(Part 2) Best products from r/Filmmakers

Thanks for the shout out, /u/Joeboy

/u/deosama - for serious filmmaking, with a $2500 to $3000 budget, I recommend [Referral Links]:

Camera and Low Light Lens

• [Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera (with a free 32GB SD card and Rode VideoMicro external microphone)] (https://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-SanDisk-VideoMicro-Microphone-Articulating/dp/B01M7XCI73//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$179.99 Panasonic 25mm f1.7 prime lens] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=182012172949&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) plus a [$7.50 cold shoe] (https://www.amazon.com/Smallrig-Cold-Adapter-Standard-Screw/dp/B00HJFBUCQ//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$6.69 Mini ball head cold shoe mount] (https://www.amazon.com/ROZOER-Camera-adapter-inches-thread/dp/B019U7SYOW//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$149 LP-E6 powered monitor] (https://www.amazon.com/LILLIPUT-667GL-70NP-Camera-Monitor-BATTERY/dp/B00MB6M2L6///ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20).
  
  Although the GH4 has higher resolution, the BMMCC has wider (13+ stops) dynamic range, and more robust internal 12-bit RAW and 10-bit ProRes codecs for creative color grading and rock solid chromakey.
  
  Here are a few examples of the image quality this camera can produce:
  
  Narrative/Experimental
  
  
• [Au lac by Thomas Fontaine] (https://vimeo.com/189062822)
  
  
• [GENE Teaser by Giant Leap Productions] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/179117336)
  
  
• [Micro by Noam Kroll] (https://vimeo.com/152176332)
  
  
• [Love Story - Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera by JSFILMZ] (https://vimeo.com/175951426)
  
  
• [One Night in Concord by Michael Sessions] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/180387129)
  
  Commercials/Promos
  
  
• [ACCIDENTAL LOVE // PERŁA SPOT by Tomasz Dobski] (https://vimeo.com/180172474)
  
  
• [The Gathering Karak Pancake Ad by Chema García (Mumford)] (https://vimeo.com/165262005) (shot with the BMMCC and the BMPCC)
  
  
• [I Love Rolki ŁÓDŹ by Kuba Sobański] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/182920186)
  
  
• [Carmen Steffens Beachwear 2017 by Michelangelo BernardoniPLUS] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera/videos/170094455)
  
  
• [NORTH DISTRICT 51.5440 N -0.1027 W by Nicolas Heitz] (https://vimeo.com/175809242)
  
  Docs
  
  
• [Behind The Scenes - “A Pirate’s Tale” by Noam Kroll] (https://vimeo.com/163465118) (BTS shot with the BMMCC, scenes from the film shot with the URSA Mini 4.6K)
  
  
• [Tim by Rove Media] (https://vimeo.com/187855177)
  
  
• [Training Day - Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera by Simon Shasha] (https://vimeo.com/155747487)
  
  Travel and Lifestyle
  
  
• [Horse riding and Triathlon - BMMCC RAW by Bochibochi Ongaku] (https://vimeo.com/167591949)
  
  
• [Blackmagic Design | Micro Cinema Camera Test Footage by Nicholas Swartzendruber] (https://vimeo.com/153979017) (this is a great aerial camera)
  
  
• [Kassandra Love & Amina on Fremont by steve prue] (https://vimeo.com/162803419) (NSFW)
  
  There are lots more examples in the [Pocket/Micro Cinema Camera group] (https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera) I moderate over on Vimeo.
  
  There isn't a video camera with better dynamic range (or a more robust codec) below $2K from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic or Sony.
  
  If you do end up buying the BMMCC, you might want to subscribe over at /r/bmpcc - there are lots of knowledgeable folks there who can help you get the most out of your new camera.
  
  Support
  
  
• Gimbal - [$649 Zhiyun Crane] (https://www.amazon.com/Zhiyun-Crane-Brushless-Handheld-Stabilizer/dp/B01I2MWUOG//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) - to reduce handheld shake
  
  
• Tripod - [$99.95 3POD V3AH fluid head tripod with 65mm bowl and quick release plate] (https://www.amazon.com/3Pod-V3AH-Anodized-Aluminum-Quick-Release/dp/B00F8VU3CQ//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) for locked down shots - and smooth pans and tilts
  
  Lighting
  
  
• [$358 Aputure Amaran 528LED 2 light kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Aputure-AL-528S-AL-528W-Lighting-carrying/dp/B00O0PD1H0//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  Audio
  
