Inspire Design Create with David Lee

EPISODE 45: UNDERSTANDING CLIENT BUDGETS

Oh this is a good one folks, take a moment to listen to today's episode as i'm covering the topic of understanding how different clients have different budgets and how that impacts your business decisions. Not every client has $100,000 in marketing for single project, some may only have $10,000 for a single project but if you're still working with $500 clients I think today will bring to light a new perspective on how client budgets work in general.

If this episode helped you out let me know! Shoot me a DM on Instagram @atdavidlee and if you're looking for inspiring gear reviews or tutorials check on my YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 44: THE CASE FOR BIGGER LIGHTING GEAR

Oh here we gooo, today we're talking about the lighting gear i'm buying this year and why i'm making the case for purchasing bigger lights. Now bigger lights don't necessarily mean you need to be hunting for a good deal on a 6K HMI on E-Bay but with really solid options such as the Aputure 600D Pro and Nanlite Forza 500 it's providing indie filmmakers and owner operators the ability to take their lighting to the next level. 

I'm also a huge advocate for diffusion and again, the bigger diffusion you can use the more natural it will look and feel on camera which is the look I am going for and perhaps it's also the look you're after too. Diffusion with your lighting fixtures is the tag team championship formula where you need team work to help make the win for the scene you're trying to light, but again you have to go big with the diffusion or use a combination of small and big to get the quality of light you seek.

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 43: DO YOU STILL NEED A REEL???

What is going on friends! In this week's episode we are covering the topic of reels.

#1. Do you need one?

#2. Should you reel have everything or be more focused?

#3. What to do if you don't have the content for your reel?

I still have an updated reel every year because it allows me to showcase the exact type of work I do and the visual aesthetic I bring to clients. Not everyone needs a reel but in this podcast episode I talk about who does so don't feel left out if you don't have a reel yet friend, there's always time to make one!

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 42: FULL FRAME VS SUPER 35

Oh here we go, let the flood gates open because I know many of you out there are ready to defend full frame over super 35, or maybe there still are the loyal filmmakers devoted to not giving into trends and are still rocking an old Alexa ST or RED Epic Dragon with your beloved S35 lenses! Do we still need to have this discussion of which sensor is "better"? I think we do and in today's episode we are focusing in on this topic for owner/operators and small crew type shoots.

Which sensor suits your needs and is more practical for your business/production needs? Look at some of your favorite movies in the past 10 years and i'm pretty sure you'll see Super 35 cameras at the top of your list. Well enough blabber from me and if you've read this far, well then...kudos to you my friend.

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

 

EPISODE 41: TAKING RISKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

As someone who left a very cushy tech job years ago to pursue filmmaking, production and following my passion I know plenty about taking risks and the FEAR that comes along with it. You see FEAR is the driving factor behind a lot of our action or inaction. In this episode I wanted to step away from the business and camera talk for a moment and speak to one of the more important aspects of being an owner/operator and that is the ability we all have to take risks that will help us in the direction of our dreams.

 

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 40: WHAT TO CHARGE CLIENTS

When you're just starting out, how much is your time worth? Have you been low balled time and time again? In this episode I wanted to cover The 3 Things to help determine what to charge clients, whether it's your first year or if you've been freelancing for some time, we always need to identify:

1.) What is the client's budget?

2.) What are their expectations

3.) What is your profit number?

 

By discovering these three things you'll run into less headaches during your discovery engagement calls, you'll be able to determine all expectations for the project to reduce unseen headaches and create accountability for both you and the client, lastly you will start to track how much your rates have increased or stayed the same over time which gives you more information on where you can start to scale your business and profits.

 

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 39: FILM DIRECTOR MARK BONE PART 2

We are back with Film Director Mark Bone to wrap up our conversation around documentary filmmaking and practical tips you can take into your life. Part 1 we covered a lot of the technical, logistical and creative choices for doc films and in Part 2 we come full circle in terms of what our passions are and how that translates into this journey we call filmmaking. Mark gives his advice on how to start your journey as a documentary filmmaker, why he started the Art of Documentary and we also touch upon a bit of his experience in the commercial industry and where his current passions are.

For more information on the Art of Documentary please check out the link here: https://theartofdocumentary.com/

Mark's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4exYtWOlHd4mL-owyyA12w

Mark's Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/markbone

 

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 38: TO NICHE OR NOT TO NICHE???

When I first started my freelance career I was told to niche, but then reality sank in because I had no idea how to niche documentary style work. I took advice from others who at the time had already been in the business for 10+ years but they didn't necessarily tell me about how they got there, they just offered their advice based upon when they "finally arrived". In today's episode I want to break down this highly debated topic, "Should you Niche or Generalize?".

In the beginning it's okay to generalize in your freelance career because you need to build a portfolio, you need to develop and hone in on your craft and visual tastes along with all the other requirements for being a cinematographer and small business owner. As time moves on and you progress not only in your skill set as a DP/Cinematographer but you'll start to focus in on what you really want to do and based upon that, start charging more for your services and speciality.

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 37: FILM DIRECTOR MARK BONE, PART 1

If you've been searching for the best documentary course and community, look no further as we have Mark Bone on the podcast! Mark is an award winning documentary film director, commercial director and curating some of the best content for documentary filmmakers on his YouTube channel with close to 100K subscribers as of this recording. I was excited to be able to get Mark on the show to gather his insight and perspective when it comes to documentary films, how to get off the ground running, what fears we have as a creatives and so much more that I had to split the podcast up into two parts!

In Part 1 we talk about his journey from going on humanitarian projects to not knowing what to do after graduating high school. We touch upon his time during film school and how documentary created the spark that allowed him to express the need to tell incredible stories. I also wanted to get a little bit into his YouTube channel and what inspired him to start it and let me tell you, we tell it allll in this one!

Check out Mark's new academy and community he's building with The Art of Documentary (https://vimeo.com/443198808) 

His YouTube channel for free documentary tips, behind the scenes and gear reviews (https://www.youtube.com/user/markandrewbone/featured)

His Instagram for some great inspiration (https://www.instagram.com/markandrewbone/)

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram www.instagram.com/atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee 

EPISODE 36: ARE YOU ALWAYS WORKING?

A hot topic for a lot of owner/operators out in the world is "Are you always working?". That question I believe varies depending on what you're normally hired for but as far as a working cinematographer goes I don't think you are and that's okay. The reason being is your day rate as a cinematographer is usually pretty good as you are responsible for the visuals and that alone pays fairly well. Now on the flip side if you're still in year 2 or year 3 trying to figure things out you might be working a lot more compared to your peers or those you look up to.

I'm reminded of a very good quote that applies to all of us, "Comparison is the thief of happiness". When you find yourself comparing where you are to where others are, just remember they've had their own journey of ups and downs. That being said I do offer some tips on navigating the space you're in when you aren't working and hopefully it helps!

 

If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Subscribe to the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends!

 

www.atdavidlee.com | www.legendarymediahouse.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee