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REEL 01 · VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS · TAKE 1

Shoot it like you mean it.

Immersive video-production retreats, filmmaking workshops, and a working creator's library — camera, light, sound, edit, and the craft of telling a story that holds.

▶ Watch the reelOpen the kit
A — The Retreat

Video production workshops, on location.

A multi-day immersive workshop where creators learn production skills in a beautiful place — masterclass meets escape. Hands-on filming, editing, lighting, and sound in small groups. You leave with finished work and new instincts.

Frame 01

What is a video retreat?

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.

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What you learn

Cinematography fundamentals. Lighting for interviews and narrative. Sound recording and mixing. Editing workflow (Premiere, DaVinci Resolve). Color grading. Storytelling and script structure. YouTube optimization.

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Who should attend

Aspiring YouTubers. Corporate video teams. Freelance videographers. Podcasters adding video. Marketing teams going in-house. Anyone who wants to make better video content.

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Destinations

Austin, TX (film-friendly, great weather). Sedona, AZ (stunning landscapes). Asheville, NC (mountain light). Tulum, Mexico (affordable luxury). Lisbon, Portugal (European charm, low cost).

B — The Kit

YouTube creator resources.

Gear and software that actually earns its place in the bag — what to buy at every budget, and where to start with nothing but a phone.

Camera

Camera guide

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.

Light

Lighting

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.

Sound

Audio

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.

Edit

Editing software

Free: DaVinci Resolve (seriously — 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).

C — The Craft

Filming techniques that separate amateur from pro.

00:01 / COMP

Composition

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.

00:02 / B-ROLL

B-roll

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.

00:03 / STAB

Stabilization

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.

00:04 / STORY

Storytelling

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.

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