Passing the FAA’s New Drone Pilot Test

Griffin completed the FAA’s new free drone pilot course, and earned 93% on the exam. Turns out, it’s pretty easy to renew your Part 107 certification, through this new online method, introduced in April 2021.

On April 6—following a month-long delay—the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made it cheaper and easier for drone pilots to renew their 2-year Part 107 certifications. Previously, you'd pay around $160 at an in-person testing center to take the "Small UAS Recurrent" exam. 

Now it's a free online course and exam, available at FAASafety.gov 

The course name is a mouthful—ALC-677: Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Non-Part 61 Pilots

• "Part 107" — the name of the drone pilot certification

• "Small UAS" = drones (unmanned aircraft system)

• "Recurrent" — as in, only for existing certificate holders seeking renewal.

• "Non-Part 61" — Because ALC-677 is a new test, not to be confused with ALC-515, which is only for airplane pilots (Part 61 certificate holders) to learn drone rules.

And although the FAA's new exam makes renewals easier for existing drone pilots (when their certifications lapse every 2 years) — new pilots must still pay for the "sUAS Initial" exam at an in-person testing center.

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Film Gear Garage Sale—items from $20 to $480

Griffin is selling his unneeded filmmaking gear. Microphones for sale, a “pancake” lens, a 1700-lumen projector. Plus, your questions about ripping DVDs, and how to make sure clients pay you.

Griffin’s Film Gear Garage Sale:
(Choose items at griffinhammond.com/sale)

• [[SOLD]] $20 Zhiyun-Tech TransMount Mini Monopod

• [[SOLD]] $45 Sennheiser e816S microphone

• [[SOLD]] $90 Apple Watch Series 3 (Cellular + GPS, 38mm Space Gray aluminum)

• [[SOLD]] $110 Lumix 14mm f/2.5 "pancake" lens

• [[SOLD]] $150 Deity V-Mic D3 Pro shotgun microphone

• [[SOLD]] $199 Optoma HD20 1080p projector (only 1,559 bulb hours)

• [[SOLD]] $480 Rode NTG-3 shotgun microphone

Griffin has previously done virtual “garage sales” like this in June 2014 (literally from his garage), February 2018 and November 2018 (as a live broadcast).

In response to audience-submitted questions:

• To rip video files from a DVD, Nick recommends MakeMKV (for Mac, $50) or Handbrake (for Mac/PC/Linux, free). And for transcoding smaller, more efficient versions of Blu-Ray rips, Nick likes Don Melton’s other_video_transcoding.

• Mike Monteiro begins his presentation F*ck You, Pay Me with this question—“Who here has at some time had trouble getting paid by a client, for work they were doing?”

Follow Griffin and Nick on the Clubhouse app to join our next “podcast talkback” conversation.

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YouTube now performs copyright “Checks” during uploads

Now when you upload a video, YouTube checks in real-time for copyright claims and ad suitability issues—before publishing. Griffin and Nick explain this new “Checks” system. Plus, your questions about copyright, documentary storytelling, and the microphones we use.

Good news! After we read aloud all the categories that can make a video unsuitable for ads, and wondered whether that would affect this video’s “Ad suitability”—this video was still deemed “Safe for ads”!

In this episode, we mentioned:

• Dan Harmon’s story circle, from a 2017 episode of this podcast, The Science of Storytelling

• Griffin’s useful neutral density filter tutorial—How to figure out which ND filters you need

• Nick and Griffin each have the faux-4K, 2500-lumen Epson 5040UB projector, which is $1,000 cheaper than the current 5050UB model (even cheaper when you buy it open box!) Griffin will buy this Silver Ticket 128” screen, rather than building a DIY screen, as he did 7 years ago.

Screenshot of Nick’s Voiceover effect settings in Final Cut Pro X. He also recommends this De-esser tutorial—The Simple Trick for Harsh-free Vocals by Michael Wuerth

Follow Griffin and Nick on the Clubhouse app to join our next “podcast talkback” conversation.

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You can sell your videos as NFTs. Does it kill the planet?

Video artists are minting their works as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) onto cryptocurrency blockchains. Sometimes selling for thousands of U.S. dollars. But what does it mean to own an NFT? And why is Griffin morally opposed to selling his videos?

