Ready to Level Up Your Video Production Game? It’s No Secret That Hiring the Ideal Video Production Company or Having the Right Gear and Software Makes All the Difference. But Getting Started Can Feel Daunting. That’s Why We’ve Done the Research and Put Together a Complete Guide to Film Production Gear and Software for Every Budget.
From Prosumers to Professionals, You’ll Find Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Whatever Stage of Filmmaking You’re at. Whether You Need a Camera and Lighting Setup, Audio Equipment, Post-production Software, or Just Need an Overview of What’s Available on the Market Today, This Guide Will Help You Find Exactly What You Need.
You’ll Also Get Our Top Recommendations for Budget-friendly Products That Don't Sacrifice Quality. So Let's Dive in!
Essential Equipment & Software for Video Production
Getting Into Video Production Can Seem Daunting at First, With All the Jargon and Equipment to Choose From. But don't worry—there are Numerous Options that Match Any Budget Available. Before you begin looking for film production equipment and software, consider the following.
First Off, You'll Need Some Basic Video Production Equipment—namely, a Camera, Lights, and Audio Recording Gear. Your Budget for These Items Will Depend on Your Needs—there Are Entry-level Cameras That Support Basic Productions All the Way Up to High-end Cinema Cameras Capable of Producing Professional-grade Footage. The Same Goes for Audio Gear and Lights—you Can Find Basic Studio Kits or Specialized Lighting/Audio Rigs.
You'll Also Need Some Post-production Software, Such as Video Editing Software Like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X, as Well as an Audio Editor Like Logic Pro or Pro Tools for Editing Your Sound Recordings. These Tools Will Help You Organize Your Media Clips and Polish the Footage Into a Completed Project.
Once You Have the Right Equipment and Software in Place, You're Ready to Start Filming! With the Right Gear, Creating Awesome Videos That Look Professional Won't Be a Problem.
Different Types of Video Gear & Software
As You May Have Guessed, There is a Large Range of Video Gear and Software That You Need to Consider When Starting Out in the Video Production Business. It Can Be a Bit Overwhelming at First but With a Few Basic Categories of Gear and Software to Focus on, It Doesn't Have to Be.
To Begin With, You'll Need Some Type of Camera. There Are Digital Cameras, DSLRS, Camcorders, and More That All Offer Unique Advantages Depending on Your Production Style and Budget. Once You've Decided on the Type of Camera You'll Use, You'll Want to Focus on Accessories Like Lenses, Tripods, Microphones and Other Tools That Can Help Expand Your Capabilities.
You'll Also Need to Consider Editing Software Such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X Which Can Give You Powerful Toolsets to Adjust Your Footage and Create the Videos You Desire. Additionally, There Are Plugins Like After Effects That Allow for Advanced Visual Effects. Finally, for Distribution Purposes, There Are Streaming Services Like Youtube or Vimeo Which Provide a Great Platform for Your Films to Be Seen by an Even Larger Audience.
With a Better Understanding of the Types of Video Gear and Software Out There for Video Production Projects, You Can Make Informed Decisions on What Will Work Best for Your Budget and Needs.
Best Cameras, Audio Devices and Accessories for Video Production
A Wide Range of Cameras and Audio Devices Are Available to Help You Produce Your Own High-quality Videos. With the Right Equipment, You Can Create Professional-level Content Without Breaking the Bank.
Here Are Some of the Best Cameras, Audio Devices and Accessories to Consider When You’re Budgeting for Video Production:
Cameras
When It Comes to Cameras, There Are a Few Solutions That Provide Affordability Without Sacrificing Quality:
- DSLRs: Available in Both Full Frame and Crop Sensor Options, This Mirrorless Cameras Offer Features Such as 4k Resolution and Advanced Auto-focus Systems.
- Mirrorless Cameras: Offering Both Portability and High-Resolution Recording Capabilities, Mirrorless Cameras Provide Professional Functionality at an Affordable Price.
Audio Devices
Make sure to spend money on high-quality microphones and recorders because any production must have high-quality audio. Many Options Are Available in Multiple Competitive Price Ranges:
Microphone Kits: From Budget-friendly Lavaliere Mic Kits to Full Kits With Multiple Microphones, You Can Find Something That Fits Your Needs.
Audio Recorders: if You’re Looking for Reliable Sound Recording Capabilities on the Go, Look for a Device That Offers Battery Life and Portability..
Accessories
You’ll Also Want to Be Sure to Stock Up on Some Useful Accessories That Will Make Filming Simpler. These Include Things Like Tripods, Monopods, Lens Filters, Reflectors and More. Taking the Time to Research Different Gear Options Ensures That You’ll Have Everything You Need When It Comes Time to Shoot Your Projects.
