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Before you begin your iDEC smartphone video course you will need a couple of apps for your phone and some basic equipment to enable you to fully maximise your learning. We’ve prepared an iDEC pre-course video that outlines what apps and hardware we recommend for our courses.
Please take a look at the iDEC pre-course video and then look at the links below to help you find the apps and equipment online.
Please note, the cost of the apps and kit are in not included in the course cost.
The following are ‘must-haves’ if you are taking an iDEC smartphone video course:
The camera app we recommend for our iDEC courses is Filmic Pro.
The camera app we recommend for our iDEC courses is KineMaster.
Smartphone cages come in many shapes and sizes. We recommend aluminium or sturdy cages such as those made by Neweer or SmallRig.
Small or mini tripods are ideal for simple camerawork and can be used for interviews and pieces to camera. We have found the Manfrotto Pixi and the Polarduck Mini to be suitable.
Tie-clip or lavalier microphones are essential for clear audio when recording pieces to camera or interviews. You can find inexpensive mics that will do what you need, or you can get semi-professional mics at a higher price.
Depending on the length of cable on your tie-clip mic, you may need a 2m or 3m extension cable. Search for a 4-pole TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve) 3.5mm mini jack.
As you improve your video production skills you may want to consider the following useful additions to your iDEC kit.
If you are filming a lot of interviews or pieces to camera a full-height tripod become essential. When buying a full-height tripod, make sure it has a ‘video head’ rather than a ‘ball-head’. A video head has a handle and can pan and tilt.
A directional microphone such as the RØDE VideoMicro is great for vox-pops and as a general ‘walk-around’ mic. It fits on top of your smartphone cage.
Going wireless can save a lot of hassle when you are setting up for your shoot. Just remember to charge the batteries.
A small LED light that sits on top of your smartphone cage can really help out in those low-light situations.
