The "Fake Filmmaking" Podcast
By SilverLight Photo Co.
I call this “Fake Filmmaking” because I started as a still photographer and "Photographers Aren't Filmmakers!" I also call this FAKE because I do things a bit differently: For LIGHTS, I use "T-Lighting" (not 3-point lighting). For CAMERAS I "Always Shoot With 2 Cameras" (using a dual camera cage). For SETTINGS I don't shoot in LOG but use custom "lens-sensor settings" to shoot "SOOC". For AUDIO I use budget mics and audio recorders and set settings using a “Proximity System”.
The "Fake Filmmaking" PodcastDec 25, 2021
00:00
11:14
Are M43 Speedboosters Any Good? (Not with IBIS!)
A Viltrox speed booster killed another one of my cameras (my Panasonic G85). I published a YouTube video about how the “Canon-mount” version (the EF-M2ii) killed my Panasonic GX85 and how I switched to using the all-manual, Nikon-mount version (the NF-43x). Bad news is: this “Nikon version” now killed my G85 (scratched the sensor) and it was the last “REAL” working camera I had. (All I have now is a Panasonic FZ1000 bridge camera!)
Jun 17, 202321:44
WHY My LUTs Don’t Do Much (My SETTINGS Do)
My CUSTOM SETTINGS are way more important than my LUTs, but would you use my LUTs at all if they aren’t that important? Well, the reason is I’m focused on perfecting my custom, in-camera (SOOC) settings so you don’t need a LUT!
Jun 09, 202319:54
Both Full Frame AND Micro Four Thirds?
If full frame camera prices come down (to an "affordable" level) you might ask "Do we even NEED Micro Four Thirds any more?" In this episode I'll cover the reasons I think it's good to keep BOTH systems (if you have full frame already, the cost of adding Micro Four Thirds isn't a barrier, and if you have Micro Four Thirds, full frame is getting close!) P.S. I mentioned current pricing of the Sony A7rii, but said A7ii…but I DO NOT RECOMMEND the A7ii for video purposes (but the A7rii might be a possibility, as long as you’re good with shooting in the cropped Super 35 mode, because the 4K is good in that mode, but not in full frame mode). Also, after some testing, I no longer recommend DSLRs (such as the Canon 6d which I mentioned) because they don’t work well LIVE with HDMI switchers, such as the ATEM Mini, etc.
Jun 03, 202319:36
Will Adobe Podcast Kill EQ Forever?
AI for AUDIO is here, and so far I don't like it. If you've ever taken pictures with a "smart" phone that uses AI to (automatically) processes the image, and you don't have any control over how much SHARPNESS, CONTRAST, COLOR it adds, then you can start to imagine how bad AI for AUDIO can be.
SETTINGS: This podcast was recorded using a Rode VideoMicro + Comica Dual Lav going into a Zoom F2-BT, at the "CLOSE" proximity.
Mar 13, 202329:45
Rode VideoMicro & Zoom F2 “CLOSE” (Comica Dual Lav)
The way I'm using this mic is a bit different than it was designed. I'm plugging it into the Comica CVM-D03 Dual Lavalier booster pack (which was designed to provide plug-in power for 2 Comica lavalier mics) and it actually works to power AND boost the Rode VideoMicro, which improves the audio quality a lot compared to just plugging this mic into the Zoom F2. I did try that as well, and while it does sort of work (because you can raise the level of the 32-bit float file in post-production) it sounds way, way better when using the Comica CVM-D03 as an AUX. amplifier.
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Feb 07, 202320:10
Comica CVM-VM20 & Zoom F2 “CLOSE”
It is really interesting how this mic works with the Zoom F2 32-bit float recorder, at this "CLOSE" proximity: It doesn't need much MIC. GAIN (a setting of "1") and what's amazing about this 32-bit float file (from the Zoom F2) is that it actually comes out pretty clean after boosting the level in post-production. I like doing this, because it means you're using very little of the mic's pre-amp (which tends to "color" the signal). This is very different from how you would have to work if using a non-32-bit float recorder.
