The Practical Filmmaker

If you're looking for a multi cam switcher for live streaming, check out the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO switcher.

This week, David George talks with Charles Coleman about the features and quirks of this switcher. The ATEM has eight inputs making it easy to stream a multi cam for podcasts, churches, or concerts. Charles also shares how he has overcome an issue with the audio feed within the software.

Watch to see if the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO would work for you.

Pros
⭐️ 8 inputs
⭐️ Stream to computer & record to external hard drive
⭐️ 2 HDMI outputs

Cons
🚫 Mic inputs 1/8
🚫 Audio phasing

Key points:
:15 - What is the Mini Extreme ISO
1:00 - Features
2:22 - Weird quirks

Links:
Coleman Creative
Atem Mini Extreme ISO Specs

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Wildlife Filmmaking can be exciting, but it comes with a set of unique challenges most filmmakers don't experience.

This week Alex Goetz, Wildlife Filmmaker, shares how he broke into wildlife filmmaking for the BBC, Nat Geo, and PBS.

In this episode Alex shares how to get started, how filmmakers get paid, and the gear he uses to capture animal habits in the wild.

Listen to learn how you can get started in wildlife filmmaking. 

Key points:
1:32 - Getting into wildlife filmmaking
7:14 - Crew in the field
9:06 - How long are shoots & getting paid
10:34 - How to get started in wildlife filmmaking
16:17 - Wildlife Film Festivals
17:42 - Union for Wildlife Filmmakers
19:19 - Day rates for outdoor filmmakers
21:44 - Gear he uses
27:05 - Oh no moment
29:28 - Toughest part of job
31:50 - Favorite story from the field
35:27 - Upcoming projects

Links:
Running Wild Media
Staff Me Up
Jackson Wild Film Festival
International Wildlife Film Festival
Wild Screen Film Festival
A Goetz Film
Alex Instagram 

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As we head into 2022 what questions do you have about filmmaking, what type of gear are you interested in upgrading this year, how can we help you improve your craft?

Leave your comment to let us know how we can help you.

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Commercial filmmaking can be a lucrative and steady paycheck that many filmmakers may not consider within the typical model.

This week David Mancao producer for Sasha Group, shares how you can break into ad agency work, no matter where you live. David lives in a small market and produces projects for large brands throughout the U.S.

Listen to see how you can start working at an ad agency in your city

Key points:
1:22 - How he got started
8:20 - Getting started at Sasha Group
12:28 - Roles & culture at Sasha Group
18:15 - Money in commercial shoots
20:41 - Agency fees & contracts
23:23 - Creativity in job role
30:57 - Alternative filmmaking avenues
32:09 - How to connect with local ad agencies
37:31 - Favorite tools of the trade
38:47 - Something going wrong
45:32 - A/B testing before production 
49:02 - Trends in ad agencies

Links:
Sasha Group
Studio Binder
Connect with David on LinkedIn

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Video village on set is crucial—especially in current times when the ability to stream to remote clients sets your production apart.

In this Gear n' Gadgets, David George takes a deep dive with Kimbrough Davis on how he easily shares the feed from set to the different departments. Kimbrough is a video assist on commercial shoots for companies like Apple.

In this Gear n' Gadgets deep dive, learn how Kimbrough easily splits the audio and video feeds for different departments. He also shows his latest technology on how to stream feeds to remote clients.

Listen now to learn how Kimbrough easily splits the audio and video feeds and the latest technology on how to stream feeds to remote clients.

Key Points
:55 - Job title & responsibilities for video assist
1:54 - How he got started
4:41 - What kind of work he does
8:33 - New technology because of COVID
13:13 - Video Assist Cart
16:54 - Value on set
18:43 - QTAKE features
20:17 - Favorite technology  Cube 655

Gear
Blackmagic Web Presenter
QTake Software
Blackmagic Smart Hub
Presonus Audio Box
Cube 655

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Tanya here—keeping this short for your holiday (this is the week that wafts to the cosmos anyway, right?). What started as a typical Update and New/Old Year Sign-off morphed into something else.

