Video production workshops, filmmaking retreats, YouTube creator resources, and everything you need to make better video content.
A multi-day immersive workshop where creators learn production skills in a beautiful location. Think: masterclass meets vacation. Hands-on filming, editing, lighting, and sound in small groups. Leave with finished projects and new skills.
Cinematography fundamentals. Lighting for interviews and narrative. Sound recording and mixing. Editing workflow (Premiere, DaVinci Resolve). Color grading. Storytelling and script structure. YouTube optimization.
Aspiring YouTubers. Corporate video teams. Freelance videographers. Podcasters adding video. Marketing teams going in-house. Anyone who wants to make better video content.
Austin, TX (film-friendly, great weather). Sedona, AZ (stunning landscapes). Asheville, NC (mountain light). Tulum, Mexico (affordable luxury). Lisbon, Portugal (European charm, low cost).
Budget ($200-500): iPhone 15 Pro (already in your pocket), Sony ZV-1F. Mid ($500-1,500): Sony ZV-E10 II, Canon EOS R50, Fuji X-S20. Pro ($1,500+): Sony A7C II, Canon R6 III, Panasonic S5 II. Start with your phone — content matters more than gear.
Natural light: Free. Face a window. Best light is overcast days or golden hour. Key light ($50-150): Elgato Key Light, Neewer panel. 3-point setup ($200-400): Key, fill, and backlight. Ring light ($30-80): Good for talking-head videos.
Bad audio kills videos faster than bad video. Lav mic ($20-50): Rode Wireless GO II ($300 for pro version). Shotgun ($100-250): Rode VideoMic Pro+, Deity S-Mic 2. USB ($60-250): Shure MV7, Blue Yeti. Record a room tone sample for noise reduction.
Free: DaVinci Resolve (seriously, it's free and professional-grade), CapCut (great for short-form). Paid: Adobe Premiere Pro ($23/mo), Final Cut Pro ($300 one-time). AI-assisted: Descript (transcription-based editing, magic).
Rule of thirds: place your subject at the intersection points, not dead center. Headroom: leave space above the head but not too much. Lead room: if someone faces left, put them on the right third.
B-roll is what separates amateur from professional. For every minute of interview, shoot 3-5 minutes of B-roll. Capture: hands doing things, wide establishing shots, detail close-ups, movement. B-roll covers jump cuts and adds visual interest.
Handheld shaking screams amateur. Options: tripod (always), gimbal (DJI RS 3, $350+), in-body stabilization (Sony/Canon mirrorless), warp stabilizer in post (Premiere). Use the highest frame rate your camera supports for smoother handheld.
Every video needs: a hook (first 5 seconds), a promise (why keep watching), delivery (the content), and a payoff (worth the viewer's time). Write a script or outline. Never wing it for published content.