Thursday, February 9, 2012

$1 Budget: Cases and a Headset, Oh My!



This is the first installment in what I hope is a long-running and informative series. The idea is simple: what filmmaking tools can I get for a buck? Once a month I plan to share three of these ideas that can be had in any brick-and-mortar store. I will share online ideas if I find them, but the chances of finding stuff for one dollar online (with no shipping costs) are pretty slim.

In my first episode, I share how I used a cell phone case as a home for a Zoom H1 Handy Recorder, a point-and-shoot hard case for my lav mic, and a cheap non-working headset as a cool prop. I think the potential for these kinds of finds is huge, so I hope to share many more of these with everyone.

I'd buy that for a dollar!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Recap: Questions Anyone?



RSS readers: Click on the title to see the hidden video.

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Zoom H1 handy recorder
http://tinyurl.com/72sgqq3

Tascam DR-05 digital recorder
http://tinyurl.com/7od376g

Sony Movie Studio HD, $36
http://tinyurl.com/7otw529

Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lav mic
http://tinyurl.com/8x477wz

Sima Quickonnect - $8.03
http://tinyurl.com/7kryxps

NHL Hockey Tape
http://tinyurl.com/7dsq4yt

Mini ball head
http://tinyurl.com/8xgggjy

Sean Scarfo finds cheap counterwieghts
http://tinyurl.com/6pecwc7

Sheena Vaught's frugal dimmer
http://tinyurl.com/7xo58ww

Sean Scarfo's modified fig rig
http://tinyurl.com/77mhysq

Feeling nervous on day one? 5 Steps to curb your anxiety
http://tinyurl.com/7g3qt8j

Weathering props: fake moss
http://tinyurl.com/7djpsrl

$1 windscreen for Zoom H1
http://tinyurl.com/77mr2sf

Dave Albin finds 27 LED worklight - $5
http://tinyurl.com/7fu54zt

DIY steadicam Smoothee mod
http://tinyurl.com/7rcnyeo

Dave Albin finds 20 LED worklight with flexible tripod arms - $6
http://tinyurl.com/6vrul6j

Heikki O. Laukkaen's 3D-rig
http://tinyurl.com/8939av6

Sean Scarfo finds $5 eye loupe
http://tinyurl.com/6ny2rvz

Tip: remote screenwriting
http://tinyurl.com/7mrph55

Sean Scarfo attaches $3 LED light to camera rig
http://tinyurl.com/734yora

Sheena Vaught's frugal light stand
http://tinyurl.com/7p2l8ol

Sheena Vaught's frugal jib
http://tinyurl.com/7sadhfz

Sean Scarfo's shoulder rig w/lights
http://tinyurl.com/7ethu38

Tamara Stampone's PVC stabilizer rig
http://tinyurl.com/7qo2zxv

David Curtis' PVC stabilizer
http://tinyurl.com/87tc6vf

Aerial slider product shoot BTS
http://tinyurl.com/7woqb8x

Justin Leyba's DIY slider test
http://tinyurl.com/857nugj

Adam Davis' PVC stabilizer rig
http://tinyurl.com/7v5ofn3

Sean Scarfo's DIY LCD viewfinder
http://tinyurl.com/6s9tlye

$10 DIY camera slider
http://tinyurl.com/7d6w846

Sean Scarfo's DIY shoulder rig
http://tinyurl.com/7qbx8f9

Marcus Seelig's DIY shoulder rig
http://tinyurl.com/6tl76cr

Alan Collins' PVC stabilizer rig / shoulder mount
http://tinyurl.com/86fjgjp

Benjamin Duncan's shoulder rig plans
http://tinyurl.com/72ax2nw
3D render
http://tinyurl.com/86vzhk8

Alex Grooff's DIY shoulder rig
http://tinyurl.com/7yc7afo

Knoptop delves into DVD-Rs
http://tinyurl.com/76yvgey

Cam Pagan's Frugal Crane
http://tinyurl.com/7cu2quy

Wayne Poe's stabilizer upgrade plans
http://tinyurl.com/6mpjf9c

Scott Davis' DIY shoulder rig (and video)
http://tinyurl.com/89qgnj7
http://tinyurl.com/73kezxe

Chris Butterfield finds pulleys for Frugal Crane
http://tinyurl.com/7tstav6

David Curtis' test of ring camp light
http://tinyurl.com/7n9jq8g

Benjamin Duncan's FigRig design
http://tinyurl.com/7axjlns

Friday, February 3, 2012

Knoptop Delves into DVD-Rs



Dave is back with another installment of Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know, this time covering some cool facts about recordable DVDs. Despite the fact that we are moving into a VOD world and DVDs are becoming obsolete, this is good stuff. I still enjoy authoring a disk, as you can get pretty creative with the right program. Dave uses Adobe Encore, I like the lesser-known (and now no longer supported) DVDlab.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Tip: Remote Screenwriting



Modern technology can sure make life easier. With computers, smartphones and the internet your world is wide open to possibilities. Take screenwriting. In this tip episode, I share an easy way to work on your script whether you are at home, on the road, or even at work. And while you may need specialized software to finish, you only need the simplest kind to get started.

