Introduction
After the 5 Month Film Schools conclude I have seen many students go and buy expensive equipment and then hardly use it. They shoot a Short Film every six months and each shoot is about 4 Days. That is 8 Days of shooting. It is better to rent the gear or have a Smart Phone Shoot and do everything that you learn on the 5 Month Film School and get comparable and sometimes better results
We teach filmmaking via making a film and this is the best way to learn making films. Make a Film. On the 5 Month Film School we supply the professional film Equipment for the course and the film shoot on the course.
Even though we teach on Black Magic and Red Cameras and have all the full professional film equipment, we now encourage beginner or emerging filmmakers to make their initial short films after leaving the course on Smart Phone Cameras. It is also very useful to practice shots and composition outside of course time while they are on the 5 Month Filmmaking School.
The camera is not the reason that a film looks great. It is how you use the camera and all the other items such as great script and casting and postproduction, production design and great direction. This is what makes a film great. All of the above items we teach on our Filmmaking Courses
Therefore, today I want to outline the gear that you need if you shoot films using Smartphone Cameras
Essential Equipment for Smartphone Short Film Shoots
2025 – 2026
Approximate Cost= $2000
This is my definitive list for shooting Smart phone Shoots that will produce professional films.
- Smartphone (Primary Camera) You already own one ( in most cases)
- A modern iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel
- Use the Blackmagic Film app (Free). This is for control focus, shutter speed, ISO, and frame rate and all other manual controls. These elements are easy to learn on the 5 Month Film School. I use this app all the time for my travel videos and the footage looks exceptional.
- Shoot Widescreen on at least 16:9 Aspect ratio.
- Stabilisation $350
- Tripod ( A Must) – A lightweight but sturdy tripod with a smartphone mount. You can find many versions on Amazon. I just had a look and there is many to choose from for about A$52
- Gimbal – (Optional but powerful) DJI Osmo Mobile for smooth cinematic moving shots. The DJI Osmo is the one I use and they are just as good as an expensive Stedicam rigs used on big movies.
I found them on sale on Amazon for A$140 I highly recommend getting one. - Universal Smartphone Metal Cage Photo Video Rig with Cold Shoe Mounts for Light and mic. A handheld rig/cage Grips Gear is great for short films and micro-budget feature films This will giveyou extra stability and allows mounting lights and mics.
The big advantage is that you can attach a Light or a Directional Microphone.
The number one company is Beast Grip Pro. Also you can google the heading and find rigs online. Make sure you avoid Ali Express and Temu as cheap is not always the best way to go. $100 - A mini Tripod that also doubles as a Camera Stick for Stabilisation. $50
3. Sound: Exceptionally Important – This is must get gear $900
We teach you how to get great sound on our 5 Month Filmmaking School so it is important to enrol and learn how to do all aspects of professional filmmaking. External Microphones are critical. Bad audio ruins films so here is what you need. - Hollyland LARK MAX 2 Combo 4-Person Wireless Microphone System
This is an absolute must at $388 — Google to find online This system really works with noise cancellation so you have professional sound quality. Great for docos Travel Videos and Short Films and Micro Budget Feature Films - Headphones – To monitor audio on set if you are shooting a short film. You can use your wireless headphones from Apple
- Directional Shotgun Microphone
Zoom F1‑SP Field Recorder + Shotgun Mic Pack $400 worth the investment - Boom Pole $140 Rode Boompole
- Total Cost $900 but worth every cent. Good sound transforms films.
- Lighting Keep it simple. $250
- Small Rig RM01 3‑Pack Mini LED Light Kit (~AU$150)
- Reflectors/diffusers – A cheap 5-in-1 reflector can bounce or soften natural light. These are great for outside protecting from the sun and reflecting light outside and inside It is a collapsible, portable photography accessory with a removable cover that provides five different surfaces: Gold, Silver, Black, White, and Translucent and diffusion. $ 40
- ND Filters (attachable to smartphone lens) – Essential for outdoor shoots to control exposure $50
- Power & Storage and Essential Accessories $500
- Portable Power Bank – Shooting drains phone battery quickly. $150
- Slate/Clapper board – For syncing sound if recording separately. $50
- Storage External SSDs Best choice
Choice 1: Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, $ 384
Choice 2 Samsung 2TB T7 USB 3.2 Portable SSD $280
Choice 3 Toshiba HDD Drive 2TB Canvio Ready Portable $120
Special Note:
Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are significantly faster than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), making them ideal for editing high-resolution video. HDDs offer more storage per dollar but are slower and less durable.
Please watch out for CHEAP SSDs that are $70 They are useless most of the time
This above 2K smart phone kit is a great deal and you can start making your short films or music videos or adds or travel videos right away. ( Special Note: I love shooting travel videos but you need a lot less gear for travel videos and I will go into that another time.)
It is really important to learn professional protocols network and meet other people and learn how to make a film professionally and learn to edit. On the 5 Month Filmmaking School, we teach filmmaking via making a film. We teach you how to edit and where to get the amazing free editing software.
The important aspect is to learn how to make a film professionally and attract fellow creatives and crew. You can do this on the 5 Month Film School in either Melbourne or Sydney starting soon Find out more here
