Back to learn how to step off the G.A.S. are you?!! Like I've said in part one of this series, the latest film equipment is always rush to those of us with Gear Acquisition Syndrome — and sometimes, we can’t help but just throw money at our own filmmaking challenges. In this segment of my two-part blog, I explore the post-purchase phase, when a stunning sense of clarity overcomes the big spender within you, and how to avoid spending all your lunch money on new camera lens.
Chapter IV: Post-purchase Clarity
You glare contemptuously at your purchase that’s gathering dust on a shelf. It's a monument to your personal failures to resist your gear buying compulsions. Argh! How did this happen (again), and how do I not talk myself into throwing money around? Well, it requires some self reflection.
If you’re working in an area where you can’t locally rent most of what you’re purchasing, you find yourself in the precarious position of being dependent on YouTube reviews and articles from filmmaking blog sites. These mediums shape your opinion on potential gear investments.
It can be very easy to board the hype train after seeing a “DOPE/SICK” product launch video, or a collection of Instagram stories in quick succession saying how “CLUTCH” something is with fire emojis ?. However, my suggestion is to board the less exciting, "be skeptical and think practically" train. As we progress on our filmmaking gear purchasing journeys, we learn some things and notice patterns.
Chapter V: Eight Ruthless Tips for Buying Film Gear
Want to avoid that post-purchase guilt? Here are some tips to get the most value for your money as an independent filmmaker:
1) The first version of any new film gear product, usually isn’t refined. Wait until mark II of the product, after they’ve fixed all the problems the early adopters reported.
2) Are you thinking about this product for weeks on end? Or is this excitement brought on by a video? If the gear isn't going to change your workflow or your work, wait!
3) Does the company that makes the product typically offer sales on their gear? If you can afford to wait, wait until their annual sales. In the past few years, I’ve observed some popular gear companies offer 30%-50% off their flagship products during the holiday season.
4) Does this product do something that your current film gear cannot? Will your current clients notice or appreciate the difference? If you're answering "no," WAIT.
5) Are you going to be using this product enough? Is it versatile enough to make you money consistently? Will you notice its absence if it doesn’t get brought to a job? ?
6) Are you buying this for work you want to have? Or already have? Be honest with yourself and don’t buy niche things for work that doesn’t exist for you yet.
7) Is this product trying to solve a problem that has already been solved or is it re-inventing the wheel? Some film gear products have reinterpreted decades of established design, but are they doing it any better than the original design that people were happy with? With a few exceptions, not really. The “Revolutions” don’t happen as frequently as some marketing departments would have us believe.
8) There will always be another sale. Sales have a funny habit of returning. Don’t let a “limited time offer” pressure you into buying something you’re not sure you even need.
Chapter VI: Show Some Resolve (No, Not The Editor)
The above tips to consider when deciding whether or not you should buy that film gear you’ve been eyeing will help mitigate your gear acquisition syndrome. But now for the mic drop. The New Year’s resolution I propose to all those well-equipped creators, willing to take the challenge on, how to truly, step off the G.A.S.
Ahem. Don't buy any new film gear in 2022. Focus on using what you have already and making great content for your clients.
The new gear will still be there, waiting for you in 2023. What’s the worst that could happen from not buying any gear for a year? Everything is incrementally better because of the march of technology? Something you were looking at getting now is even cheaper because it’s older? What you wanted to buy is actually in stock after months of shipping delays?
So close those sales pages, holster your wallets and refocus. In 2022, we’re taking our feet off the G.A.S.
Read the first installment of Bourdon Creative's two-part post "Step off the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)" here.
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Note From Tongal: This blog is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here!
