Inspire Design Create with David Lee

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...

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 ove...

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 corpor...

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 lig...

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 video...

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 thr...

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 w...

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 @a...

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!...

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...

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 pl...

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 friend...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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 l...

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Roger Rojas. Roger has made his career and brand around supporting CEOs, brands and businesses with their content strategy and production. He offered a ton of gems in this episode that I believe a lot of you listening can learn from and take into your own creative agency for growth. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doi...

I had the pleasure of sitting down, virtually, with Anson & Co for this episode. Some of you may know him from this YouTube channel where Anson offers gear reviews for Sigma and Lumix oriented content, but like with anyone I have on the podcast I want to know their story first and foremost. What inspired them at an early age and how that inspiration for stories led them on the journey they cur...

Today we have the pleasure of having Sarah Hays on the podcast. Sarah owns a creative agency in Washington state and provides creative strategy as well as directs brand stories in the outdoor-adventure space. We talk about aspects of working on yourself, imposter syndrome, loving what you do and where Sarah hopes to move towards with her agency. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_...

Today we have creative director and agency owner Jason Anthony on the podcast! I've known Jason for a few years now and it's been long overdue to have him on the podcast to share his story and journey into the industry. Jason was kind enough to give his time and provide key insights to how he went from solo/freelance work to building and growing his creative agency he operates today. If you enjoye...

Today we have Producer April Mendoza on the show! April has produced several shorts along with directing credits for commercials and working heavily as a 1st AD across a plethora of music videos in her career. I wanted to have her on the podcast to share how she started in the industry, what she's seen and advice she can offer to aspiring filmmakers looking to grow their career path. If you enjoye...

Has a client failed to pay you for a project? What were some of the indicators you potentially saw or didn't see that led to the results of the client either never paying or taking an extremely long time to pay? Lucky for you I have been in those situations before and through experience I can provide you THE BEST WAYS to avoid this from happening all together. If you enjoyed this episode please ra...

With new Tariffs being placed on every country starting early April 2025, how will the increase in prices effect you? Might be the time to start looking at snagging up some particular pieces of gear before the prices surely increase as well as having conversations with your clients if you've been underselling your services. If you enjoyed this episode please rate it and let me know how i'm doing!...