Inspire Design Create with David Lee

Afleveringen

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  The Pre-Production Tool That Killed My Guesswork on Set | Ep. 199 17.08.2026 14min

  I used to walk onto set with a vibe and a storyboard that was more suggestion than plan — and honestly, that worked fine until it didn't. In this episode I break down how I stopped guessing on commercial shoots and started shot-listing every single frame using animated reference GIFs instead of static stills, and how that one shift changed everything from my pre-pro process to how much creative energy I had left in the edit bay. I get into the tool that made it possible (FrameSet), why "80-90% accurate" reference beats a still frame every time, and how this exact workflow saved a recent Honda spec spot. If you've been stuck in a creative rut — or you're the person who shoots everything on a 50mm and calls it a day — this one's for you. Key takeaways: Animated GIF references (camera moves, pans, tilts, parallax) remove the guesswork that static storyboards leave on the table — critical when commercial shoots don't have room for "let's figure it out on the day." A tighter, more efficient pre-pro and edit workflow frees up mental bandwidth to actually experiment again — sound design, color, tilt-shift blur in Resolve, mirror split screens, the stuff that gets lost when you're just surviving deadlines. On the recent Honda spec, nearly the entire shot list (roughly 60 shots) was pre-visualized with reference GIFs, with only a couple of shots left open for on-set improv. The edit you put more effort into — sound mix, color grade, intentional choices — will always beat the "just slap a track on it" version. Raise your own bar on purpose. Getting comfortable in one focal length (looking at you, 50mm shooters) is a sign of creative rut — variety in lens choice and reference gathering can pull you out of it. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! Need to know if a brand is worth pursuing? Use my free scoring sheet that takes 2 minutes: https://atdavidlee.com/customer-story-film-score/ www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  Sony FX5 Is Here: Should You Actually Upgrade? | Ep.198 23.07.2026 21min

  Sony just dropped the FX5 II — but does it actually deserve a spot in your camera bag? In this episode, I break down the FX5 through the lens of two questions every working DP should be asking before buying new gear: will it get you more clients, and will it make your workflow faster? Pulling from 9 years of real production experience — including award-winning shorts, branded docs, and global commercial work — I aim to give you the unfiltered truth on specs, pricing, and whether Sony and Lumix shooters can actually mix cameras on set. Key Takeaways: New gear rarely grows your business — I explain why 99% of the time, buying a new camera won't land you bigger clients or projects; that comes from proven work, not hardware. 5K recording has a real workflow use case — for feature docs and short films, punching in with a UHD timeline while maintaining a clean image is a legit reason to consider the upgrade. CF Express Type A is still a dealbreaker for some — the FX5 keeps using the pricier card format, which may not move the needle on your actual workflow. 32-bit float audio is nice, not necessary — I breaks down why I stick with DJI Mic 2s and wireless transmitters instead of paying extra for the XLR handle just for this feature. Sony and Lumix cameras can be matched successfully — good news if you're building a mixed-brand kit and don't want to fully commit to one ecosystem. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! Need to know if a brand is worth pursuing? Use my free scoring sheet that takes 2 minutes: https://atdavidlee.com/customer-story-film-score/ www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  9 Years, 6 Sony Cameras: What Actually Gets You Hired | Ep.197 08.07.2026 22min

  David breaks down nine years in the Sony ecosystem — A7R II to A6500 to FS7 to the FX9, FX6, and FX3 — and the real lesson underneath all of it: your camera system isn't just a creative choice, it's a business decision. He gets into why agencies build workflows around specific gear (and why DTC clients couldn't care less), why he's sticking with Sony for at least two more years, and closes with a breakdown of the incoming FX5 — including why its rumored price tag might be a red flag rather than a win. Key Takeaways: Buying into a camera system means buying into the agency network built around it — DTC clients don't care about your gear, but agencies often require a specific camera on their job listings. The FS7's internal NDs, built-in XLRs, and strong 4K codec made it a true do-everything camera — until it aged out and the FX9 became the natural upgrade. The FX6 isn't just a cheaper FX9 — it trades away full-frame 5K crop and Super 35 mode for better low light and a smaller, easier-to-rig body. The camera market has caught up fast: cameras like the Canon C50 and Blackmagic Pixis 6K now undercut Sony on price while matching or beating it on features. The rumored FX5 pricing ($6K–$7K) without internal NDs is a concern — David argues that price point without NDs makes it a B/C camera, not a true A-camera successor. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! Need to know if a brand is worth pursuing? Use my free scoring sheet that takes 2 minutes: https://atdavidlee.com/customer-story-film-score/ www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  Sony FX5 Leak: 5K Open-Gate & Venice Sensor — Is This the One? | Ep.196 30.06.2026 18min

