Your Vlogs are next level skills- wow!! Could you do a "how to cinematic vlog" and explain on camera and computer please? Would be so great! Heard about you from Alex Thomas Norman:) btw new subbie:)
Would you recommend the Zhiyun Crane gimbal over the pilotfly h2 when you are using the sony a7sii/a7rii with a heavy lense (650g) like the Zeiss 35mm 1.4? I thought the crane gimbal is just for very small mirrorless cameras like the a6000.
i think brandon li is right about his opinion. even you have the most valuable camera, if you dont have good lighting, cinematography, & good content your camera is worthless.
Finally someone who say the plain truth and not try to sell you some Luts, presets, swooshy swooshy bam bam zoom and other crap that just make your videos look like a toddler had a seizure on the keyboard when editing. you are a true inspiration !
Brandon Li but how do you get the gist looks so contrasty. Whatever I edit Sony footage I feel like the contrast doesn’t operate the same way as it does in canon and Panasonic cameras.
Can I just say, Thank you for having decided to be on youtube. Your videos have taught me so much! and helped me decide for gear and understand equipment better. keep it up!
You are a breath of fresh air. I was getting so bogged down in which technology I should buy and you made me realize that it's not as important as improving my skillset. It's clear you have absolute command of your craft. Your stuff is beautiful. Thanks for sharing and, more importantly, for inspiring me to put my focus back where it belongs.
Whilst story, lighting and composition are most important... I find gear incredibly important and extremely inspirational. To me a 70d is not an inspirational camera...while an a6500 in 4k on a gimbal makes me incredibly inspired to create. I think most people asking gear related questions are seeking out validation for a purchase that may break the bank if they get it wrong. Myself included. Gear related questions are a sign of respect, admiration and inspiration. Use your powers wisely;)
Thanks, that's why I spent a lot of the video talking about gear and trying to give concise and useful info - I'm just hoping to communicate the things I've realized after analying so many other people's videos..that gear plays a role to an extent, and beyond that, other factors come into play.
I film my videos entirely on my iPhone and I think I completely agree that equipment does not matter completely. The story matters so much more. Great video man!
For a fellow professional and educator I found this video fantastic to show my GCSE and A Level students. As part of their course the ability to deconstruct and image or video is essential. They learn to visually analyse work using the Decribe, Analyse, Interpret and Judge model. The formal elements are explored fully and they identify the ingredients (composition, lighting, subject matter, viewpoint etc) to the point where they are able to recreate a scene. The choice of gear is the last element they look at.
I love how your responses are so straight to the point. I also admire the fact that youre a Sony user like me! In the world of Canon users Sony doesnt get enough credit And they make some damn good mirrorless cameras!
I sincerely think, you are the best teacher out here in youtube bro Brandon. Been to so many CZcamsrs' accounts, but I strongly believe that I get the most out of your teachings. Ironically, I learn more from your playlists than the videos tutorials that I paid for. You Are Awesome Man! You will definitely make it big!
I had to two wake up calls yesterday, first from a Chase Jarvis podcast that I need to mature past obsessing over gear & really pursue how to tell a great visual story more & secondly from your B&H lecture where you said 'while you're picking your camera, someone else is getting the shot'. So this video drives that message home for me!
Check out Tim Kellner who has done some amazing stuff with RX100 only. Just try to shoot something every day, and try to finish the edits you start and show them publicly. Get feedback from strangers.
Very well spoke. In my opinion, people are often too much concerning about technical specifications about the gear. Today, seldom people are thinking about, what can i do with older and more simple stuff, or just what they have. All is about using 4K, gimbals, LUT's and so on. I also can use Full HD, Flycams and a normal grading. With older equipment, there is much more possible, than some videographers are thinking. It is a pleasure to watch your stuff.
Thanks so much for your transparency! I love that you make it clear that the emphasis isn't on the gear you shoot with...I mean as if just anyone could create the same results that you do if they simply had the same gear that you have...that would be a very bold claim. Thanks again!
I think it's just important to realize what gear does and doesn't do. A good camera will record good colors reliably. But it won't make midday look like sunset, and it won't save a crappy color grade
Thank you! Not for the tech details but on why they should come after content, pace, and I would add story and emotion. There are upsides and downsides to the internet being saturated with technical knowledge; one of the downsides is that it's hard to find content that seeks a deeper wisdom and connection to storytelling and connecting with an audience, so thanks for spreading this message. Love your work btw
Yeah I just don't do a lot of narrative work otherwise I would have commented more on story etc. Most of the stuff I do has very little narrative story so I rely on pacing of the edit to maintain interest.
