The Practical Filmmaker

The Nanlux Dyno Series 650 C is a solid light, but its accessories may pose some challenges on set.

This week on Gear ‘n Gadgets, David George reviews The Nanlux Dyno Series 650 C. David shows you a few accessories, how to control the light unit, as well as some things to look out for when putting it together.

Listen to David share what he likes and dislikes about the Nanlux Dyno light. 

Chapters:
:10 - Case
:35 - Softbox
3:08 - Power Supply
4:10 - Junior Adaptor 
4:34 - Control Unit & DMX Controls
5:58 - Advantage over Skypanel 
6:05 - Final Verdict 

Links:
Nanlux Dyno Series
Rolling case
Nanlux Octa Softbox for Dyno 650C (4')

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Every filmmaker has their own unique way of starting out in the industry. 

This week we revisit past episodes to learn how a few filmmakers got their start. This anthology episode includes Alex Ferrari from Indie Film Hustle; Mike Wilds, filmmaker; Julio Zepeda, camera assistant; Taylor Morden, Last Blockbuster Documentary, and David Alan Arnold from Deadliest Catch. You'll learn what hacks they used to get started, and how you can apply what they did to your career. 

Listen now to get ahead of the competition when starting out in the industry. 

Key points:
1:50 - Alex Ferrari: Get out of dollars for hours
10:04 - Mike Wilds: Getting Started as a PA 
13:39 - Julio Zepeda: Loopholes in the union 
23:00 - Raul Martin Romero: Get a start late in life
29:44 - Taylor Morden: Leaving corporate work for documentary filmmaking 
38:35 - David Alan Arnold: Dropping out of college

Links:
Alex Ferrari Indie Film Hustle Full Episode
Mike Wilds Full Episode
Julio Zepeda Full Episode
Raul Martin Romero Full Episode
Taylor Morden Full Episode
David Alan Arnold Full Episode 

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Don't leave home without the essentials for your men's grooming kit. 

Jill Pugh, key makeup artist, shares her must-haves for any makeup artist putting together a men's grooming and makeup kit. In this episode, she raves about her favorite tools, what products she likes to use, and shares tips on applying makeup without it looking caked on to the talent. 

Listen to Jill share what must-haves you should include in your men's grooming kit. 

Gear
Temptu Airbrush

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Zack Arnold, host of the Optimize Yourself Podcast, shares an episode from his podcast in this week's episode. 

Zack is interviewed by Austin Coburn, a recent college grad, on how you can find a healthy work-life balance in the industry. In this episode Zack highlights the importance of setting boundaries, working with good people not good projects, and how you can overcome procrastination. 

Listen to Zack to learn how you can start creating a healthy work-life balance. 

Key Points:
2:51 - About Today's Show
7:40 - All-nighters Get Worse After College
9:40 - Learn the Skills of Creating a Healthy Balance
17:53 - Building Habits
21:10 - Overcome Procrastination
31:52 - Enhancing Your Workstation
42:09 - Getting People To Take Walking Breaks
48:25 - Red Flags at Potential Jobs
54:33 - Qualities to look for in People
63:33 - Choosing Projects to Work On
68:25 - Investing in Your Health
72:04 - Combat Bad Work Habits

Links:
Zack Arnold Interview with Tanya
Part 1 with Zack Arnold & Austin Coburn
Dear Hollywood
Connect with Austin on Instagram
ErgoDriven Desk
ErgoDriven Topo Mat
Mogo Seat
Optimize Yourself

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Christal Schanes designed a system to make wigs stay in place to avoid a wig slipping off during production.

This week Christal, wig designer and founder of CHRISTALine Studios, shares how she secures wigs to talent without it falling off. The Silicone Gripping System grips the talent and the wig to create a secure fit that won't slip during shooting. 

Christal also creates wigs and donates a portion of her sales to women suffering from hair loss due to a medical condition and can't afford a wig. You can support or donate hair to WIGwell. 

Listen to Christal share how she uses The SIlicone Gripping System to make wigs stick in place.

Gear
CHRISTALine Studios 

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Sydney Tooley is making her first feature length film for Sony's Affirm Films. She is the writer and director for Sun Moon coming out in 2022, and she's currently in the middle of production.

Follow her journey into how she got this film funded and the challenges she's faced along the way. In this episode, she shares how she pitched the film, assembled a crew overseas, and how she spent her budget.

Listen to Sydney share her experience as a first time director.

Key Points:
1:00 - How her latest project started
3:50 - Securing funding for project
8:28 - What helped in the pitch meetings
10:23 - Crew in Taiwan
15:29 - Plans for festival run
18:05 - Biggest budgetary items
18:58 - Working with a co-writer
20:47 - Spending money on the right things
26:04 - Best spent money
27:47 - Spending money on talent
32:55 - First female director in faith based space

Links:
Sun Moon Film Instagram
Sydney Tooley Instagram
https://www.syd2ly.com

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The Zaxcom Nova is a game-changer for production sound mixers. 

This week Gavin Harwell, production sound mixer, shares how the Zaxcom Nova helps him capture amazing audio. The kit allows him to record locally on each mic pack, control the mic pack remotely, as well as change frequencies without disturbing the talent. 

Listen to Gavin share how the kit has simplified his job.

Gear:
Zaxcom Nova

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Jim went from being a stay-at-home dad, to working on Avatar 2 & 3.

This week  Jim Turner shares how he became a previs artist and what it’s like to work with James Cameron. Listen to him share stories from the set of Avatar 2 & 3, the importance of connections, and why indie filmmakers should invest in a previs artist for their projects. 

Key points:
1:25 - How he got started
6:28 - Transition from animation to previs artist 
14:02 - Working on Avatar 2 & 3
22:36 - The importance of connections
24:52 - Why indie filmmakers should invest in previs artist 
35:00 - Gear he likes
39:44- How to become known for something in your field
41:52 - What makes a good previs artist 
43:43 - How to get your foot in the door
46:32 - What current project he's excited about 

Links:

Maya Software
The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV, and Digital Media

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If you're in a rush and need custom labels, coffee mugs, or t-shirts, check out the Cricut.

This week Elizabeth Long, art assistant, share's how the Cricut helps her make custom designs on set in as little a 5 minutes.

Listen to learn how you can enhance your set with the Cricut.

Gear
Cricut

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David George flips the mic and interviews your host, Tanya Musgrave, on producing, podcasting, and what happened to There to Here. 

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