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I’m Ready for My Closeup: Zooming In on the Camera Setup

No matter the scale of the project you’re shooting, whether a short film or a big project, one of the most vital pieces of equipment you’ll need is a camera. Considering that you will be shooting scenes or what have you, it only makes sense that you have something to shoot with. Otherwise, you won’t be able to have any output to work with.

Of course, it should go without saying that you will need a camera when you’re shooting a movie, commercial, or whatever else you have in mind. However, many people sometimes overlook just how important a camcorder is in these types of projects. For many, anything you can use to point and record will be more than enough. But, when it comes to working on a very visually-intensive medium such as a film, paying attention to what you’re shooting with can help bring out the best in the project you’re working on.

Fortunately, when it comes to finding the right equipment, several places can help you in that aspect. Nowadays, specialized cinema rental companies carry an extensive inventory of everything you might need to film–cameras included. So, if you need to find the right tool for your shoot, places like Expressway Cine will be more than willing to assist you.

Why Focus on a Camera

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Since shooting things like commercials and films require that you’re able to capture the scenes that you want people to see, it makes sense that you should have a camera to get all of that done.

However, many people don’t know the importance of being very picky about the camcorder you’ll be using.

All cameras indeed do the same thing: capture images and videos. However, not all camcorder are capable of doing the same thing. For example, if you need to capture a vast landscape, you’ll need a camcorder that’ll be able to do that. That’s not something an action camcorder can do.

Much like how every tool in the toolbox has a specific function, each type of camera also has a situation that it’s perfect for. So, with that in mind, you can now understand why it’s essential to have the right camcorder on hand. That way, you get to capture what you want to and ensure that your audience ends up seeing that too.

The Setup

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Of course, to capture things in the best way possible, you will also need to give your camera the proper setup. By doing so, you maximize the camcorder’s function and use it to its fullest extent.

While it’s safe to say that your camera is very essential to the shoot, the accompanying setup is equally as important. This is because while the camera does all the shooting and capturing, the setup helps give you that ideal shot and ensures that the camera is where it needs to be. A proper setup can help with things like keeping the camera stable and also help it focus on what you’re meant to be shooting. Essentially, your setup enables you to get the shot you want with your camcorder .

Knowing all that, you can see how a good setup built around and for your camera can help elevate the quality of whatever it is you want to capture. So, with that in mind, what can you put into your camcorder setup? Well, the number of things you can put into your camera setup is rather extensive.

However, to help give you an idea of what you can put into your shooting setup, there are a few standard things that most shoots have. Some of these are listed below.

1. The Camera

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When you plan on shooting something, it should go without saying that you need a camera. However, it’s not as simple as getting any camcorder you can rent. Depending on the nature of your shoot or what you plan on capturing, you will have to choose the proper camcorder.

Of course, you have your typical film cameras, as you would see on different sets and shoots. These are generally good for filming your typical movie scenes or commercials. However, if you plan on filming immersive action scenes or things like extreme sports, you’ll have to deviate from the standard cameras and choose an action camera. These action cameras are more compact and rugged to withstand the conditions you may find in things like extreme sports.

Considering that you’re building your setup around your camcorder, you must get the right camcorder for the job. That way, you’re on the right track to getting the shots you want.

2. The Lenses

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Another essential thing to factor into your setup would be the camera lenses. With the help of the right lens, you can capture something as great as a vast landscape or even as tiny as an ant. Without the right lenses for your camcorders, it becomes harder for your audience to see what you’re trying to show them.

However, aside from all the details that your lenses can help show, these also help frame your shot. The lens you use will help frame whatever it is you want your audience to see. So, it only makes sense that you use the right one that allows you to capture all the parts of a scene that you deem essential. For lack of a better term, these lenses help you focus on what needs to be focused on.

So, just like how you should pick the right camcorder, you should also choose the right lens to complement it.

3. The Rig

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While getting the right tool to shoot with is essential, sometimes you’ll also need something to support that tool. In this case, sometimes your camera may need a rig. When you talk about a rig, you can talk about something large as a camcorder crane to something as small as a stabilizer. But, whatever the size, all these rigs help you get a better shot.

If you want to hold the camcorder, a handheld stabilizer would be a great addition to your setup as it eliminates shakiness as you shoot. If you want something that allows you to track an object, a slider would be the perfect rig for you.

Rigs come in all shapes and sizes, each carrying out different functions. However, they’ll all help you get that shot. So, when filming, think about getting a rig that can help support your camcorder and also enable you to get the shots you have in mind. That way, you make things easier for yourself and get that perfect shot with minimal error.

Conclusion

There’s a lot that goes into shooting or filming. However, at the core, one of the most important things you’ll need to consider will be your cameras. Without your camcorders, you won’t have anything to capture your shots. So, paying attention to the camcorders you’ll need makes sense.

However, aside from the cameras, some other important accompanying things can help you with your shoot. These are usually known as the setup that supports your camcorder. While the setup can consist of several different things, items like lenses and rigs are one of the more common things people focus on. These two things are just some examples of how you can get that perfect shot–with lenses helping you focus on particular objects and rigs helping you get that perfect shot.

So, when it comes to getting all these things together, it’s essential to know where to get them. That way, you can at least be assured that you have what you need when you need it, and you’ll be able to use these items to their fullest extent. For anyone doing a shoot, that can help make things go by much more effortless.

About Carolyn Lang