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Feb 01, 202314:21
Comica CVM-VM20 & Zoom F1 “CLOSE”
Wow...I'm really learning that you can't pre-judge any microphone-audio recorder combination (similar to how I learned that about lenses and sensors). For instance, when testing this mic on OTHER audio recorders, using the MIC. LOWCUT (either the 75Hz or 150Hz setting) sounded really bad (not natural at all). However, when using THIS MIC with both the FOAM + FURRY (included with it) using the MIC. LOWCUT setting of 150Hz sounds pretty good (it sounds accurate, natural and "REAL" as I like to say). My Custom Settings: Comica CVM-VM20 FOAM FURRY Zoom F1 CLOSE (silverlightphotoco.com)
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Jan 27, 202323:09
Comica CVM-VM20 & Zoom H1n “CLOSE”
The most important discovery about this microphone-audio recorder combination (specific to this "CLOSE" proximity) is that it sounds much better with the audio recorder's LOW CUT filter ON (set to 160Hz)! This is one of those things I wouldn't have guessed, but at this ("CLOSE") proximity, there is way too much BASS (sounds "boomy") without these LOW CUT settings. I also tried using the MIC. LOWCUT (both of the settings) and they didn't sound good at all, but the 160Hz filter on the Zoom H1n audio recorder is making the audio sound pretty natural and "REAL" (which is my goal for the "starting point").
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Jan 25, 202318:03
Comica CVM-VM20 & Zoom H1 “CLOSE”
The first thing I always mention when giving settings recommendations for the Zoom H1, is the BEST REC. LEVEL you can be at is 37 (not less...36 sounds WAY worse). Then, if you need to go up from there, it sounds pretty good up to 50, and then the absolute highest I go is 63. There are a couple of other settings configurations that worked pretty well, but 37 really works the best on this audio recorder. So, with the REC. LEVEL of 37, the MIC. BOOST (gain dial) sounds good at 3.5.
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Jan 24, 202313:41
Budget Filmmaking AUDIO can be EASY
If you've tried my "Lens-sensor specific" CAMERA settings, you know how easy getting a good-looking cinematic image can be, yet getting good AUDIO has been a chore, until I recently created a database (along with a system I call my "5 Proximities") that has been making it so EASY to get good audio (most of the time, LOL!) The new AUDIO section on my website is here: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Dec 04, 202229:29
Budget Filmmaking AUDIO (PART 2)
This is an introduction to the kit I use for capturing "REAL" on-location "synchronous" audio for budget filmmaking (or YouTube, other low-budget video production). The new AUDIO section on my website is here: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Nov 19, 202230:23
“Synchronous Sound” (Location Audio)
Could recording natural sound on location be easy? We talk about an idea that not only makes it WAY easier to capture “REAL” location audio, but that serves as a backup for "talking head" (and even as a podcast) audio! The new AUDIO section on my website is here: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio
Nov 11, 202223:44
Budget Filmmaking AUDIO?
I'm shifting my focus (from lens testing, pun intended) to working on a budget filmmaking audio method that includes both microphone-specific EQ files, plus settings which are based on my super easy "5 proximities" technique...see my website for more details (there's additional articles on my BLOG page as well).
Oct 22, 202226:22
How My KIT PLANS Reduce Stress
I'm revisiting the question of how being organized can affect creativity, but this time I have a new solution: a portable, affordable and common kit list. (When I tried to get organized before, it failed...but this time it's working.
Sep 12, 202224:34
Always Shoot With (At Least) 2 Cameras
I think of all of the things I've learned about (budget) filmmaking production, my #1 tip is to shoot with multiple cameras (simultaneously). So, I'm going to go into detail about a few ways I currently do this.
Sep 04, 202228:50
Lens-Sensor Settings WEBSITE Update
My lens-sensor specific camera settings are now available on my website (in addition to my LUTs). The goal of my settings is to create a more realistic (and cinematic) look from every lens-sensor combination I have (including the Panasonic GH4, G7, G85 and GX85) and a growing collection of lenses!!!
Jul 11, 202212:03
TILT/SHIFT for Micro Four Thirds?
There aren't any shift (i.e. "perspective control") lenses available for Micro Four Thirds (at this time) but I've been using a shift ADAPTER (which means I can use almost any Nikon mount lens (including the Tokina 11-16 zoom lens) and I've been loving it! Here's a couple of options for either an affordable tilt/shift lens or a Micro Four Thirds adapter (affiliate links) TILT/SHIFT LENS (24mm) amzn.to/3n1lCgo TILT/SHIFT ADAPTER (Nikon) amzn.to/3tOtvcM
Jun 20, 202232:04
Is More Dynamic Range the Answer?
Will having a camera with more dynamic range create an image that is more realistic (with Ansel Adams type details in the highlights and shadows)? Not if a lens delivers even greater contrast and/or sharpness than the sensor can handle! We start to talk about how I think a better solution is to simply match how light is delivered to a sensor (i.e. the contrast, etc.) and to keep it within the dynamic range it can handle.
Jun 14, 202228:50
Are Canon EF Lenses Worth Adapting?
While there are a lot of good Canon EF lenses out there, I'm having second thoughts about recommending them for use with Micro Four Thirds (especially for my "budget" filmmaking method).