I love the message, I'm a guitar player too, and the parallels are the same. Yeah, it's great to have a sweet axe and amp, but the tone comes from your fingers ultimately, not your gear.
Yeah great comparison..when I've been around guitarists it's pretty much the same conversation, only with different gear. And I think the gear vs skill ratio is pretty similar with guitar as it is with shooting video. It's not like the axe doesn't matter, but even the best guitar would sound awful if I played it.
Haha, I dunno.You should give it a try, And the gear rabbit hole in music is just as insane as the filmmaking world. Tech has evolved so much, but the story remains the same.
I know this is an old video, but I just recently discovered you. I am a newb to video and photography, and appreciate your honest take and advice on filmmaking. Focus on story, angles, (visual perspective ) lighting and pacing. That is the meat and potatoes,,,,,everything else is just condiments. I am probably oversimplifying, but You get the drift. Gear certainly enhances one’s ability to make great films, but without the meat and potatoes the nice gear is just an expensive hobby. Thx Brandon, I am a sponge and look forward to watching more of your content.
Your videos are so helpful! Being self-taught I often feel overwhelmed with the amount of information out there, but your videos break things down into really simple and clear advice. Thanks!
Some great points Brandon! I will say that you're right about the camera. The one thing I will say about it is that having a camera with full manual exposure in video is very helpful when you want to get the basics down. It helped me seamlessly transition to a nicer camera when the time came.
Just watched 3 of your videos in one sitting and am so happy I found you! I am just getting into videography and have been searching for someone like you. You give direction, explanation and show examples. Thank you and keep up the great work!
This is really good. All videographers, especially the starters should watch this video. It's encouraging in the sense that anyone can make great videos even with basic equipments. It's more to how we optimize them rather than spending so much. Thanks man
I want to propose you a challenge Brandon, a video with a single lens (of your choose) and hand held, using only your awesome skills and techniques, and then sharing your thoughts and tips to your faithful subscribers. It will be incredible and so educative for us all.
So much wisdom in this! I always remind myself that "photo" means "light". You HAVE to start with good light, everything else flows from there. Keep up the great work!
Brandon, I absolutely love watching your videos; they leave me in awe every time I watch one. I must say, you have had me questioning myself and the stories I create. Thank you for sharing! With love from a fellow New Mexican
Props for taking the time and effort in the description section, really helpful. This video was very straight forward, and informative, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I have watched your B&h seminar this morning and now this video. Definitely you are "grande" I love your philosophy and work ethic. Keep doing quality content, you are a genius. Ps: " meanwhile rest of people is talking and reviewing lenses and cameras, other people around the world are taking shots"
Your videos are so much better than the mainstream vloggers like Peter and Matti. I mean seriously. I could learn more from your videos than watching those mainstream videos who talk about things that are way too good to be true. Just my honest opinion, you make better doc videos than those two mainstreams.
Thank you Brandon for that nugget of knowledge. (Near the middle of the video)... As a beginner film maker. I too was fascinated with the jazzy stuff I thought made great videos... ie transitions, best camera equipment. and LUTs. But your honest advice about not focusing so much on that stuff but instead on creating good content and pacing and asking yourself more about lighting and subjects was perhaps what I needed to hear at this stage of my process. Not many CZcamsrs talk about it in those terms. Oh, and I love how you mention to have fun with it. We sometimes forget the simple things like that on a shoot. Cheers!
Thanks! I think gear matters a lot, we just need to be careful in analyzing other people's footage. Sometimes what appears to be a fancy camera or LUT is actually just great lighting and choice of subject matter.
Dude this is such an awesome video, thank you for making it. In one of your interviews, you mentioned that as a beginner filmmaker, you can take bits and pieces from your inspirations and build up your own personal style from there. So my question to you is: who were your inspirations when you were first starting out, and who are your inspirations now? Directors, youtubers, filmmakers, anybody.
Thanks! When I first started making videos as a kid, I was inspired by action movies and basically any movie with a high fall or large explosion. Then I decided I wanted to make plot twisters like Twilight Zone, Hitchcock or Shyamalan's early stuff. Then I fell out of love with narrative after film school and got work doing docu/reality stuff..and then I discovered Vimeo and the genre of travel films for the web and started pursuing that. My first travel video influences were Matty Brown and Vincent Urban.
