Hey Indie Filmmakers is a podcast about DIY filmmaking, cameras and technology, hosted by documentary filmmaker Griffin Hammond and tech expert Nick Bodmer. Watch the video podcast on YouTube, or listen on iTunes or your preferred podcasting service.
Infrared light waves penetrate skin enough to soften features—notice my missing freckles.
Before their next full episode on September 13, Griffin decides to convert his Panasonic GH4 to shoot infrared, instead of visible light. Nick joins Griffin in St. George, Utah next week for the DOCUTAH film festival.
The two most popular infrared conversion services are Life Pixel in Texas and Kolari Vision in New Jersey.
Nick and Griffin discuss swear words, censorship, and figure out the MPAA movie rating for Sriracha. Plus, your questions about prime lenses, operating a Glidecam, and picture profiles for cameras.
Watch Indy Mogul’s History of Movie Ratings.
Resources from this episode
Nick is proud of this Glidecam HD-2000 shot.
Griffin hangs a blanket behind his camera to dampen room reverb. Nick places a pillow behind his microphone.
Griffin heads to Bowling Green, Kentucky to film the solar eclipse—Nick experiences cloudy weather. Plus, your questions about marketing yourself on social media, how to expose for time lapses, and mounting two cameras on one tripod.
Filmmaking equipment mentioned in this episode:
Thank you to my friend Carrie at Sur la Lune Photography for these great behind-the-scenes photos!
In Alaska, Griffin gets close-ups with brown bears, and Nick asks—how did you stay safe? Wildlife photographer Daniel J. Cox weighs in. Plus, your questions about camera cages, budget lenses, and why I stopped using variable ND filters.
During my trip, I shared many of the following photos and videos on Instagram.
Thank you to wildlife photographer Daniel J. Cox—follow his work on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The indiSYSTEM ULTRAcompact is the first shoulder rig Nick and I used.
Griffin critiques Nick’s latest tutorial video. Plus, your questions about the usefulness of a monopod, editing and backing up footage, and capturing the eclipse in 360 degrees.
After discussing his first cut with Griffin, Nick added an on-camera intro, and re-recorded the voiceover track. Watch his finished tutorial video:
Griffin and Nick learn what it takes to photograph the upcoming solar eclipse, and each make a new hard drive purchase. Plus, your questions about anamorphic lenses, false color, and adjusting the flange distance on your lens.
Map—Where to view the August 21 solar eclipse
Equipment to Film a Solar Eclipse
Useful Solar Eclipse Photography Articles
Debunking the Myths Surrounding the Sun and Your Camera [B&H]
How to Photograph a Solar Eclipse [National Geographic]
Hard Drive Coincidence
Independently, Nick and I each purchased the same 8TB hard drive from Best Buy, because it was 50% off.
Related to Viewer Questions
Listen to me on Larry Jordan's podcast, Digital Production Buzz, this Thursday (August 3) at 6pm PT.
Griffin photographs a Quokka, and builds drone confidence off the coast of Australia. Nick suggests a new live-streaming venture. Plus, your questions about filming LCD monitors, faking motion blur, and if you really need a demo reel.
Watch Griffin’s rough edit of his DJI Spark footage and GH5 time lapses from Rottnest Island.
Editing tools mentioned on today’s show:
In Sydney, Griffin is confronted by Australian police, and Nick explains multi-cam editing. Plus, your questions about nat sound breaks, avoiding light flicker in foreign countries, and capturing slow motion audio.
Nick’s in Chicago, and Griffin’s just returned from filming in Grindelwald, Switzerland and Verona, Italy. They talk camera bags, plus your questions about filming a dance class, capturing clear audio, and how to script a documentary film.
Camera Bags mentioned in this episode:
Read the wedding contract Griffin has used in the past.
Nick mentioned Glif, a product for tripod-mounting a smartphone.
For electronic contract signing, Nick uses Adobe Sign (formerly called EchoSign).
View images and video—including time lapses—from Griffin's Switzerland trip on Instagram.
All of the electronics Nick and his family travel with.
Griffin using the ThinkTank Perception Pro backpack in Grindelwald, Switzerland last week.
Our next full episode is July 12, but today Griffin and Nick answer three audience questions, including why shooting 10-bit color (1 billion color possibilities) is better than 8-bit (16 million color possibilities) if our screens don’t even display that much color data.
Watch What is "10-bit 4:2:2"? for a technical explanation of color bit depth and chroma subsampling.