  
• Boom - [$38.99 Pyle PMKSB06 Shotgun Microphone Fishing Boom Pole] (https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PMKSB06-Microphone-Telescoping-Extending/dp/B011FOMA02//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• Boom to mic adapter - [$5.44 OnStage MA100 3/8-Inch Male to 5/8-Inch Female Mic Screw Adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/Stage-MA100-8-Inch-Female-Adapter/dp/B0007Y60HG//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• 25' Mic cable - [$8.45 Hosa MHE125 1/8 Inch Miicrophone Extension Cable] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O3J//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• Dual UHF Wireless Lavs - [$399.95 Saramonic UWMIC9 96-Channel Digital UHF Wireless Lavalier Microphone System] (https://www.amazon.com/Saramonic-96-Channel-Transmitters-RX9-TX9/dp/B01IMJH9RC//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  Chromakey Background
  
  Instead of a muslin backdrop with stands, you might want to consider green photographic paper for background, as seen in [this video from Wistia] (http://wistia.com/learning/diy-office-video-studio):
  
  
• [Savage 9' x 36' background paper for chromakey - $69.95] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B782NO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000B782NO&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Duck Brand 1265018 Color Duct Tape, Neon Lime Green - $6.54] (https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Brand-1265018-Inches-Single/dp/B002TOL45K//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  This is a high quality starter studio and comes in at just under $2975. It will give you smooth handheld shots, cinematic RAW images - decent low light performance - and well mic'd in-camera sound.
  
  But you will want to buy or rent an external audio recorder, a better shotgun mic and more lenses to improve your production value.
  
  Hope this is helpful, good luck with your short film and Happy New Year!

There are a lot of great books on film out there. Don't listen to other possible saying watch YouTube or wrote your own screenplay. Well, do those things too, but learn some wisdom from some of the masters while you're at it.

You are going to want to read the following:

Hitchcock by Truffaut (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0671604295). One of the greatest directors of all time, interviewed by another of the greatest.

In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1879505622/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1), one of the greatest editors ever. A pretty great director too.

On Directing Film by David Mamet (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0140127224). A great book on directing by one of the great writer/directors.

Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0452271878). He wrote this after El Mariachi, before he went on to big budgets. It's one of the most inspiring books you'll ever read-- you'll want to make a film tomorrow. Basically, how to make a movie wit nothing but enthusiasm.

It is a tough industry in many ways, and built around some very specific cities. One decision you should make is what exactly you want to do in film. If you want to be an artist and create your own films, you don't necessarily need to go to film school or even work your way up in the industry. There is lots of cheap gear available. Chances are you have more than enough film making gear right now in your phone and PC, more than you could have dreamed of affording 20+ years ago- when film was film.

So if you want to work in the industry, it will mean 'paying your dues' and might mean never getting to make a film on your own - schools, training programs, etc... are a good idea. You might be poor for awhile, you might have a job so busy and high pressure that at the end of the day more film work (even on your own dream projects) might be the last thing you are interested in doing. Another approach is to come up with a solid day job outside of the industry so that you can pursue your own creative pursuits on the side until such time as they pay off. If you have to count on film making to pay the bills, you would be very fortunate to direct corporate videos and cooking shows and stuff you might not really feel. You will be so close to your dream, but so far away at the same time and that can be frustrating - depending on your goals. If you want to make films on your own terms, you can and should start right away. Don't feel bad if the first 5 or 10 of them are terrible. You are working the bugs out. Read Lumet, a bit of Mamet, and some Rodriguez. Watch a lot of Making of docs on Youtube.

​

Robert Rodriguez wrote El Mariachi with a bit of a brilliant approach. He listed all the interesting ('expensive') things he had access to through his friends (a pit bull, a bus) and incorporated those in his script so it looked a little more big budget. If you write a helicopter landing on a bridge, you would have to pay for it. If your grandma has access to a tennis court and your uncle has a dirt bike - write that instead, and you could pull it off for free. Don't get caught up buying gear, use what you have. You don't need to use lacking gear as an excuse for not making something, and don't need to use buying gear as a replacement for being creative. I have seen that a lot in film, photography, and music. You could hypothetically make a great film for free as a flip book on a pad of paper, and if you do you could show that to people that would help pay for more gear if you need it. Anyway, ramble ramble - free advice is usually worth what you pay for it. Good luck!

Hi 'ra available to you is probably your smartphone.

You can significantly improve your phone's video image quality by downloading FiLMiC Pro from iTunes.

