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Above is photo I took at a public park after school, using the natural lighting to my advantage. Shot with a D3300 and the 18-55 kit lens

Hi everyone! My name is Andy and I’m a Co-op student from Danforth CTI. I’m going to be doing a placement here at Azure Production for the next few months. I’m really excited to be doing this Co-op in this field. I’ve always enjoyed watching movies ever since I was a kid, my favourite being Pixar’s UP. I want to get into this field because I enjoy telling stories, and film and videos are my way of telling them. Anyways you’re going to see more of me around the blog in the coming months, I just finished my first one and I hope you enjoy it!

Sometimes it can be tough to shoot videos without the proper equipment, crew, or space. As a student you most likely won’t have a huge budge. So what do you do when you come across a problem? Solve it! Here are 3 tips to help you create your project on a budget.

#1) Borrow equipment from the school/teachers

Buying your own equipment can get quite expensive, especially when it comes to cameras and lenses. You can try to make do with what you have. Alternatively you could ask your school if they have camera equipment that they lend to students. Some schools have a video or photography class, chances are that the teachers will have equipment that you can borrow.

#2) Ask your friends to be assistants

Having an assistant on set to help with lighting, sound, and getting lunch, can be extremely helpful. They can carry equipment, and help speed up the workflow. Unfortunately hiring an assistant to help with your production may not be in your budget. So what’s the solution? Asking your friends to help of course! If you know a few friends that have free time, why not ask them to help with your project. You can repay them with food, and gratitude!

#3) Use cost effective locations

Renting a studio for the day can be costly. Luckily there are community recreation centres like Matty Eckler that offer studio space for free, or a small fee. Although they may not be in the best condition or have the right equipment, it will teach you to make the best of the space and equipment available. Going to parks and using outdoor locations are always an option; just make sure you aren’t trespassing anywhere and always ask for permission when going on private property.