We’re back in the studio and diving headfirst into the chaos, creativity, and controversy of the filmmaking world. After a quick (and totally cleared-up) mix-up about Michael Richards’ passing, we set the tone with some laughs before diving into a viral debate that blew up one of our reels—over 600,000 views and thousands of comments later, we’re talking all about lenses, gear snobbery, and the deeper meaning behind what filmmakers choose to shoot with.
From DZO Film budget lenses to people flexing their high-end glass on social media, we break down why gear doesn't define your work—and why understanding your tools, not just owning them, actually matters. We talk autofocus vs. manual focus, photography vs. video setups, and critique the trap of investing in expensive gear without putting in the reps to master your craft.
Along the way, we share personal stories of gear that let us down (RIP to that 50mm), reflect on camera choices and cinematography styles, and debate the art and science behind frame rates. We also open up about the impact of social media, the ethics of content creation, and whether it’s better to be a jack-of-all-trades or a master of one.
As always, we emphasize creativity, collaboration, and character—why being a solid teammate matters more than being the best technician in the room. We wrap the episode with gratitude for our community and a reminder to focus less on competition and more on lifting each other up.
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Hosted by: Luke Montgomery and Cort Letcher
#filmmaking #videoproduction #gearreview #DZOfilm #sony #cameraequipment #cinematography #creativecommunity #contentcreation #manualfocus #autofocus #frameRates #filmmakerlife #socialmediaethics #collaborationovercompetition