Camera and Related Equipment

The aesthetic of the USF S/M film program will emphasize naturalism (e.g., shooting on location, not on stage) with small mobile crews and limited lighting. Accordingly, we are not advocating heavy investment in camera or, for that matter, grip and electric equipment. We believe that USF S/M can launch a film production program that stresses theory and resourcefulness on a limited budget using readily available and inexpensive equipment. Such a program makes sense as production and distribution of motion pictures moves into a new digital age. An added benefit is that the film program we are proposing will only require a modest investment in professional quality equipment by USF.

To begin this new program, if money is to be spent on hardware, we would consider spending on high-end editing equipment (see the post below) that would permit HD editing but in addition to those purchases we would recommend that USF S/M consider purchasing two HD cameras and a limited amount of grip and electric equipment as well.

The students enrolling in USF S/M's film production program (especially those who have already earned an AA or AAS in film) deserve access to professional camera and production equipment. But access to professional quality equipment is only one part of a solid film production education. At USF S/M most film production assignments will be about theory and conceptual work that can be achieved on consumer quality equipment (e.g., student-owned equipment like cameras costing well under $500 and editing software that is available for well under $200).

To provide students access to professional quality equipment, we are recommending that USF S/M consider purchasing at least some of the following camera and grip and electric equipment:

2 Digital HD Cameras: The Panasonic AG-HVX200 and Sony HVR-Z1U both provide 1080i/720p HiDef recording for around $5,000 - 6,500 per camera.

In addition there will be significant expenses for lenses, batteries, rails, matte boxes, filters, monitors, cables, and other camera accessories.

Tripods:
2 Sachtler Video Sticks with Heads at approximately $2,400 each

Dolly:
perhaps 1 used Dolly if one becomes available

Audio:
Assorted microphones (wireless and cabled), field mixers, boompoles with blimps, walkie-talkies, cable, etc.

Grip Equipment:
15 century stands, assorted flags, diffusion, apple boxes, color, etc.

Lighting Equipment:
2 ARRI Softbank Kits at approximately $2,800 each (each kit contains one Arrilite 1,000W Open Face Fixture, with Barndoors, Single & Double Scrim and Chimera Speed Ring for Arrilite 1,000; two Arri 650 Plus Fresnels, w/Barndoors, Single & Double Scrims, Filter Frames; and one Arri 300 Plus Fresnel, with Barndoors, Single & Double Scrim, Filter Frame; and four Arri AS-2 Light Stands all in a Heavy Duty Case (40"x19"x13.5"))

1 Kino Flo Diva Light 400 2 Unit Kit at approximately $3,000 including bulbs (kit includes 2 Diva-Lite 400, 2 Stands, 2 Off-set Mounts, 2 Floziers, Full, 2 Lamp Case, 1 Thermodyne Flight Case (22"x16"x 33.5"))

Perhaps USF could purchase additional larger lights - such as a used Arri 1.2K HMI light kit or Arri 4K HMI including stands should such become available.

Specialized equipment that will only be used infrequently (eg., dollies with track, special lenses, hi-speed camers for super slo-mo) can be rented by the students or even by the department as needed.

We realize this is not a good time to propose an undergraduate program in film production. Unprecedented budget cuts are being announced throughout Florida's state university system. And the transition to digital technology makes us worry that this year's hot new camera equipment will be next year's white elephant. That said, we are advocating that USF consider purchasing some of the above film production equipment, including cost-effective digital cameras that will enable HD recording on an affordable format (which might give the Sony camera an advantage as it records on standard DV cassettes). To summarize, we recommend that most of the money for equipment be spent on editing (see the post below), but the type of camera and production equipment listed here could also be purchased by USF S/M and maintained in a dedicated film equipment room for student sign-out.