an extension cord or two out through a little hole. Then, you can leave ’em coiled up after you’re done and come by in the morning and pick all your cords back up.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #70
Still, we managed.
If you’re going out on location, set up all your gear first, at the studio or at home, and then break it down into your van or car. This way, you know you have everything you need in the transport vessel.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #64
And now, a moment of silence…
Get at least one minute of clean ambient sound from every location. This is very important.
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