Some of the NFT sales mentioned in this episode:

• Stop-motion animator Kevin Parry sold Fruit Slicing Stop-Motion for $5,522 USD. He tweeted about the experience.

• Chris Torres sold his iconic animated GIF, Nyan Cat for roughly $588,000 USD.

• Mike Winkelmann (a.k.a. Beeple) is now one of the top three most valuable living artists, after selling EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS for over $69 million.

Memo Akten created cryptoart.wtf to track the environmental impact of NFT markets. But he shut down the site after it became a tool to shame individual artists.

Nick wonders if Griffin should mint Sriracha as an NFT.

Additional items we talked about:

• Check out the impressive FPV drone piloting and sound design in this short film—Right Up Our Alley by jaybyrdfilms.

• Thanks to everyone who joined us for our last “podcast talkback” conversation on Clubhouse. Follow Griffin and Nick on the Clubhouse app to join our next conversation.

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The vintage lens known for its “swirly bokeh”

Griffin purchased a 40-year-old lens on eBay, the popular Helios 44-2, known for its “swirly bokeh.” As Nick describes the effect, “Very strange. I almost don’t like it!”

These vintage 58mm f/2 M42-mount lenses sell between $30–90 on eBay.

To mount it to a full-frame Lumix S1 camera, Griffin purchased this Fotasy M42 / L Series adapter.

The original Helios 44 (version 1) was manufactured in the Soviet Union, starting in 1958—as a knock-off of the more expensive Zeiss Biotar 2/58. Based on its serial number, Griffin’s Helios 44-2 lens was manufactured in 1981.

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Buying a Boom Arm Instead of a C-Stand

Griffin doesn’t like C-stands (too heavy) or mic stands (not versatile). So instead, he picked up a 57” Westcott boom arm to position his newest microphone—the Audio-Technica AT4053b.

Product links:

• Westcott Mini Boom Arm & Weight Bag
  available from Amazon \ B&H \ Westcott

• Audio-Technica AT4053b Hypercardioid Condenser Microphone
  available from Amazon \ B&H

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Testing USB Podcast Mics Under $150

Griffin tests four USB studio microphones, ranging from $60 to $150.

• Blue Yeti ($130)

• Movo UM800 ($150)

• Elgato Wave:1 ($130)

• FIFINE K678 ($60)

Motivation behind this test:
Two years ago, I reviewed the FIFINE K670 mic for Indy Mogul. I liked its frequency response—but sadly, it suffered from a disqualifying interference hum.
Watch: What’s the Best Studio Mic? $48 to $1100 (Indy Mogul)

So when FIFINE suggested I test their newer, prettier K678 model, I was curious if they’d eliminated that interference issue.

Plus, with popular USB mics like the Blue Yeti often sold-out during the pandemic—because of increased work-from-home demand—I wanted to test if alternative brands were any good.

In response to Brian’s question,

Nick and I each use a Synology DiskStation DS418—a network-attached storage (NAS) to archive our video projects and raw footage. That’s in addition to cloud services like Google Drive and Backblaze. And Brian, before you upgrade your 2013 iMac, check the MacRumors Buyer’s Guide for timing. (Redesigned M1 iMacs are rumored to launch this year.)

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Speed test: M1 MacBook Air vs. Intel iMac Pro

Three surprisingly close video transcoding tests between the Nick’s new M1 MacBook Air and Griffin’s more expensive Intel-based iMac Pro.

THREE TESTS:

1. A 42-minute timeline render in Final Cut Pro X*
   *while full-screen recording in Quicktime

2. ProRes transcoded into 10mbps H.264 in Adobe Media Encoder

3. H.264 export in Final Cut Pro X

(The app Nick uses to monitor CPU usage/temperature is iStat Menus.)

For additional ports and connectivity,

• Nick uses the TD-300 Thunderbolt 3 dock ($249) with his MacBook Air.

• Griffin uses the USB-C HyperDrive ($100) with his MacBook Pro.

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An Update on Griffin's Smart Lighting Setup

With Nick’s helpful tech advice, Griffin has figured out which smart lights and smart switches to install in his renovated office. Plus, how to fix two camera shots that drift out of sync over time.

Griffin’s Smart Lighting Picks:

• RunLessWire Click is a wireless, battery-less smart switch (powered by kinetic energy) that works with Philips Hue smart lights.