I'm new to vlogging, and video production. I'm very glad a friend here in china introduced me to you and your channel. Its a high bar, but I think the key, from what I've seen and heard from you, is to capture the soul of the subject, the moment, and give it flow. super excited to watch more of your videos. thanks again
Question to all answers in filmmaking will always be...."depends" It depends on your taste, your style, what you are filming, low light, bokeh, and so much more.
I really appreciate how explain concepts and tips for even beginners. Can you make a video explaining picture profiles and situations when to use them (in your opinion)?
Thank you Brandon for sharing your thoughts here ... I'm going to stop thinking about gear, effects and transitions for awhile and put my mind to content and pacing.
There are so many crappy videos with really great transitions and awesome color grading. Because the internet is full of camera advertisements and gearheads. You gotta know your gear, but it's just like a sport - people don't win because they bought the right shoes.
I so much don't want to be one of those statistics. .. I want to make story the king. Hopefully with time I can get there. One way for me to learn that lesson is to watch old movies. I think we can learn from how those film makers had a fraction of our tools but did a great job telling stories.
Thanks a lot for this video! Ever since I watched a video of yours, I have been following you and watching all the videos you post. You're an inspiration, Brandon!
wow thank you happy to hear you talk about how camera's are not the main thing... more about how, shot angles light. you got me rethinking how to shot I've made some cool videos on my phone and I keep thinking I got to get a camera but now.... I'm going to learn more about what u just said.... would love more videos on what angles and how to use light better in run and gun shooting situations thanks for your time and hard work
Brilliant! I found you via Bob Krist and found your work to be stellar, so I subscribed. In an industry that's so gear focused its good to hear someone say that, yes, gear matters, but not really. I look forward to seeing more of your work, starting with the two mentioned here.
Brandon you're awesome and very humble man! I'm definitely learning everything I can about film/photography from you and other sources so I can get the best picture out there! Sometimes I hit dead-ends though with my filming because the content sometimes isn't there but I'll power through that thanks to you! Have a great day!
to all of you regarding external batteries: just buy lots of batteries. you literally get 10 batteries for 20€!!! also: you get 2 chargers with every a7 camera! cause Sony know that the tiny batteries need to get charged all the time. buy a 3rd one and you're filled up on batteries for a week after 3 charges. always leave 1 battery in the charger to make the cat get a bit stressed, so it doesn't study gravity around your cups and glasses. the buzzing sound somehow helps.
It is a pleasure watching your videos and work. I like the most that India Ganges video and Hongkong one, good rhythm and pace. By only watching your work I get to learn things and tricks as a Budding Film-maker I like your work.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and opinions so openly, straight foreward and authentic! Please keep it like that and stay true to your self! All the best! Cheers Jan 🙏😊
Glad I found your channel. You give the most extremely useful tips and information. And I do agree that eventhough some people have great looking footage it often lacks a good story and pace. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to new and neat stuff.
Holy shit, finally someone talking some sense on this topic. I honestly feel that so much CZcams footage looks like the "slow motion montage" in a Baywatch episode. Beautiful people doing nothing interesting in slow motion with some cheese music on top for good measure. Respect to you for not sharing your hard learned techniques. "I like what you do, tell me how you do it so I can copy it" WTF??? Back in the day, this was known as "biting someone's style", and there was no bigger shame than being a copycat. Love your content. Subscribed.
All your vlogs are amazing. I love your work. It's really inspiring for me to see and include some of your technique and wisdom in my vlogs! Keep up the good work. We'll all be watching!
i got a question about the a6500 on a tripod. i get small vibrations on the edges of my frame when recording video. it like the auto focus is trying to adjust. im in focus but the edges keep going in and out giving the footage a shakey look. when i focus manually the vibration is not there. i have a sigma 19mm 2.8 on it. is this the lens or dont use auto focus when on a tripod? i dont shoot anything cool, just youtube tutorials on printing shirts from home. just got the a6500 a few days ago and trying to dial it in. thanks! really cool videos and content by the way! 👍🏽
Hey Brandon, great video! I totally hear you on the 'time to edit' piece. If the idea is scripted, simple, or you have already the flow in mind (or really just follow a timeline) then it is quiet fast. But when you have a ton of material and you want to put it together cohesively you run into these blockades of arguments with yourself whether this is the best flow or if you should go a different route. I am in that situation right now with 7 days of Rocky Mountains footage and oh boy am I pushing this project out for a while. If you are in Chicago any time soon let me know - Joey
I wash my hair about once a week and I let it air dry. When I get nervous I run my hands through it a lot, spreading the natural oils plus the contents of my previous meal, which nourishes the roots.
