The camera is the basic recording equipment used in any live-action film production. Even animated movies use special cameras, whether it's a physical camera or a virtual camera, to produce their visual requirements in animation format.
Many types of cameras are available for the varying needs of a particular film project. For instance, a consumer handycam is typically used by home movie enthusiasts, while high-definition (HD) or digital cinema cameras are popular choices for independent filmmakers and even commercial filmmakers with conservative film budgets. Film cameras using 35mm or 65mm film stocks are mostly used by filmmakers working in big-budget productions.
Lighting equipment essentially provides the film its needed look and feel. There is a wide range of film lighting equipment available for various types of film productions. Small ones like the Kinoflos, Redheads, Blueheads and Dedolights are typically used in interior locations for productions with minimal lighting requirements. Bigger ones like the wide range of HMI lights and Fresnels are typically used as main light sources in exterior locations or in interior scenes with windows or doors requiring strong production lights to create the right atmosphere for the story.
Grip equipment supports the functions of the camera and lighting equipment in any production. Widely used grip equipment for the camera include tripods, monopods, dollies, jibs, cranes, car mounts and Steadicams, which are primarily used to carry and control the camera's movements during the shoot. Meanwhile, widely used grip equipment for lighting resources include C-stands and polecats, which are primarily used to rig lights and hold reflectors, gels and diffusers during the shoot.
Sound equipment allows the recording and production all the required sound elements for the film. Varying sound production tools are used depending on the more specific requirements of a production. As most films need to record the dialogue and other ambient sound, a field sound recording device and a sound mixer must be present during the shoot to properly record live sound.
Interview and close-up shots usually require the actor to use a wired or wireless lapel mic for sound recording purposes. Big scenes and shots with an ensemble of actors usually require the use of a boom mic for the recording. Foley artists also record additional sound elements the film needs during post-production. They normally do this inside a sound studio with the right props to produce the sound as seen in the visuals.