After two successful test flights with the new DJI Spark, Griffin’s attempt to pilot the small drone during the podcast ends badly. Nick begins shooting 4K with the Panasonic G85. Plus, your questions about podcasting technology, directing non-actors, and whether you really need to follow the 180-degree rule.
Watch the DJI Spark promo video:
While the DJI Spark doesn’t shoot 4K like the DJI Mavic Pro—it’s smaller, $500 cheaper, and includes more gesture modes.
From Almaty, Kazakhstan—Griffin presents his 20-minute #GoViralKz keynote speech, Make Content YOU Want to See. Plus, Nick and Griffin answer your questions about H.265 encoding, filming two-person interviews, and what bit depth to shoot V-Log in.
Watch Griffin’s speech dubbed in Russian.
Watch this recap video to learn more about #GoViralKz.
For under $1,200, Nick recommends this laptop for editing.
Upcoming Events
In Sydney, I'm speaking at Georges Cameras July 15, Digital Camera Warehouse July 16, the SMPTE 2017 trade show July 18–20. In Perth, I'll speak at Photo Live Expo 2017 July 23.
More info at griffinhammond.com/events
Griffin and Nick discuss music licensing, and answer your questions about variable ND filters, shooting in 6K, and how to price your freelance work.
Our video, “Memorize the F-Stop Scale, Easily” landed on NoFilmSchool!
MY RELEASE FORMS FOR MUSIC & TALENT
I’m no lawyer, and can’t guarantee the efficacy of my licensing and release documents, but to share my experience, these are the forms I used for Sriracha:
Music release form used for Sriracha
Photo by Matt Edwards. In 2010, I uploaded photos from the LPGA State Farm Classic golf tournament.
To create practical, handwritten sauce graphics for Sriracha, I used a blue screen, seen in these two videos.
ND FILTERS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Polaroid 58mm Variable ND filter
B+W 58mm MRC Solid ND 0.9 filter
B+W 58mm MRC Solid ND 3.0 filter
Should creative people charge an hourly rate? Chris Do doesn’t think so.
SHOOTING REAL ESTATE VIDEOS
Video: Griffin’s tips for Filming Real Estate
Nick and I have traditionally used a Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 or 14–140mm for real estate, but I bet my current 12–35mm would be perfect.
Upcoming Events
June 16–18 Go Viral Festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan
In Sydney, I'm speaking at Georges Cameras July 15, Digital Camera Warehouse July 16, the SMPTE 2017 trade show July 18–20. In Perth, I'll speak at Photo Live Expo 2017 July 23.
More info at griffinhammond.com/events
From the Dances With Films festival, inside the famous TCL Chinese Theatres, Griffin presents the Hollywood premiere of his film Hand-cut. Nick shares Apple’s updated computer lineup. Plus, your questions about using Creative Commons music, deep focus vs. infinity focus, and raising funds for your film.
I used three Pedco Ultra Clamps for this podcast setup. One for the light, clamped to a chair. Clamped my shotgun mic TO the Zoom H5 recorder, which itself is clamped to the tripod.
Photo by Elizabeth Mitchell
Photo by Dances With Films
Nick watched my video, How to set up your new Panasonic GH5
Finding the Right Music
I frequently use these subscription libraries—Audio Network and Jingle Punks
But for free music, look for Creative Commons. Avoid “noncommercial” licenses for paid and monetized videos—I often use Creative Commons “attribution” licenses. Super prolific composer Kevin MacLeod is a popular choice among YouTubers.
And I really like Chris Zabriskie. I also search Free Music Archive.
Ryan, photographer at Dances With Films is a fan of my DIY video light.
Upcoming Events
Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 16–18—Go Viral Festival
Australia, July 16–23—I'm speaking at SMPTE 2017 in Sydney July 18–20, and Photo Live Expo 2017 in Perth July 23.
More info at griffinhammond.com/events
Which camera should Nick buy? The Lumix GH5 or G85? Griffin is in Singapore—his fourth stop on a filmmaking workshop tour through Southeast Asia. Plus, your questions about shooting with the full sensor, keeping focus while moving, and if film school is really worth it.
Nick is selling
his current camera on eBay—an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II.
Also a mini PC—an Intel NUC i3.
Nick is either buying a
Panasonic Lumix G85 (including 12-60mm kit lens), which is $1,000. *That’s not the new Leica 12-60mm lens.
or the Panasonic GH5 (body-only), which is $2,000.
Upcoming Events
June 1 Manila, Philippines
June 2, Bangkok, Thailand
June 5, Dances With Films in Los Angeles
June 16–18 Go Viral Festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan
More info at griffinhammond.com/events
89 Likes, 22 Comments - made aditya (@madeaditya) on Instagram: "Thx for coming to Indonesia and sharing about documentary video @griffinhammond .. hope you like my..."