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

FiLMiC Pro was used for this recent feature film shot entirely on iPhones:

• Unsane Trailer by Stephen Soderburgh (full movie here)
  
  And this one, shot with FiLMiC Pro and inexpensive anamorphic "widescreen" lenses plus a Steadicam Smootheecounterbalanced stabilizer:
  
  
• Tangerine - Red Band Trailer (NSFW - full movie here)
  
  This one used FiLMiC Pro, iPhones and a jib:
  
  
• "ALL UP TO YOU!" - iPhone 5 Movie
  
  Without a stabilizer or gimbal, handheld cellphone video can be very 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. Ideally, you would want a dedicated mic on a boom, but I am assuming you don't have a boom operator.
  
  Directional Mic
  
  The least expensive option is the Rode VideoMic Me. It is the best directional mic you can buy for your phone.
  
  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. You can either plug it into the phone you're using for video - or you can download an app to a second phone (e.g. Rode REC for iOS), record a "scratch" audio track with your camera phone's internal microphone and sync the audio from the second 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 the right software and support gear, your phone can give you great video quality.
  
  Hope this is helpful, and good luck with your short films!', im DAD.

If you want the best bang for your buck, I'd recommend the following

1. Camera:
   
   Canon T3i: Budget friendly camera. Has the same sensor as the T4i, T5i, and 60D at a lower price. Capable of HD video(1080p, 720p).
   
   
2. Lenses:
   
   Canon 50mm 1.8: 50mm lenses are known as the standard lens, because it's extremely versatile. That specific one is a pretty good lens if you're on a budget. It you're looking for something of better quality, go for the 50mm 1.4.
   
   Note: you can acquire other focal length lenses if you need them, rokinon makes great lenses that are in the $300 range that are all around amazing lenses compared to the lenses in the quadruple digits.
   
   
3. Lights:
   
   LED Panels: Two of these kits and you should be good to go. LED's are better, more portable, and easier to handle than traditional lighting kits.
   
   
4. Audio:
   
   If it's going to be one or two people, then I'd recommend lavalier mics. There are tons of them available. You can record directly with a computer, or you can buy an audio recorder(there are tons of those too) and have the mics hooked up to that.
   
   
5. Editing Software: Most people nowadays are using Adobe Premiere. You can get a Creative Cloud Premiere account for $20 a month.
   
   
6. Computer: If your boss wants a mac, go with either a iMac or a Macbook. Both should get the job done with the editing, although the iMac will have a bigger display which is more handy when editing.
   
   
7. Extras:
   
   Tripod: If you want something great and cheap, I'd recommend the Amazon Basics Video Tripod. There are tons of more professional and expensive tripods on the market if you want to go the more expensive route.
   
   
   Battery Grip for the T3i: There are tons of non-OEM grips on ebay for around $25-50. Being able to have two batteries in at once is handy.
   
   Extra Batteries for the T3i: It's always good to have extras since there's nothing more annoying than having to end a shoot because you're out of batteries. Non OEM ones can be found on ebay for cheap. I recently bought 3 for $15.
   
   Memory Cards: Having multiple cards is always nice, a couple 32GB or 64GB cards is always nice to have.
   
   External Hard Drive: Video takes up a lot of space, storing the video files on an External Hard Drive is a good idea so your computer doesn't get filled with nothing but video files.
   
   
   That's the basics, I hope I didn't overlook anything. If your boss wants the most expensive, then just look for the biggest step up of what i recommended, i.e. a 5D over the T3i, the more expensive canon lenses, name brand lights, audio gear and accessories.
   
   
   

I would say get some DVD's and watch the special features.
If you're still interested, get some books about filmmaking, filmmakers, and story telling.

Read "In the Blink of an Eye" by Walter Murch. As a film maker it's one of the best books I've read. It's based in editing, as Walter Murch is an editor, but it really covers the basics of how to make something "work" on the screen. Check it out for sure!

Then get yourself a camera, heck, it can even be the camera on your iPhone or whatever you may have. Shoot some film (not literally, you're using your phone), use the stock editor that comes with your computer (iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, whatever you may have) and cut something together, even if it's just a minute or two long.

If you're still enamored with film like the rest of us are, then start working on bigger projects, and try to find work on a film set (or if your strengths are in the office, you could be an Office PA - better hours, but less exciting than being on set). Working on a film set could be dictated by where you live (in the event you don't live in a "film friendly" city, there will be less opportunity of course).

The advice of jeanfr elsewhere in this thread is also top rate.

Good luck to you!