Very well done. Thank you for addressing the questions! Can't wait to see where your channel goes. Hoping to find myself in this travel-video field once I'm out of college. Incredible work you've got going.
great video. love your forthrightfullness about some subjects. that is a very professional attitude and it really brings out the sincerity in whatever else you do open up about sharing. keep it up
Seeing how you are nomadic and carry all your gear. What have you found to be the best method to lugging around your zhiyun crane? Looking forward to seeing more content!
nicely done. I wish more folks were straightforward like this. But you should think about a sort of seminar package for making unplanned travel vids. charge enough and market to people who want to make better home videos, and I am sure it would work out well for you. all the best!
man you need more subscribers for sure. you make the best videos I've seen on CZcams and and I've watched a s*** ton. your videos are very informational and interesting. keep up the good work buddy I'm just now getting into this stuff and your videos are a huge help
Nice man. Thanks for the honesty, looking after your own IP and the business ethics. Like your work and you help keep me inspired for my own business. Thanks.
Thanks, yeah I start this YT channel to blow off some steam and do some light stuff on the side..not intending for it to be a tell-all for my editing tricks. Hopefully this video defuses the questions a bit.
![One Lens Challenge [vs Oliver Astrologo]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/53Kze_pCHAI/mqdefault.jpg)
More tips for Zhiyun Crane 3-axis gimbal by my buddy Joshua Morin: czcams.com/video/YJOcD3JEfj4/video.html
Your Vlogs are next level skills- wow!! Could you do a "how to cinematic vlog" and explain on camera and computer please? Would be so great! Heard about you from Alex Thomas Norman:) btw new subbie:)
Those are some great tips! Although I prefer using the DJI Ronin 3-Axis Brushless Gimbal.
Would you recommend the Zhiyun Crane gimbal over the pilotfly h2 when you are using the sony a7sii/a7rii with a heavy lense (650g) like the Zeiss 35mm 1.4?
I thought the crane gimbal is just for very small mirrorless cameras like the a6000.
Agree that gear does not matter at all. My videos turn out like shit with anything I shoot.
Dimitri T so funny, I was thinking the exact same thing about my stuff. 😁
xD ! I feel you
same here
Hahahahahaha
i think brandon li is right about his opinion. even you have the most valuable camera, if you dont have good lighting, cinematography, & good content your camera is worthless.
Finally someone who say the plain truth and not try to sell you some Luts, presets, swooshy swooshy bam bam zoom and other crap that just make your videos look like a toddler had a seizure on the keyboard when editing.
you are a true inspiration !
+Mathieu Stern thanks yeah I'm not making my living off CZcams so I just say what I think.
"toddler had a seizure on the keyboard when editing" ... Precious!
Ha, best comment I've read in a while, right on 👍
Brandon Li but how do you get the gist looks so contrasty. Whatever I edit Sony footage I feel like the contrast doesn’t operate the same way as it does in canon and Panasonic cameras.
@Mathieu Stern...I love everything about your comment!! Simply gold!
Can I just say, Thank you for having decided to be on youtube. Your videos have taught me so much! and helped me decide for gear and understand equipment better. keep it up!
You are a breath of fresh air. I was getting so bogged down in which technology I should buy and you made me realize that it's not as important as improving my skillset. It's clear you have absolute command of your craft. Your stuff is beautiful. Thanks for sharing and, more importantly, for inspiring me to put my focus back where it belongs.
I think this video shows just how logical and straightforward you are which I think is why you excel at what you do
Whilst story, lighting and composition are most important... I find gear incredibly important and extremely inspirational. To me a 70d is not an inspirational camera...while an a6500 in 4k on a gimbal makes me incredibly inspired to create. I think most people asking gear related questions are seeking out validation for a purchase that may break the bank if they get it wrong. Myself included. Gear related questions are a sign of respect, admiration and inspiration. Use your powers wisely;)
Thanks, that's why I spent a lot of the video talking about gear and trying to give concise and useful info - I'm just hoping to communicate the things I've realized after analying so many other people's videos..that gear plays a role to an extent, and beyond that, other factors come into play.
I film my videos entirely on my iPhone and I think I completely agree that equipment does not matter completely. The story matters so much more. Great video man!