  In this episode the I break down the rumored Sony FX5 due to be announced in mid-July, discussing expectations like a 5K open-gate Venice-derived sensor, potential frame rates, and comparisons to the Canon C50 and Lumix S1 II. I cover hoped-for features (CFexpress Type B, SDI/HDMI, improved battery and audio options), pricing speculation, and scenarios for how the FX5 could shape Sony’s lineup over the next five to seven years. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! Need to know if a brand is worth pursuing? Use my free scoring sheet that takes 2 minutes: https://atdavidlee.com/customer-story-film-score/ www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  Build a DP Reel That Actually Books Jobs (60 Seconds Is All You Need) | EP. 195 17.06.2026 14min

  Your demo reel is the single most powerful marketing tool in your arsenal as a cinematographer — but most DPs are building it all wrong. In Episode 195 of Inspire Design Create, David breaks down how to stop treating your reel like a "best of" highlight dump and start treating it like a precision business tool that gets you hired in the exact lane you want to work in. Whether you're chasing corporate gigs, tabletop food & drink campaigns, or high-end narrative commercials, your reel needs to do one job: tell a story and show your style — all in 60 seconds or less. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 194: From Imposter to DP - How I Conquered Self-Doubt on a Kobalt Campaign 08.06.2026 16min

  Imposter syndrome was something I wrestled with a lot early on as a DP. Most if not all of my network only knew me as a videography or a "guy who shoots video" - sound familiar? So what happened when I did get the call to DP a commercial campaign for Kobalt Tools and Lowes? I freaked out as I only had maybe a month to prep for it and prior to that the largest light I ever used was a 120D and a light dome. I needed to figure out how to implement all the education content I had consumed up until that point and in this episode I go through everything that really helped me overcome imposter syndrome. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 193: What I Feared MOST As An Early DP 02.06.2026 10min

  What I feared most when I made the decision to start a career path as a DP was exactly that. What WAS the career path? I don't know anyone in my network who is a DP/Cinematographer, what does that kind of life and work look like? It left always questioning myself and my decisions especially in the first 2 years when most of my work revolved around shooting content for local businesses, music videos and BTS. I wanted to share what helped me in hopes that it helps you too if you're a early career DP looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70  
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  EPISODE 192: Health Is Not Over-rated 10.02.2026 12min

  Getting older has all kinds of pros to it. You get a little wiser, you experience life more, you grow in different ways but the one thing no one ever tells you is how to stay healthy as you grow older. I'm sure many of you have gone through a few injuries and maybe reoccurring injuries. I for one have been through my fair share of injuries through martial arts and competition that I still work through even to this day. If you want to stay healthy so you can stay on set then this episode was made for you. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 191: Work Life Balance A Thing? 03.02.2026 9min

  Have you heard of that golden phrase, "You need work-life balance". I used to think a lot of that phrase as most of my life i've never had any type of work-life balance. Life itself was practically work no matter how you spun it, I just never cared to go on vacations like 99% of the population. However, the 8 years of running my business i've found the value of work-life balance in terms of when work is drowning my creativity down the drain. If this is you or has been you in the past then I hope this episode speaks to you. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 190: YEAR END REVIEW 2025 22.12.2025 22min

  Here we go, end of the year and my oh my has it been a whirlwind of a year for me. A lot of changes and a huge insight I hope I can share with you all. Enjoy this episode and have an amazing rest of the year fam! If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 189: Sony A7V - Five Years Too Late? 02.12.2025 19min