Recommended Professional Film Production Software
When It Comes to Video Production Software for Professional Filmmakers, There Are Some Great Options Available. Depending on Your Budget, You May Be Able to Get Some Truly Impressive Tools for Your Projects.
Here Are Some of the Best Software Programs for Film Production:
Adobe Premiere Pro
For Top-notch Editing, Few Programs Beat Adobe Premiere Pro—it's Versatile and Powerful Enough to Meet the Needs of Experienced Filmmakers. Its Intuitive User Interface Makes It Easy to Learn and Adds to the Production Process. It's Packed With All the Features You Need, Including Advanced Editing Tools and Motion Graphics Capabilities.
Final Cut Pro
This Powerful Video Editing Software is Designed to Help You Create Professional-level Productions Quickly and Easily. Its Intuitive Workflow Makes It Ideal for Creating Movies With Amazing Effects in No Time at All, While Its Color-correction Tools Make It a Great Option for Filmmakers on a Budget.
DaVinci Resolve
This Full-featured Film Production Package Features an Array of Tools That Make It Perfect for Both Amateur and Professional Directors Alike. It Has Powerful Color-correction Capabilities and Real-time Collaboration—perfect for Those Who Need to Work Together but Don't Want to Be Tied Down in the Same Room Throughout Their Project!
Recommended Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Professional Filmmaking Gear
Nowadays, You Don't Need to Break the Bank to Get the Latest High-end Video Production Gear. There Are Some Great Budget-friendly Alternatives That Can Still Get the Job Done Without Emptying Your Pockets.
Cameras
If You’re Looking for Something on a Budget, Dslr and Mirrorless Cameras Offer Great Value for Money. Not Only Do They Manage to Capture High-quality Images, but They Are Also Compact and Lightweight – Perfect if You’re on the Go and Don’t Want to Haul Around Heavy Gear.
Lighting
Budget Lighting Kits Are Widely Available and Deliver Excellent Performance at a Fraction of the Price of Professional Lighting Rigs. These Will Give You Enough Flexibility to Shoot in Various Conditions, Allowing You to Make Some Creative Adjustments With Ease.
Software
Editing Software for Creative Projects Doesn’t Have to Empty Your Wallet Either. You Can Find Plenty of Powerful Options Available for Free or at a Fraction of the Cost of Professional Software Packages. The Key is Finding Something That Gives You Enough Features Without Overcomplicating Things – Most Editors Will Provide More Than Enough Options for an Amateur Filmmaker.
As Long as You Choose Quality Hardware and Software, Even With a Tight Budget, It’s Possible to Get Excellent Results That Rival What Professionals Make With Expensive Equipment!
How to Assemble the Right Team for Your Film Project
Choosing the Right Team to Handle Your Project is Key. And While Getting Friends and Family Members Invested in a Passion Project Can Be Helpful, for a Major Production, You'll Need the Right Crew. It's Important to Understand the Roles You’ll Need and the Expertise Each Will Bring to the Production.
Directors and Producers
These Roles Are Usually Combined in Indie Productions, but Directors Are Responsible for Guiding Creative Aspects of Your Project Whereas Producers Typically Oversee Scheduling, Budget and Facilitating Communication Between Crew Members. Producers Also Often Handle Post-production Tasks Such as Editing Footage and Finding Music or Sound Effects for Your Film.
Camera Operators
This Person is Responsible for Capturing What's Needed on Film. A Camera Operator Typically Uses Two Cameras to Make Sure No Takes Are Lost and With Each Kept at Different Angles. They May Also Need Familiarity With Lighting Equipment, Microphones and Other Technical Gear Used in Filmmaking—the More Experienced They Are Here, the More They Can Help Guide Your Vision.
Gaffers
This Person is in Charge of All of the Lights Used During Production; However, Some Smaller Productions May Combine This Role With the Camera Operator’s Responsibilities Depending on Budget or Available Crew Members. This Role Requires an Understanding of Lighting Science, So Experience is Key if You Want to Get Your Desired Results From Light Manipulation.
Assembling a Team of Pros Can Certainly Add Up in Costs, but It Will Also Help You Get That Professional Finish That Looks Slick on Any Budget!
Conclusion
From Cameras to Lights to Audio and Software, There's a Lot You Need to Succeed in Video Production. We Hope This Guide Helped You Understand the Basics of What Video Production Gear and Software You Need to Get Started and Improved Your Confidence in Setting Up Your Own Professional Video Production Company.
No Matter What Type of Project You Are Doing, There is an Array of Film Production Equipment and Software Out There to Meet Your Needs. Whether You Are Working on Your Own Video Production Venture, or You're Part of a Video Production Company, Having the Right Tools and Software Can Make the Process a Whole Lot Smoother.