55 Likes, 2 Comments - Cathay Photo Store (Pte) Ltd (@cathayphoto) on Instagram: "In session: Shooting Documentaries with @griffinhammond #cathayinfocus #cathayphoto #panasonic #gh5..."
237 Likes, 9 Comments - Griffin Hammond (@griffinhammond) on Instagram: "Recording episode 20 of "Hey Indie Filmmakers" from Singapore."
152 Likes, 4 Comments - Griffin Hammond (@griffinhammond) on Instagram: "With the staff at Alan Photo before my Singapore filmmaking workshop."
197 Likes, 1 Comments - Jason Hau (@jasonkokotan) on Instagram: "For those who dunno, this guy right here inspire so many people in the world including me. Half of..."
78 Likes, 1 Comments - Griffin Hammond (@griffinhammond) on Instagram: "Looking across Marina Bay in Singapore."
Menggunakan #LUMIXCamera #GH5, @Griffin Hammond merekam penampilan tari yang sedang berlangsung. #LibertyToDiscover #ExploreNewFrontiers pic.twitter.com/BiSwpaoM9b
— Lumix Indonesia (@lumixindonesia) May 24, 2017
Griffin calls Nick from Taiwan, in the middle of his filmmaking workshop tour around the world. Plus, your questions about shooting in auto vs. manual, getting the most out of autofocus, and autofocus, and podcast workflow.
Upcoming Events
May 26 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
May 28, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
May 29 & 30 Singapore
June 1 Manila, Philippines
June 2, Bangkok, Thailand
June 5, Dances With Films in Los Angeles 8pm
June 16–18 Go Viral Festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan
More info at griffinhammond.com/events
Mentioned in this episode, Patrick Gavin’s film Nerd Prom
Nick and Griffin discuss the science of storytelling—using Dan Harmon’s story circle to craft a compelling narrative for your film. Plus, your questions about collaborative editing, color temperature, and how to tell if your camera is good enough.
Dan Harmon's whiteboards for Community were covered in story circles—for each character, and even circles within circles.
Dan Harmon’s Story Circle
In addition to creating shows like Community and Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon co-founded the pre-YouTube internet video website Channel 101—where he wrote at length about his story structure technique.
Gear mentioned in this episode:
Nick mentioned Final Cut Pro X 10.3 supports shared storage.
Griffin gave a speech at Illinois State University called, I’m naive and lack ambition. How I crafted a career anyway. Nick calls out his BS. Plus, your questions about the ethics of color grading, what bitrate to export video, and slicing part of a lens off.
UPCOMING FILMMAKING WORKSHOP
On Sunday, May 21, Griffin will be in Riverside, CA for a documentary filmmaking workshop at Image One Camera & Video. Get tickets here or view the Facebook event. I got to meet the stylish store owner Shadi Sayes at NAB—check out the cool vehicle wrap he made for the GH5 launch!
To mount a 77mm ND filter on his Panasonic 7–14mm lens, Griffin chopped off the lens hood, and uses a D Focus Systems Filter Thread adapter.
Griffin—speaking at the Panasonic stage at NABShow—joins Nick in Las Vegas. Featuring a cameo from Dr. Brent Simonds. Plus, your questions about shooting slow motion, storing video files, and choosing the right filmmaking job.
Livestream of Griffin’s NABShow talk:
Monday | Wednesday—will be live at 2:30pm PT
Photo by Sean Robinson
Photo by Sean Robinson
Upcoming Events
May 20, Los Angeles—Griffin’s filmmaking workshop with Samy’s Camera
June 16–18, Almaty, Kazakhstan—Go Viral Festival
New GH5 videos
How to set up your new Panasonic GH5 for Filmmaking
Plug XLR mics into the Panasonic GH5
NAS (network-attached storage)
Nick owns a Synology DS413j. The newest version is the DS416j.
Wirecutter recommends the QNAP Turbo NAS TS-251.
From WZND studios at Illinois State University, Griffin and guest host Adam Rahn discuss their freelance video businesses—including LLCs and tax deductions. Plus, your questions about compressing video files for the internet, focusing effectively, and pitching your documentary.
Check out Adam Rahn’s freelance video business, Droi Media.
Griffin and Adam each use Quickbooks Self-Employed to track income, expenses and quarterly taxes due.
Did you know? Someone created a Griffin Hammond article on Wikipedia?
Los Angeles—I have a filmmaking workshop May 20 with Samy’s PhotoSchool and Panasonic!
