The Great (or maybe odd) Burlington VT Video Equipment Challenge
Sure, I could go out and buy this stuff on my own (to replace my beater setup) and then maybe find time and clients to use it with while also being employed full time, but where’s the fun and/or publicity in that? There was lots of interest in my recent video tips post (based on site traffic), so now seemed like an opportune time.
My goal with this challenge is to educate the curious about the tools needed to undertake video in-house (if you also have the skills/time to produce it) as well as potentially find a local business or organization that wants to have some on message video stories to share across their digital platforms for a very low time/money/brain power commitment.
I’m not a videographer who sees himself as an artist, I’m a marketing communications pro who just happens to also be able to produce branded journalism in the video medium. It’s like having the local news do interesting stories about whatever you want, which you then own.
The t3i beats out the Nikon 5100 for video and audio recording. It also features a flip screen and external stereo microphone jack. Records in 1080p at 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps. If you have extra funds go with the 60d, 5d or 7d. No need for large lense for 99% of video.
You will need a lapel microphone for interviews. Get one with a long cord or wireless.
Carry it all. If it can also carry your tripod. Even better!
You will want at least a 16 gb sd card, bigger is better.
Going to try and capture real life? You must have wind protection and stereo sound.
Note: This product list is not what you need to be a professional video producer for a living (not even close), this is what you need if you want to tell coherent video stories in short order without over-investing.
Many marketing departments find themselves in this spot nowadays. The internet is hungry – you need to be able to feed it with content that entertains and endears. Even if you’re not in a spot to jump at my challenge (think again), hopefully the product listing and details may help you out. If your outfit is starting from scratch you will also need a tripod and editing software. I also highly recommend an external hard drive for storing the mountains of raw footage you will accumulate.
Cover my costs to buy the pictured items (or procure them however you want) - then we’ll sit down to plan your two completed video stories. Want some social media, marketing or pr consulting while we are at it? Why not! Heck, team up with another local business and split it. Total cost of these items = $1000. Think about what else costs you $1000. Much of it is not as useful as two plug and play video calling cards or highlight reels.
Check out the web video tab, the mediawithak youtube page, or see some of my recent work locally. All made using equipment far more inferior than the above. Let’s do this.