• Philips Hue color smart bulbs are RGB, 800-lumen bulbs controlled by Bluetooth or a Zigbee hub like the Philips Hue Smart Hub.

• I’ll pack three Hue bulbs into each of these “dumb” flush-mount lighting fixtures.

• Hue recessed ceiling lights to replace my current in-ceiling can lights.

• Another Philips Hue product: Cher Semi-Flushmount Light is a bi-color, 3000-lumen lighting fixture. Could work for my office, but it arrived broken—so I may abandon that product.
  

Other products we mentioned:

• Inovelli Z-Wave Switch is a rare hard-wired switch that works with smart lights, but it suffers from a disqualifying 2-second delay.

• Plastic wall switch covers are a cheap way to keep a light switch activated.

• Nick uses LIFX Color 800-lumen smart bulbs.
  

In answering Daniel’s question about syncing two Panasonic cameras, we mentioned the System Frequency setting on the Panasonic GH5.

In our next episode, we’ll run a video transcoding speed test. Nick’s new M1 MacBook Air vs. Griffin’s 2-year-old Intel-powered iMac Pro.

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Smart lighting for my office renovation

As Griffin begins renovating his office / recording space, Nick shares his knowledge of smart lighting and home automation technology. Is it possible to install sufficient lighting for filmmaking, movie-watching, and every color temperature in between?

In Nick’s theater room, he uses LIFX Color 800-lumen smart bulbs and Lutron Caseta light switches. He also recommends the subreddit r/homeautomation.

I was considering these smart lighting products:

• TALOYA 15.8-inch dimmable smart light fixture

• Lutron Caseta light switches

• or this cheaper KASA Smart Dimmer Switch

But Nick helped me understand that most (wired) smart switches aren’t intended for use with (wifi-connected) smart lights. Usually it’s one or the other. I did find one wired switch that works with smart lighting fixtures, but it suffers from a 2-second delay, which is disqualifying in my opinion.

After recording this episode, then researching many products—I’ve ultimately decided Philips Hue smart bulbs may be my best bet. They’re no brighter than regular household bulbs, so I’ve purchased several “dumb” 3-bulb lighting fixtures, which I plan to pack full of these full-RGB-color Hue bulbs. For smart control, I’ll replace my traditional wired light switches with these wireless kinetically-powered switches.

Nick started using photo-editing software Luminar AI, and he’s impressed.

Griffin met Adam Rahn in college, while producing student television. Now he’s a guest on Adam’s podcast, #Freelanswers.

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Bonus Episode: #Freelanswers with Adam Rahn

Griffin Hammond met Adam Rahn in college, while producing student television. Now he’s a guest on Adam’s podcast, #Freelanswers. In this conversation, they discuss their education paths, how to keep learning, and tackle the age-old question, "Do you need to go to film school?"

The Secret Vignette Lighting Trick

At the end of each shoot, Griffin turns off his lights to capture a dark backplate for this vignette lighting effect. Plus, socially distanced interviews, the latest with Apple’s M1 processors, and Nick’s newest camera.

Griffin’s current lighting setup:

• Key light: Westcott Flex LED bounced off a white wall

• Back lights and accents: Aputure 120d 3-light kit 
  Aputure Light Dome II + CTO gels (¼ CTO and full CTO+ND)

• Lens: Panasonic 12mm f/1.4

For socially distanced interviews, Griffin recently traveled with:

• Host mic: Sennheiser wireless stick mic

• Guest mic: Azden 250CX shotgun mic + Pearstone 11” articulating arm + Peak Design Travel Tripod

• Primary lens: Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 lens

Watch the 18 videos Griffin produced in 72 hours, from six states.

Nick’s new Sony Alpha a7C camera doesn’t overheat or limit his recording time. And its silver trim makes Griffin nostalgic for his first digital camera: the 1998 Toshiba PDR-M1 (via Digitalkamera Museum).

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Using a short-throw projector and After Effects, our friends Susie and Brett have mapped an impressive Halloween show onto the front of their house.

Plus, Apple’s latest iPhone cameras, and Nick’s camera overheats during an important work meeting.

Projection Mapping Resources:

• Susie and Brett are using this Optoma 4,000-lumen short-throw projector

• They built their projector box based on this Digital Pressworks tutorial, and learned many After Effects skills and house projection mapping techniques through YouTuber Phillips’ Projections.

