YouTube is spreading a filmmaking disease.

A film gear review video about film gear review videos.
Shot on the Panasonic G9 and GH5s.

Slider:

Mic:

Lighting:

V-Mount Batteries:

📹 My current filmmaking gear:

Business inquiries:

What is Standard Story Company?
I'm Kent Lamm, an independent filmmaker living in Los Angeles. My goal with this channel is to help other filmmakers improve the storytelling in their films, and to be a home for my own work.

I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as an editor, cutting videos for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.

Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Ch. 1: Life Before GAS
02:18 Ch. 2: My First Taste of GAS
05:30 Ch. 3: Full-Blown GAS in the Desert
07:11 Comica Wireless Shotgun Mic Review
07:57 Zeapon Motorized Slider Review
11:25 Why There Are So Many Gear Review Videos
12:38 V-Mount Batteries Review
22:58 The Verdict on Gear Review Videos
23:52 Ch. 4: Pouring GAS on the Fire
25:28 Colbor 60W Lights Review
27:06 Disappointing Myself
28:12 Ch. 5: A Cure for Gas
30:53 FilmConvert Nitrate
32:43 Desert Montage & Closing Thoughts

[alex.mcintosh]

Bro just fulfilled all his obligations in one video while distracting us with a deep overarching storyline. