About MHM
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- Production Guide
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Learning Difficulties
Hiring video equipment
If you need to hire out equipment for a shoot, there are some standard questions that you should ask to ensure you have all the information you need.
• What is their rate for a standard documentary
DV or DVCAM camera and sound kit?
• Does this include video monitor, and lights (if
not, how much extra are they)?
• Do you hire a van, and how much per day?
• Who is the best contact during the daytime, and
who can you call out of hours, in an emergency?
• What delivery service do they offer from their
premises to yours with the equipment, there and back, or just one way?
OUR EQUIPMENT
Mental Health Media is able to loan out its camera, sound and lighting equipment for short periods to mental health service users/survivors and groups. Please note that this is a free service at our own discretion. We reserve the right to refuse loan and limit any one group or individual's usage in order for it to be available to others.
If you would like to book out Mental Health Media’s equipment please contact Sara Chew, who will be able to let you know what is available, and will provide you with the kit you need. You will be given a form to sign and an equipment checklist. You should check that you have all the equipment listed before you take it, and also as you are packing it away at the filming site.
When borrowing our equipment, you will be asked to leave something with us as security guarantee, e.g. a passport or credit card, which will be returned to you when you bring the equipment back. You will be required to arrange your own pick up and drop-off to our London office during working hours (Mon-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm).
For full instructions for using the cameras see the manufacturer’s manuals, which come with the kit, or ask Sara if you need further help.
Sony DVCAM
This is our best, near-professional camera and is used for producing our
video resources. It should always be carried about in the hard case and
strapped inside so it doesn’t move about. Care should be taken with
this camera to ensure it lasts in good working order for as long as possible.
We have a BBC manual that you may find more friendly than the Sony one.
Sony MiniDV
MiniDV is the most popular domestic format and is used in many camcorders.
This is a really handy camera for all sorts of things, the footage however,
is not as professional a quality as the DVCAM can provide, but this model
is popular with student videomakers and picture quality is relatively
high.
Sony Digital Hi8
This is a great camera for people with learning difficulties to use because
it is sturdy, has easy to use functions and has a big screen to enable
easier viewing while filming and in playback mode.
Basic Lighting Kit
A small set of easy-to-use lights with gels, diffusers, clamps and stands.
Two Lastolite reflectors.
Basic Sound Kit
• Sennhieser MK300 for use with the Hi8 or the
MiniDV
• Sony condenser clip-mic ECM-77B for use with
the PD150
• Sennheiser ME64 mic for use with the PD150
Mic stand