Geurrilla Filmmaking
Category: Filmmaking | No Comments | 6th November 2007
What is guerrilla filmmaking? Guerrilla filmmaking refers to a form of independent filmmaking characterized by low budgets, skeleton crews, and simple props using whatever is available. Often scenes are shot quickly in real locations without any warning, and without obtaining permission from the owners of the locations.
Guerrilla filmmaking is usually done by independent filmmakers because they don't have the budget to get permits, rent out locations, or build expansive sets. Also studios tend not to use guerrilla filmmaking tactics because they could be sued, fined, or get their reputation hurt.
"Guerrilla filmmaking is driven by passion with whatever means at hand", Yukon Film Commission Manager Mark Hill.
Guerrilla Tools
1. Camera
Beg, borrow, steal or buy the most expensive camera you can afford - after all, the better the quality of the footage, the better the film will be. If you are really stuck, consider a small mini DV camcorder, and make sure it does native 16:9 - most of the films on this site were shot using a small, mid range Sony camcorder. Optical image stabilisation is a lot better than electronic and 3ccds are better than 1. Take a look at the footage, most small mini DV camcorders are going to give similar quality footage and only after the jump to 3ccds will you see a great improvement in colour reproduction. Also take a look at the manual features of the camera, the Sony we used has very fiddly manual controls that require dexterous getures on the touch screen. The new Panasonic has a lovely smooth focus ring and an awesome manual zoom.
2. Microphone
If you want your film to sound as good as it looks, you really need to get a decent microphone. Most onboard microphones lack the dynamic range of a proffesional mic and sound tinny in comparison, they are also very suseptible to camera noise, clunks, whirring and wind noise. As your film will mostly be shot on location, where background noise may be an issue, the quality of your microphone is of paramount importance. If shooting outdoors, you will need a wind gag, and ideally a boom pole to get the microphone as close to your stars as possible. Worst comes to worst, a broom handle can be used... Rode do decent quality microphones at very good prices, take a look at the Rode Videomic, especially useful if your camera only has a 3.5mm jack input.
3. Gaffer Tape
Hey, if you've never heard of this invaluable aid its basically a (usually black) cloth tape. Its very sticky, super wide and you can rip it rather than having to cut it. Frankly its ace! It has no doubt appeared in every single film production ever, but it has never won an Oscar, never been to Cannes and has strangely never been credited...Gaffer Tape, we salute you!!
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