I’d posted on Insta around Thanksgiving about having dinner with my biological cousins, and a friend mentioned that I should do an episode on it—well in a small fashion, here it is! And there’s a point to telling it, I promise. 

But I hope throughout this crazy past year of near-strikes, on-set accidents, or gigs falling through due to these past 2 years just being crazy, that you guys are thriving out there. 

Whatever path you end up going, may you enjoy your story.

Cheers,

-T

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If you are looking for a reliable light unit on set, you might want to consider the Arri M40.

In this review, David George helps you decide if the Arri M40 is the right unit for your next project. He shares how to power the light, what quirks the light has, and how great the customer service is when something goes wrong.

The light was very reliable on set, but you might want to consider having a backup up unit in case something does wrong.

Listen to see if the Arri M40 will work for your next project.

Pros
⭐️ Reliable
⭐️ Great Customer Service

Cons
🚫 Costs
🚫 Generator to power unit
🚫 Consider a backup

Key points:
:10 - Generator to power the light
:24 - Ballast to power the Arrival M40
:52 - Set up on set
1:13 - Why you need a generator
1:54 - What quirks does this light have
2:51 - Owner issue with the unit

Links:
Arri M40

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If you want to become a studio executive, how do you get started?

This week we talk with Noelle Green, Executive In Charge of Production at Netflix, on her journey to becoming a studio executive. In this episode Noelle shares how she became an executive, what it’s like working at Netflix, as well as their inclusion initiatives.

Noelle's filmography includes The Irishman, Bird Box, and Iron Man 2.

Listen to learn how you can become an executive at a studio. 

Key points
1:39 - How she got started
2:39 - What is her role as an executive
3:44 - Difference between film and series
4:20 - What's a typical day like
6:20 - Getting started in the industry
8:27 - Joining a union
9:22 - How to become an executive
10:20 - Accounts help producers set budget
11:36 - Working with independent filmmakers at Netflix
12:19 - How to submit a film to Netflix
12:57 - Inclusion Outreach Network (ION) at Netflix
20:34 - Diversity programs at Netflix
21:26 - Favorite resources
24:44 - Netflix sharing performance numbers
27:06 - Global programming
28:02 - Facing challenges
30:30 - Creating a safe set
32:45 - Most challenging part of her job

Links:
Connect on Instagram

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If you're looking for a production van that's easy to drive and fuel efficient the Nissan NV 200 might be what you need.

This week Liam Dunaway, Key Grip, shows David George how he maximized the space in his van for production. Liam shares why he likes the Nissan NV 200, how he customized it for his gear, and some of the challenges he faces with it.

Listen to see if the Nissan NV 200 will work as your next production rig.

Pros:
⭐️ Small & stealthy
⭐️ Flexibility
⭐️ Clearance for 4x4's
⭐️ Easy to park
⭐️ Fuel efficient

Cons:
🚫 Limited capacity for more gear

Key Points:
:27 - Drivers side set up
1:20 - Back set up
5:31 - Passenger side set up

Links:
Nissan NV 200

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The world of action sports filmmaking follows a different set of rules.

This week we dive into the world of action sports filmmaking with Justin Fann, Teton Gravity Research Lead Editor & Director, about action sports filmmaking. In this episode Justin shares how you can get started, how their projects are funded, and the gear he likes to use in the back country.

Listen to hear how sports action filmmaking is different from the traditional Hollywood model.

Key Points:
2:15 - How he got started
4:50 - Where you can get started
6:40 - Roles in Outdoor filmmaking
8:55 - How to stay safe
11:48 - Setting up shots
14:14 - Budget for project
16:13 - How are projects funded
17:43 - What expenses the company covers
18:45 - Shooting Length
20:50 - Types of insurance to get
22:06 - What gear he likes to use
25:01 - Most dangerous situations
26:49 - What went wrong
31:34 - Most challenging part of the job
34:11 - Path to Teton Gravity Research
37:50 - Latest project

Links:
Teton Gravity Research
Stoke the Fire Trailer
Justin Fann Instagram
Website

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Connect with the Practical Filmmaker
Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram
Watch more episodes on YouTube
Find more filmmaking resources