The Search For Affordable Protective Cases

After purchasing some new pieces of gear for our live streaming business, we needed affordable protective cases to transport them in

Daniel Brockett

These were/are Anvil ATA cases. They were big, heavy and expensive; made of plywood, steel and aluminum; and protected large, heavy gear exceedingly well. I’ve had quite a history with flight cases for my gear over the years. Back in the day, when I was flying around the country with a lot of production gear, large crews and big budgets, it was all... Read more

Using The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro Without Streaming

While conceived primarily for live streaming, its multi-view monitoring function makes it a valuable tool

Daniel Brockett

While the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro was conceived primarily as a live streaming tool, I propose that it has so many intriguing features that, for me, it’s becoming an indispensable tool for all kinds of non-live streaming shoots. By now, you’ve probably read at least one of the pieces I’ve written for HDVideoPro or seen a YouTube video or... Read more

Staying Organized, Part 1

Project templates to the rescue

Michael Guncheon

Last time, I wrote about getting organized. I explained how I spent a little time up front creating a folder structure that I use as a base for all of my projects, making me more efficient. Folder structures are great, but once you start up your edit software, the rules change a bit. One of the differences is that at the system level, some folders,... Read more

Updating My Lighting Paradigm With The Godox VL300

While researching the latest trends in LED lighting, the Godox VL300 seemed to be reliable and a great value based upon reviews and tests

Daniel Brockett

My first LED panel light, the Cool Light CL600. While it had several advantages over the Arri Fresnel’s I was used to, mainly heat and power draw, its output and color accuracy weren’t as good. Lighting in 2020 has come a long way from where it was just a few short years ago. The choices we have today in different styles, builds and fixtures... Read more

Get It Off Your Desk And Get Organized, Part 1

If your home studio has become cluttered while working from home full time, here are some ways to get organized

Daniel Brockett

This is the “before” image of my desktop workspace. Next month, I’ll unveil the “after” shot, showing how I improved, organized, streamlined and expanded my desk space for a live streaming, multi-camera studio. I came to a sobering realization recently—my desk is a mess. Not just with clutter, but in the way that my desk works for me.... Read more

How To Buy Unobtainable Production Gear

Buying new production gear in 2020 is proving to be a bit difficult

Daniel Brockett

The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro was introduced well after the pandemic and quarantine hit and, therefore, has been almost impossible to actually buy. Blackmagic Design can’t make enough units to satisfy demand. This is one that I hunted down and purchased four weeks after the unit was announced. How did I find it? Read on. Buying new production... Read more

Starting Organized, Part 3

A look at the last two folders of the Master Folder structure: Media and ProjectFiles

Michael Guncheon

I previously wrote about how getting organized can help you to be more efficient so that you spend more time editing and less time managing media. I suggested that if you take the time to create a “master” folder structure, you can copy that structure as you begin each project, rather than recreating a new system each time. And in Part 1 of this... Read more

Starting Organized, Part 2

A look at the next four folders in the master folder structure

Michael Guncheon

Previously, I wrote about how getting organized can help you to be more efficient so that you spend more time editing and less time managing media. I suggested that if you take the time to create a “master” folder structure, you can copy that structure as you begin each project rather than recreating a new system each time. And in Part 1 of this... Read more

Live Streaming From The Zoo

There's a growing demand for higher-end, more sophisticated live stream services

Daniel Brockett

The 2020 Los Angeles Zoo Beastly Ball was a live event that we produced as a live stream event due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine. The event raised over a million dollars for the Los Angeles Zoo. What Kind Of Production Is Happening During Quarantine? Here we are a few months into quarantine in Southern California. Work has been... Read more

Starting Organized, Part 1

Creating a master folder structure

Michael Guncheon

Previously, I wrote about how keeping organized can help you to be more efficient so that you spend more time editing and less time managing media. I suggested that if you take the time to create a “master” folder structure, you can copy that structure as you begin each project, rather than recreating a new system each time. So, what might that... Read more