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Whether you are a professional or an amateur filmmaker (or shop first), today’s smartphones make it incredibly easy to create your own big screen content. Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow said during the iPhone 13‘s unveiling last year that his cinematic cameras “might spark a new genre,” and Apple on display the new 48MP camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max at the Toronto International Film Festival – but still, it can’t hurt to brush up on tech or play with the latest toys.
From beautiful cameras and precise microphones to engineer-approved headphones, there is no shortage of accessories for future directors and cinematographers. And it’s really a matter of personal preference; filmmakers rely on their perfect combination of equipment to produce the look and feel they want. For that reason, buying the best gift for the aspiring filmmaker in your life can be quite difficult. After all, they probably own what they already want.
Related: The best gifts for digital nomads, from smart office gear to tech must-haves
Still, there are a few practical and personal gifts that would be a great fit for any filmmaker you know. Tripods can simplify content creation while posters and books also make great gifts for your recent ones film school graduate. A new camera is always one of the best gifts for film students on a budget, along with laptop friendly backpacks allowing them to work anywhere.
So whether your recipient is just starting out or has a wealth of experience (or maybe you’re treating yourself to some new stuff), here’s an eclectic selection of the best gifts for filmmakers.
1. Movie Clapboard
Whether using it as a backdrop or on set, no aspiring filmmaker’s kit is complete without it a movie clapboard.
2. Storyboard Notebook
They will need a lot of space to write down their future script and scene ideas, and this Storyboard Notebook has 170 pages for them.
3. Masterclass Subscription
There’s nothing like learning from the best. That’s exactly what a Masterclass subscription offers – a series of video lessons from some of the filmmaking’s most experienced professionals. Whether your giftee is inspired by Shonda Rhimes’ many hit TV series, Ken Burns’ documentaries, or Aaron Sorkin’s fast-paced writing, there’s an ideal lesson to be found.
4. Logitech Craft Advanced Wireless Keyboard
Logitech’s Craft Advanced Wireless Keyboard has a handy input button that gives users full control over a range of apps, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign; and Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. Gifts will also appreciate the backlit keys that automatically adjust to the lighting conditions in their room, and the responsive, quiet keys are optimized for efficiency and precision.
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Logitech | Amazon
5. Joby Gorilla Podo
Original from Joby Gorilla Podo offers a crucial amount of versatility when filming. It can function as a regular tripod, it makes an excellent addition to any camera (even smartphones) and is great for curved, uneven surfaces. If they like live streaming or creating social media content, the PodZilla and the Beamo LED light are also some of the best gifts for online content creators.
6. Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898 to 1971 by Doris Berger and Rhea L. Combs
Available October 18 Regeneration: Black Cinema explores the overlooked history of black filmmakers, artists, and producers such as Lena Horne, Bert Williams, Oscar Micheaux, Dorothy Dandridge, Herb Jeffires, and many, many others. The coffee table book, which spans 288 pages and spans the period between 1898 and 1971, has a foreword by Whoopie Goldberg and includes illuminating interviews with award-winning contemporary filmmakers Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Julie Dash, Charles Burnett and Dawn Porter.
7.100 Movie Set Conditions Poster
For movie buffs and filmmakers of all ages, this movie terms poster will help them refresh their established knowledge – or help them learn new ones.
8. GoPro Hero11 Waterproof Action Camera
Filmmakers must be willing to adapt to different climates and conditions, especially if they want to make a documentary. GoPro’s latest Hero11 waterproof action camera features 5.3K Ultra HD video that shoots up to 240 fps, a 27MP camera, 2x digital zoom, HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization and a HyperView digital lens that offers 8:7 and 9:16 aspect ratios. Content creators will use webcam mode for live streaming and vlogging, and the camera has a rechargeable, long-lasting battery. Of course, GoPro is known for withstanding the elements, so users can shoot underwater up to 10 meters.
9. Designing graphics props for movie making by Annie Atkins
Committed to creating the most realistic landscapes on their film sets, Dublin-based designer Annie Atkins reveals how to do just that in her 208-page book, Designing graphics props for movie making. From invitations, love letters, till receipts and more ephemera, this book offers endless inspiration.
10. In the blink of an eye by Francis Ford Coppola
If your giftee still has a lot to learn about editing, In the blink of an eyee is a good option if they want to soak up tips and tricks from an acclaimed industry veteran. The award-winning book by film editor, director, writer and sound designer Walter Murch is the blueprint for film editing, as Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (who often collaborates with the author) can attest.
11. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Sony | Amazon | Best Buy
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 Bluetooth headphones, a favorite of Oscar-nominated sound editor Julian Slater, are also our go-to gear for long flights. They feature an Auto NC Optimizer that adjusts noise reduction based on your environment, and wearers get up to 30 hours of battery life (so they can enjoy uninterrupted editing or listening to music).
12. SD Card Holder
Using several memory cards at once is a normal part of moviemaking. And a secretly good gift can be something to hold it all together. Kiora photos cardholder can store 12 SD cards and is completely waterproof.
13. DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer
Smartphone cameras are an increasingly viable option for movie making. But there’s no point in having a top-end camera if you can’t hold your phone steady. DJIs three-axis OM 5 gimbal stabilizer does just that, enhancing the film production experience for content creators and aspiring directors on the go.
14. Pack the travel backpack
Designed in collaboration with gear reviewer Chase Reeves and with the input of over 300 travelers, Pakt’s travel backpack has over 20 features that make it essential for filmmakers who want to stay organized wherever they go. Made from water-resistant fabric spun from single-use recycled plastic, this carry-on backpack features a cool two-compartment clamshell design, mesh divider, room for cameras and lenses, separate laptop compartment, waterproof section for toiletries (or items). that can leak), an exterior water bottle compartment, a hidden back pocket for important documents, a luggage transit and plenty of easy-adjust straps to keep the wearer comfortable.
15.
This book by filmmaker and writer Rickey Bird is a great option for low-budget enthusiasts just starting out in filmmaking. This one 288 page guide will teach readers how to “turn any movie project into a work of art”, such as The living Dead actor Vincent M. Ward confesses. Sometimes it just takes one great movie to launch a career.
16. Master & Dynamic MW65 Headphones
Movie editing is almost impossible if you can’t hear every little sound your microphone picks up. Master and Dynamic leads the way in sound quality, and that of the brand MW65 headphones equipped with active noise cancellation.
17. Lenovo ThinkVision Monitor
There are tons of great monitors out there, but versatility is key. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is one of the best portable monitors for video editing, playback, online browsing and watching movies – a perfect combination for a movie maker. And as for monitors, it’s a relatively affordable gift.
18. Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag
A good camera bag is essential for any movie buff on the go. One of the best compact camera bags for busy shutterbugs is Billingham’s Hadley pro bag made of khaki canvas and leather (available in other colorways). It combines style and substance for a good price, and it also goes with tons of gear.