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Filming with a 20-year-old Digital 8 camera

Filmed with a 20-year-old Sony Handycam, Griffin explains interlacing, pixel aspect ratios, IEEE 1394, and the quirks of shooting and editing in standard definition.

Features of the DCR-TRV320 Sony Handycam—

• Records standard-definition, interlaced video (720x480i) onto Digital 8 tapes

• 25x optical zoom, 18x digital zoom, SteadyShot digital image stabilization

• Swivel-mounted 2.5-inch LCD monitor

• FireWire interface (IEEE 1394)

• Built-in NightShot infrared lamp

To connect this old camera to my modern iMac Pro, I have three adapters in sequence:

• Belkin FireWire 4-pin to FireWire 800 (9-pin) + FireWire 800 cable

• Apple FireWire 800 to Thunderbolt 2

• Apple Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C

Amazingly, it works! Zoom recognizes it as an available webcam, and Final Cut Pro X imports successfully—though I find I need to record onto a tape to keep the camera from auto-shutting off.

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Recording voiceover audio in a closet

Griffin squeezes into a basement closet to record voiceover, while Nick maneuvers his lighting into a new position.

To convert this closet into a DIY recording booth, Griffin bought 24 of these DEKIRU “high-density” acoustic tiles and this Sound Addicted 4-pack of foam bass traps.

Nick just bought a new everyday bag — the Tom Binh Luminary 15 — and is considering editing a wedding on iPad, using LumaFusion. 

For more info on downloading YouTube videos or using YouTube-DL, check out the show notes for our December 2019 episode.

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What does Apple’s switch to ARM processors mean for filmmakers?

Griffin makes a big life change, and Nick explains what Apple calls “the biggest leap ever for the Mac.” What does Apple’s switch to ARM processors mean for filmmakers?

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Some of the WWDC 2020 Keynote moments Nick highlighted:

• 0:01 — Opening Earth/Memoji animation (song: Daydreamer by AURORA)

• 36:10 — Nick appreciates phone calls as notifications in iOS14

• 86:45 — Mac is transitioning from Intel to Apple Silicon (ARM)

• 96:52 — Manipulating a 5-gigabyte Photoshop file

• 97:22 — Real-time video effects in Final Cut Pro X

• 99:21 — Rosetta 2 translates old Mac apps to run on new Apple Silicon

Also mentioned in this episode:

• Griffin’s video, Why it’s (mostly) illegal to drone in NYC

• Nick’s video, How to “Shuck” (remove) a hard drive

Racecar Driving in a VR Cockpit

Nick is a virtual reality racecar driver, having set up an Oculus Rift and racing cockpit in his home office.

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When he started iRacing, Nick already had an old Logitech Driving Force GT steering wheel and pedals—but he added a Playseat Challenge Racing Seat to complete the cockpit feel.

Griffin’s only prior knowledge of iRacing came from this Twitter video by NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.

While setting up this episode, Nick realized his GVM 800D LED light could mount on the light stand at 90°, to increase the mobility of its barn doors.

To use an EOS camera as a webcam, Canon released this EOS Webcam Utility Beta software.

Griffin uses a discontinued Blackmagic Intensity Extreme to connect his Panasonic GH5S camera as a webcam via HDMI.

The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ and Elgato Cam Link 4K can each turn a camera’s HDMI signal into a USB webcam.

Now working, editing from home (with kids)

Filmed on March 26—Griffin’s 13th day working from home in NYC. The podcast moves into our living rooms to capture the everyday noises we’re usually trying to hide from the audience.

My talented coworker Brennan Murphy made this video—the awkwardness of working from home.

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Upgrading Nick’s Lighting Setup

Nick wanted better lighting for his home office, so he purchased a budget 2-light RGB LED kit. And Griffin arrives in Nevada to help him set it up!

The LED kit Nick purchased (on sale for $160):
GVM 800D-RGB LED Studio 2-Video Light Kit

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Covering Presidential Politics with the Peak Design Travel Tripod

Griffin is on the campaign trail, days before the Iowa Caucuses—with drone shots, gimbal maneuvers. Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod up to the challenge of political press events?

Watch Griffin’s latest film from the campaign trail in Iowa.
Or download The Recount app on iOS or Android.

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