Hi /u/Falcorpunch - If you haven't ordered already, I would get the compact [Sennheiser MKE600] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B0YPAYQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B0YPAYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) instead of the [Rode NTG-2] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00093ESSI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00093ESSI&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Links]. Costs a little more, but worth it.

I agree with /u/QUalsa on getting the [DR-60D] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRY250U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CRY250U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) instead of the [DR-40] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NACC6M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005NACC6M&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Links] (I have the DR-40 and plan to upgrade to the DR-60 for the superior external controls and form factor).

You'll also need a decent set of monitoring headphones. The best value cans for your money are these [$90 Senal SMH-1000s] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ASWZO6U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ASWZO6U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Link].

And don't forget to get a [$45 boom] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007V5J5QC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007V5J5QC&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$15 shock mount] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX40PAQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HX40PAQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and some [cable] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000165DSM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000165DSM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Links] to get the mic off the camera and closer to your talent.

You might also want to invest a few dollars in the best book on the subject, Ric Viers' "[The Location Sound Bible] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATOUXBI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ATOUXBI&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)" [Referral Link].

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

Before you start reading all this stuff start small get the camera and a lens and then work on the audio. When people start out they start will just a little and work with what you have and then buy new stuff when you think you need it. There are better cameras then the E-PL1 but nothing as good as the E-PL1 as this price point and I mean nothing. The E-PL1 is great camera.

If you need a camera go on Amazon and buy the E-PL1 for $150.00 dollars.

OLYMPUS 262855 12.3 Megapixel E-PL1 Pen Camera (Black camera body)

http://www.amazon.com/OLYMPUS-262855-Megapixel-Camera-camera/dp/B0037VVWBK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343776787&sr=8-2&keywords=e-pl1

Also you can buy the mic add on or by another audio record and sync in post editing. What you do is clap your hands and you will see a sound spike that's how you sync then delete the audio track from the cameras in the editing software.

Like this one

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_pen_accessories.asp

Also this one

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electro


The the Olympus one first from Amazon its cheaper then get the other one latter if you need it. I think on Amazon its like 50 dollars.

You can buy this camera with the lens for another 100 dollars or so. I like the Panasonic lens better because the auto focus is silent. But most of the time you want manual focus.

Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 G Vario Aspherical MEGA OIS Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-42mm-Aspherical-OIS-Interchangeable/dp/B0043VE28I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343777192&sr=1-1&keywords=14-44+panasonic

Watch this video.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and Micro 4/3 Minolta MD MC Mount Lens Adapter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNzbuC9Kbuo

Olympus and Panasonic are both Micro 4 3 so the lens and flashes work with each other.

Panasonic is better for video like the GH2 but it cost a lot more and its really for higher end filmmakers and I do not think you need it really. Get a adapter and buy some manual lens like a Minolta 28mm and a 50mm 1.7 or 1.4

The other replies here are good suggestions, but everyone is suggesting new lenses. Personally for someone starting out I would suggest crawling craigslist or KEH for some used nikon or super-takumar lenses. You'd have to buy an adaptor ring but even with this you can get two or three solid lenses for the cost of one new one.

There would be no automatic/electronic components meaning you would have to do everything manually, but if you are interested in getting into cinematography this is good as it forces you to learn how lenses work and what looks best.

Audio is best recorded separately, but in a pinch having a mic that attaches to your camera is better than nothing. I would suggest a Rode Videomic as they can be used with a small external recorder or your new camera.

Lighting equipment is expensive, but a DIY set can provide great results on a budget. Some wax paper, PVC, and work lights from Home Depot can look good if used correctly.

Sounds very familiar to where I was at!

Honestly, that Zoom H1 is worth looking at. The H4 (it's big brother) is pretty standard for an external audio recorder, so you know the Zoom brand is solid. It won't blow you away but it is 20x better than your in-camera audio, and in a mostly quite environment it will produce great results.

For a mid-level camera, I've been rocking a Canon 60D for a while and it also gets the job done. It has a lot of the features of the 5D, for half the price. It IS a crop sensor though, so looking into a 5D MK II on Ebay might be worth it, not sure what they're going for. After you get used to how the crop sensor effects the glass you buy, it stops becoming such a huge problem. That's my experience at least.

It might not be a huge jump from your T3i but it's definitely better. If you already have that T3i, I'd take that $1,500 and invest it in equipment that isn't a camera body. Think prime lenses, lights, a boom mic/pre-amp, good tripod/shoulder rig, a monitor/loupe, that kind of thing. That equipment will make whatever you can shoot on your T3i look SO much better, probably more-so than a slightly better body. Again, just my opinion.

