Review: $10 Mic Shockmount

I can tell I've been around for awhile when I start updating my original videos.  Last week I updated my two-handed camera stabilizer and this week I revisit the shotgun mic shockmount. When I created a DIY version, it was due to no retail version being cheap enough. Well, I found a cheap version, bought it, and compare it to my DIY creation.

$10 Microphone Shockmount on eBay

5/8" to 3/8" screw adapter on eBay

3/8" to 1/4" screw adapter on eBay

Cold foot to 1/4" screw adapter on eBay

Watch "Painter's Pole Mic Adapter"

Frugal Stabilizer II

After long last, I am finally updating the very popular PVC Stabilizer Rig. This two-handed camera stabilizer (think FigRig) has satisfied a lot of people, but did have a few shortcomings.  In this episode I create a sequel to the Frugal Stabilizer, address those issues and only spend a few bucks more than the original.

Watch the original "Camera Stabilizer Rig for Under $5"
http://tinyurl.com/amvv9v5

2x Dual-L flash brackets - $8.07 each
http://tinyurl.com/alqo3pu

Hot shoe mount adapter - $2.13 each
http://tinyurl.com/bz7458m

Rubber fender washers with 1/4" hole
Hardware store - $.50 each

Metal quick release system - $10
http://tinyurl.com/ahlhxtd

Padded weightlifting gloves - $8
http://tinyurl.com/adzgacs

Recap Q&A: How about a Frugal Showcase?

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Gels, an introduction
http://tinyurl.com/ants5b9

Color correction gel pack - $20
http://tinyurl.com/aunylhd

Large CTB gel (half) - $15
http://tinyurl.com/avpl2ec

Large CTO gel $15
http://tinyurl.com/as84sy4

DSLR shoulder rig review
http://tinyurl.com/b2px6hm

How to set marks for your actors
http://tinyurl.com/akkvs6w

10 things DPs do that annoy the rest of the crew
http://tinyurl.com/a2bcmfb

Editing a bar scene for film
http://tinyurl.com/a2bcmfb

How to build a DIY green screen
http://tinyurl.com/aps7472

Lighting Techniques 2 - Eve Hazelton
http://tinyurl.com/9w9lkbd

Canon A120 + CHDK
http://tinyurl.com/bftddao

Difference between video camera and DSLR?
http://tinyurl.com/b5f7qd6

Litepanels and the LED video light battle
http://tinyurl.com/aptbs66

Review of the LED film light from eBay
http://tinyurl.com/bgvvu4o

Lensstraps review - $11 follow focus
http://tinyurl.com/akgfzr9

Help Us Win YouTube's "On the Rise"!

Thanks to the faithful in The Frugal Filmmaker Facebook group, our channel was successfully nominated for YouTube's "On the Rise" competition.  We are now one of four nominees and we need votes to get featured on the YouTube home page.  Click here to go right to the voting page and mark the checkbox next to "thefrugalfilmmaker". 

Help us expand our audience and well will keep bringing you DIY builds, tips, techniques and short films.  We can't do it without you!  Thanks!

Recap Q&A: Simple or Complex Builds?

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Vote to help The Frugal Filmmaker win YouTube's "On the Rise"!
http://tinyurl.com/cphz4v8

YouTube's "On the Rise" nominees
http://tinyurl.com/cfmgsj3

Tascam DR-40 XLR digital audio recorder - $135
http://tinyurl.com/bw9r2bn

The rolling shutter effect explained
http://tinyurl.com/b3u75ut

100 resources (even more) for filmmakers
http://tinyurl.com/acmycpy

$1 Budget: AA USB Case Roller Bag!
http://tinyurl.com/cq4xwct

Pull perfect focus without a follow focus
http://tinyurl.com/bvhwbev

7 major mistakes inexperienced ADs make
http://tinyurl.com/cs8st46

Tascam DR-05 (non-XLR) digital audio recorder - $74
http://tinyurl.com/a4xngzc

$1 Budget: AA USB Case Roller Bag!

This month I grab a bunch more goodies from Dollar Tree and eBay.  It seems I've been on a "cheap storage container" binge lately, but there are some other useful items in this episode.  If you need a way to use your cheap SD monitor with your fancy new camera that only offers HDMI out, this episode is for you.

Mini HDMI to RCA composite video converter

Emergency USB Battery Charger, white (Ack! the price went up $3.08!)

Emergency USB Battery Charger, black (almost $4, but ships from U.S.)

Recap Q&A: What Do You Want to See Here?

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Clip Lamp Camera Mount
http://tinyurl.com/bm7r5vm

Camera Clip Holder Mount - $7.69
http://tinyurl.com/a7ml2vm

Knoptop's Clampy Clamps
http://tinyurl.com/bhcfsdj

Nasty Clamps
http://www.nastyclamps.com/

Canon VIXIA HF R200 (Refurbished) - $229
http://tinyurl.com/cvjjkux

24 things in an Indie Director's survival kit
http://tinyurl.com/a4zuddr

Have digital cameras made light meters pointless?
http://tinyurl.com/bcr46nw

31 interviews with most notable cinematic voices of 2012
http://tinyurl.com/aamvke8

Top five camera hacks of 2012
http://tinyurl.com/aamvke8

Canon SCA60 video camera bag review
http://tinyurl.com/bbnljuw

Try editing on this monstrosity of analog film
http://tinyurl.com/aqz5qge

How much slower is 60p over 50p played at 24p?
http://tinyurl.com/a8q9kaw

The making of "Meredith"
http://tinyurl.com/bykgqub

Film and TV tax incentives renewed
http://tinyurl.com/a34qowg

Wii steering wheel camera stabilizer
http://tinyurl.com/bbruut9

Matching sunny and cloudy shots
http://tinyurl.com/adl9vfg

DIY monopod dolly
http://tinyurl.com/augo4n8

Devils Rig
http://tinyurl.com/ajzattw

How I would film it - dialogue scene by waterfall
http://tinyurl.com/aesyg59

The art of sound effects
http://tinyurl.com/avnpc3b

The Making of "Meredith"

"Meredith" was a short created recently for a Writing & Directing the Short Film Class.  The only requirements were a five minute length, two characters, and a script written by someone else.  As always, you learn a few things on each project, so today I share with you what I learned this time out.

Original script, "Reaction" by Chris Henderson
Rewritten script, "Meredith" by Chris Henderson & Scott Eggleston
24" China Ball Paper Lantern on Amazon
How to make a PVC light stand to hang your China Ball