CIC - Equipment for Media Production (Lesson)

Equipment for Media Production

Introduction

Although exploring your video camera is essential, there is a cornucopia of equipment necessary to complete your video production. These include lighting, microphones, and accessories for your camera. There are so many choices in each type of equipment, and there is always the newest and latest piece of equipment that promises to make your video production the best one ever. So, how do you know what you actually truly need? Let’s sift through the different pieces of equipment so that you can make educated choices.

How many of these statements accurately describe your own personal choices?  The more you resonated with, the healthier your lifestyle.  

Equipment for Media Production

Standard Lighting 

What’s Three-Point Lighting?

It’s a classic way to light someone in a video using three lights: Key, Fill, and Back. It helps your subject look better and more professional.

Key Light

  • Main light – like the sun in your setup.

  • Placed at a 45° angle to the front of your subject, slightly above.

  • Purpose: Sets the mood, creates shadows, and gives shape to the face.

  • Think: Strong key = strong shadows.

Fill Light

  • Softer light – fills in the shadows from the key light.

  • Placed opposite the key light.

  • Purpose: Softens shadows, shows more detail.

  • Think: More fill = softer look; less fill = more drama.

Back Light (or Hair Light)

  • Behind the subject, often above and out of view.

  • Purpose: Adds a glow around the subject’s head/shoulders.

  • Think: Helps them pop from the background.

Why Use It?

  • Adds depth – your subject won’t look flat.

  • Controls shadow and mood – dramatic or soft.

  • Separates subject from background.

  • Gives you flexibility to create different looks.

In Short:

Three lights work together like a team to sculpt your subject with light, making them look sharp, three-dimensional, and cinematic.

Learn More about Audio Equipment

Hardware and Storage

Hardware showing: External Hard Memory cards, DVD Burner

  • External Hard drive that has a speed of 7200 rpm at least for editing
  • Memory cards with the 16GB or 32 GB capacity to store footage
  • Computer Screen at least 27” with at least 5,120 x2880 resolution and to view a minimum of 14.7 megapixel image at full resolution
  • DVD Burner, although some might view obsolete, it is useful to make quick DVDs

Key Terms Review

That's a wrap!

Video Camera equipment is such a daunting topic, it is important you research and compare your options before making a purchase. Take the time to research different video cameras and lenses to figure which one is best.

 

 

All of these are necessary.

Microphone Wind Screens help to reduce the impact of wind on your audio, memory cards are used to store recordings, and extra batteries for your equipment.

 

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