The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
Filmmaking? It can be really pricey.
The cost of their debut project is a constant concern for filmmakers. However, working smart doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the way you come across. If you know where and when to make savings, you may still produce a project that appears to be expensive and remarkable.
When every dime counts, bear the following in mind.
The Cinematographer's Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
Select the Proper Camera
The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
This does not imply that it is the most recent or expensive—far from it. The ideal camera for you depends depend on the type of photography you do and the budget you have available.
DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have been used to capture several stunning feature films. The majority of contemporary cameras in the prosumer price range can shoot in 4K if the resolution is what you need. For the best value, consider the most recent Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera or later models of the Sony Alpha Series cameras.
With camcorders that are typically available at a nearby secondhand store, you can produce a retro, quirky aesthetic for wacky shoots like bizarre music videos. Under the correct narrative conditions, even shooting with your phone can be an option.
Maintain a steady and sharp image
Maintaining the audience’s comfort while watching your movie is half the battle of good cinematography. With a strong storyline and amazing talent, you can be completely lit up. All of this won’t matter if the image is difficult to process because it is unsteady or out of focus. A critical aspect of your own performance as a cinematographer is the nuts and bolts.
Having a legible image is significantly simpler to achieve with camera stabilization.
How? Even something as easy as utilizing a tripod literally removes the issue from your hands. Now that you can ride the barrel while shooting to keep the entire scene in focus if you’re shooting alone.
A gimbal or shoulder mount can be a tremendous delight for more difficult pictures. Although there are numerous affordable options available, building these instruments from scratch is far more enjoyable.
Camera expertise is essential
The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
You can really accomplish anything if you have a solid understanding of photography in general. There will always be a reason why something you’re doing isn’t functioning on-screen; obstacles never appear out of thin air. When you pinpoint the cause, the mechanics of correcting the issue become more important. The art of cinematography is not magick. Only the camera and light are present.
Your aperture is the issue if your depth of field is too shallow to clearly focus on the actor’s complete face.
If there isn’t enough light to close the aperture down a few stops, you must either add extra or make up for the lack of light in another way, such as by increasing your ISO settings.
You can always find the root of the issue thanks to the economics of photography. Few of these issues are actually insurmountable if your shoot was well-planned.
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Diffusion: It Happens Everywhere
The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
Effective blocking and diffusion can be used to control a source that lacks some subtlety. One clear, occasionally underestimated, and completely labor- and time-free example of diffusion is seen in clouds.
Any form of material that does not completely block light can be used to replicate the appearance of professional diffusion. There are numerous additional techniques to diffuse light, while many people only think of the timeless white bedsheet.
A scene can be made magical by dense greenery above. Even very powerful, direct sources of light are muted by a covering of soft Styrofoam packaging. Make sure the lamp’s head isn’t too hot so that it melts!
Keep an open mind; the ideal DIY diffusion project may already be residing in your house.
Reflective surfaces work in a similar manner. Simple mirrors can be used to bounce light in all directions and shape it to fit the subject. Even directly in front of a sizable, white building, the light will be even and flatteringly fill the frame.
All Light Sources Are Important
The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
Never set boundaries in this regard. All of the above, including scorching neon, nauseating fluorescents, streetlights, computer screens, and a car’s headlights, may be honed and defined into just what you need, exactly where you need it, and without any hesitation.
Strong work lamps with separate stands are available at Amazon for cheap if you’re interested in creating a simple mole kit. Even while shooting in confined spaces, handheld lighting will become even more affordable and concealable.
Timing and schedule are crucial when working solely with the sun. While you may easily start at noon and produce a usable film, it always pays to make use of both the golden hour and the magic hour for something a little more intriguing.
Even an hour later, the same sunshine differs significantly from that of the morning. The sunset is the same. The commonplace and mundane acquire a romantic, exotic, and ethereal tone that can only be achieved through this method.
Technique Matters A Lot
The Cinematographer’s Guide to Making a Movie on Very Little Money
You can invest in the best of the best, but producing something beautiful requires more than a massive HMI. Randomly flooding your space with light rarely produces the desired effects. The sort of equipment you bring in should not be as important as the innovative way in which you may elevate these sources.
For instance, both pros and amateurs enjoy book-lighting. It simply refers to diffusing a light beam rather than shining it directly through diffusion using a mirror or reflecting screen. These three elements are all simple to find. It only takes a little creativity and effort to configure them so that they appear and feel professional.
This philosophy can be used in almost every aspect of cinematography. Usually, the solution is right in front of you.
When you’re operating on a tight budget, you can produce an entirely unique image. Using pricey equipment only will only get you so far. A truckload of supplies can be really beneficial in some circumstances, but you miss out on a lot of the creativity involved in creating something beautiful from nothing. Every new finding will be another tool you can add to your toolbox.
Related Article: Best Budget Lighting Kit Ideas Under 150 Dollars
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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