Myagi's Video Gear Guide
Video is confusing.
Yes I know, it’s the 21st century and all the kids are “digital natives” now. Half the world runs a vlog and every jabroni out there has “content creator” somewhere on their resume.
But video is still confusing.
Most of us are comfortable with grabbing a snapchat, but if you’re thinking of making videos for your company, you don’t want to look like an amatuer. We see this all the time at Myagi. It’s why most of our users immediately understand the value of using a retail knowledge pipeline, but are worried about producing the actual content.
But making great videos is easier than you know. That’s why we’re providing all the info you’ll need to get up and running with your personal video studio in a matter of minutes.
Beginner's Kit
Price: $0-$100
Getting Started
You already have a great video machine in your pocket.
The beauty of living in the modern day is that most of us have everything we need to produce professional-looking videos right in our pockets. That’s right, smartphones. Their cameras are so good that a handful of Hollywood feature films have been filmed on just a phone.
So if you're just getting into making training videos for the first time, we always recommend making a minimal investment and using the tools you already have around. You'll be impressed what you can make with a little planning and a typical lunch budget.
The Gear
- 1.Any phone with HD Video (Free).
- 2.Microphone (Free - $50), check out this lavalier mic or this shotgun mic for your phone.
- 3.Tripod (Free - $20), bargain basement works fine, just make sure to get a phone mount.
- 4.Video editing app for your phone (Probably Free), consider these great options.
Learning Resources
Step Up Kit
Price: $500-$1,000
You don't need fancy gear to make great videos. But it doesn't hurt.
It's tempting to start your video journey by buying a bunch of expensive toys (uhh I mean "equipment") but that's never ever been the right choice. The pros call this tendency G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and it's a great way to waste time and money.
So start off with the beginner's kit we described earlier. For 90% of video-makers, that'll be plenty enough for the rest of time.
But, eventually, if you keep working on your training videos, you'll find the limitations of that set up. Only once that happens, we recommend considering some small upgrades. Often, this can be done piecemeal over time rather than all at once.
The Gear
- 1.Basic Video Camera ($500ish), we recommend looking at the Panasonic G7 or the Sony A6000.
- 2.Pro Sound Equipment ($100 - $300), check these out to start.
- 3.LED Light Panel ($100), we like this $70 Neweer model.
- 4.Props for your permanent studio desk, like in this example.
- 5.Desktop Editing Software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro.
- 6.Basic Video Editing Classes. Go for affordable online classes from sources like Skillshare and Lynda. Apple even offers free classes on iMovie, which will be more than enough for your needs.
Learning Resources
- 10 Best Microphones for DSLR Video Cameras
- Getting Great Audio for Youtube
- Lighting with LED Panels
- Video editing software comparison
Pro Level
Price: $10,000-$100,000 per year
Pro Requires Professionals
The most expensive part of great video is great talent.
For top-quality training videos, you probably shouldn't spend more than $1,000 on equipment. Peter Jackson and Martin Scorsese might need 8K cameras and green screens, but you almost certainly don't.
So the best way to achieve even better quality and scalability for your video production is to hire video professionals.
There's two great ways to do this:
The "Gear"
- 1.Freelance Videographers ($5,000 - $10,000 per year) are a great option if you're releasing a couple videos a month. Start your search on Upwork, or just ask around town. You'll be surprised how many people have a video pro on speed dial. Better yet, they normally have their own gear.
- 2.Full Time Videographers ($60,000 + gear) are a worthwhile hire if you have a large team and are producing many videos every month.
