Equipment for Shooting Music Videos In Kenya

Kenya as a whole is growing the habit of embracing quality music videos. Artists, as well as producers, are embracing the need for quality video production. But for you to be able to produce what will be considered as a quality music video by the world of the music enthusiast, the equipment that will be used in the production does make the count.

Equipment for shooting music video production is classified into two major classes. These are basic and advanced equipment for music video production. Equipment varies in application because of the:

The budget of the artist

Type of the project

Location of the project

Pros and amateur of the person in charge

An important point to note is that you can always get music video shooting training before using any type of equipment that you don’t have any prior experience with. This will give you skills as well as confidence over usage of the equipment.

Basic

This is what you do when you have no secluded or planned budget for shooting music videos. The equipment is quite affordable as they are found with anyone and autonomously around everywhere and with anyone living in the 21st-century world of science and technology. Talk of any smartphone, iPhone, very cheap camera, or DSLR camera. You can shoot your musical video from anything depending on the depth of your knowledge or the one handling the equipment which will lead you to the depth of your budget.

Advanced

With advanced equipment for shooting a music video, you will actually need a budget. Hiring this equipment with the affordable labor of professional people to work with them for the production of the video is the real deal.

Some of the equipment that you will need for the shooting of a music video include the following.

Video Camera

A video camera is like the basics of video production, it is the main ingredient. Whatever camera you choose will depend on the budget available and the knowledge of the camera person. It will also depend on the type of shooting you are interested in. is the type of static, stealth, run-and-gun, or whatever you choose. Whatever the camera, ensure that the audio taken has the best qualities you can get out of it

Tripod

This is important if you want to avoid shaky images on the screen. They are used to keep the camera still as they give it a professional look. Tripods with easy to manage and fluid heads are preferable as they give friendly application when it comes to angles.

DSLR Shoulder Mount Rig

Shooting with a DSLR can be appealing if you choose to have it on your shoulder. This is perfect especially when your style is run and gun and also creates a nice professional look.

Camera Light

I’m pretty sure that when you are shooting that video, you don’t want the end product to have lingering shadows in the background. The camera light enables you to get a clean cut that does not have these shows. They tend to draw a lot of negative attention and make the video look crowded. it is also perfect when you can afford or lack the means to set up a three-point lighting setup

Three-Point Lighting Kit/ light reflector

This is mainly essential when it comes to indoor shooting as the area will require ample lighting. The three-point lighting kit creates a scene that is well lit in a way that involves a 3-way lighting setup. It sounds so expensive but you can get sneaky and play around with the budget.

You can alternatively use a light reflector to turn what would have been an ugly dull video into a very engaging and awesomely done clip. Lighting is everything in a video shooting scene

Shotgun Microphone

You want your video to have that perfect audio result and the best way to ensure this is by using a shotgun microphone. It can be placed on top of the camera or boom pole in preparation for any circumstance that may cause a hindrance to the perfect audio production.

Research on the types of microphones and see which ones best suites the description of work and situation you are being presented with.

Boom Pole

Does your video shooting involve crowd scenes? Either way, if you want to go all professional in all aspects of the perfect audio, a boom pole is a necessity. It comes in handy when it comes to obtaining professional audio at a faster rate. They work hand in hand with the shotgun mike

Shock Mount

This is meant to ensure that the mic remains steady and in place while mounted onto the pole. It also prevents the accumulation and acquisition of unwanted sounds when the pole is on the move.

Audio (XLR) Cables

This is a necessity should you need to use the audio set up together with your camcorder as they are used to connect the camera to the mike

Headphones

Functional and comfortable headphones are essential if you want to monitor the sounds being recorded as the production goes on. This will be essential for the production of the perfect audio in your video. it works in a way that you avoid weird sound surprises after the shooting.

Lenses

It is important to have a wide array of knowledge to know how to play around when it comes to lenses and angles. We have a wide-angle, clear “protective” lens, polarizer, zoom lens, macros, etc. lenses are also used to make ugly scenes and stunts look clean and professional.

3-4 Extra Batteries

You don’t want to get stranded in the middle of the shoot just because batteries ran out. Anything can happen when it comes to the batteries, it is professional to be always prepared for the worst with extra batteries.

Also, carry with you Video Tapes, Flash Memory Cards, or DVDs depending on the needs and type of camera you will be using. These will aid in the storage of the recorded footage.

Video/Photo Camera Bag

Where do you safely store all your shooting necessities? Of course, you can’t just carry them along as you walk around. You will need a bag that will protect it from other elements like water that may damage them.

Shooting a music video in Kenya is hard and an expensive affair. This is if you want that quality video that you will love and be proud of selling to the people. You are advised to have ample planning both in time and finances. But you can always get you an affordable producer, given what you want to do with your song and production.  Be easy with everything and keen on detail and eventually the result will be a success.