For a fellow professional and educator I found this video fantastic to show my GCSE and A Level students. As part of their course the ability to deconstruct and image or video is essential. They learn to visually analyse work using the Decribe, Analyse, Interpret and Judge model. The formal elements are explored fully and they identify the ingredients (composition, lighting, subject matter, viewpoint etc) to the point where they are able to recreate a scene. The choice of gear is the last element they look at.
Great! Sounds like a very thorough and effective way to break down content. Glad technology isn't the first element they dissect.
Man I love this and want to do it for my channel!
Do It man! I follow your content on Instagram and CZcams. I think a lot of people would like that.
YCImaging ya love your work to keep up the good work bro
You should definitely do this bro!
YCImaging you did it.
2yrs ago and you did it👏
I love how your responses are so straight to the point. I also admire the fact that youre a Sony user like me! In the world of Canon users Sony doesnt get enough credit And they make some damn good mirrorless cameras!
The colors in this video are so pleasing; the background w your overall skin tone and shirt color looks very balanced
Thanks, I just used window light and I think that looks the best
you put out some of the best content, not only your vids but the actual stuff you talk about and help us with. thanks
I sincerely think, you are the best teacher out here in youtube bro Brandon. Been to so many CZcamsrs' accounts, but I strongly believe that I get the most out of your teachings. Ironically, I learn more from your playlists than the videos tutorials that I paid for. You Are Awesome Man! You will definitely make it big!
I had to two wake up calls yesterday, first from a Chase Jarvis podcast that I need to mature past obsessing over gear & really pursue how to tell a great visual story more & secondly from your B&H lecture where you said 'while you're picking your camera, someone else is getting the shot'. So this video drives that message home for me!
Check out Tim Kellner who has done some amazing stuff with RX100 only. Just try to shoot something every day, and try to finish the edits you start and show them publicly. Get feedback from strangers.
Very well spoke. In my opinion, people are often too much concerning about technical specifications about the gear. Today, seldom people are thinking about, what can i do with older and more simple stuff, or just what they have. All is about using 4K, gimbals, LUT's and so on. I also can use Full HD, Flycams and a normal grading. With older equipment, there is much more possible, than some videographers are thinking.
It is a pleasure to watch your stuff.
Thank you! Definitely maximize what you can get from your existing gear.
This is a 3 years old video while some newest cameras came out, but the principles that Brandon has taught me hasn't changed much yet to this day!
Thanks so much for your transparency! I love that you make it clear that the emphasis isn't on the gear you shoot with...I mean as if just anyone could create the same results that you do if they simply had the same gear that you have...that would be a very bold claim. Thanks again!
I think it's just important to realize what gear does and doesn't do. A good camera will record good colors reliably. But it won't make midday look like sunset, and it won't save a crappy color grade
love your modesty and honesty.
Thank you! Not for the tech details but on why they should come after content, pace, and I would add story and emotion. There are upsides and downsides to the internet being saturated with technical knowledge; one of the downsides is that it's hard to find content that seeks a deeper wisdom and connection to storytelling and connecting with an audience, so thanks for spreading this message. Love your work btw
Yeah I just don't do a lot of narrative work otherwise I would have commented more on story etc. Most of the stuff I do has very little narrative story so I rely on pacing of the edit to maintain interest.
I love the message, I'm a guitar player too, and the parallels are the same. Yeah, it's great to have a sweet axe and amp, but the tone comes from your fingers ultimately, not your gear.
Yeah great comparison..when I've been around guitarists it's pretty much the same conversation, only with different gear. And I think the gear vs skill ratio is pretty similar with guitar as it is with shooting video. It's not like the axe doesn't matter, but even the best guitar would sound awful if I played it.
Haha, I dunno.You should give it a try, And the gear rabbit hole in music is just as insane as the filmmaking world. Tech has evolved so much, but the story remains the same.
you're a really good presenter man, not to mention a super talented DOP, thanks for the videos really helped me pick out a gimbal
I know this is an old video, but I just recently discovered you. I am a newb to video and photography, and appreciate your honest take and advice on filmmaking. Focus on story, angles, (visual perspective ) lighting and pacing. That is the meat and potatoes,,,,,everything else is just condiments. I am probably oversimplifying, but You get the drift. Gear certainly enhances one’s ability to make great films, but without the meat and potatoes the nice gear is just an expensive hobby. Thx Brandon, I am a sponge and look forward to watching more of your content.
Your videos are so helpful! Being self-taught I often feel overwhelmed with the amount of information out there, but your videos break things down into really simple and clear advice. Thanks!
