This is the 4th installment (and first of 2016!) of this feature here on Filmmaking Lifestyle, where we chart the best-of-the-best from around the filmmaking and video production world. This article covers the best posts from January 2016.

Every month, I post a round-up article featuring the best things I’ve found around the web on filmmaking and video production.

We’re talking articles, videos, infographics, all sorts. Anything that stands out to me and that I think is worth keeping in an archive, I’m going to include in these reports.

I post these articles at the end of each month, along with all the regular posts you get on Filmmaking Lifestyle.

The Best Posts Of January 2016

This article is a few days late, as I’ve been ridiculously busy behind the scenes here. My apologies for that. But my hope is that all the behind the scenes work will be worth it, and I’m looking to bring some crazy value to you in 2016!

I can’t say too much about it right now, but I’m hoping to release a special Courses section to the site very soon. Yes, after many suggestions and requests, I’m finally creating trainings for you guys! Still got some pieces to move into place, and need to get my ducks in a row, but I’m hoping to reveal it in the next few days. It’s been a lot of work (and still lots more to go), but I’m getting to a point where I’ll be releasing my first course soon. More on that in the coming weeks!

I’ll of course be mentioning it on the email lists and social. I’ve already had tonnes of awesome people asking when it’s going to happen, and I’ve been talking about it off-site for a while now, so thought I’d just tease you with a little official mention. 🙂

Without further ado, let’s jump into this month’s link roundup!

I’ve put the links into a number of sections to separate them from each other and make things a little more specific.

Filmmaking & Directing

This is pretty cool. I know you probably didn’t think it was, but here’s an article that explains why being a cameraman at the X-Games really isn’t all that easy. Here’s an article about ‘playing the human drone’ as a cameraman.

This month, Canon announced the release of a new DSLR camera capable of 4K at 60fps. The 1D X Mark II will be a flagship camera and won’t be cheap. You can get your hands on one in April.

Also, this month, there was news that NASA has posted a huge library of space sounds, and you’re free to use them!

Meanwhile, on Filmmaking Lifestyle, we ran one of our biggest articles of all time. I asked Video Production Pricing” href=”https://filmlifestyle.com/video-production-pricing/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-lasso-id=”2300″>17 notable video production experts what are the Top 3 Things They Consider When Pricing a Video Production Job.

It was great to get a range of answers, because this is an issue in our industry that doesn’t have a cookie-cutter easy answer. I want to thank everyone who got involved, and it was great to hear from some friends, as well as new folks!

   

Here’s a really handy infographic for helping you light scenes. “3 Point Lighting can be misleading,” says the author, “so I made an infographic that explains what lighting for cinematography is really all about.”

This month on Filmmaking Lifestyle, we also launched our Facebook Mastermind Group! Called Video Production Mastermind, this group is a cool place for like-minded filmmakers/videographers to get together and crowd-source solutions to common industry issues, questions and anything you want feedback on!

Check it out! The community’s just started, but we’re looking to grow fast. I’ll see you there!

Here’s an excellent video that explains how codecs work:

Software, Hardware & Visual Effects

This is going to be useful to a lot of people. No deadcat? Here’s how to remove wind noise from your audio file easily in minutes.

Annoyed by the movie stopped recording issues in the T2i, T3i and 60D? Here’s a solution to the “Movie recording has been stopped automatically” problem of the T2i, T3i, and 60D.

Picture Of The Month

Got a couple of Pictures of the Month this month: one serious and one funny (but still very true).

Let’s start with the funny one.

This cool little image has been doing the rounds lately. Not sure if it was intended to be a commentary on video production specifically, but it sure rings true.

Anyone relate to this?

 

And now for something a little more serious…

Film gauges: a size comparison. For all you film stock geeks out there. I know there’s a lot of you:

Video Of The Month

This month’s Video of the Month features a tutorial on a concept that more people in video production some be ultra familiar with, but aren’t. Director/Cinematographer Matthew Rosen explains how to maximise your camera’s dynamic range.

Here’s the video, Dynamic Range Explained:

Find anything else that was great out there in cyberspace? Drop some links in the comments below!

Until next time, stay shooting!