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Sharing Film Equipment With ShareGrid

By Kesler Friedman, ISJL Education Fellow

Should we still consider our current timeframe the “new-age of technology?” Starting 2018 might seem like the future is now, with the “new-age of technology” in the recent past. Many of us may have become so comfortable with all of the electronics woven into our lives that the “newness” of tech is in the past. But, with state-of-the-art technology coming out, there’s always room for excitement in our contemporary times.
 
It’s not just the gadgets that are cutting-edge, but the way we use them.
Using videos in the classroom is a great way to reach all types of learners. Educational videos can serve as a multi-purpose resource with just the click of a button. Videos are a great way to break up the monotony of the traditional classroom routine—they can engage students, they can expose students to different teaching styles, they can make teaching easier on the teachers, and more. This is especially useful in our religious schools.
It’s not just watching the videos that’s beneficial, but making them can be an engaging, hands-on activity for your students. In the times of tech, with everything at our fingertips, the options are wide for video type, quality, and length. It doesn’t all have to be shot with the teacher’s iPhone, and then never seen again. We want to ensure that doesn’t happen, so we’d like to tell you about something called ShareGrid.

ShareGrid is a website that expands the accessibility of technology and equipment to the ‘lay people’ of the film world. It is a platform for people to rent high-end film and photography equipment. The ShareGrid community is divided into two groups—people who rent the equipment and people who own the equipment. All parties have to create a ShareGrid account to be put in this virtual community that spans across the country. The members of this community are vetted, and they must reach the ShareGrid standards in order to be included, which eases some of the stress from renters and owners.

The renters request the equipment and set a pickup time from the owner. All of the equipment information can be found on ShareGrid. This includes equipment inspection, how to handle it, and how to best use the equipment. Many of that information is also exchanged through the renters and the owners during the pickup and drop-off.

The pickup and drop-off interaction is what separates ShareGrid from a normal rental shop. It provides a connection between people who are interested in similar projects and hobbies. In mentioning their members, ShareGrid uses the term ‘community,’ and the interaction between renter and owner is how they cultivate that closeness.

ShareGrid provides more than just the equipment. Because of the personal connection that ShareGrid creates, it also acts as a networking opportunity between members. This networking community can also help build the quality of the video. With the advice of the renters, and the resources online through ShareGrid like the open-question forum to all ShareGrid members, the quality of your project can increase. Even if it’s just in the details, a higher-quality video can change the way students absorb the information, and in turn, change the way the students retain the information.

​If you’re looking to change things up in your classroom, or trying to get your hands dirty with high-quality videography, with ShareGrid being a great place to start. ShareGrid has created a community, one that you can be a part of, too. 

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