TOOLS
I am often asked about the gear that I use, both for production and post-production. Below is a list that I have compiled of equipment and resources that I use on a regular basis and stand firmly behind. There's nothing on this list that I haven't personally worked with many times. I have created hyperlinks for all of the products listed so that you can learn more about any given item. Enjoy!
Production
GoPro HERO4 Session
| This little guy is one of my favorite new arrows in the quiver, especially for shoots involving water or where weight is an issue. But one of the main reasons why I love this camera so much is the incredible battery life.
| This little guy is one of my favorite new arrows in the quiver, especially for shoots involving water or where weight is an issue. But one of the main reasons why I love this camera so much is the incredible battery life. 
GoPro HERO4 BLACK
| This camera is the most versatile tool I own. From crisp 4K footage to 720 at 240fps for super slow motion, this camera truly does it all. Outside of filmmaking, I use the HERO4 in photo mode for a good portion of my instagram pictures.
| This camera is the most versatile tool I own. From crisp 4K footage to 720 at 240fps for super slow motion, this camera truly does it all. Outside of filmmaking, I use the HERO4 in photo mode for a good portion of my instagram pictures.
GoPro HERO4 SILVER
| I reccomend the Silver Edition of the HERO4 line to most first-time GoPro buyers who are interested in using the camera for everyday photos and video. Having the built-in LCD touchscreen is a huge game changer for the GoPro camera, making it quick and easy to frame up the shot and review your footage on the fly.
| I reccomend the Silver Edition of the HERO4 line to most first-time GoPro buyers who are interested in using the camera for everyday photos and video. Having the built-in LCD touchscreen is a huge game changer for the GoPro camera, making it quick and easy to frame up the shot and review your footage on the fly.
Zoom H4N Handy Portable Digital Recorder
| This is by far my favorite audio recording tool and I use it for all of my Living Room Sessions recordings as well as any interviews I conduct. The onboard shotgun mic on the Zoom picks up incredible sound that I will use for as a general recording. Then I will plug a wireless lav into the unit via XLR (can take up to 2) and record the lead singer or interviewee's audio from up close. Being that it runs on battery, this is an essential tool for me when out in the field.
| This is by far my favorite audio recording tool and I use it for all of my Living Room Sessions recordings as well as any interviews I conduct. The onboard shotgun mic on the Zoom picks up incredible sound that I will use for as a general recording. Then I will plug a wireless lav into the unit via XLR (can take up to 2) and record the lead singer or interviewee's audio from up close. Being that it runs on battery, this is an essential tool for me when out in the field.
GoPro HERO4 Dual Battery Charger + Battery for HERO4
| When I am out on production or on a personal vacation, I am usually carrying at least 10 batteries with me at all times. Charging your batteries one at a time in the camera is very inefficient. I often will have a couple dual chargers to charge 4 at once.
| When I am out on production or on a personal vacation, I am usually carrying at least 10 batteries with me at all times. Charging your batteries one at a time in the camera is very inefficient. I often will have a couple dual chargers to charge 4 at once.
GoPro The Handler (Floating Hand Grip)
| The Handler is a mount that I use very frequently. I use it for shooting selfies while snowboarding, etc. But I also use it as my primary mount when shooting surf from the water. I lost many cameras in the waves before the handler, but the addition of the wrist strap and the fact that it floats have saved me many times.
| The Handler is a mount that I use very frequently. I use it for shooting selfies while snowboarding, etc. But I also use it as my primary mount when shooting surf from the water. I lost many cameras in the waves before the handler, but the addition of the wrist strap and the fact that it floats have saved me many times.
GoPro Jaws Clamp Mount
| The Jaws mount is an incredibly versatile tool. I went on a sailing trip around Fiji and mounted my GoPro to just about every part of the boat using the Jaws. It's also an awesome mount for throwing up timelapse cameras on the fly.
| The Jaws mount is an incredibly versatile tool. I went on a sailing trip around Fiji and mounted my GoPro to just about every part of the boat using the Jaws. It's also an awesome mount for throwing up timelapse cameras on the fly.
Neewer Feiyu 3-axis Handheld Gimbal Camera Mount for GoPro 3 / 3+ / 4
| If I am shooting something handheld (outside of the water) then I am probably shooting it on a 3-axis gimbal. Shooting on a gimbal takes a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it you won't believe how smooth and sexy your shots will look. Throw it on the end of an extension pole for big sweeping boom shots.
| If I am shooting something handheld (outside of the water) then I am probably shooting it on a 3-axis gimbal. Shooting on a gimbal takes a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it you won't believe how smooth and sexy your shots will look. Throw it on the end of an extension pole for big sweeping boom shots.
DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter V2.0 with 3-Axis Zenmuse H3-3D Gimbal
| Drone shots have quickly become a staple in the action sports/adventure filmmaking world. The most reliable drone that I have flown is the Phanton 2 w/ the gimbal. I do not reccomend purchasing a drone without a gimbal or FPV. These add-ons are essential for getting clean stable shots out of your drone.
| Drone shots have quickly become a staple in the action sports/adventure filmmaking world. The most reliable drone that I have flown is the Phanton 2 w/ the gimbal. I do not reccomend purchasing a drone without a gimbal or FPV. These add-ons are essential for getting clean stable shots out of your drone.
SanDisk Ultra 32GB UHS-I/Class 10 Micro SDHC Memory Card Up to 48MB/s With Adapter- SDSDQUAN-032G-G4A [Newest Version]
| I have found the ScanDisk 32GB Micro SD cards to be the most reliable cards with the best price point.
| I have found the ScanDisk 32GB Micro SD cards to be the most reliable cards with the best price point.
POST-PRODUCTION
Adobe Premiere Pro CC
| What many people still don't know, is that you can now purchase Adobe Premiere CC for $19/month on a subscription plan. It used to be that you had to buy the program up front for nearly $1,000 which kept many people from learning the tool. Now that it is so accessible to everyone, I highly encourage those who have an interest in editing to learn this software. It is by far the most fluid and reliable editing software that I have ever used.
| What many people still don't know, is that you can now purchase Adobe Premiere CC for $19/month on a subscription plan. It used to be that you had to buy the program up front for nearly $1,000 which kept many people from learning the tool. Now that it is so accessible to everyone, I highly encourage those who have an interest in editing to learn this software. It is by far the most fluid and reliable editing software that I have ever used.
Adobe After Effects CC
| While I don't consider myself a graphics expert, I do spend a considerable amount of time in After Effects creating title sequences, stablizing footage, straightening horizons using optics compensation, and tons more. It can be an overhelming interface at first, but there are so many ways you can use this tool to up the production value of your work. And like Premiere, you can purchase it on a subscription model.
| While I don't consider myself a graphics expert, I do spend a considerable amount of time in After Effects creating title sequences, stablizing footage, straightening horizons using optics compensation, and tons more. It can be an overhelming interface at first, but there are so many ways you can use this tool to up the production value of your work. And like Premiere, you can purchase it on a subscription model.
More to come!