Question by Jenny P: How much would it cost to rent video and audio equipment to make a short film?
I am developing a summer program for class that teaches youth about diversity and socially responsible media. Specifically they will learn how to develop, produce, direct, and edit film. The youth will have the opportunity to develop their own media piece (e.g. a short film or music video). I am trying to come up with a rough estimate for how much it would cost to rent the equipment the youth will need to develop their media piece. I would need the equipment for approximately 16 weeks. The problem is I know nothing about film production, and don’t know the equipment I would need. So my question is two fold: (1) what equipment would I need to create a short film and/or music video, and (2) roughly how much would it cost to rent that equipment for a 16 week period? THANK YOU!
Best answer:
Answer by beachsand4me
Sounds like you have an interesting job ahead of you.
Making a short film/music video equipment needed, this is such a wide range of area. You say film, I am assuming you are just using the term, not actually shooting film such as 16mm on a Arri camera or whatever brand you choose to rent? If so thats going to be quite a bit more spendy then going digital or even beta tapes.
Well you will need a camera, could be just a Cannon Xl, or a Sony VX, or really quite a few other options.
You will need tape stock (the two I mentioned will be miniDV) how much tape stock is up to you, how much footage you going to let them shoot.
Need a decent light kit (usually about 3 or 4 lights) for the kids to use, again lots of rental houses use lowel light kits or Arri, ask for a ENG package and see what they can offer you. Make sure the kit comes included with a Chimera, will make the lighting faster and easier.
Maybe a reflector for the lighting, and some colored gels and defuser for the lights as well (should be included in kit)
Some sort of back drop if shooting inside or change of scenery, use your imagination on this one. Could be anything!
Going to need Audio, mics, mixer, cables, boom, and shotgun mic, headphones. Rental house will get you all that is needed for audio.
Need to have some way to get the shot footage from the mini dv or cd, or whatever method you choose to a computer for editing the video or short film. Could be a straight firewire shot from the camera to the computer, or might have to get a playback deck rented as well. Then of course some editing software to put it all together. Affordable is Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut pro for Mac. Then however your going to let them have their final video, guessing dvd? So need some dvds.
(Sure im forgetting a few things off the top of my head here, but this is the basics of it)
The cost, well depends on the market your in lots of times. LA or NY quite a bit more spendy then the market in Iowa. And the trick is going to find a place to do a flat rental fee for that period of time, but being for education purposes etc. sure something can be worked out. Going to have to call a video equipment rental house and just ask them what they rent packages for, like i mentioned ENG package would get you going.
Good Luck sounds like a fun time!!
What do you think? Answer below!