DIY Film Production Gear for Indie Moviemaking

DVX100 Remote Zoom Control

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Although this is a cool DVX100 accessory, I always get a little squeamish when thinking about fudging with electronics on anything. But for all you DIY filmmakers out there who are electronically inclined, you'll appreciate this neat little gadget. Equipped with a start/stop record button, this remote zoom control can be made for under $10 according to designer Jared Land. With the available instructions and photos, you should have no problem getting your DVX remote zoom on.
DVX100 DIY Remote Zoom Control

The Disposable DVX100 Sunshade

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Here's a cool DVX100 accessory - The Disposable DVX100 Sunshade from Desktop Creations! Made from hard paper card and glue, it's a nifty and super-inexpensive design that looks great and keeps the glare out of your lens. Not only are step-by-step instructions and photos given, but best of all, the designer gives you ready-to-print templates for you to cut out so in just minutes, you'll be ready to shoot your outdoor scenes.

This great functional piece of DIY moviemaking gear is an awesome find and can be made for next to nothing! A friend of mine used this template design but instead of using hard paper card and glue, he used cheap plastic folders and velcro which worked beautifully.
The Disposable DVX100 Sunshade | Template 1 | Template 2 | Template 3

The $14 Steadycam

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:02:00 +0000

If you haven't already seen it, here's the world famous $14 Steadycam known to DIY filmmakers worldwide - the homemade version of the expensive Steadicam. One hour of your time, and about $14 worth of materials are all you need to make it. With step-by-step instructions with photos and demo videos, this is one piece of DIY film production gear that YOU CAN AFFORD! The real ones are upwards of $2,000.00! Unreal.

The plans are free but if you'd like to forego the hassle of making the Steadycam yourself, than you can also purchase one that's already made from the designer Johnny Chung Lee for only $39.95. Compatible for the lighter cameras like the DVX100, PD150, Canon GL1/GL2 and the JVC GRHD1, the site also describes other compatible cameras and what's included in the ready-made kit. Even in DIY indie filmmaker terms, that's not too bad for a huge chunk of production value at any movie budget level.
The $14 Steadycam | Purchase the $14 Steadycam

Skater Plywood Dolly

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Made for wedding videographers at Ramasola Studio, this plywood skater dolly photo shows a DVX100 camera sitting on top of it but I'm sure that any camera dove tail threaded hole or universal camera thread would work with this design. They provide some photos of the assembly and give a diagram about some parts and dimensions, but overall it looks a little intimidating because there aren't any in-depth steps to building the dolly and you'll probably need to get your hands on some serious tools. A sleek DIY skater dolly design, though, I'll give 'em that.
Plywood Skater Dolly

Light Duty PVC Track-Based Camera Dolly

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:42:00 +0000

The design for this push dolly is very simple, clean and effective. Made for about $75 in materials (mostly PVC pipe and joints), it looks sturdy enough to handle the weight of even the HVX200. The designer also gives some notes about the construction of the dolly including the preferable type of PVC pipe.
Light-Duty PVC Track-Based Dolly

The DVX100 Do It Yourself Filmmaker's Jib/Crane

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:46:00 +0000

This simple jib is designed to mount directly onto the head of a manfrotto/bogen tripod. Made of lightweight aluminum and wood, it's specifically made for the DVX100 camera models. No plans are given, but the details photos pretty much give you what you need.
Rockford Images DVX100 Jib/Crane

DIY Car Roof Camera Mount

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

This design is AWESOME! Very original and ingenious, it looks pretty heavy, but sturdy as well. Designed to hang over the driver or passenger side of a car, the design looks like it supports a DVX100 well, but not so sure about an HVX or the heavier cams. Definitely one for an intermediate scale production. Kudos to the designer! No plans are given, but the photos are a big help!
Car Roof Camera Mount

Canon XL1 DIY Matte Box - Under $10

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

This DIY matte box fit for the Canon XL1 was made for less than $10 using simple items that can be picked up at any arts and crafts store. Made of rugged cardboard and glue, it's a bit crude, but hey - it's a DIY matte box AND for less than ten bucks.
Canon XL1 DIY Matte Box

The Fly Stand

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:00:00 +0000

The Flystand is a homemade camera stabilizer similar to the Glidecam. Made of aluminum, rubber grips and the usual washers and bolts, this looks like a sturdy design as shown in the video tests. This site comes with design plans, assembly steps, photos and test footage.
The Flystand

The Ecarma Camera Jib/Dolly Rig

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:42:00 +0000

This is a hybrid camera/dolly design. It's big, bulky and looks heavy, but it comes with PDF design plans courtesy of the designer. This PVC pipe, wood and metal bracket jib was made for about $75 bucks.
The Ecarma Camera Jib/Dolly rig

The Speed Rail Jib Arm

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:00 +0000

If you're ever working on a set with a grip truck and in need of a make-shift crane, here's a jib design made with spare parts that you can find in a lighting grip truck like c-clamps, combo stands and sand bags. It's made for lightweight cameras, but the site doesn't give weight specs...still worth the look.
Freyer Speed Rail Jib

DIY Film Gear Blog Design

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:47:00 +0000

With much appreciation, the original design of the DIY Film Gear Blog was made possible by these creative and talented cats:

Blogging Secret
Blogger Templates
Ads Theme Blogger Template

Do check them out!

Contact

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:38:00 +0000

Hey DIY filmmakers! If you'd like to drop a line just to say what's up, talk shop or even have your homemade movie production gear featured on the site, just send me an email: ocarlisle@gmail.com

Oscar

About DIY Film Gear

noreply@blogger.com (O. Carlisle) — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:10:00 +0000

While helping out a couple of buddies research production gear in preparation for making their own no-budget indie, we came to a quick realization that there was no way we were going to afford any of the expensive moviemaking toys that we had on our wish list. Heck, we could hardly afford groceries! :(

After searching for alternatives, it was the resourcefulness of other fellow low-budget filmmakers that saved us! Through all of these different designs for camera jibs, cranes, dollies and stuff, it made us realize that we were one step closer to actually making a movie. Now if we can only afford a RED camera ;)

So in essence, DIY Film Gear is a collection of homemade production gear and film equipment that's helped me and so I'm just paying it forward. Good luck on your film projects and please drop a line and let me know how it's going. I'd love to post your progress! And a piece of advice before you start production...duct tape. Lots of duct tape.

Oscar