The Practical Filmmaker

Don't let a bad generator stop production.

This week, David George reviews the Mega Silent Generator from Tecno Gen on set. This 60-kilowatt generator can run 18-kilowatt lights along with video village and other gear. In this episode, David shows its features and shares how it worked during production.

Listen to see if this generator will work for your next project.

Pros:
⭐️  20 amp courtesy outlets
⭐️  240 volts 50 amp
⭐️  Block heater
⭐️  Battery charger plug
⭐️ Fully bunded fule take  (a tank within a tank to reduce fuel leakage)
⭐️ 5 sets of three-phase cam locks
⭐️ Electronically controlled

Cons:
🚫 Main breaker on to turn on courtesy breakers
🚫 ECU  temperature malfunction
Links:
Tecno Gen

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It's okay to feel discouraged.

This week, continuing to update us on her feature film for Sony Affirm Pictures, Sydney Tooley shares her struggles as a first-time director and about the dark times, she went through after the first phase of principle production.

Watch a quick highlight reel of the amazing locations in Taiwan and the wrap of the shoot for “Sun Moon.”

Links
#39 Directorial Debut | Part 1 with Sydney Tooley
Sun Moon Film Instagram
Sydney Tooley Instagram
But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct: Lessons from a Life Behind the Camera

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On this episode of G&G David George reviews the CRLS Lightbridge 100 and Alpha 18K. He talks about what it's like to use them on set and how they compare to the Arri Max 18K. Watch to learn more about the different roles the HMI lights play on set and what to look for when choosing one that works for you.

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If you are an adrenaline junkie, becoming an action sports cinematographer might be a dream job.

This week, Ben Dann, cinematographer for Teton Gravity Research (TGR), shares his journey of traveling the world filming for TGR. In this episode Ben shares how he preps for shooting in the back country, favorite gear he uses, and how to get into the industry.

Listen to Ben to learn how you can become an action sports cinematographer.

Key Points:
1:30 - How he got started
4:17 - Internship at Teton Gravity Research (TGR)
12:02 - Working in the commercial world
13:24 - Prep work before filming in the back country
17:37 - Letting new people in to the field
22:40 - Freelancing with TGR
25:04 - Daily rates
29:42 - Jobs he would say no to
32:48 - Favorite gear
38:09 - Something going wrong
42:05 - Favorite Shoot
43:20 - How to get into the industry
44:08 - Upcoming Red Bull event
45:26 - Scope of work

Links:
Justin Fann Episode
David Allen Arnold Episode
Follow Dan on Instagram 

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This week David George gives you a quick comparison of the Lightbridge vs. the shiny board. He’ll be doing an update with experience on set, on whether or not the cost for the Lightbridge ($3500) is worth it over the traditional $350 shiny board.

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If you want to get your film distributed, you need to be persistent.

This week, Aj Martinson, Producer/Director, shares how his persistence paid off to get his first indie film distributed.  In this episode, he talks about finding his first distribution deal, film festivals, and self distribution.

Listen to get tips on how to find distribution for your film.

Key Points:
2:23 - How he got started
6:46 - Creating first project
15:12 - First distribution deal
24:13 - Shooting first documentary
37:27 - Film festival for documentary
42:03 - Self distribution
44:32 - Something going wrong
58:17 - Favorite gear

Links:
Section 3 Films
Panavision Grant
American Film Market
Cinando Database
Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul
Caption Max
The End of Blindness

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If you've ever wondered how they film wildlife undisturbed., Alex shows you his set up.

Alex Goetz, wildlife filmmaker, has filmed for for the BBC, Nat Geo, and PBS. This week on Gear n' Gadgets, Alex shows you how he captures nature sequences on the down low.

Listen to see what gear he likes to use.

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Don't budget for distribution when producing a micro budget film.

Geoff Quan, Original Independent Films at Netflix, shares why you shouldn't budget for distribution and instead focus on making a high quality film. Geoff's resume includes Light of My Life , Blindspotting, and the Netflix biopic, Barry.

Listen to learn how to improve your next micro budget film.

Key Points
1:20 - How he got started
3:22 - Why producing 
4:52 - What union is he apart of 
5:33 - Distributing first film
9:45 - What he looks for in projects
11:17 - Why is he in the industry 
12:22 - Working with the right people
14:48 - What went wrong on a micro budget film
18:27 - Difference working with non actors and big name actors 
22:05 - Flawed System 
24:40 - Finding the right people to help sell your film 
27:40 - Working with a publicist 
31:04 - How much should you budget for publicists and distrubtion 
33:01 - Favorite Gear
35:19 - Future of indie filmmaking

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Impress your clients with a traveling video village perfect for their driving scene. 

This week David George shows us his vehicle village setup for clients to watch a scene being filmed from a separate driving vehicle.

Listen to learn an alternative way for your clients to monitor car scenes.

Key Points:
:20 - Bolt 1000 Receiver
:52 - Monitor
1:50 - Conclusion

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It can be scary taking a leap to start your production company, but it doesn't have to be.

This week Erik Harty, Executive Producer for Long Division Films, gives advice on how you can start your own commercial filmmaking company. Erik shares how to structure your company, what gear you should use, and what you should include in your portfolio when making a pitch.

Erik's company has worked on projects for Doritos, Geico, and Bank of America.

Listen to learn how you can launch a successful commercial filmmaking company.

Key points:
2:49 - How he got started
3:48 - TV/Film vs commercial filmmaking
8:57 - Getting into commercial filmmaking
11:40 - First big projects
15:30 - Company structure
17:46 - Starting your own company
28:11 - Networking with crew
31:16 - Favorite Gear
38:42 - Something going wrong
42:15 - How to create high end product
45:01 - What to include in your portfolio

Links:
Long Division
Hot Budget
Studio Binder
Erik on LinkedIn

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