Most people when shooting their film will only have access to consumer level camcorders and lighting. There will be obvious draw backs in using such equipment but here are some handy tips for getting the best from your camcorder.

Try at all times to use the manual settings on your camcorder for exposure, focus and white balance. You will definitely achieve better results.

If you do not understand the manual settings and rely on the auto set-up, then here are a few tips:

• When shooting your subject do not shoot them against a very bright background i.e against a window etc as the camera will expose for the brighter area and your subject will appear silhouetted.
• When you use auto focus, the camera is always struggling to find focus and the picture can appear to, 'breathe', as it sometimes goes in and out of focus.
• Keep the camera on a tripod as this will help alleviate the problem and will produce slicker shots on the consumer camera.
• Of course, some scripts may require a 'hand held' style and the tripod will therefore, not be required.

Sound is always a problem with consumer cameras as they always come fitted with an unboard stereo mic. These mics often pick up everything and are not directional. To get good audio for dialogue you really need to plug a directional mic into the side of the camera. If you cannot access one of these when filming make sure your dialogue scenes are ina quiet area, otherwise filming e.g outside in traffic will prove problematic. Keep your subject close to the camera. Also, if you are shooting hand held , mics pick up a handling noise so it helps to keep the camera on a tripod to reduce noise.

A very cheap make shift remedy to the sound issue is to buy a tie clip mic on the internet for £5 and a car aerial for another few pounds, Effectively you have a mini boom mic. Best of all it actually works.

Cameras need a lot of light to work and professional lights are very expensive. Get yourself down to the DIY store and buy a 200 watt daylight bulb for day scenes and a 200 watt tungsten bulb for night scenes and plug it straight in your ceiling fitting.

This will give a lot of lift. A cheap white chinese lantern over the top will soften the light and alleviate shadows.

Making up a cord with a plug at one end and lightbulb fitting at the other will allow you more flexibility for where you put the light. For a few pounds you will really help the look of the film.

Gerard Stratton - Film-Maker