STG Studios

I'm going to start producing a movie, help me with equipment?

Hi there,

You're going to need food to feed your actors/production assistants. Actors and crew who work for free get pissy when things go behind schedule. Order a pizza or something and bam, they're happy little ******s.
Also, something to help control lighting. I don't know where your locations are but you may need reflector boards (just white poster board or those foil reflectors that go in car windshields to bounce away the sun would work). Having extra data cards for your Camera would be damn helpful.

PROTIP: When using prop weaponry, make sure you are away from the public eye and if possible, have someone dressed as a cop to stand around and pretend they are monitoring everything.
You don't need to have someone stand in a window with a sniper rifle when you can shoot the person from one angle holding the prop rifle, then do a "POV" with something that looks like the tip of the barrel poking out into frame. This allows you to shoot in public (say shooting the POV out of an office building window or from the top of a parking garage) without having to carry a rifle in public.
Let your actors and crew know that if the police arrive, everyone is to grab equipment and run. Everyone for themselves. Always make sure you grab that camera and that you never actually handle the fake firearms so that your fingerprints aren't on them. Finally, if possible, when location scouting, note locations for possible quick exits or escape routes.
If the police DO arrive, make sure you pocket the camera's memory card and throw it inside your wallet if possible. Police, if arresting you, will take what's in your pockets but seldom go through the credit-card slots of your wallet. If you're arrested or hassled about shooting in a public place or accidentally photographing a (secret) government building, hiding the footage might save you some time consuming reshoots.
FINAL PROTIP: In case of cops. Always, always, always play dumb. Always.

Home made camera dolly test shots 1

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