As you are no doubt aware, content creation is not just about cameras and lights. Sometimes, the most critical tools in a filmmaker’s arsenal are often overlooked essentials that make all the difference on set. From ensuring crisp audio to keeping your shots steady, these tools are the unsung heroes of production.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll unveil the top 10 unsexy but absolutely essential pieces of filmmaking gear that every creator needs. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting, these tools are indispensable for producing high-quality content.*
*for full transparency, the links in the above article are Amazon affiliate links, if you are interested in purchasing anything below and do so via the links, we receive a commission at no additional cost to you. It's a great way to support the site if you're looking to add these tools to your kit!
Reliable Tripods: Stability for Every Shot
Our shots are only as steady as the sticks we put the camera on, so one of the best investment you can make is a good-quality tripod. They can come in at various different price-points and budget ranges, so it’s worth assessing your needs, taking into account things like the size and weight of the camera you shoot on, as well as the kind of locations you’ll be shooting at.
We love Smallrig for their more accessible pricing and build quality; they provide solutions from lightweight to more heavy duty tripods.
Smallrig 73” Tripod - https://amzn.to/3RjSlxm
Quality Sound Recorders: Capturing Crystal Clear Audio
Even in visually-focused projects, the importance of good audio quality is undeniable, and it’s not just your microphones you need to invest in. You need a way to record that audio. Now you could connect your microphone straight into your camera, but what if you need to have multiple inputs to record, say if you have multiple lav mics in your scene?
For this you’ll need a solid audio recorder.
Now if you have a dedicated soundie, it is likely that they will have their own gear, but as a solo filmmaker, you’ll want to invest in this area.
Zoom has long been a frontrunner when it comes to field recorders, with multiple XLR inputs, the H6 is a solid bet! - https://amzn.to/46BHsvt
Lighting Solutions: Setting the Scene Right
Lighting is one of the key areas of any video content creating. Grasping how to light a shot is essential to help elevate your compositions whether you are shooting for YouTube or narrative.
First though, you need access to lights. The cost of good lighting has decreased significantly in the past decade, largely due to the evolution of LED technology; lighting brands have utilised this to create models at various price points based on the level of power you need from your light sources.
We recommend starting with a solid Aputure bi-colour light such as the Amaran 200x. This gives off a hefty amount of light and is nice and quiet compared to cheaper models.
Aputure Amaran 200x - https://amzn.to/49ZgvV6
Durable Camera Bags: Protecting Your Valuable Gear
The only thing that comes close to the importance of our valuable and oftentimes pricey gear, is the bag or case we transport it in.
This is one area where you really do not want to skimp on. It can be the difference between gear lasting for years and gear that leaves a shoot damaged and needing costly repairs ahead of the next one.
Run & Gun Camera Bag Solution - https://amzn.to/47V5brA
Pelicases - https://amzn.to/482le6P
Power Banks and Batteries: Keeping Your Equipment Powered
Equally as key as your cameras themselves are the batteries that power them. For this we like to stick to one rule: avoid third party brands at all costs.
Always try and source official brand batteries for the camera you are using. They will hold their charge longer, and generally just be more reliable than cheaper alternatives. Sure, if you are using your kit for personal use and not professional projects, you could maybe make an exception, but by and large, try and stick to this rule.
Secondly, never underestimate the number of spare batteries you might need. It sometimes feels like an unnecessary expense, but trust us when we say that you do not want to be left with an uncomfortable situation on-set where you’re having to wait for batteries to charge.
Lens Cleaning Kits
Those lenses ain’t cheap, so it’s worth adding to your gear some cleaning kits that can keep them in good condition.
A good cleaning cloth and micro-fibre brush will go a long way to make sure that your shots aren’t being spoiled by any rogue pieces of dust or grit on your lenses.
There are a number of kits out there to choose from, we recommend this great set by K&F, a reliable brand and it comes with a number of optical glass cleaning wipes: https://amzn.to/3R8fOAt
Clapperboards: Simplifying Post-Production
Regardless of whether you are post-syncing any audio, a clapperboard can be crucial to help organise your post-production workflows. Use them to visually label each shot and subsequent take, your editor will thank you!
You don’t need to break the bank buying a digital slate, opt for a simple acrylic clapperboard and help smooth out your post workflows.
Acrylic Clapperboard: https://amzn.to/3t67VmW
Gaffer Tape: The Fix-All Tool
There aren’t many things the humble roll of gaffer tape can’t fix. It’s long been a staple in any kit bag when on-set. Use it to tape down cables, reinforce any loose fixtures and even mask out signs or labels.
The strongest adhesive tape around, a roll of gaffer tape is a must-have!
Gaffer Tape: https://amzn.to/46OWSfZ
Cables and Connectors: The Lifelines of Your Gear
The worst thing that can happen to you on set is a cable failing on you and not having a replacement at hand. Never underestimate the importance of spare HDMIs, USB’s and any such connector you might need for your gear.
With these, you’ll want to go for a reliable brand, and if you’re looking for a HDMI to hook your camera up to a monitor, make sure the ends are nicely reinforced so they can’t be pulled out easily by mistake.
Silkland are a solid brand that are worth checking out: https://amzn.to/4191NXL
Memory Cards and Storage: Safeguarding Your Footage
The humble memory card. You entrust these with the success of your shoot, so make sure you treat them with as much importance!
Better quality cards result in less nightmares (think lost or corrupted footage), as well as faster read and writing speeds, resulting in faster transfer times to your hard drives.
We love Sony’s TOUGH CFexpress cards for our Sony cameras; whilst fairly pricey, the piece of mind they offer you makes them worth every penny: https://amzn.to/47MKgqI
Definitely shop around for the best card options for your chosen camera, time spent in this area is essential to prevent you unnecessary headaches down the road!
Even though they might not be the flashiest items in your filmmaking toolkit, these 10 essential pieces of gear are fundamental to running a smooth shoot. By investing in these crucial tools, you're setting yourself up for success in every production.
