It is easy to want more gear, more challenging to appreciate what we have.
As we utilize any new technology or gear as a creative content developer, we can easily fall into the trap of wanting more gear, increasing our footprint. This mindset of thinking you need more gear, updated gear on a continued basis gives us the illusion that it will automatically improve the result of our project. That can't be farther from the truth.
Let me explain why.
Once you start down this obsessive road, it becomes harder to get out of it as time goes on. Slowly you begin to convince yourself that more is better continuously; newer is necessary. Two things start to suffer. First is someone's financial circumstances that trap them into spending money or increasing their debt by buying more gear on a regular basis. The second point is that you begin to cheat on your essential skill-building thinking well; I am using this better piece of equipment so my result will be better or more widely received by my client.
Have you ever heard of the Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)?
This is an interesting article (10 Practical Tips for Fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) written by Eric Kim, an internationally recognized photographer living in Berkeley, California. From his personal perspective, Eric really breaks down several major talking points about how to debunk the apparent notion the more is better, newer is greater, and what we already have is not going to cut it.
A few of my favorite points is #3. Re-read old reviews of the stuff you already own. In this part of the article, Eric talks about how we learn NOT to appreciate what we already have. We should re-learn our current gear. Maybe there is some feature, tip, nuance that we haven't fully explored. Bend the rules a little, find advantages with what you may perceive as a disadvantage.
Another one is #4 More Stuff More Problems. Yup!, the glamor of the new gear can get quickly frustrating if you increase the number of things you have to keep in mind, and it is those things that WILL steal your concentration on the assignment, product, or message that your project requires in the first place. Again less is more in many circumstances.
Below are a few other articles on this topic that you may find interesting:
Gaining Freedom from Our Obsession with Possessions
(Ara D, Tiny Budda)
You Don't Deserve That Piece Of Gear
(Grahman Cochrane, Recording Revolution)
As from my own experience in the audio production of recording and mixing, you feel like you need to be one step ahead if you can afford it whether from plastic or paper. You may hear yourself saying, "But just one more audio plugin, that new microphone, interface, etc., etc.. then I will get that better sound or better end result". See the point, and mobile video production is no different.
Some of you might be saying, wait, Gil! Who doesn't like more gear?
But if you remember, one of the most prevalent aspects of mobile filmmaking is a smaller footprint, and we have to realize that it is one of the major selling points in what we do. To one of Eric's talking points in his article, learn to revisit, rethink, and respect what you already have!
Now I am not excluding the need for light control, nor the use of what I consider an essential smartphone filming app such as FilmmicPro. Let us not forget the need for what is necessary for the best audio capture and post-production quality in any project. But to my point, you need to focus on mastering these essentials first.
Stabilization can be achieved in several ways if you plan your shots accordingly. Gimbals, tripods, monopods, handgrips have their place. Your lighting will most likely rely on some use of what is available at your shooting location, with a combination of you supplementing it by using additional light sources or lighting control surfaces such as reflectors and flags.
There are essentials you need to work on to continue to master, such as lighting, sound, camera movements, and finally, the "story!" Oh, yes, the art and skill of storytelling. I will delve into this significant talking point in a future article.
In the meantime, explore, learn, and over time you will find that the gear doesn't matter—case in point for me. I have had mobile filmmaking assignments that have earned me hundreds and even thousands by the job. In some cases, all I used was my iPhone XS Max on an inexpensive tripod, available light along with one additional light source, and a good audio signal.
You can, too, so stay informed, focus on obsessing over the basics, and don't' forget to get your FREE Mobile Filmmaking Video Project Starter Guide.
Thank you for your time.
Gil Velazquez