May 25, 202228:16
QPACE Budget Filmmaking Kit
The #1 thing to understand about all of my kit recommendations is that they're focused on helping the budget-conscious, but there are actually 5 things I make sure each item of my kit conforms to, and I call them "Q-P-A-C-E"...
May 24, 202223:27
Is Your Lens TOO Sharp & Contrasty?
When I was growing up, I read a lot of lens reviews in photography magazines, and sharpness and contrast were always referred to as a positive. However, when I started testing all of my lenses to create "lens-sensor LUTs" (and camera settings recommendations) I've been finding that sometimes too much sharpness and too much contrast reduces the perceptive dynamic range (my new word).
May 17, 202230:44
Physical & Digital Workflows COLLIDE
Can you improve your small business workflow? It all begins with defining what you do, and who does it…and we’ll talk about the differences between physical and digital workflows, but always know that bottlenecks can be in either.
Apr 24, 202230:57
"Lens-Sensor" Camera Settings (PART 2)
I talk more about why, I think, every lens needs its own custom settings, and a few related issues.
Apr 21, 202230:50
Feeling Like a Fake (Filmmaker)?
As we travel the road of becoming a real filmmaker, we may run into people who call us "fake filmmakers" but I think the quickest path to becoming a "master" is to get out there and practice, practice, practice.
Dec 25, 202111:14
Do Windscreens Affect Audio Quality?
Budget filmmakers don't have money, but they still have an appetite for quality audio, so what are we to do? Often the gear we can afford doesn't live up to our expectations, but here's a valuable tip that can improve the audio quality dramatically!
Dec 11, 202129:13
I’m Testing BUDGET Filmmaking Lenses
We talk about two goals that I have, that seem to contradict each other: Test the most popular lenses, but only test budget lenses.
Nov 16, 202127:04
LUTs for Audio (for Each Microphone)?
I create LUTs to make lenses look their best (specific to each camera I use) and include these "recommended" camera settings in the on my website as well. So, would it be possible to create a SIMILAR database of microphone-recorder-specific settings?
Nov 05, 202125:48
How To Be Unique On YouTube (2021)
RE-RELEASE: I took this episode down because it was too long, but I brought it back. In this episode, I discuss how that if your ideas differ from others' you may get criticized, but that this may be part of a YouTube "niche". You do have to learn to be patient however, and survive the comments until ideas are accepted.
Oct 19, 202127:04
Improving Lens-Sensor Relationships
When I think about my motivation for choosing camera settings, I often think of Ansel Adam's "Zone System". In today's (longer) episode we'll get into how I use contrast, sharpness, noise reduction and color controls IN-CAMERA to capture a more realistic-looking image.
Jun 04, 202122:30
The Filmmaker's Playbook (UPDATE)
This update will cover a few of the reasons why I'm slowing down the "Filmmaker's Playbook" development (to make sure each play has been well tested and proven).
May 24, 202109:12
Lens-Sensor Specific LUTs & SETTINGS
This episode goes into a few details of how adjusting the color settings of the camera in ADDITION to applying a lens-sensor LUT during post production can improve the image!
Apr 14, 202132:32
Audio Recorders I Recommend (Pre-F2)
Important update regarding the Zoom F2, plus why I plan to stop recommending the Zoom H1 as a wired lavalier body pack recorder (HINT: It is affected by radio frequency interference from newer smart phones).
Apr 10, 202117:55
How Big (Important) Is The Zoom F2?
UPDATE: I found out the A/D converters in the F2 are not like the F6, but rather are optimized for capturing dialog, so a couple of the ideas I had in this recording won't work! I still think the Zoom F2 is going to be big though (even though it's really small).
Apr 05, 202125:12
Is Minimalism a Mistake? (2 Cameras)
I've noticed a lot of good YouTubers (and other people) getting rid of their 2nd camera, and I think this is not only dangerous (being without a backup) but also, I've experienced increased productivity (in production and post production) when I "always shoot with 2 cameras".
Mar 16, 202122:46
About IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)
This episode presents a few reasons why I think IBIS (or In-Body Image Stabilization) is a super important technological advance in filmmaking.
Mar 06, 202129:24
How I Shot Match (w/Lens-Sensor LUTs)
This episode focuses on how and why I'm creating "lens-sensor specific LUTs, and color settings"...(which is shot matching). It emphasizes the importance of shot matching, and how I go about doing it.
Mar 04, 202125:53
Why LUTs Should Be Lens-Sensor Specific
This version is shorter (with the prelude with the audio recorder review moved to a separate recording). This episode is about how I bought a LUT and it didn't work. I thought about it (for a number of years) then came to the conclusion that LUTs need to be lens-sensor specific. I'll tell you why in this episode.