You are a Blessing Sir. I love your honesty
So nice clearing up, that gear follows inspiration and skills. Not the other way.
Daidō Moriyama's iconic dog photo was shot with a pocket camera.
Some great points Brandon! I will say that you're right about the camera. The one thing I will say about it is that having a camera with full manual exposure in video is very helpful when you want to get the basics down. It helped me seamlessly transition to a nicer camera when the time came.
Wow you are the first person that is a real film maker that is to the point THANK YOU keep it up Jop
Just watched 3 of your videos in one sitting and am so happy I found you! I am just getting into videography and have been searching for someone like you. You give direction, explanation and show examples. Thank you and keep up the great work!
This is really good. All videographers, especially the starters should watch this video. It's encouraging in the sense that anyone can make great videos even with basic equipments. It's more to how we optimize them rather than spending so much. Thanks man
every young filmmaker (including myself) should watch this video. People talk too much about gear and don't focus on the story.
I want to propose you a challenge Brandon, a video with a single lens (of your choose) and hand held, using only your awesome skills and techniques, and then sharing your thoughts and tips to your faithful subscribers. It will be incredible and so educative for us all.
This channel is beyond legit. Brandon will be at over a million subscribers in no time. Quality videos!
So much wisdom in this! I always remind myself that "photo" means "light". You HAVE to start with good light, everything else flows from there. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for what you do. You keep it real and simple. You turn the pretentiousness of "want to be" filmmakers on its head.
Real down to earth honest reviews, no trending BS attitude. Good work and thx for posting so many helpful vids!
Brandon, I absolutely love watching your videos; they leave me in awe every time I watch one. I must say, you have had me questioning myself and the stories I create. Thank you for sharing! With love from a fellow New Mexican
Gotta represent the Burque
Props for taking the time and effort in the description section, really helpful. This video was very straight forward, and informative, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I have watched your B&h seminar this morning and now this video. Definitely you are "grande" I love your philosophy and work ethic. Keep doing quality content, you are a genius.
Ps: " meanwhile rest of people is talking and reviewing lenses and cameras, other people around the world are taking shots"
Thank you for this! It just goes to show how content is king, and how like any art, everything takes a lot of practice and dedication.
Thanks Brandon. A good 9 minutes spent on watching this video.
Thanks, I tried to keep it as brief as possible with the necessary info
It cant get any better. Straight to the point.
Thanks once again.
Your videos are so much better than the mainstream vloggers like Peter and Matti. I mean seriously. I could learn more from your videos than watching those mainstream videos who talk about things that are way too good to be true. Just my honest opinion, you make better doc videos than those two mainstreams.
Thank you Brandon for that nugget of knowledge. (Near the middle of the video)... As a beginner film maker. I too was fascinated with the jazzy stuff I thought made great videos... ie transitions, best camera equipment. and LUTs. But your honest advice about not focusing so much on that stuff but instead on creating good content and pacing and asking yourself more about lighting and subjects was perhaps what I needed to hear at this stage of my process. Not many CZcamsrs talk about it in those terms. Oh, and I love how you mention to have fun with it. We sometimes forget the simple things like that on a shoot. Cheers!
Totally agree! Gear doesn't matter so much. As we say in French: "l'habit ne fait pas le moine"
Keep up the good work!
Thanks! I think gear matters a lot, we just need to be careful in analyzing other people's footage. Sometimes what appears to be a fancy camera or LUT is actually just great lighting and choice of subject matter.
Dude this is such an awesome video, thank you for making it.
In one of your interviews, you mentioned that as a beginner filmmaker, you can take bits and pieces from your inspirations and build up your own personal style from there. So my question to you is: who were your inspirations when you were first starting out, and who are your inspirations now? Directors, youtubers, filmmakers, anybody.
Thanks! When I first started making videos as a kid, I was inspired by action movies and basically any movie with a high fall or large explosion. Then I decided I wanted to make plot twisters like Twilight Zone, Hitchcock or Shyamalan's early stuff. Then I fell out of love with narrative after film school and got work doing docu/reality stuff..and then I discovered Vimeo and the genre of travel films for the web and started pursuing that. My first travel video influences were Matty Brown and Vincent Urban.
I'm new to vlogging, and video production. I'm very glad a friend here in china introduced me to you and your channel. Its a high bar, but I think the key, from what I've seen and heard from you, is to capture the soul of the subject, the moment, and give it flow.
super excited to watch more of your videos.
thanks again
Should i shoot in Full-Frame or Super35 ?!
