Filming Accessories

[Cyn]

Z’s tripod helps her steady every shot—and her backpack helps her carry everything to the next cool location! This set of pretend filmmaking accessories includes:

A 35mm camera with a colorful carrying strap
A camcorder
A smartphone with five interchangeable screens
A tripod to be used with all three devices
A backpack

Price: $28
Grade: A+

This set is plastic. It is. Everything but the backpack, and WHO CARES. IT IS AMAZING. AG has nailed this set. Out of the box, the pieces are all packaged in individual sections of a long roll of plastic, taped shut so that nothing falls out. Yes, the set comes in the new packaging that is taped shut and has a hanger. Don't even care, I'm over it.

One piece that it comes with that isn't listed separately is the tripod clamp mount. It snaps onto the top of the tripod, it's adjustable and has a spring giving it tension so that it grips the iphone/camcorder/camera. There is even a bit of foam in the bottom to keep the item from slipping - that's a nice little touch.

The tripod has adjustable legs, and there is a screw on each leg that I am pretty sure can be tightened if the leg gets loose and won't stay extended. The camcorder looks like the real deal, with a flip screen (sorry, it doesn't rotate too, lol).

The smartphone also looks like a real iPhone, but here's what the description DOESN'T tell you - the interchangeable screens? (six not five since there are three and they're double-sided??, anyway, not important) Not only can you put the screens in the iPhone, you can put them in the camera and the camcorder also - that was a nice little surprise and really adds to the play factor in my opinion.

The camera strap is held on by little buttonholes that slip over the finger mounts on the sides of the camera, so the strap can be easily taken on and off as needed. I am a little concerned about the durability of the finger mounts, they are pretty tiny and plastic, but there's one on each side.

The backpack is nothing special, but it holds all the stuff, and the stuff is why you're buying the set anyway, amirite?

Now for the part you came here for - the pics!

[Librarian4]

I purchased this set yesterday and I like it a lot. It is plastic, but plastic well-done, if there is such a thing. My only concern is that the legs on the tripod seem to be on some type of spring and are somewhat loose. I could see this as potentially getting broken very easily by someone in the target age group if they are not careful, so beware. I am glad that the legs adjust on the tripod to give it a little more height. The backpack is adorable and very realistic and so is the camcorder. I love all of the little scenes that go into the camcorder and cell phone. I rate it B+ only because of the loose legs and maximum height of the the tripod.

[Jamirae]

I love the set. Though a whole different way of packaging, it's done with care, almost like a real set is. You can see the individual pieces as you lay the strip of vinyl encasing the set.

Yes, it's plastic but well done. I can't come up with much better with moving pieces and inserts. I agree that the tripod could have been a bit higher, and I wish there had been a selfie stick but I still rate this an A.

[Bzzybee]

My daughter and I recently got two sets by online order. We were both disappointed. My daughter especially as she is a film maker looking at film schools next year. I was surprised by the cheap feel of the plastic. It seemed much cheaper than even other plastic they have used in recent sets like Melody's radio. I was surprised that none of the cameras lit up, made a sound, or even had a button to push like some of the party store "cheap" cameras I have purchased. My daughter was really disappointed in the tripod legs and said , "What the heck!" The holder on the camera stretched out on the first try so now the dolls can't even hold it. We are keeping them because of the theme. But we're just hoping for better quality.