Reddit mentions of Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone iPhone Xs X 8 7 Plus Samsung S9 S8 Android,Gopro,Focus Pull & Zoom,Object Tracking,Phonego Mode,Timelapse(Smooth Upgrade Ver in 2018)

The one I use is very similar to the one posted. Amazon It can get confused if you are making strange movements, like running around the back side of a stage.

I use it with an iPhone 6S Plus. I use the app from RecoLive at http://recolive.com to record from 4 sources at the same time. It works very well, and is very stable. I've used this to record multi-camera video from local concerts and speaking venues. You can designate a single audio source, which I try to get line audio from the venue.

/u/Drasu123 - with a $1000 production budget, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a camera. Your cellphone is probably a better cinema camera than anything you can buy or rent.

If you have an iPhone, you can get started by downloading FiLMiC Pro ([$8 from iTunes] (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167?mt=8&at=1000l8mT)) [Referral Link]. If you have an Android phone, you can download [Cinema FV-5, which is $2.49 right now on Google Play] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flavionet.android.cinema.pro&hl=en).

These apps will allow you to control aspect ratio, white balance, exposure, resolution and frame rates - turning your phone into a pretty good approximation of a camcorder.

FiLMiC Pro was used for this feature film shot entirely on iPhones with [inexpensive anamorphic "widescreen" lenses] (http://www.moondoglabs.com/store/#!/Anamorphic-Lenses-&-Accessories/c/8525657/offset=0&sort=normal):

• • [Tangerine - Red Band Trailer] (https://youtu.be/ALSwWTb88ZU) (NSFW)
    
    This one used FiLMiC Pro, iPhones and a jib:
    
    
• ["ALL UP TO YOU!" - iPhone 5 Movie] (https://vimeo.com/50438974)
  
  This was shot with a Nexus 5 and Cinema FV-5:
  
  
• [Cinema FV-5 demo reel] (https://youtu.be/b4vQdo0Me9k)
  
  You can get an [Amazon Basics video tripod for $74.99] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEH7VG8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEH7VG8&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$6.95 phone to tripod adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OS9E6AO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00OS9E6AO&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Links] to steady your shots.
  
  Without a tripod or stabilizer (e.g., a [$239 Zhiyun Smooth-C] (http://www.amazon.com/Zhiyun-Z1-Smooth-C-Multi-function-Handheld-Blackberry/dp/B00ZZOVHA8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)) [Referral Link], handheld cellphone video can be hard to watch.
  
  You should also invest in a directional mic or a lavalier for better sound than you can get from the built-in mic.
  
  Directional Mic
  
  The least expensive option is the [$69 Rode VideoMic Me] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018KIJGU8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B018KIJGU8&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Link].
  
  Here is the Rode promo video with example audio: https://youtu.be/1-x8MVngwaI
  
  Lavalier
  
  For dialogue between 2 actors, you can get a [Movo dual lavalier with headphone monitoring for $39.95] (http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Executive-Microphone-Monitoring-Smartphones/dp/B019HQHXN4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Link]. You can either plug it into the phone you're using for video - or you can download an app (e.g. [Rode Rec, $5.99 for iOS] (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/r-de-rec/id528642521?mt=8&at=1000l8mT) [Referral Link] or [Smart Voice Recorder] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrwq.recorder&hl=en) or [Skyro Voice Recorder] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.triveous.recorder&hl=en) for Android), record a "scratch" audio track with your camera's internal microphone and sync the audio from the phone to your camera's audio track in the edit, as seen here (example is for the Rode SmartLav, but it makes the point for the entire lav/phone category):
  
  http://youtu.be/P2RIFZOGMZo
  
  With this setup, for less than $200, you should be able to get started.
  
  Make sure your script is tight and tells a story, hire people that can actually act and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
  
  Use the rest of the money to light your set and feed your cast and crew.
  
  Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Since space is limited, what about shooting with your phone and investing $300 or so into gear to help achieve better results? I'm thinking a 3-axis gimbal and a smartphone mic. Maybe add on a 22000mah battery pack. If you have the cash.

This is all assuming your phone has a decent camera. I shot with a my Pixel XL + Zhiyun Smooth II on a recent trip and the quality exceeded my expectations quite a bit.

Edit: they also make gorillapod like tripods for phones.

yeah use the budget to get a little clip on light or microphone for your smart phone and maybe one of these to get very smooth moving shots

https://www.amazon.com/Zhiyun-Multi-function-Independent-Stabilizer-Blackberry/dp/B00ZZOVHA8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1496294484&sr=8-3&keywords=phone+gimbal

Is this the device you are using? https://www.amazon.com/Zhiyun-Z1-Smooth-C-Multi-function-Handheld-Blackberry/dp/B00ZZOVHA8

A little cheaper copy at $209 - but no idea about the quality.