Celtx screenwriting software
http://celtx.com/index.html

Fade In screenwriting software
http://www.fadeinpro.com/

Dropbox online storage
https://www.dropbox.com/

Prolost: Screenplay Markdown Lives!
http://prolost.com/spmdlives

DV Rebel's Guide
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321413644/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Screenplain
http://screenplain.appspot.com/

Test Script:

INT. SMALLISH APARTMENT - DAY

A tall and lanky SCOTT EGGLESTON (40s), sits at a cluttered countertop feverishly pecking away at his laptop. A small cell phone with a cracked screen sits next to the computer.

The phone vibrates and begins a slow creep toward the edge of the countertop. It falls and is caught in mid-air by a bony hand.

SCOTT
(into phone)
Yello! No, I'm not here. Call me back and leave a voicemail, k? I'm right in the middle of something.

The phone hits the counter with a crack. The typing resumes.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Recap: New Stuff on Wednesday or Thursday?



RSS readers: Click on the title above to watch the hidden video.

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker/
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Panasonic HX-DC1 (same as Sanyo XACTI VPC-CG20) $168 (pink!)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764660-REG/Panasonic_HX_DC1P_HX_DC1_HD_...

Sony Movie Studio HD, $36
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CGDAL8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Sony Movie Studio HD Platinum, $48 (includes color correction tools)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051M6I9O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

PVC ratcheting pipe cutter (Amazon), $8.50
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005519DM0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

PVC ratcheting pipe cutter (Harbor Freight Tools), $3.50
http://www.harborfreight.com/ratchet-action-hose-pvc-pipe-cutter-39749.html

Sima Quickonnect
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JQ6C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Rosco Cinegel Quarter Blue (1/4 CTB), 20"x24"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B73P7W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Roscolux 1/4 tough white diffusion, 20"x24"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B73OQY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Building a DIY mini camera crane
http://youtu.be/UKuYsBMszJw

60 hours per minute and 4 billion views a day on YouTube
http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2012/01/holy-nyans-60-hours-per-minute-and...

Rick Dobrowski's stabilizer rig for underwater camera housing
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150537661074731&set=o.3343687560...

Bob Dorn's frugal light stand and "frugalfuser"
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2631123589743&set=o.334368756043&a...

Merlin-style Steadicam part I, the gimble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnDsh24gBo0&feature=g-upl&context=G207...

3 simple tips for filming without lights (interior)
http://filmcameracourse.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/3-simple-rules-for-filming-w...

Cheap microphone! Audio-Technica ATR 6250 or ATR 25 (with test)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-cqfSNHDrk&feature=share

Wayne Poe's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=353858447959005&set=o.334368756043...

Building a flexible top handle rig
http://vimeo.com/35578183

DIY cam slider
http://vimeo.com/35630007

Free Filmmakers and Acting Talent Network
http://www.facebook.com/groups/356266777718975/

Noah Goodman's PVC shoulder rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=362710560422972&set=o.334368756043...

How to add lens threads to your JVC GZ-MS230
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHGbX5bsops

Wayne Poe's method for adding external LED light to PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=356193681058815&set=o.334368756043...

DIY mic blimp rubberband assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9-n8CvnMw

Tamara Stampone's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=815060430538&set=o.334368756043&am...

DIY hotshoe adapter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUKYJN9f0g&feature=colike

Mike Lefebvre's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150515321753742&set=o.3343687560...

43" 5-in-1 collapsible multi-disk light reflector for $12.95
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZIMEMW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

4 sandbags for $22 (sand not included)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AHALEC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

How to create smoke for photography out of liquid
http://fstoppers.com/production-trick-how-to-create-smoke-for-photography-out...

Rui Silva's PVC shoulder mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2256586553647&set=o.334368756043&a...

Small LED light panel showdown
http://youtu.be/JvYD4QyqPQM

Donald Wren's FigRig clone
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2971824088665&set=o.334368756043&a...

Olle Aranas' suction cup mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150517729629562&set=o.3343687560...

Donald Wren's tripod mount for his PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2972341221593&set=o.334368756043&a...