Mar 02, 202125:01
When I Use Camera SETTINGS vs. LUTs
I'm talking again about a concept I call "lens-sensor LUTs" and about how I'm learning that adjusting the CAMERA SETTINGS (of all things) is an important step to take while fine tuning an image (if you're not capturing in RAW).
Mar 02, 202131:13
INTRO: Using In-Camera SETTINGS
In this episode, I'll be talking about how I've decided to start adding camera color settings to my LUT information on the LUTS page of my website (plus some un-planned comments about lens fungus).
Feb 09, 202126:02
How I Use LUTs (“REAL” LUTs)
In this episode, we go over how I'm using LUTs to shot match cameras (using what I call a "Real" LUT). I am hoping to make these LUTs available on my website (as soon they are created, tested, approved, etc).
Jan 16, 202125:50
HOW TO: Build an ATEM Mini Box
Let's talk about how to build a box for the ATEM Mini, even if you're not very good at DIY. It's really easy, and I came up with options for both recording and live streaming (one uses an iPad or PC tablet to stream)!
Jan 02, 202130:45
Are Photographers REAL Filmmakers?
In this episode, we'll focus on the concept of photographers becoming filmmakers. Many say the transition is not even possible, but after making the switch myself, I started developing a system to help the much maligned "photographer" recover from the saying "Photographers Aren't Filmmakers".
Dec 28, 202029:17
"Advanced" Audio Recorders for Filmmaking (2020)
This episode covers my (current) recommendations for affordable, but high quality, audio recorders included in my list I'm calling my "Advanced Kit".
Dec 14, 202016:15
"Basic" Audio Recorders for Filmmaking (2020)
This episode goes into detail about what audio recorders I recommend for budget filmmakers, and why I no longer recommend the Zoom H4n (or the H4n Pro?)
Dec 12, 202020:16
Should We Master Scentography?
In a world...that stinks, imagine being able to capture every detail of your existence…including the smell. Yes, "scentography" is real, but it’s not ready for market. This humorous episode covers what it could be like, and how we should prepare (just take a shower).
Dec 09, 202022:14
The Filmmaker's Playbook (PART 2)
In this episode, I continue going through my thought process for the idea of developing what I am calling "The Filmmaker's Playbook".
Oct 30, 202026:13
The Filmmaker's Playbook (PART 1)
This podcast shares my thought process for the development of what I am calling filmmaking “plays” (like sports plays) and encourages filmmakers to look into using multiple camera formats when necessary.
Oct 26, 202043:44
Is 3.5mm Audio Good Enough?
The 3.5mm "mini plug" has been despised (at times) by XLR purists who insist that all cables must be "balanced" to be of any use. In theory (in a perfect world) they might be right but in reality 3.5mm is everywhere, and the sooner we embrace it the sooner we’ll be able to master it.
Aug 31, 202037:56
My "Basic" Video Production Kit (2020)
2023-03-16 UPDATE:
I’ve tested a lot of other gear after publishing this episode, so I have some better recommendations. The 1st is, while I still recommend the Zoom H1 v1 for a Lavalier mic, I had some RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problems with it when using it close to one of the newer, high-powered “smart” phones. Also, I’ve tested but DO NOT recommend the newer Zoom H1n as a Lavalier body pack option, because it doesn’t have A LOCK SWITCH to keep the gain settings from being bumped and changed (if it’s in someone’s pocket or something). So, what do I NOW use, and recommend? Answer: The Zoom F2…I love it, and I actually use it for mini shotguns too! Additionally, due to the various issue that newer wireless mics can have (with RFI) I’m moving the wireless kit to my “Advanced Kit” (and strongly recommending you look up my CUSTOM SETTINGS for each setup). Also note, that I updated my tripod recommendations by REMOVING the video tripod from the BASIC kit (so it’s only in the ADVANCED Kit) and then changing the tripod I use for the Basic Kit to a carbon fiber travel tripod, with ball head (before I said “any travel tripod”).
2021-3-31 UPDATE: For cameras, I now recommend getting 1 Panasonic GX85 and 1 G85 (instead of 2 GX85 bodies) because the price of the G85 is so low. After years of testing, I came up with these two sets of gear (Basic & Advanced) that are so inexpensive you hardly believe it, but they do almost everything I need them to do and allow growth while moving from the Basic kit to the Advanced (Later, we may visit exactly how I use each of these pieces, but for now, here's the kit.) KIT: https://kit.co/SilverLightPhotoCo
Aug 29, 202026:23
Dynamic Range & Real-Looking Images
One of the biggest challenges for filmmakers using budget gear (i.e. not shooting raw) is controlling the dynamic range of their camera's sensor to produce an image that looks realistic. In this episode I talk about how different lenses can affect the perception of dynamic range.
Jul 21, 202015:43