The Practical Filmmaker

Low profile lights can come in handy when working in tight spaces on set.

Sam Wilkerson, swing and G&E, shares why he likes using the LiteMat 4 lighting in this week's episode of Gear n' Gadgets.

Listen to the latest episode of Gear 'n Gadgets to see if the LiteMat 4 can help you on your next project.

Links:
LiteMat 4
Aputure Light

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It can be intimidating to reach out for help to someone you’ve never met. 

Julio Zepeda, Camera Assistant, shares how asking for help enabled him to go from PA to camera assistant. 

Listen to Julio share his success story and how he found a loophole into the Camera Union.

Connect with Julio:
Twitter
Instagram

Show Links
Jason Roberts Episode
Astera Lighting
Zero Optic
Cine Gear Expo
Pancro Lens Cleaner
Teradek 10,000
Preston
Alexa Mini


Key Points:
1:21 - How He Got Started
5:44 - Getting The FirstJob On Set
8:05 - Pivot from PA to Camera Department
11:20 - Horror Story
12:28 - Loop Hole into Camera Union
18:55 - Sets Opening
20:25 - What Has Changed Since COVID
26:21 - Difference between Digital Utility, Camera Utility, Assistant Camera, & Camera Assistant
29:08 - Difference Between A Good and Great Camera Assistant
30:37 - Mental Checklist
35:20 - Ask For Help & Be Honest
38:20 - Twitter DM
40:09 - How Do You Stay Updated with Latest Tech
40:51 - Favorite Gear
44:30 - Renting vs Owning Gear
44:23 - Learning New Gear
48:05 - Unspoken Rule On Set
50:09 - First 4 Years in the Industry

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It shouldn't take tons of power to light your scene. 

Tim Banks shares why he likes the Sputnik Lighting and how you can run multiple banks off one outlet.

Listen to the latest episode of Gear 'n Gadgets to see if Sputnik lighting will help you on set.

Gear List
Sputnik Lighting

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You don't need film school to become a successful filmmaker. 

Mike Wilds shares how he got started in the industry without going to film school. He recently launched his own production company and is working with brands like The LA Rams, Bose and K-Swiss.

Listen to Mike share how he's been able to succeed on set without attending film school. 

Key Points: 

1:14 - How He Got started

4:17 - Transitioning from Basketball to Film Career

8:01 - Career Lowlight and Highlight 

10:51 - Partnership with LA Rams

13:35 - Self Taught

16:07 - Working with Dyslexia

17:59 - Production Company Basic Films LA

19:11 - Ideal Direction

24:00 - Trust Other People

26:00 - Where to Get Started

Show Links:

Black History Month LA Rams

Mike Wilds on Instagram

Basic Films LA on Instagram

Email: [email protected]

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NVMe offers great transfer speeds when you are in a rush to copy off memory cards from your cameras.

Darce Peter, on-set DTI, shares why he likes the NVMe hard drive.

Listen to this week's Gear 'n Gadgets to see if the NVMe can help you on your next project.

Gear list:
Affiliate links help pay for the show.

Samsung SSD 980 Pro: $79.99
Intel’s 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe 1TB SSD: $99.99
Sabrent Enclosure: $26.99
SAMSUNG X5 Thunderbolt 3 SSD: Portable 2TB:  $595.79

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Dan Brown Jr., 5x Emmy Award-Winning composer, shares the best mics you can use to record loud noises like gunfire.

Watch the bonus video

Support the show
Affiliate links support The Practical Filmmaker.
Rode NTG 4: $399.99
Senheiser MD 421 ii: $399.95
Senheiser Mkh 416: $999
Zoom F6 Field Recorder: $649.99

Become a Patreon Member
It can be frustrating trying to find the right gear. At the Practical Filmmaker we ask the experts what they recommend.

Become a Patreon member today for $5 a month to learn what the industry leaders are using on set and help you choose the right gear that won’t let you down.

As a Patreon member you will get bonus content from guest interviews, and the reliable gear they use on set.

Enjoy this exclusive recommendation from Dan Brown Jr. 

This free offer ends on April 30, 2021.

Become a Patreon Member

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It can be hard telling a crew member what they did wasn't good enough.

Dan Brown Jr., a 5x Emmy Award-Winning composer, shares why expecting excellence from your team will help you create a commercially successful product.

Listen to learn why you should never have to apologize for expecting excellence from your team.

Key Points:
1:19 - How he got started
5:10 - When to hire a composer
8:00 - Time frame for coming up with original score
8:54 - Scoring Pay Scale
9:54 - What he looks for in music
13:41 - Advice to aspiring composers
15:44 - Process for hitting emotional beats
18:42 - Working on Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer
20:30 - Designing a signature sound
21:58 - What instrument have you used not as intended
23:40 - Creating crime sound effects
25:16 - How to sell your sounds
26:28 - The difference between a good mic and a bad mic
28:05 - How can I help

Show Links:
CrimeSonics
CrimeSonics Twitter
Walking While Black L.O.V.E Is The Answer
IMDB

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David George is on set, talking to G&E/AC Bennet Self on his favorite gear.

Key notes:

Cardellini Clamp

Aputure Bluetooth Lights:

• Aputure 300D II 
• Aputure MC
• Aputure Nova
• Aputure BC7

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This season we're bringing a new level of practicality to your fingertips! We'll be asking our podcast guests and David George will be joining as a regular contributor, asking crew on-set what their favorite pieces of gear are.

David George's episodes will be dropped every other Thursday that isn't airing a full-length episode, and the bonus content with our podcast guests will be released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers.

But we're airing some freebies so you can get a taste! Enjoy :)

Key Notes:

FrameForge
Artemis (app)

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Without tension in your story, your audience will doom scroll while your film plays in the background.

Arthur Anderson – Second Unit Director and Producer for Mission Impossible, Paycheck, and Windtalkers – shares how the films he's worked on carry tension from the opening scene to the credits. 

Listen to become a practical filmmaker.

Key points:
1:17 - How did you get started
3:40 - What do you remember about the first set
5:26 - Advice for starting out
8:44 - Transition from feature films to TV
11:09- What it's like being an action writer
13:40 - Secret to storytelling
16:02 - Keep a positive focus
16:49 - Second unit directing, what's involved
20:08 - How much creative leeway do you get
20:57 - Working with JJ Abrams
23:04 - Windtalkers production
29:09 - How does your philosophy of life impact your filmmaking
31:55 - Leaving Hollywood
33:58 - What's your current project
35:14 - Have an intention when you wake up

Links:
IMDB
My Prayer Warrior

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Check out our website for more filmmaking resources

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