DIY Filmmaking
A quick search of the web or YouTube will bring you hundreds of thousands of how to videos, on how to create all sorts of things for your next film project. Some are entertaining and fun to watch, some are not. It got me wondering though, is DIY filmmaking when it comes to productions a good thing. The conclusion I came to, well you’re going to have to read to find out of course.
Why DIY?
Lets start with why do people do DIY filmmaking projects. There are several types of film makers and creators that do DIY.
The Newb, The Low Budget Indie, The Pro. Wait, The Pro? yea it may sound a little off but let me explain. The Newb and the Low Budget films are the obvious ones for DIY projects, they do’t have the tools they need or want to take a production to the next level. The Newb is doing to to learn and grow in their craft, The Low Budget is doing out of almost pure necessity. The Pro, may not be doing it out of necessity, but they may do it to learn.
DIY Learning
DIY is more than just getting functional gear at a fraction of the cost. Putting together DIY gear is, I think, an invaluable tool. It is an amazing learning process. As you build your project you learn the ins and outs of how that particular thing works and how it will, and can be used in many ways for your camera. You get an intimate knowledge of that process. That is invaluable, when you are on your indie set, you know exactly how that tool can be manipulated. When you get the pro level or expensive gear you will have a great idea on how to work it and really make it work for you. Its like crash course film school, sort of. Sure makes DIY seem amazing, and it sure can be, but it’s not with out its drawbacks.
A Time and a Place
Don’t get me wrong, I love DIY filmmaking projects. I have done all sorts of things, backdrops, light modifiers, one of my favorite light modifiers was a ring light I made for photography using cardboard, paper and tin foil. Another favorite was a nice soft box I made with a work light, cardboard tinfoil and a sheet. Or maybe my iPad box teleprompter. I’ve learned a lot from these and other projects, but I don’t use them outside of my home grown studio. When it comes time to do professional work, I feel it’s time to use professional products. No matter how nice you make it, and some are done very well. I would still give it a second thought or more on taking it on a paid production. This is where rental houses come in. Now I know its cheaper to build and some times more cost effective to buy, but rental is the best option for gear you need and don’t have on a job. You can take what you learned on your project and apply it to professional gear and really hit the ground running. Just remember there is a time and a place to use your new home made gear.
Professionals Do DIY?
Some pro’s would turn their nose at making home grown gear, others, like myself, embrace it. I think all pro’s should embrace DIY filmmaking to some degree. It is a great way to see how you can manipulate gear, what you can do to create new and interesting shots. It’s also a great way to try things with out breaking expensive equipment. You will however see DIY on pro productions, but its not going to be the $35 slider hack job that YouTube wants you to build. Its going to be things that need to get done, and need to get done in a pinch or to make something work the right way. That sort of DIY I have no issues with, that I classify as just get it done. To the pro’s who aren’t into DIY gear, I would urge you to give it a try. Give your self a chance to learn more, and grow in your craft. Use it to push your creativity to levels you haven’t taken it yet.
Final Thoughts
DIY is great, do it! use it to learn, use it to grow and master a skill but don’t use it professionally. Also no DIY gear will ever replace quality professional products. DIY on a pro set, MacGyver on set is never a bad thing, learning some DIY gear can build that skill too, making you an even more useful tool to have on a production. So, get out there, get your hands dirty and make something.
Have you done a DIY project for your film making? I would love to hear about it. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I feel Arthur was perhaps alluding to the necessity for examples. Maybe some shots of a subject using say DIY lighting/modifiers, tracking/grips (dollies etc) against the same using pro/hired gear. That is certainly something I feel the article needed. Nevertheless thanks for an interesting article.
It really would have been a bit more interesting if you would have written about a few ideas like some of other bloggers are doing. Although the article has it’s point and is well written I think you would have picked up a few more followers had you made this a little more informative. Thanks for the insights
I understand where you’re coming from but the point of the article wasnt to give ideas what could be done DIY, but more what or when is DIY a good option. I suppose if you’re looking for DIY ideas that can help hone your craft, I would suggest lighting, build lights, light modifiers anything to do with lighting. Learning the ins and outs of using and creating light are invaluable. Another DIY thing to look up would be DIY lens hacks, learning how you can manipulate an image before post production is very helpful. Those 2 are probably the best place to start. outside of that the basics like stabilizing your camera etc etc.