Top 6 Smartphone Filmmaking Gears That I Always Live By

Being a thrifty filmmaker means having the right gears with you at affordable prices, making the best out of numbered supplies and equipment. I live by a motto: Innovation comes when sources are limited.

[Photo courtesy of Youtube.com]

For most of my films, I use a Canon 70D camera with its highest definition settings, but it had been so heavily weighted and inconvenient whenever I need to film on the go. Buying another handheld compact camera that costs a minimum of RM2000 isn’t doing any justice to a budget filmmaker either.

Instead, I resort to my smartphone that happens to supports 2K recording resolution at 2048x1080 pixels, slightly lower compared to the Canon camera, and the results were just as good. Now I am hooked on using a smartphone as my prime storytelling weapon.

However, Having a smartphone is not enough, there needs to be a little investment in the gears that could help your smartphone perform its fullest potential in video shooting. Here are the top six smartphone filming gears that I always live by:

1. Bendable Tripod

As mentioned in the Go Cheap And Go Big: Beginner’s Guide To Shooting With A Smartphone article, a single bendable tripod has a multipurpose function to act as a pole grip, a tripod, a shoulder rig and a stabiliser all at once. It is the best investment I have made. It is possible to negotiate the price if you buy it at a local camera store, I got it at a cheaper deal of RM88 only.

2. Reflective Plastic Phone Case I am aware that the front phone camera has a lower recording resolution if you were to film yourself talking. So I got this reflective case in order to utilise the phone’s rearview camera for a higher filming resolution. It is optional for some. For me, it is essential that I see how I’m presenting myself to the camera, and who is behind me while I walk backwards while filming.

3. Audio+Microphone Splitter Cable

This is essential when you need to connect your microphone to your phone because most phones only have one earphone receiving jack. With this it allows the user to record audio and listen to it simultaneously.

4. Standard Hot Shoe Adapter Mount for Microphone

This is essential when you need to connect your microphone to your bendable tripod. The microphone plate slips into the gap while the adapter screws onto the tripod mount.

5. A Shotgun Microphone

This Pixel brand shotgun microphone is cheaper compared the Rode Microphones and it records just as clear. It is lightweight and functions with a single AAA battery. It could pick up audio as far as 5 feet away, and cancels out most of the wind noise.

6. Attachable Ring Light

Don't forget that light is just as important as the audio recording. It is clip-able on your phone and can last for a few hours in a single 20-minute charge. I got one at just RM6 at a Yubiso chain store. You can witness its effectiveness in a dimly lit environment. Try it yourself!

And there you have it. My top six smartphone filming gears that are cheap and effective for a simple video production. Be sure to follow our social media to get the latest updates on my equipment and gear hauls!

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