1. That depends, film school is only really worth it for the connections you'll make. For me, it was worth it. I'm from a very dead film less part of the world and University helped me meet people I can go out and make films with now. But if you're living somewhere were you can already pick up a camera and go, then no.
   
   
   
   
2. Yes, read, research and pick up a camera.
   
   I'm not going to post any sites related to the art of making films, rather the act. So how to use a camera correctly etc.
   
   [Phillip bloom] (http://philipbloom.net/)
   
   
   [Stu Machwitz] (http://prolost.com/)
   
   
   [Vincent Laforet] (http://www.laforetvisuals.com/)
   
   
   [Nofilmschool] (http://nofilmschool.com/)
   
   There's many, many more. but you can start with these and see where they send you.
   Remember this is about how to use a camera correctly, not how to make a great film.
   
   Books:
   
   [DV REBEL] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-DV-Rebels-Guide-All-digital/dp/0321413644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335343450&sr=8-1)
   
   
   [Rebel without a crew] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebel-without-Crew-Robert-Rodriguez/dp/0452271878/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335343468&sr=1-1)
   
   
   
   
3. The best resources for an aspiring film maker is a camera. I will give you an example
   
   I started by learning about DP and cameras. Like I said, I don't know lots of people who will pick up a camera and film for me. So I depend on me. I bought myself a camera, lenses, filters, shoulder mount. Downloaded editing software, watch lots of videos and just went from there.
   
   I was the best camera man anyone could ask for (in university), and now. When I make my own films that's worked out really well because I'll pick up the camera and make a film. I just need to find a couple of actors on the internet and ask a few friends to come out for the day.
   
   Goodluck
   

If you want the audio all on one track as you record, you're going to need a mixer of some kind (a device that takes several inputs and feeds it into a single output). This might get expensive, clunky, and difficult to set up.

My suggestion is that you buy stand-alone audio recorders for as many people as you want to have miced, with lav attachments. I have a Zoom H1 with a cheap lav attachment from RadioShack, and it works great for what I do.

In order to make it work, you'll have to start recording on each recorder manually, and hide it in the subjects pocket or something (you can test if the lav is working using headphones). It would be smart, once the camera is rolling, to get one of your subjects to clap loudly on screen (like they do with a slate on movie shoots), because you'll need to sync the different audio tracks in post-production. You'll have to remember when shooting that every time you stop and re-start recording, you'll need to re-sync in post, which can get extremely tedious, especially with multiple different tracks.

Now, the benefits to doing it this way are: it's less bulky than using a field mixer for multiple inputs, and your camera will not be tied down to the input; it frees up your subjects to move around; it's much cheaper than what you'd need to buy for wired and/or wireless mic/mixer setup; and reduced chance of wireless interference, without wired loss of freedom.

Downsides: having to sync in post can be a bitch; less freedom to stop/start recording whenever you want if you don't want to have to re-sync 50 times; no way to tell if it sounds good until you're done shooting (but checking with headphones before a take, and making sure batteries are full will solve 90% of this problem)...

Anyway I hope that helps.

Hey bud,

Not sure how much you know about audio recording devices and such, I don’t know too much myself but I know enough to help you...

It looks like it comes with an XLR to 3.5mm (“aux cable”) so any audio recording device with an INPUT of the 3.5 mm will work.

I recommend getting just a normal XLR cable too if you have the money, they are extremely cheap.

But since you have the special cable with 3.5mm jack on one end, you can plug it into your phone or computer and record using one of those!

Hope this helps.

XLR cable 6ft;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JI2KHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Nlu5Ab48HZK33

Audio recorder example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Imu5AbCMCNFQS

^ that audio recorder only has the 3.5 mm input which is what you need, but I recommend you get one that has both an XLR and 3.5 mm input. But I understand budgets can be tight :)

On the subject of books, Walter Murch's 'In the Blink of an Eye' is a great insight into filmmaking and film editing, and how the idea of cutting (which is mainly what separates a finished film from its component shots) relates to the real world and human perception. When, and when not, to cut.

Don't treat the man's words as gospel, but they'll certainly make you think.

And as others have said, don't just aim to be a director and isolate yourself in that. The best directors have at least some experience of every position they're asking others to do - you're never able to fully appreciate what you're asking of people unless you've done their job at least once. This will at least make sure you're asking the right questions, and people are much more likely to want to help you/work for you if you seem to understand where they're coming from.