DIY Filmmaking: Make Your Own Equipment & Tools

DIY (Do-It-Yourself – in case you’re not familiar with the popular acronym) filmmaking is a necessity for most indie filmmakers on a tight budget. There are several online resources available that give step-by-step instructions on how to build your own equipment and tools – for much less than you would pay from a commercial vendor. But first you should ask yourself if it’s worth spending the all the time building something that you can rent from a professional rental house. Time IS money. Another factor to consider is if the DIY rig you construct does an adequate job compared to professional equipment. Paul Harrill from Self-Reliant Filmmaking shares some insight: “An inexpensive homemade tool that doesn’t get the job done is less of a bargain than an overpriced mass-produced tool that does get the job done.” Regardless, having options to choose from is always an advantage.

Here’s a few links to DIY resources that give filmmakers alternatives to buying and renting equipment:

RIGS & MOUNTS

Perhaps the most popular online DIY film tool is the “Fig Rig.” The Fig Rig name comes from director Mike Figgis [IMDB info] who invented the camera stabilization device for small film and video cameras.

Here are some websites that have set-up instructions for Fig Rigs:

+ “Build a PVC Fig Rig” & “PVC FIG RIG” – (Instructables.com)
+ “PVC Fig Rig” – (Flickr.com by shygantic)
+ “Video Gadgets You Can Make” – (softweigh.com)

Jib Arms/Camera Cranes can be useful tools for establishing stylistic shots. You can construct one with the help these instructional sites:

+ IndyMogul.com has a great video tutorial -

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Other Jib links:

+ “$60 Jib -The Poor Man’s Jib” – (ClosetFilms.com)
+ “Let’s Make A Camera Jib/Dolly Rig!” – (DivergentThinking.com)
+ “Do It` Yourself Video: Jib Arm” – (JorenClark.com)
+ “The No-Budget, Do It Yourself, Film Maker’s Jib/Crane Design” – (rockfordimages.com)
+ “Jib w/ remote head” - (codydeegan.com)

Other Rigs:

+ “Car Roof Mount” – (homebuiltstabilizers.com)
+ “Video Gadgets you can make” – (softweigh.com)

STABALIZERS

Another popular DIY filmmaking project documented online is the camera stabilizer. Here are some examples:

+ “$14 Steadycam: The Poor Mans Steadicam” – (cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/)
+ “FlyStand – How I built a camera stabilizing system” – (regnstrom.com)
+ “Making A Camcorder Stabilizer” - (bealecorner.com)
+ “Improved Steadicam for under 40 dollars! Also boom mic attachment!” – (Instructables.com)
+ “DIY: Bicycle – Steady Cam – mount” – (Instructables.com)

DOLLIES

+ “Skate Wheel Dollies” – (RonDexter.com)
+ “DIY Plywood Skater” – (DVXuser.com)
+ “Manufacture Your Own Skateboard Dolly” – (information.co.uk)
+ “DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Dolly and Track System” – (cartala.com)
+ “Homemade Dolly for Under $50.00!” – (rockfordimages.com)

LIGHTING

+ “Assemble a Low-Budget Light Kit” – (ScottSpears.net)
+ “Do It Yourself Outdoor Diffuser” – (rockfordimages.com)
+ “Light Source: Build Your Own Lighting Kit” – (videomaker.com)
+ “Cool Lights Blog” - (coollights.biz)

OTHER DYI TOOLS

+ “DIY – Studio Equipment: Greenscreens and Backdrop Stands” – (diyphotography.net)
+ “Movie Set On a Dime” – (gearbox.meadiashed.org)
+ “Easy Boom Pole for Under $30.00!!!” – (instructables.com)
+ “DIY Mic Zeppelin Windscreen on the Cheap” – (joelandkaren.com)
+ “The Low Budget Do-It-Yourself DVX…LCD Viewfinder Hood for under $10!” – (rockfordimages.com)
+ “Do It Yourself Outdoor Diffuser” – (rockfordimages.com)