An inexpensive, high-quality, digital media (mostly video) production kit for solo government creators

When you've outgrown the smartphone, need to raise your audio and video game, and have *some* money to spend (but not venture capital)

Recently we were asked by one of our government agency clients for recommendations on what to buy for creating better-quality videos than they’ve been producing on an ancient iPhone 7 (mostly for TikTok). They also talked about other media production dreams like podcasts, and, well… just about everything you can imagine for online distribution.

Goals for a Squad of One

Knowing the digital audience and medium were king in these considerations, we asked some follow-up questions and sussed out a short list of goals:

1. Shoot high-quality video without a smartphone, generally in office or professional environments, or at mostly-indoor community events

   1. subjects could include interviews, testimonials, presentations or speeches, conference panels, or similar “talking head” content, and typically in a short form of a few minutes here and there

   2. outlets would generally be public social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. — this stuff is for the public

2. Capture better audio than you can get from smartphone mics, especially when you’re shooting video at a distance from the subject

3. Acquire some telephoto zoom capabilities to enable shooting photo and video subjects from a distance, say across a conference room or auditorium

4. Make sure everything is reasonably mobile, to enable recording just about anywhere with a minimum of transportation hassles

5. All media capture, editing, and production would be done by a solo creator who already has a “day job” and is not a media professional

6. Editing tools must be simple and creative, and would ideally include templates and workflows to prep content for and move finished products into popular social and video platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.)

7. A budget was not identified, but we intuited a total cost below $5,000

8. Finally, pick tools that allow for skills expansion over time on the part of the solo creator; tools recommended should have creative “head room” in the form of features that are present on Day 1, but can be ignored until wanted later.

In the same discovery discussion we ruled out creation of a “podcast studio” environment, at least for now. Experience suggests such rooms typically go unused, thereby wasting the money. So we skipped recommending fixed video cameras, high-end mics, mixing boards, studio lighting, furniture, decorating, sound treatment, and so forth. We could build that later if the agency hires actual staff to focus on media production full time.

What follows is a lightly-edited version of our recommendations, to address those needs.

Where did we go wrong? (We expect you’ll tell us!)

Our primary work in the GX Foundry is in creating digital experiences through custom and commercial software, not creating YouTube channels. We’re a bit out of our comfort zone here. So if you feel some of these recommendations are off-base, share your alternative recommendations in the comments.

Okay, so on to the purchasing recommendations. They fall into 6 areas, from most important to least important (if you are prioritizing a limited budget):

1. Wireless mics for use with smartphones and/or digital cameras

2. Mobile video production (with limited still photo abilities)

3. A travel tripod (the accessory often overlooked)

4. Superzoom camera for photo and video capture at a distance

5. Basic lighting kit to improve bad interior lighting situations

6. Video editing and general graphics solution

NOTE: No one has sponsored this post and all links provided are direct to the manufacturers or Amazon -- there are NO affiliate links.

All right. Here we go…

[1] Wireless mics for use with smartphones and/or digital cameras

When shooting video, everyone pays attention to lighting, focus, framing of the shot, and other visual elements, because they are the easiest to see and understand. But good audio is, counterintuitively, more important than video for storytelling or even conveying basic information. So if you buy nothing else on our list, buy this package of wireless mics (or an equivalent). By themselves these mics will raise video shot on smartphones or other cameras to a whole new level, because you get clean audio tied to (presumably) good video.

We recommend the DJI Mic 2 package with 2 transmitting mics and 1 receiver. This is a pro-grade solution that’s extremely flexible. There are cheaper options out there that would work, too, but DJI comes up in a later recommendation, too, so we wanted to stay in the same ecosystem.

This wireless mic solution can be used by novices for simple projects, but you can also grow with it over time, using more and more of the features as you get more sophisticated in your work.

These mics can record audio directly to their own storage in a pinch, but the main intent is to connect them to your smartphone, laptop, or even a standalone digital camera with a mic input. Plus, with 2 source mics you can do interviews with ease, covering the interviewer and interviewer in a unified system.

DJI Mic 2 = $350

• 1 receiver and charging case

• 2 wireless mics

• 2 mic windscreens

• Cable for a standard camera

• Adapters for mobile phones

• Carrying case

• Manufacturer product info — https://www.dji.com/mic-2

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFZX734J

Brief product overview from a prominent YouTube creator:

Example of using the DJI Mic 2 with iPhones:

[2] Mobile video production (with limited still photo abilities)

Get video shooting off your smartphone and onto a handheld pocket camera with a built-in 3-axis gimbal (to smooth out movement), a bigger imaging sensor that works better in low-light situations, an included wireless mic for great audio in your video, and more. We recommend the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo to cover all these bases. All this fits into a small case you can slip into a sling, backpack, or purse at a moment’s notice.