Sony a7r ii + Sony FE16-35
(Please Help)
whatever spins your ears
Question to all answers in filmmaking will always be...."depends"
It depends on your taste, your style, what you are filming, low light, bokeh, and so much more.
Thank you. Great advice and comments from start to finish.
I really appreciate how explain concepts and tips for even beginners. Can you make a video explaining picture profiles and situations when to use them (in your opinion)?
this is great. really enjoyed the "gear doesn't matter" rant 👍
I've got lots where that came from. You should see my inbox..you'd think I was Geek Squad at Best Buy.
Thank you Brandon for sharing your thoughts here ... I'm going to stop thinking about gear, effects and transitions for awhile and put my mind to content and pacing.
There are so many crappy videos with really great transitions and awesome color grading. Because the internet is full of camera advertisements and gearheads. You gotta know your gear, but it's just like a sport - people don't win because they bought the right shoes.
I so much don't want to be one of those statistics. .. I want to make story the king. Hopefully with time I can get there. One way for me to learn that lesson is to watch old movies. I think we can learn from how those film makers had a fraction of our tools but did a great job telling stories.
Very cool! I felt so happy to hear about how much time the editing takes. I feel so much better :) Keep up the great work!
Why are you so handsome?
You're a sweet couple! Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
Kobe Lee Aw, sweet, Kobe replied. :)
Kobe Lee. Good one! May I also ask why do you like sushi so much?
Kobe Lee Confidence, cheekbones, 5 oclock shadow.
Why are you so pretty. Such a great couple. I live in Hong Kong now and my wish is to meet you both.
You are answering so many of my questions with out me even asking!! Thanks for making these videos!
Thanks a lot for this video! Ever since I watched a video of yours, I have been following you and watching all the videos you post. You're an inspiration, Brandon!
wow thank you happy to hear you talk about how camera's are not the main thing... more about how, shot angles light. you got me rethinking how to shot I've made some cool videos on my phone and I keep thinking I got to get a camera but now.... I'm going to learn more about what u just said.... would love more videos on what angles and how to use light better in run and gun shooting situations thanks for your time and hard work
Hi Brandon, what lenses are you using?
Just kidding, keep your channel alive it is great! I like your cinematic vlogs alot.
Man, all your videos are on point with lots to learn from. Keep it up.
Thank you for addressing these questions! Your videos are super helpful
your videos are super easy to watch. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and vision!
a video that we, tech geeks, felt the need of ahahah
ideas matter, keep up with the good work! :)
Your take on good content and pacing I cannot agree more. I really look up to you as a mentor even though I never met you.
100 percent agreed! thanks!ill keep on getting back to this video whenever i get lazy to shoot :D
Brilliant! I found you via Bob Krist and found your work to be stellar, so I subscribed. In an industry that's so gear focused its good to hear someone say that, yes, gear matters, but not really. I look forward to seeing more of your work, starting with the two mentioned here.
Very well put together video man. Looking forward to all that you do.
Brandon you're awesome and very humble man! I'm definitely learning everything I can about film/photography from you and other sources so I can get the best picture out there! Sometimes I hit dead-ends though with my filming because the content sometimes isn't there but I'll power through that thanks to you! Have a great day!
Thanks for dropping the knowledge. I am an aspiring videographer and I found a lot of this informative.
Love your work man. Looking forward to viewing any future videos
to all of you regarding external batteries:
just buy lots of batteries.
you literally get 10 batteries for 20€!!!
also:
you get 2 chargers with every a7 camera!
cause Sony know that the tiny batteries need to get charged all the time.
buy a 3rd one and you're filled up on batteries for a week after 3 charges.
always leave 1 battery in the charger to make the cat get a bit stressed, so it doesn't study gravity around your cups and glasses. the buzzing sound somehow helps.
"Sometimes the beach ball spins when i dont want it to" hahahaha
that's when I go to Reddit to keep my sanity.
Agreed.
must be the most genuine vid I've watched. Also, love the approach you have in analyzing vids. Very helpful :)
Incredible. Love your work, and you pursuit of pace and content. Very inspired.
It is a pleasure watching your videos and work. I like the most that India Ganges video and Hongkong one, good rhythm and pace. By only watching your work I get to learn things and tricks as a Budding Film-maker I like your work.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and opinions so openly, straight foreward and authentic! Please keep it like that and stay true to your self!
All the best! Cheers Jan 🙏😊
Glad I found your channel. You give the most extremely useful tips and information. And I do agree that eventhough some people have great looking footage it often lacks a good story and pace. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to new and neat stuff.