  Today Sony released the A7V -  a hybrid mirrorless camera that many, including myself, were looking forward to as it could have been a solid competitor to the Lumix S1II and Canon R6 III. But in classic Sony fashion in the last 5 years, the camera leaves me with a lot more to be desired. A LOT...Let's chat about it shall we? If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 188: Staying with Sony BUT... 18.11.2025 17min

  It seem that every 4-5 years a ground breaking camera sensor comes out. In 2020 Sony released the A7S III which completely changed the game for filmmakers across the board with the technology and features it offered. 5 years later we haven't really seen anything ground breaking from Sony and I know there are certain people who may be looking at jumping ship to Canon, Nikon, Blackmagic or Lumix. I don't blame them as every other manufacture has pound for pound way more tech and features than Sony's current line up. So why am I sticking with Sony? Give this episode a listen and find out. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 187: Starting Over In Business 11.11.2025 16min

  If there were 3 things I would do differently with my business from the beginning it would: #1. Choose a specific goal #2. Treat the business as a business #3. Not be married to equipment I hope that this episode brings new light and awareness to how you're currently running your business and some ways you might want to start implementing change in your own business. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 186: Kofi Yeboah 25.09.2025 1u 51min

  Today we have Kofi Yeboah on the podcast sharing his story of how he got into the business of video production, starting his YouTube channel that has grown to over 60k subscribers, and where the line is being drawn between Filmmakers and YouTubers. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 185: They Wanted Mini LF, I Hated It 15.09.2025 17min

  Recently I was brought on to shoot a short internal campaign for Amazon Fulfillment Services and the agency wanted to shoot on the ARRI Mini LF with rehoused Leica R lenses. Sounds exciting and fun right?! If your idea of "fun" is lugging around a 30lb camera package on a Easyrig for 10 hours. Shall we chat about it? MMMHMMM! If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 184: Cancelation Policies? ABSOLUTELY! 10.09.2025 13min

  If you're ever faced in the future with a shoot that is canceled, what do you do? Do you have a cancelation policy in place or if you're working with an agency do they have a cancelation policy in place? These are absolutely critical question to ask for the health if your business when those situations do come up. So...let's chat about it! If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 183: Founder Jamie Maitland 11.07.2025 1u 4min

  Founder of The Office 954 and The Office Health in Ft. Lauderdale, Jamie is a self-made health and wellness entrepreneur whose journey in providing a unique and boutique experience and certified organic protein has provided her with opportunities and creating a life that she truly loves. A little different podcast than usual but trust me when I say that this episode will provide you with a mindset shift regarding your business and health that will only support you if you choose to make that pivotal choice. https://theoffice954.com/ https://www.theofficehealth.com/ Jamie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamiemaitland   If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 182: Director Matt Garvin 01.07.2025 1u 33min

  Today we have Director and Writer Matt Garvin on the show. Matthew brings years of directing and writing across multiple genres and his experiences are invaluable. If you've been looking for inspiration and perspective through the lens of a director, then this episode is certainly for you. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 181: Mid Year Review 26.06.2025 23min

  Shall we? I think so! If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70
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  EPISODE 180: Director Sabine Kahwaji 17.06.2025 1u 9min

  Today I was blessed to have my friend and director Sabine Kahwaji along with her producer Jonathan Akkawi to share their latest film "Altisal" that's making its way on the film festival circuit. From the words of Sabine, "I wrote this film after the tragic Beirut explosion in Aug 2020. Sadly, the completion of the film fell with my dad in South Lebanon when the conflicts erupted this Sept. I was living out my film’s story. It was and still remains a difficult time for many". We spoke a lot about their pre-production process, challenges during their production days including a total 100% reshoot as well as what their experience has been taking Altisal on the film festival circuit where it's been very well received. Sabine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCaWsh9xlCZ/ Jonathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejakkawiarab Austin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwkaustin Link to Alitisal Trailer: https://youtu.be/vhSEmD4DLG4?si=vhZfuZ6NfnOCOBle If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing! Follow the podcast if you're loving the content and share it with your friends! www.atdavidlee.com | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube www.youtube.com/atdavidlee  For All Your Licensed Audio Needs 70% off 1 Year of Audiio Pro with CODE SAVE70