GoPros and other small action cameras are increasingly useful to indie filmmakers and documentary filmmakers as they become higher quality and more durable. Action cameras like GoPros are especially useful for filmmakers because they can provide a unique point of view and since they’re cheap to the point of beingRead More →
In this article we’re going to break down several different types of specialty video cameras and still camera types, explaining what each one is used for. Shotgun microphones (boom mics) Shotgun microphones – Shotgun microphones are a specific type of highly “directional” mic that can capture sound in specific areaRead More →
Pictured above: a documentary film camera. In this article we’re going to break down several different types of specialty video cameras and still camera types, explaining what each one is used for. Sports video cameras – video cameras for sports have great fast autofocus features and often the ability toRead More →
If you’re reading this article you’re probably already aware of the absolute havoc that wind noise can wreak on the sound captured by shotgun microphones for film or video. There are several solutions to this problem (including shooting indoors instead, or dubbing the sound afterward with ADR) but let’s assumeRead More →
You’re here because it’s time to buy a boom pole! We’ve got several good options to suggest but before we hop into the recommendations, let’s spend a moment considering: What features should I look for in a boom pole? Depending on your requirements you may weight various factors more thanRead More →
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably interested in ball head tripods, the advantages they can provide you with, and what the best tripod with a ball head joint is. If you want to skip down the page straight to our recommended ball joint tripods, click here ↓. But first,Read More →
Teleprompters used to cost thousands of dollars (and the really high end systems still cost that much), but today teleprompter cost has fallen dramatically to the point where you can get a good quality cheap teleprompter without much trouble. In this article we’re going to look at several different typesRead More →
Bounce cards, bounce disks and reflectors are extremely useful but often neglected tools for shooting video or photos. They may not be sexy or high tech but they can make a huge difference in the quality of your image by adding additional fill light. Plus because they’re not electric theyRead More →
Documentary filmmakers are a unique breed–I’ll admit it. Often we aren’t quite the same as other filmmakers since our interests lie in translating reality to film and telling true stories. That sentimentality means we aren’t interested in the kind of gifts fiction filmmakers and screenwriters might enjoy. There is someRead More →
If you’re looking for help picking the best wired or wireless lavalier microphone you’re in the right place. In this mega-guide we’re going to walk you through what you’ll want to consider when choosing a lav mic and present several options that are suited for your particular needs. We’ve gotRead More →
If you’re looking for the best handheld microphone for interviews, you’re in the right place. In this article we’re going to run down some of the best “reporter microphones” and ENG microphones (Electronic News-Gathering microphones), the type you see reporters using on television. We’ll also look at some accessories youRead More →
Getting great sound for documentary style sit down interviews is extremely important and if you’re reading this article you’ve probably already realized that on-board (on camera) microphones just don’t cut it. Generally speaking there are two common ways to mic a documentary interview: either with a lavalier microphone (skip downRead More →
Whether you’re shooting still photos or video, using a tripod can improve your results quite a bit. But if you’re carrying a bulky tripod around with you all day it can sap your energy and slow you down. Plus, traveling with heavy tripods can be a real drag. We’ve scopedRead More →
On camera video lights are extremely useful when you’re shooting with a DSLR or other video camera in a dark environment. We’ve rounded up the best on camera lights for video below. Candidates for best on camera lights for video: Neewer Dimmable LED on Camera Light for Video This onRead More →
Let’s say you’re looking for a photo tripod or a video tripod that’s under $100. There are a lot of cheap tripods to choose from but are any of them good? We’ll go through the top candidates below: Candidates for best tripod under $100: Manfrotto Compact Advanced Tripod Manfrotto isRead More →