DIY! Do It Yourself!

This is a collection of ideas that may serve to help the independent filmmaker.  It’s just one version, so check out what other filmmakers are saying.  This is very basic and also goes over issues with shooting film projects overseas, but hopefully can help someone else.  My background was outside of filmmaking, so needless to say, I’ve learned a lot.  I want to say a loud "Thank you!" to the people who have helped me.

Filmmaking is quite the process.  I’ve been working on Considering Democracy for about four years.  Granted, I am one person, but in the digital age, one person’s reach can be – what’s the word? - Amplified.  It is, however, a lot of work.

Here are important things to remember, or keep in mind:

Production

Compose your shots.  Learn the basic Rule of 3rds and use it.

Get a decent camera and know its strengths and weaknesses.  For example, know how it will capture an image in low light. 

Know your systems of audio acquisition before you begin shooting.  There’s only so much that can be done in post.

Make sure that you are legal.  Register your business with the Secretary of State.  Have and use your release forms.

Have a plan for getting steady shots.  Practice handheld techniques or get something to stabilize the shot.  Nobody wants to look at shaky images for over 15 seconds.  Image stabilization in post will make the footage look blurry.  Know your equipment!

Have a plan of how the story will be structured.  Build an emotional arc into it.  (This would have saved me years.)

What I used overseas

Panasonic AGEZ50 (small three chip minidv camera,) 3 batteries, 35 tapes, variety of electric converters, Azden DX-580 dynamic microphone, XLR-1/4, converted to 1/8 to the camera 

I think that I ended up using airplane earphones, but did always use headphones when taking interviews.  I took the following picture on a hike on the Annapurna Trail in Nepal.  I took the basic camera equipment in a small backpack.  (I’m usually not so messy, but I was up at 14,000 altitude.  It makes a person a bit silly.)

Side note 

Horrible things can happen during production.  After making it successfully around the world with my equipment in working order, I was trying to get some pickup shots of the globe floating down a stream.   The camera, tripod and all, fell into the stream.  It was fully submerged for about one second.  It no longer works.  So, I also used the following equipment:

Sony HVR-Z1U in DV mode

Sony digital 8 (older consumer model)