Really enjoyed the the FAQ especially the whole talk about lighting and finding the perfect shot
Holy shit, finally someone talking some sense on this topic.
I honestly feel that so much CZcams footage looks like the "slow motion montage" in a Baywatch episode.
Beautiful people doing nothing interesting in slow motion with some cheese music on top for good measure.
Respect to you for not sharing your hard learned techniques.
"I like what you do, tell me how you do it so I can copy it" WTF???
Back in the day, this was known as "biting someone's style", and there was no bigger shame than being a copycat.
Love your content.
Subscribed.
Thanks for the info, looking forward to more videos and learn more.
Great eye for angles , location and lighting it will be nice to see you behind the scenes
All your vlogs are amazing. I love your work. It's really inspiring for me to see and include some of your technique and wisdom in my vlogs!
Keep up the good work. We'll all be watching!
i got a question about the a6500 on a tripod. i get small vibrations on the edges of my frame when recording video. it like the auto focus is trying to adjust. im in focus but the edges keep going in and out giving the footage a shakey look. when i focus manually the vibration is not there. i have a sigma 19mm 2.8 on it. is this the lens or dont use auto focus when on a tripod?
i dont shoot anything cool, just youtube tutorials on printing shirts from home. just got the a6500 a few days ago and trying to dial it in. thanks! really cool videos and content by the way! 👍🏽
What a great down to earth reviewer, so glad I have found your channel. Cheers.
You are there best I have viewed!! love your videos. To a creative and critical mind, all your videos are educational!!!
Great work, and refreshing to see a truly skilled craftsman who's not a "youtube personality".
Hey Brandon, great video! I totally hear you on the 'time to edit' piece. If the idea is scripted, simple, or you have already the flow in mind (or really just follow a timeline) then it is quiet fast. But when you have a ton of material and you want to put it together cohesively you run into these blockades of arguments with yourself whether this is the best flow or if you should go a different route. I am in that situation right now with 7 days of Rocky Mountains footage and oh boy am I pushing this project out for a while. If you are in Chicago any time soon let me know - Joey
Thanks Joey! Good luck with your edit. Take breaks and go for walks.
Thanks Brandon, surreal moment rn as I am watching your B&H talk 😂
Bravo... this was an excellent encapsulation of your editing/gear/production/aesthetic choices and values.
Thank you!
Ok I have one question, what hair product do you use?
I wash my hair about once a week and I let it air dry. When I get nervous I run my hands through it a lot, spreading the natural oils plus the contents of my previous meal, which nourishes the roots.
I knew it!, thanks you are awesome! hahaha.
Didnt kow Jim carrey had a youtube channel as well...lol..awsome qn Mr jim-ridetonirvana
Could use some more info please. Shower settings? Do you mean outside or inside air?
Hahahahhahahaha
Very well done. Thank you for addressing the questions! Can't wait to see where your channel goes. Hoping to find myself in this travel-video field once I'm out of college. Incredible work you've got going.
Go for it!
Huge fan, learning a lot thank you so much helping the learning curve.
great video. love your forthrightfullness about some subjects. that is a very professional attitude and it really brings out the sincerity in whatever else you do open up about sharing. keep it up
Love your teaching style, you’re a natural. More please!
I literally take down notes while watching this! Thank you, Brandon!
Seeing how you are nomadic and carry all your gear. What have you found to be the best method to lugging around your zhiyun crane? Looking forward to seeing more content!
Great content.... you are taking people to the next artistic level.... you make us more than just people with cameras. Thank you!
nicely done. I wish more folks were straightforward like this. But you should think about a sort of seminar package for making unplanned travel vids. charge enough and market to people who want to make better home videos, and I am sure it would work out well for you. all the best!
man you need more subscribers for sure. you make the best videos I've seen on CZcams and and I've watched a s*** ton. your videos are very informational and interesting. keep up the good work buddy I'm just now getting into this stuff and your videos are a huge help
SO glad that i found this Chanel! Subscribed!
good to see that you're finally doing youtube videos. subscribed!
Nice man. Thanks for the honesty, looking after your own IP and the business ethics. Like your work and you help keep me inspired for my own business. Thanks.
Thanks, yeah I start this YT channel to blow off some steam and do some light stuff on the side..not intending for it to be a tell-all for my editing tricks. Hopefully this video defuses the questions a bit.
awesome dude!! love your approach to things, i agree with no luts and small fine tunning, great work!!