Shoot horizontal or vertical videos in 4K resolution, all the way up to 120 frames per second. The sensor is way bigger than your smartphone’s so the images look great, including a mild background blur (bokeh) that will make your subjects pop in your footage. Face tracking allows for interviews with moving subjects. You can also get decent still photos. There’s even an extended battery with this package allowing up to 3 straight hours of video recording. (Lord help you if you have to edit that down.)

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo = $670

• Camera with built-in gimbal, 1" sensor, 4K/120fps, stereo mics

• Wireless mic pre-synced to the camera

• Extended battery grip

• Mini tabletop tripod

• Hard case for the camera and soft carrying case for the entire kit

• Manufacturer product info — https://www.dji.com/osmo-pocket-3

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG19FGQ5

Review by The Verge:

Production examples from using the Pocket 3 in the field:

In addition to the core kit, we recommend some additional accessory purchases.

SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO microSD = $30 each (buy 2)

• buy 2 of these memory cards so you can record on one card while transferring video from the other card; swap as needed

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X7DMBVF/

USB-C SD Card / microSD Card reader = $15

• use this this card reader to rapidly transfer recorded photos and videos from SD or microSD cards into your laptop, tablet, or phone (with a USB-C port)

• pop the memory card out of the Osmo Pocket 3, then pop it into this card reader

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJFYWXZ

Anker Prime 67W USB-C and USB-A compact charger = $60

• you’ll need a USB charger to power up the mics listed above and now the Pocket 3 kit, too

• this charger is very compact and reliable

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4YTB56H/

[3] A travel tripod (the accessory often overlooked)

Everyone leaves the tripod to last, and picks up a piece of junk just to get by, and they always regret it. I have a Manfrotto tripod I bought nearly 30 years ago and it’s still going strong. So buy well now and you’ll get decades out of a tripod that’s a joy to use, not an exercise in frustration.

Plus, spend a bit more than you’d like to get a tripod that’s small enough and light enough to ensure you’ll actually take it with you. If you get a big, bulky tripod, or a cheap hunk of junk tripod, you’ll always leave it behind. I’ll say it again: spend the money and do it right from Day 1.

Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum) = $380

• 5-section tripod with ball head

• ARCA-compatible Standard Plate for mounting cameras, etc.

• smartphone mount included

• protective soft case

• misc. tools

• Manufacturer info — https://www.peakdesign.com/products/travel-tripod?variant=29420893274156

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085BQS6K4/

Travel Tripod intro video (3.5 min):

Complete (35 min) instructional video:

[4] Superzoom camera for photo and video capture at a distance

The Osmo Pocket 3 will get good video and even some good still photos, even in tough lighting conditions and while on the move. But it has no telephoto zoom abilities. Having a powerful optical zoom lets you get “close” to the action from a distance. You can sit off to the side at an event and still capture photos and video as if you were right in front of the subjects, blocking everyone else’s view.

So if you want to be “right there” but you can’t physically get in everyone’s face, you need large glass lenses, motors, and a great autofocus system. For that you need a “superzoom” camera.

Superzooms can go from a normal wide shot to a ridiculously-zoomed-in view nearly instantly, and get you high-res photos and excellent 4K video at all zoom levels. They also have internal image stabilizers to remove most or all of your hand shake. (Although for zoomed-in work you’ll want to use the tripod we noted above.)

In this case we’re recommending the Nikon COOLPIX P950, but you could also look at similar cameras from Sony or Panasonic if you like.

Could you get an interchangeable-lens camera and a long zoom lens? Yes. But that’s typically more expensive and definitely more complex. Remember: You’re a solo digital creator shooting photos and videos for Instagram and other online outlets as an “other duties as assigned” activity. You already have a day job. :-)

Nikon COOLPIX P950 digital camera = $800

• 16 megapixel photos (4608x3456) from a 1/2.3in sensor

• 83x optical zoom glass lens (wow!)

• 4K 30fps video or 1080p 60fps video max

• 3.2 in. screen

• 1 battery and charger included

• Manufacturer info — https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/compact-digital-cameras/coolpix-p950.html

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083K41SKC/

Camera review:

Camera Accessories (in order of purchasing importance)

There are several accessories in this section that you’ll need if you get this camera. Don’t buy the camera if you can’t afford the accessories, too.

SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II card = $60 each (buy 2)

• buy 2 cards, one for inside the camera at all times, one for data transfer to your computer, then swap as needed

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXH2WY9Q/

K&F Concept 67mm UV filter = $30

• screw this on the front of the camera’s lens to protect it from fingerprints or damage; it’s a cheap way to protect your investment

• the filter can also reduce ultraviolet light flares or other image aberrations

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P1XDQV6/

Peak Design Everyday Messenger bag (13L) = $230

• yep, it’s expensive, but it’s built like a tank, will last forever, and will safely carry all the (expensive) gear noted above — the camera, the Pocket 3 kit, the wireless mics, chargers, cables, and other accessories

• Manufacturer info — https://www.peakdesign.com/products/everyday-messenger/?variant=29741439189036

2 additional camera batteries and charger = $25

• get 2 more batteries and a standalone charger for situations where you need more battery life (like shooting a conference)

• use the Anker 67W USB-C charger listed above to charge up these

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8SGDK77/

[5] Basic lighting kit to improve bad interior lighting situations

We don’t really know that much about lighting, so this recommendation is pretty basic and only intended to brighten up a room that needs some help to get a clean, evenly-lit shooting space (usually inside a too-dark office or conference room, which is very common in government).

There are definitely equally-good or better options out there, so you may want to read up on lighting if you’re really serious about it, want to get creative, or have a difficult space to light.

But honestly… we would also skip buying lighting until you’re sure you actually need it. The Osmo Pocket 3 and the Nikon COOLPIX P950 will perform fairly well in even weak lighting environments. So I would try using those cameras on their own for a while, then consider adding lighting to your kit. Still, if you really need it, this should be a good way to cover the basics.

Neewer 2-pack dimmable bi-color LED video lights = $160

• 2 LED light panels with 240 warm and 240 cool white LEDs per panel, with light diffusers

• 2 floor-standing light stands

• 2 carrying cases

• 2 sets of power cables and adapters

• Amazon.com listing — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q42GXQ/

[6] Video / photo editing and general graphics solution

Once you shoot the video or photos, you have to edit it into something useful and get it out to the world via one of the major platforms. To do that you’ll need a computer and some software. But what software?

There’s a blinding array of options for video/photo/graphics editing and production/upload to the platforms. But as a solo creator, you want to keep it simple. So we recommend looking at some cloud-hosted subscription options like Canva ($120/year) or Adobe Express ($120/year). They can edit video in a simplified interface and offer some creative tools aimed at designing for the social platforms. Just pick one and go with it, unless you are specifically familiar and comfortable with the bigger packages like Final Cut Pro, LumaFusion, DaVinci Resolve, or others.

One caveat, though. If your work leans heavily toward still photos, you’re probably better off looking at Adobe Lightroom, which has a $120/year plan or a $240/year plan, depending on your needs. (The higher price subscription includes a full copy of Photoshop.) BONUS: If you buy an Adobe Lightroom subscription, you’ll get the “Premium” edition of Adobe Express for free.

An example intro to Lightroom:

If you’re all about video, I would just go to Canva and be done with it. But if photos are your big thing, and you have a lot of photo organizing to do, buy Lightroom and use Adobe Express (Premium) at no extra charge for video editing and other graphic design needs.

Intro on how to edit video with Canva:

Adding it all up

If you buy all the hardware on the list, it comes out to about $2,900 (not including taxes, shipping, or any price changes). That’s a lot of cheddar for many government teams. But consider a few things when making a pitch to the boss:

• All the gear should last at least 3 years, and some of it much longer. If you average it to 4 years, that’s less than $750/year in cost.

• Compare $750/year to the cost of hiring an outside media production person or firm just a couple times a year. This is definitely cheaper, so long as you make perhaps 4 or more videos a year.

On top of the hardware cost, you’ve got the software subscription cost. Worst case that’s maybe $250/year, and you’d likely be just fine for around $120/year.

So your total annual expense should be $1,000 or less, including hardware refreshes on an average 4-year cycle and including annual software subscriptions. Not bad for tools that do the job today and can let you build digital skills of increasing sophistication over time.

So whaddya say? I’ve sold digital media gear to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook, and by gum it put them on the map!

Other Recommendations?

If you have other suggestions for gear, software, or other resources like videos or books, please share. In the meantime, best wishes as you get out there and tell your government team’s story to the world!