Gear for small films and cinematic shorts.

Microphone Boom Pole

The boom operator (or sound man) controls microphone placement, usually using a boom pole (or “fishpole”) with a microphone attached to the end (called a boom mic). The goal is holding the microphone as close to the actors or action as possible without allowing the microphone or boom pole to enter the camera’s frame.

Boom poles are manufactured from several lengths of aluminum or carbon fibre tubing, allowing boom extension or collapsed as situations requires. The ideal boom pole is lightweight and strong, supporting the weight of the microphone on the end while adding as little weight as possible.

Having the boom mic or its shadow appear on the screen in a completed picture is considered a sign of poor film-making.

RODE – Boom Pole – Black
$149.99 plus shipping.
DESCRIPTION: Mount a microphone (not included) to this RODE boom pole for versatile location recording. The pole extends from 2.8′ to 9.8′, so you can follow your subject with ease.

LOW-COST ALTERNATIVE

Premier Paint Roller 4ft – 8ft Metal Extension Pole
Cost: $6.43
Source: WalMart

The Sennheiser MZH 600 Windshield is $129 online.
DESCRIPTION: The MZH 600 Windshield features a combination of foam and faux fur that diffuses wind noise during outdoor use.

Wind-attenuating microphone covers

A deadcat windshield is an artificial fur muff minimizing wind noise while remaining acoustically transparent when filming outside in high wind conditions.

Get the fake fur material at:

JOANN Fabrics and Crafts Stores
ITEM # 15123854
Fashion Faux Husky Fur Fabric -Black
$23.99 per yard.
(2-yard minimum online. We bought only 6 inches at a brick-and-mortar store. Check for coupons or sales.)
6 inch x 36 inch wide minimum cut.
$3.50
Makes three deadcats. Only $1 for home-brew deadcat.

DollarTree
Clasp-Free Black Hair Elastics
15-count package.
$1 per package.

Our do-it-yourself method doesn’t need sewing or gluing. Use black elastic hair bands to hold the deadcat in place. Wrap the bands over the fake fur fabric and around the black foam pop-filter included with mic. Fluff the fur around the bands by pulling on the trapped fur.

Deity Shotgun Microphone $359

14.37″ Uni-Directional Condenser Microphone $17.99

The original digital video camera we wanted to use is the Canon T7i. Mainly, because Levi had used one before. These sell for $700 to $1,200 depending upon the lens option you buy. The one desired is $1,400.

(or T6i) Canon – $400 to $600

CANON zoom lens EF(-S optional) 18-135MM (or 28-135mm substitute) F3.5-5.6 IS USM (not STM newer) – $119

Above: We bought Canon EF 35-135mm f4-5.6 USM Lens 35-135/4-5.6 #28D  Ebay $57.00

BOUGHT 1/17 Camera Camcorder Microphone Uni-Directional System Condenser Mic 14.37″ – $19.39
includes cable, 2 adapters, and sponge foam windscreen

Movie clapperboard

The clapperboard combines a ‘chalkboard slate’ with a ‘clapstick’. The slate displays the name of the production, the scene and “take” about to be performed, and similar information. An assistant holds the clapperboard so the slate is in view of the cameras, speaks out information for the benefit of the audio recording, then opens the clapstick and claps it shut. The shutting of the clapstick is easily identified on the visual track, and the sharp “clap” noise is easily identified on the separate audio track; the two tracks can later be precisely synchronized.

Neewer Acrylic Plastic 10X12In Dry-Erase Director’s Film

The film clapboard is a production slate made of white acrylic and designed to be used with dry erase markers.

white/black clapper sticks

9.85 x 11.8in.

Material: Built-in Magnetic strip + Acrylic
Writing way: Marker pen, and erase it asap after usage.

Cheap Knockoff

Unexpected Collaborative Design