Author: Gavin Marsh

How a Professional Camera Media Workflow Keeps Footage Organized

How a Professional Camera Media Workflow Keeps Footage Organized

I learned pretty quickly that the shoot does not really end when the director calls wrap. The camera may go back in the case, but the footage still needs careful handling. A full day of 4K, 6K, 8K, RAW, or high-bitrate ProRes files can turn into hundreds of gigabytes before anyone even opens an editing […]
Indoor Camera Movement: How to Make Tight Spaces Cinematic

Indoor Camera Movement: How to Make Tight Spaces Cinematic

A bedroom can feel intimate, a hallway can feel endless, and a kitchen can become the center of a thriller. Perspective and motion can transform even an ordinary room. When I plan camera movement for indoor scenes, I work around walls, furniture, doorways, low ceilings, reflections, and limited floor space. Instead of forcing large moves, […]
Coordinating Multiple Camera Operators During a Live Event

Coordinating Multiple Camera Operators During a Live Event

I have seen technically excellent event crews miss important moments because two cameras followed the same subject while another part of the venue went uncovered. In my experience, coordinating multiple camera operators during a live event is less about owning more equipment and more about giving every operator a defined purpose.  A camera plan, concise […]
Building a High-Performance DIY Cable Camera System

Building a High-Performance DIY Cable Camera System

Commercial cable cameras used in stadium broadcasts generate over 3,000 pounds of line tension and cost upwards of $100,000, yet the fundamental physics governing their movement can be replicated for under $150. By understanding basic vector mechanics and load distribution, filmmakers can capture smooth, sweeping aerial shots through dense tree canopies or indoors where FAA […]
How To Inspect Rigging Hardware Before Filming Safely

How To Inspect Rigging Hardware Before Filming Safely

A five-minute hardware inspection can stop a damaged shackle, sling, or fitting from becoming part of an overhead camera system. When I consider how to inspect rigging hardware before filming, I never treat a quick glance as enough. I want to know three things before the camera moves: Is this the correct component? Is its […]
High-Capacity Camera Batteries: Capacity, Runtime, and Compatibility

High-Capacity Camera Batteries: Capacity, Runtime, and Compatibility

I have learned that battery capacity becomes a much bigger concern once a camera setup grows beyond the camera body itself. A mirrorless camera with one small battery is one thing. Add an external monitor, wireless transmitter, recorder, follow focus, or other accessories, and suddenly a battery that looked sufficient on paper can disappear much […]
Tilt Shot vs Pedestal Shot: What’s the Real Difference?

Tilt Shot vs Pedestal Shot: What’s the Real Difference?

Two camera moves can send a viewer’s attention upward or downward and still create very different results. When I compare tilt shot vs pedestal shot, I use one simple rule: a tilt changes the camera’s angle, while a pedestal changes the camera’s physical height. A tilt rotates the camera vertically on a fixed axis, much […]
How to Balance Camera on Gimbal Trolley Systems for Tracking

How to Balance Camera on Gimbal Trolley Systems for Tracking

An unbalanced camera on a gimbal trolley can drain battery life by up to 70% and cause micro-jitters that ruin high-speed tracking shots. When a rig rides along a dynamic wire or track, centrifugal forces and sudden acceleration amplify every millimeter of imbalance. Knowing how to balance camera on gimbal trolley configurations is not just […]
Overcoming Difficult Weather During an Outdoor Production

Overcoming Difficult Weather During an Outdoor Production

I arrived at the location expecting manageable cloud cover and a light breeze. Within hours, the wind strengthened, rain moved across our access road, and changing light made matching shots nearly impossible. The forecast had warned us about unsettled conditions, but the speed of the change tested every part of our plan. Instead of pushing […]
Secondary Safety Cables For Overhead Film Equipment

Secondary Safety Cables For Overhead Film Equipment

A fixture suspended above cast or crew should never rely on one connection. When I review secondary safety cables for overhead film equipment, I treat the cable as an independent last line of retention. The cable must suit the fixture, connector, attachment point, and supporting structure. OSHA also requires applicable material-handling rigging to be inspected […]
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