Essential Equipment Every Video Production Studio Should Have
Business and corporate videos have found a life of their own in this digital age. They could help companies in product demos, employee induction, and customer interface in a manner that just words cannot serve better.
But you need the right equipment to create high-quality videos that truly stand out. Whether you’re creating a corporate video production or building a setup to serve corporate clients, the right tools mean everything.
Here’s a guide to must-have equipment every video production studio should have.
INDEX
Capture Equipment
The camera is the cornerstone of any video production studio. In the case of corporate videos, the quality of footage can often be the difference between how well you can get your point across in business.
Here are some video production equipment you need to look for.
DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras
It is an all-rounder, offering mighty video quality at an affordable price. Video cameras such as Canon or Sony are very popular in the video production process. They provide interchangeable lenses and manual controls—two things necessary for a professional look.
Camcorders
It is also used with camcorders for a more basic setup. These video equipment were designed for recording videos and are thus endowed with a fixed zoom lens. As such, high recording time is ideal for corporate events, interviews, and presentations.
Cinema Cameras
Cinema cameras are the two favourite choices for the best production quality—especially for high-end corporate videos or commercials. These cameras produce the finest images and dynamic range.
Action Cameras
For dynamic shots or situations where carrying a bigger camera would be impractical, action cameras are just what you need. Incredibly small and rugged, they can capture beautiful footage in extreme conditions, such as the GoPro Hero series.
Lens Equipment
A good video camera is only as good as the type of lens used on it. Lenses determine how a camera views, and differently composed lenses will present radically different footage.
Here are some lenses you need to watch out for.
- Prime Lenses: These lenseshave a fixed focal length that allows one to get very sharp images, better performing in low light.
- Zoom Lenses: These lenses add flexibility to how you place the camera, as you can easily change your framing without moving the camera.
- Wide-Angle Lenses: Wide-angle lenses, such as 16-35mm, are perfect when a scene needs a little extra to be captured, including landscapes, establishing shots, or simply working in tight spaces.
Tip: You can start with a few universal lenses that will provide the basics and add specialised ones later, according to your work needs.
Audio Equipment
You often overlook the audio, but it’s just as important as the visuals. Bad audio can put people off and be actually degrading to your production quality—high-quality audio gear, therefore, forms such an integral part of the investment.
Look for:
- Shotgun Mic: These microphones are very highly unidirectional, picking up sounds from central parts of their field of view while rejecting noise from the sides.
- Lavalier Microphones: Otherwise called a lapel microphone, this is a small microphone clipped into clothes.
- Audio Recorders: While most cameras come fitted with microphones, using a portable digital audio recorder will enhance the overall quality of your captures.
- Headphones: The best pair of headphones will let you monitor your audio playback as it gets recorded.
Tip: Check your audio rig in the environment where you will be recording. Also, always wear headphones to monitor sound during shoots.
Stabilizer Equipment
Steady shots are characteristic of high-budget video production. No matter how great your camera may be, if it is shaky, the footage is going to sell you short real quick. That is where tripods and handheld gimbals come in.
- Tripods: A sturdy tripod is necessary for any studio set-up.
- Gimbals: A gimbal is a way to move the camera while desiring smooth footage.
- Dollies and Sliders: Both will allow you to create smooth camera motion along the horizontal plane.
Tip: Invest in a good tripod first, then decide, based on the kind of videos you want to shoot, whether to get a gimbal or a slider.
Lighting Equipment
Perfect lighting can increase the quality of your videos, set the tone, and ensure subjects are seen.
- Softboxes: This is one of the video production tools required to produce soft, flat light that wraps on the subject and reduces harsh shadows.
- LED Panels: Flexible lights that are energy-saving. Most of them have colour temperature adjustability.
- Ring Lights: Ring lights are a great application in beauty and vlogging communities, and they offer uniform light without any shadows and flatter faces.
- Inclusion in Shot: Practical lights are just normal lighting in a scene you may want to include for aesthetic looks.
Tip: Start with a basic three-point system, including key light, fill light, and backlight. This will help you accomplish most of your illumination requirements in the most professional way possible.
Video Editing Software
Once you have taken your shots, it is time to put everything together in the editing room. The right editing software differentiate between a good video content and a great one.
Tip: Choose software appropriate for your skill level and the project’s requirements. Many of the best professional-grade software packages have a learning curve, so be patient when using online tutorials.
Conclusion
You want to make the best video for your business. Well, start with the video production gear for your success. When choosing the best video production studio, you’ll be halfway to delivering quality content that will hook audiences. It’s about the gear, yes, but it’s about how you leverage that gear to tell your story by partnering with one.
