Currently crowdfunding: Essential gadgets filmmakers will want to invest in
Gadgets are great fun to play around with, but for filmmakers they can actually become some of the most vital tools in the production process, particularly for indie producers on a small budget. While there are hundreds of nifty tools out there, on Kickstarter & Indiegogo – where creative projects come to life through the power of crowdfunding – dozens of innovators and their awesome inventions await financial backing.
We’ve put together a list of the ten best crowdfunding campaigns for filmmakers, bringing to you some essential gadgets you’ll definitely want to invest in:
Anamorphic lens for smartphones
Estimated delivery: June 2018
As part of its Filmmaker Collection, the company that makes gear, develops apps, and offers guides for lens filmmaking, Moment, is currently raising money for an anamorphic lens a.k.a. the “sexiest product we’ve ever made”. Making anamorphic affordable, this gadget will allow you to shoot like a pro on your smartphone.
Battery photo case
Estimated delivery: June 2018
Another notable gadget from the Moment Filmmaker Collection is the wireless-enabled battery photo case, which does two things that make it easier to shoot video on your phone. Firstly, the shutter button lets you start and stop filming without having to touch the screen. And secondly, the 3,100 mAH battery lets you shoot twice as much video without recharging.
Cable cam for GoPro and cameras
Estimated delivery: August 2018
This widely-successful cable cam is currently in production having raised nearly $1.3 million! For the thrifty filmmaker comes WiralLITE, pitched as the “first affordable, easy-to-use cable cam system” for filming with smartphones, action cameras, and mirrorless cameras up to 3.3lb (1.5kg).
4K 360° VR camera
Estimated delivery: August 2018
If you’re after an affordable, professional VR camera for 4K HD video, the PANO-S is definitely worth an investment. With the assistance of Autopano stitching software, this camera offers a high-quality panoramic production and is equipped with six fish-eye lenses and aluminum alloy outer casing. And it’s super portable, to boot!
Tabletop AR platform
Estimated delivery: May 2018
Looking like something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie, Lampix: Intelligent is an interactive tabletop AR system that uses machine learning and blockchain-based image sourcing to recognize, reveal, and react to the visual world. Not only would it make an incredible tool to help you organize and create ideas during the development stage of your movie, but it would also make a futuristic prop if you’re looking to develop a sci-fi flick.
Nano-suction action camera mount
Estimated delivery: April 2018
If you’re looking for a quicker and easier mount for your action camera, take a look at the XCLEAR Nano-suction Mount. Compatible with a wide range of action cameras and mountable to many surfaces, this nifty gadget bridges the gap between tripod and permanent adhesive to offer a quick and easy way to provoke new perspectives.
The JoBo Head
Estimated delivery: April 2018
As one of the most widely-used pieces of grip gear on set, a grip head a.k.a. a gobo head is a production essential. However, when a standard gobo head is just a little too big, the solution can be long-winded. That’s where the JoBo Head comes in – as simple to use as a gobo head but small enough to get into tight spaces without requiring a separate tool. Handy!
Robotic coffee maker
Estimated delivery: April 2018
Okay, so this one’s a bit of a bonus gadget, but what would a filmmaker be without their twenty daily cups of coffee? Mugsy is pitched as the “world’s first hackable, customizable, dead simple, robotic coffee maker.” Users can control every aspect of their brew, from grind size and water temperature to pour over pattern and bloom time – a true innovation for caffeine addicts around the world.
