Inspire Design Create with David Lee

ATDAVIDLEE
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

A weekly podcast for aspiring filmmakers looking for advice from working professionals and how their stories can inspire you to grow your business and craft. Prod Co. Website | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube Channel

  1. 4h ago

    How I Sold a 13-Year-Old Gym on a 90-Second Brand Film | Ep.200

    This episode is a real walkthrough of how I sold a client on a vision before I ever picked up a camera. I'm breaking down the discovery call I had with Andrew, owner of Fit Brea, where I talked him out of the generic "gym hype video" he already hired someone else to make, and into a 90-second brand film plus member testimonials that actually served his business. Then I get into the exact tool I use to build reference pillars that sell that vision — FrameSet — and how pairing it with scene detect in Premiere or Resolve turns a vague brief into a real, accurate shot list. If you've ever walked into a pitch without a strong reference and watched the project turn out mediocre because of it, this one's for you. Key Takeaways: Listen before you pitch — Andrew didn't need another generic hype video, he needed content for an underserved part of his business (semi-private classes), and that only came out through a real discovery conversation A strong reference pillar (even an old one — David's key example is a commercial from 2008-2009) can sell a vision more effectively than anything you could shoot yourself Use FrameSet to search and pull reference stills/clips by keyword, then follow the link back to the full commercial, production company, director, and DP credits Run scene detect in Premiere or Resolve on your reference to get an exact cut count and shot breakdown (wide shots, etc.) — so pre-production starts the moment you sell the pitch, not after When a client sends you a reference that looks like everything else they've made, say so — it signals you're thinking about their business as a whole, which is what turns one-off gigs into long-term relationships 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

  2. 3d ago

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

    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

  3. Jul 23

    Sony FX5 Is Here: Should You Actually Upgrade? | Ep.198

    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

  4. Jul 8

    9 Years, 6 Sony Cameras: What Actually Gets You Hired | Ep.197

    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

  5. Jun 30

    Sony FX5 Leak: 5K Open-Gate & Venice Sensor — Is This the One? | Ep.196

    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

  6. Jun 17

    Build a DP Reel That Actually Books Jobs (60 Seconds Is All You Need) | EP. 195

    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

  7. Jun 8

    EPISODE 194: From Imposter to DP - How I Conquered Self-Doubt on a Kobalt Campaign

    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

  8. Jun 2

    EPISODE 193: What I Feared MOST As An Early DP

    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

See All (100)

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast for aspiring filmmakers looking for advice from working professionals and how their stories can inspire you to grow your business and craft. Prod Co. Website | Instagram @atdavidlee | YouTube Channel

Information