Hey Indie Filmmakers

Griffin keeps a full gear list at griffinhammond.com/gear – but 2022 brought some workflow changes, so it’s time to review and update his inventory. Plus, Nick decides to buy a new electric vehicle, and picks it up the very same day!

Griffin didn’t buy the Insta360 Link 4K Webcam because it has a gimbal. But it turns out, auto-tracking movement is its most useful feature. Even better, the image quality outperforms the similarly priced 4K Opal C1 ($300), which is marketed as “The first professional webcam.” Plus, Nick lets Lensa AI reference his selfies to generate “Magic Avatars.” Nick is now on Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@ampsonic So is Griffin: https://creators.social/@griffin Also mentioned in this episode: Griffin uses this Westcott mini boom arm.

Nick has been writing prompts for AI images on Midjourney v4. Griffin’s been playing with DiffusionBee on Mac. Our faces may render horrifically in AI, but for many other use cases, the results are uncanny, with plenty of rapidly arriving ethical and copyright implications for artists. Nick recommends listening to this interview with Midjourney founder and CEO David Holz. Hey Indie Filmmakers is brought to you by Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/griffin to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Griffin shares his crazy experience filming Election Night in America—how much travel, expense and work hours go into building maybe 5 minutes of a television show. He earned a “Director of Photography” credit on Showtime, and safely navigated around a known COVID-positive team member on set.

The U.S. State Department has invited Griffin to teach DIY documentary filmmaking in Zimbabwe—should he do it? Nick says yes. We apologize for the delayed uploads. It’s been a rough month—Griffin’s mom Carol died mid-October, and he wrote this tribute to the positive impact she’s had. Many commenters have referenced previous episodes that featured Carol: March 2018 from the campus of Illinois State University April 2018, following Carol’s apartment fire

Griffin asks for your input: Should he activate YouTube memberships, the paid tiers that allow creators to offer additional value alongside their existing, free channel? Nick offers his opinions, as they review the various monetization options available across platforms. Griffin shares revenue numbers from the monetization methods he already uses, including AdSense, and the videos he sells directly, like his 1-hour doc filmmaking crash course, his 5-hour CreativeLive class, Shooting Documentary Short Films, and his film Sriracha. They also explain YouTube Handles, and discuss how they saved their friend’s “Hocus Pocus” projection show (Welter Family Holiday House).

Griffin calls it a “Robo Camera.” It’s the Feelworld NDI20X, and it’s $6,244 cheaper than the pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera used at his former job (Panasonic AW-UE100). Nick helps Griffin set up his network to remote control this 1080p camera over ethernet, using NDI Tools software. Nick shows off his new office, featuring an Elgato Key Light and Elgato Master Mount S (desk-mounted arm). Griffin is now recording with a Shure SM7B microphone plus Cloudlifter CL-1, he purchased used on eBay.

Following Panasonic’s Monday night launch of the LUMIX GH6 camera, Griffin and Nick react in real-time, answer live audience questions, and put the new camera specs in perspective.

This episode has it all: Jeff Goldblum, lighting via hotel room mirror, Batman-esque music, star wipes, and the equipment behind Griffin’s new Twitch channel.

A surprising story from one of our listeners: Griffin’s documentary footage solves the months-long mystery of missing timing data at IRONMAN Wisconsin.

Filming a multi-hour celebrity interview in Los Angeles, Griffin finally finds a reason to try a Manfrotto monopod.

Griffin travels to New York, with his new MacBook Pro M1 Max. Improved battery life, integrated SD card slot and HDMI port—much-needed features, but how did Nick convince Griffin to upgrade to the more expensive “Max” configuration rather than “Pro”?

With a drone, a gimbal, and a hat-mounted light, Griffin and Nick explain how they filmed a 13-hour IRONMAN triathlon in Madison, Wisconsin—for their friend Matt.

For self-employed freelancers – who don’t have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k) – is a SEP IRA the best option to save for retirement? Nick and Griffin share their savings strategies, and explain why a SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension) might not be necessary for many freelancers.

After months of recording the podcast from his bedroom, Griffin’s home office renovation is finally complete, though it still needs some audio treatment to eliminate reverb. Plus, a side-by-side comparison of the anti-reflective coating on the new Lumix GH5M2 versus the original GH5.

After Griffin released his short film “Texture,” shot on the new Lumix GH5M2 camera, you had lots of questions. We’ll answer those—plus, select moments from my interview with Lumix expert Sean Robinson.

The Aputure Accent B7c lights are colorful, battery-powered, flicker-free smart bulbs for filmmakers. Not compatible with smart home automation—these 570-lumen bulbs aren’t intended for everyday use. They’re designed for portability, to take on-location, for Bluetooth control over practical lighting. Aputure sent Griffin an 8-light kit to test out.

A behind-the-scenes look at Griffin's latest film, and the upgraded features in Panasonic’s new Lumix GH5M2 camera.