5 Household Filmmaking Hacks Every Filmmaker Needs to Know
You’ll be surprised at all the different gear and equipment that you could create with household objects. Everything from paper clips and newspaper rolls to clothes pins and and painter’s tape, many of the everyday items that we have laying around are extremely useful on the film set. That’s why we’re offering up some of the most creative solutions to filmmaking in this list of 5 household filmmaking hacks every filmmaker must know. You’ll be absolutely amazed at all the great filmmaking equipment that you’ve already got at home – and you probably didn’t even realize you had it!
1. DIY Floor Dolly
There’s no question that for the aspiring filmmaker, dolly tracks and the associated equipment are most certainly not an option – they’re way too expensive! But what if you could achieve smooth camera movements that mimic the dolly track without all the expense? Of course you would want to try it out!
This DIY floor dolly allows you to produce professional looking shots with multidirectional movement for almost zero investment. In fact, you probably already have these furniture dollies around the house and if not, you can build one for under $10.
All you need is 2 two-by-fours, 4 wheels on casters, and some bolts to attach the wheels to your cart. You’re going to build a rectangle out of your two-by-fours and tack them together. Then add a wheel to each corner so that it can roll on a flat surface. Then, simply attach your camera to the dolly and enjoy versatile, smooth movements in any direction.
2. Zip-Tie Follow Focus
To achieve these filmmaking hacks you’re going to need a rubber band, a zip tie, and a straw. The goal is to produce instant follow focus without investing $500 or more on a rig.
Begin by fitting the rubber band gently around your focus ring. Then, add your zip tie over the top of the rubber band leaving a little slack on both ends. This will allow you to attach the straw as a handle.
The result? Quick and easy follow focus! Perfect for a DSLR camera, you can pull focus while recording even when you don’t have a focus pull rig.
3. Paper Clip Cord Ties
Great on set, in the studio, and in the office, paper clips can be used for a variety of purposes beyond simply keeping stacks of paper together.
Take a paper clip and unbend it so that there is just 1 loop and the second look is straightened. Place your cord in the bottom most loop and then affix the paper clip to your cord so that the cord is tightly bound together.
Bend one paper clip around a set of cords. Then take a second paper clip and connect to the first. Use the open hook to hang the cords on a desk, against a table, or on a wall.
4. C-47 Hacks
We’ve all got a c-47 laying around — it’s a clothes pin! These wooden clothes pins are useful for a variety of filmmaking hacks around the house and on the set. They’re most frequently used to keep cords and cables neat and in place along a light pole or other unit. You may also consider using a C-47 to tack filters in front of your lens.
Clothes pins are ideal for a variety of uses on the film set. They’re a must in every filmmakers travel case, especially when operating on a budget.
5. DIY Particle Blaster
Want to create the illusion of sand, snow, or other particles blowing across the screen? All you need is your choice of fine-grained material such as cornstarch, flour, glitter, or similar particulate and a blow dryer.
Place the particles on a stand above or beside your camera and use the blow dryer to blow the particles into your shot. This produces the effect of sand, dust, dirt, or snow blowing by on the screen.
Want more household filmmaking hacks? Give Beverly Boy Productions a call!