Cinematographers are all a twitter about the promise of digital SLR cameras that are bursting on the market from reliable companies like Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic. While the image quality from these sub-$5,000 cameras can rival cameras costing 10x as much, there are still many limitations to what many are calling the best value in film making. Here are the main contenders:

Canon 5D Mk II, Canon 7D, Canon 1d Mk IV, Nikon D90, Nikon D3s, Panasonic GH1

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When working as an AC, it’s hugely important to have on hand just about anything that will help care for, move, adjust, clean, see, tighten, focus, cover, and log the activities of the camera. You’d be surprised what is sometimes needed, so it’s nice to have a kit with a lot of tools and accessories. Where to start?

Here is what I use in my AC kit, roughly in order of importance:

- Measuring tape – Since it’s your job to obtain perfect focus, this is a must. Should be at least 16 feet, also handy to have a large rollout tape for longer distances. Laser measuring devices are useful, but can be dangerous and not as reliable. In some circumstances, they might be your only option.

- Dry erase markers – For marking the wheel of the follow focus when you pull focus during a shot, or just need to note the focus position during preparation. Different colors are a good idea for position 1, 2, etc. or for different actors/subjects. (flashlight also helpful here!)

- Spike tape/Lanyard – Keep this tape with you to make marks for the actors’ positions, and do this as unobtrusively as you can and without being asked. Usually, you watch the rehearsal for a general understanding, then mark during prep according to the director’s instructions. Different colors for different actors are the norm (red for first, blue for second), especially if they have more than one mark each! Sometimes marking props or other objects is necessary, too, and sometimes camera position if handheld.

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Hypothetical situation: Let’s say that your best friend has inherited loads of cash and decides to give you $10,000 to start a film production company. You’d probably be thinking, ‘Oh boy! That’s a lot of money!’ For any other hobby you’d be rights. $10,000 will buy a lot of baseball cards, Star Wars action figures, or pogs, but you might be surprised how easy it would be to spend all that money and still be sticking your hand out like Oliver Twist asking for more.

Before I bore you with verbosity, lets get straight to the list. My next post will answer the ‘why’s of each category.

HMC-150

Computer:
Apple MacPro -$2,500
Final Cut Pro – $1,000
or
PC - $1200
Premiere Pro CS4 – $800
(or Production Premium package) – $1700

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Our class just wrapped principal photography on our short film entitled 11:11, about an unemployed young man who in his desperation is drawn to the Church of the Universal Truth. Here are some behind the scenes pictures our still photographer took.

Alex w/ Red One

Alex bouncing light

Actors rehearsing w/o lights

Wide shot of set