Video Gear We Use On (almost) Every Production
In this blog , I’ll be sharing the gear we use on almost every shoot. As technology advances, we’re continuously upgrading our gear. Specific brands and models aren’t as important. However, all of this equipment has a distinct role in helping us produce efficient, professional, and high-quality work.
Video Gear We Use On (almost) Every Production
Camera Equipment
Camera
We use 2 cameras for filming interviews so that we can cut to different angles while editing. Here are a few attributes we make sure our cameras have:
4k recording
The ability to film in a variety of frame rates
Good low light performance
Wide dynamic range
Good autofocus
Backup recording
Lenses
Standard zoom lens
This is an all-purpose lens we use for A-cam during interviews. The ability to zoom also makes it easy to get a variety of shots while filming b-roll.
Wide-angle lens
Current: Tamron 17-28mm f2.8
This one is great for using on a gimbal to capture interior shots.
Telephoto lens
Current: Sony 85mm f1.8
We use this lens for our B-cam during interviews. The low aperture allows us to achieve a very shallow depth of field (aka a blurry background).
Telephoto zoom lens
This is a bulkier lens that we don’t use as often, but it’s useful for zooming in on a subject from a distance, for example, a keynote presentation. During interviews, it can also create a nice shallow depth of field. However, you need to be filming a large space to take advantage of it as the camera needs to be placed far enough away from your subject to zoom in.
ND filter
ND filter stands for “Neutral Density Filter.” It reduces the amount of light entering the lens and, when filming outside, allows us to use a wider aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field.
Camera Monitor
Instead of the small camera screen, this gives you a larger screen to see what you’re filming. Because the screen is brighter than a camera’s, it makes it easier to film outside in the sunlight. We can use a Preview LUT, which shows us what the camera's LOG footage will look like when color-corrected. It also offers some additional functionality for measuring exposure. We regularly use false-color monitoring which displays exposure levels as different colors on the screen.
White Balance Card
Using a white balance card is our preferred method of setting white balance. We set the camera’s white balance whenever we film in a new location or change the lighting. Setting the camera’s white balance ensures the colors are accurate.
Cleaning Kit
Each time we shoot, we use an air blower to clean the dust off the camera’s sensor and the lens’s glass. Our kit also has a microfiber cloth, lens pen, and sensor cleaning swab.
Gimbal
An electronic gimbal stabilizes the camera on three different axes, pitch, yaw, and roll. You’ll find us using this for walkthrough shots of a building, or when we want to capture dynamic movements for b-roll of a subject.
Tripods
For interviews, we put the cameras on tripods that have a center column. This makes it easy to adjust to the exact height we want. We also use a ball-leveling head because it makes it easier to level the camera without having to individually adjust the legs.
Sound Equipment
Microphone
If we have the option, we prefer shooting with a mic on a boom pole vs a lav mic. When filming indoors, we use a short-condenser mic because its pick-up pattern is more forgiving for sound reflections bouncing off the wall and back into the mic. For outside filming, we use a shotgun mic which is a directional mic that rejects sounds coming from the side. This helps isolate the speaker from any ambient noise in the environment.
Boom pole
This is an extendable pole to hold the microphone over the subject.
Mixer/recorder
This device records the audio from the microphone and allows us to adjust the audio levels. Our mics require “Phantom Power,” meaning they need an electrical current to operate. We connect our microphone to the mixer-recorder via XLR cable.
Sound blankets
When placed around a room, sound blankets will reduce any echo.
Lighting Equipment
Key light
A “key light” is the term for the main light on a subject. We use a key light for lighting our interviews.
Softbox
A softbox is a light modifier that turns the key light into a large, soft light source. Soft light is preferred for interviews because it makes shadows less harsh and is more flattering on the subject.
Hairlight
A hairlight is placed behind the subject, helping to separate the subject from the background
Reflector
A reflector allows us to reduce shadows by bouncing light back onto a subject’s face.
Light stands
We have a variety of light stands to hold lights, light modifiers, boom poles, and other equipment.
Grip bag
A “Grip” is a role on a film set for the person who helps set up lighting. Our grip bag is filled with various clamps, tools, gaff tape, and other things that might help us on the day of production.
Power extension cables
We always have several extension cables in a variety of lengths and power strips for plugging in multiple lights to one outlet.
Sand Bags
In case we bump into a light stand, we use sandbags to keep them sturdy and safe.
Miscellaneous Equipment
Drone
We use a drone to capture establishing shots of a location.
Foldable cart
A foldable cart helps us easily get all of our equipment on-site.
SD cards
All of our equipment uses SD or MicroSD cards. Our cameras have 2 SD card slots so we can record to both - simultaneously - as a backup.
Extra batteries
We always bring extra batteries so we can film all day without needing to charge.
All of this gear is necessary for pulling off an efficient and professional shoot. Of course, some equipment may be more important than others, but everything works together to give us the end product we’re looking for.
We’re Spoken Frame Media -
A story-driven video production company serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin area. Focusing on company overviews, client and employee testimonials, and careers page videos, we’re experts in helping you communicate your message to the right audience.
With our specialized production teams, we’ll bring your project to life using premium equipment, professional expertise, and a stress-free production environment so you’re sure to make the best first impression.
Looking to collaborate with a video production team you can trust? Get in touch with us today.