If you hire a professional director of photography, he will be responsible for the entire camera and lighting package, as well as the necessary crew (gaffer, grips, assistant cameramen, etc.). If your budget does not allow for a DP, you will have to rent a small and efficient camera and lighting package yourself. (You will also have to find competent people who can help you set up and operate this equipment on the set.) Though the vast majority of all camera and lighting rental facilities are concentrated in Los Angeles and New York, most major cities have at least one such establishment.
Most rental facilities offer what is often called a "weekend rate." Essentially, they allow you to rent a package for the weekend (you pick it up Friday morning and return it Monday morning) and only require you to pay for one day. If you don't want to spread your shoot out this way, most facilities will also offer a three or four day week rate, meaning you pay for three or four days to rent the package for an entire week. Be sure to get insurance for the package you rent. Most rental facilities require it and include it in the total price.
The camera package will include the camera itself with a crystal sync motor, the camera case, a barney (which can be placed over the camera to reduce its noise), tripod(s), lenses (or perhaps just one zoom lens if your budget is low), matte box, glass filters, 2-4 batteries, 2-4 film magazines, and power cables. You will want to reserve this package at least two weeks in advance. Make sure the entire package is in good, clean, and working condition, that the camera and magazines run quietly. If you are going to shoot in Super16mm, make sure that the camera you rent has been adjusted to expose the film in the Super16mm aspect ratio of 1.66 to 1.
Learn more about the many different motion picture cameras and their operation: loading the magazine, crystal sync motors, proper lens mounts, frames-per-second range, complimentary sound recorders, and the many other necessary tools for the set. Order "The Old School Film School" today.
Loading the Arriflex SR2 Magazine
Unloading the Arriflex SR2 Magazine
Copyright © 2004 by HomeFilmSchool.com
Next Lesson: Properties of Lenses
Loading the Arriflex SR2 Magazine
Unloading the Arriflex SR2 Magazine
Copyright © 2004 by HomeFilmSchool.com
Next Lesson: Properties of Lenses
