I am frequently asked about how I get my dreamy cinematic look. I am happy to help and mentor my fellow videographers, so here’s some useful information and Gear FAQ. My choices are very specific in order to make the finished product something I am very proud of. It’s a physically heavy and demanding set-up, but the results are worth it.

CAMERA

My primary camera is the fabulous LUMIX S1H. It is a fully pro NETFLIX-approved camera, capable of shooting in 6K in full frame. Which looks rather nice. WHY LUMIX? Lumix have perfected their colour-space - there is something unique in the way Lumix cameras capture the subject and skin tones and they are unrivalled in their look.

WHY ROKINON LENSES?

My primary kit is a set of Rokinon (Samyang) cine lenses.  Cinema prime lenses are built for pro-level filming - while sharp and clear they also have a subtle vintage look to them and allow me to shoot wide open at F1.4. The ultimate effect is the shot looks creamy, not clinical and digital.  Less camcorder, more Hollywood.

RONIN GIMBALS

I use high end Ronin gimbals to achieve a smooth stabilized professional look. A gimbal’s main function is avoid the jerky hand-held look.  I do shoot handheld sometimes for a specific look, which is only possible because the Lumix S1H is so good at keeping the footage smooth.

RODE GO2 WIRELESS MIC SYSTEM

These are a breakthrough. Up until recently a lav mic - the kind you might have the wedding officiant wearing - required a clip-on microphone and a hidden wire connecting to a transmitter, often concealed in clothing. A bit like being wired up for an FBI undercover operation. The new Rode mics just clip on and that’s it, no complicated wires.

ATOMOS MONITOR

I use an Atomos Shinobi monitor as it gives me a very accurate view of what I’m shooting. And sometimes the clients like to have a look as well so this is far superior to looking at a little LCD screen on the back of a camera.