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One of the most intimidating aspects of launching a church film ministry is determining exactly what gear you need to get started. It can be difficult to tell which tools are essential and which are luxuries. Fortunately, there are five basic categories of gear filmmakers need to create solid media, and once your team is equipped with these items you’ll be ready to take on the various promos, documentaries and narrative projects most church film teams are called upon to create.
Camera body
The camera body itself is the heart of the film rig, and as such it can be the most daunting for first-time buyers. Digital video cameras today can be broken down into three basic categories, each having its own strengths and weaknesses. Camcorders are all-in-one solutions that almost always include a built-in zoom lens and audio recording inputs. For teams without a lot of videography experience, camcorders are usually the best way to go in that they are by far the easiest to use.
The camera body itself is the heart of the film rig, and as such it can be the most daunting for first-time buyers.
Sony Nx80 Camcorder
The next kind of camera body is the digital cinema camera, which is designed for maximum creative image quality and control and requires a higher degree of cinematography expertise. While most digital cinema cameras usually have some sort of solution for recording audio, the vast majority of these cameras need additional lenses in order to capture footage.
The third style of camera that can be used for film work is the DSLR or mirrorless stills camera. While these cameras are designed primarily for taking still photographs, many are also capable of capturing high quality digital video footage. The tradeoff with these kinds of cameras is that, while they’re usually more affordable, they are often the most difficult to use effectively. This is because the cameras have poor ergonomics for filming, don’t have pro-level audio inputs and usually can’t record beyond a 30-minute time length. Churches hoping to utilize this style of camera will want to invest time into researching effective workarounds for their cinematic shortcomings.
Camera lenses
The second essential piece of gear film teams need is a lens, or set of lenses, for their camera body. Camcorder-style video cameras will already include a built-in zoom lens designed specifically for that particular camera. Teams utilizing digital cinema cameras and DSLRs will need a lens for the camera to get started. The best practice is to select the camera body first, and then to select a lens designed to work with the specific camera’s lens mount.
The best practice is to select the camera body first, and then to select a lens designed to work with the specific camera’s lens mount.
Another important rule of thumb is to start with a good, general-use zoom lens that can cover the needs of run-and-gun documentary filmmaking, and then add higher-quality prime lenses later on. While lenses for digital cinema can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars, beginning filmmakers will usually be wise to start with a reasonably priced zoom in order to ensure you still have budget for the other essentials.
Canon 24-105 lens
Camera support
The next important category of filmmaking equipment is the support gear for stabilizing the camera. For young film teams this means purchasing a good tripod that can support the weight of the camera rig and that features a fluid head for smooth panning and tilting. A good tripod shouldn’t break the bank, but it’s also a good idea to avoid going with the cheapest option available.
For young film teams this means purchasing a good tripod that can support the weight of the camera rig and that features a fluid head for smooth panning and tilting.
A good next step stabilization solution could include a monopod or shoulder camera mount, both of which are more portable and easier to use when filming on the go. Advanced gear like camera sliders, pocket cranes and gimbal systems are more affordable than ever before, but should be considered next-step filmmaking tools.
Manfrotto tripod
Audio tools
Easily the most overlooked aspect of the film rig, it’s absolutely essential for film teams to include professional audio solutions in their filmmaking kit. The most important device for capturing great audio is a quality shotgun microphone, which can be attached directly onto the camera for documentary work, or mounted on a boom stand just out of frame. For teams using stills cameras or some digital cinema cameras an additional audio field recorder with XLR audio inputs will be crucial for capturing and monitoring sound in real time.
The most important device for capturing great audio is a quality shotgun microphone, which can be attached directly onto the camera for documentary work, or mounted on a boom stand just out of frame.
Tascam DR 60mkll audio recorder
A solid audio kit will also include a set of headphones for listening to what you’re recording while filming. These are every bit as important as the viewfinder or screen for capturing professional-level video. While ear buds will work in a pinch, it’s usually wiser to invest in a mid-range set of over-the-ear headphones that will allow you to hear more of the low frequencies in your environment.
Lighting instruments
A final essential type of gear church film teams will need is lighting. The good news is that great LED light panels are widely available in prices lower than ever before. These LED lights are small, portable and extremely safe to use. Other lighting technologies like florescent and incandescent will likely be next-step options rather than foundational.
Ikan Mylo LED lighting
... great LED light panels are widely available in prices lower than ever before. These LED lights are small, portable and extremely safe to use.
An additional lighting tool that beginning film teams should seriously consider is a collapsible 5-in-1 reflector, which can bounce light, defuse light and flag (or block) light, depending on your needs. These tools are extremely affordable and versatile, and can go a long way towards making difficult shooting environments more workable.
In conclusion
Ultimately, church filmmaking is not about tools or gear -- it’s about story, purpose and inspiration. Once you have these essential items in place it’s important to get out and begin producing great media, rather than getting stuck fixating on that next lens or camera or light that you’re dreaming about. Make the most of what you have, even if it’s just a $200 camera and a work lamp, and leadership will resource the work as you continue to bring more value to the ministry of the church.
