TL;DR
- Douglas Spotted Eagle shares his recommendations for creating your ideal remote production kit. (He’s not shy about sharing specific product recommendations!)
- Learn why you need certain types of equipment and what you can (and can’t skimp) on in the budget. Discover what can play double-duty in your bag and which pieces of equipment need to have a dedicated job.
- Don’t be afraid to have fun and play around with new gear that may be smaller or replace multiple things in your kit, Spotted Eagle encourages viewers.
Douglas Spotted Eagle knows that having the right equipment for your production is only part of the battle.
In fact, “Owning the gear doesn’t mean much,” Spotted Eagle cautions. He shares an example of a video that was shot with recommended equipment, but he notes that the production team seems to have ignored the manuals that came with the gear.
Spotted Eagle shares his thoughts on what equipment is most useful for remotes and on-the-go shoots, as well as tips for how best to deploy it. (And yes, you should still review the manual after you watch his video.)
In terms of the basics, Spotted Eagle recommends you have:
- A smartphone
- A camera
- DSLRs don’t have high-quality DACs
- Tripod/support systems for lighting and for camera(s)
- Lighting system (could be simple or more complex)
- Microphone(s), with optional
- Mixer
- Secondary recording device
- Signal processing or pre-amp device
- Software
- Switching system
If that kit sounds extensive, keep in mind that “we don’t need big any more” for one- or two-person run-and-gun scenarios, Spotted Eagle says. “We’ve begun paring our equipment down because … our greatest amount of nonbillable time is set up.”
And for skeptics, Spotted Eagle notes that the film Abigail Haunting was shot by Kelly Schwarze primarily using a cell phone. He challenges viewers to say that’s evident just watching the movie.
“And remember this is where the fun comes in, trying something new,” Spotted Eagle says, noting that trying out a different, smaller kit is one of the most fun parts of being in the industry.
“Play with something new,” he encourages.
Watch the full tutorial (above or in our NAB Amplify Video Learning Lab) to learn more about Spotted Eagle’s best practices for setting up an efficient, cost-effective remote production.
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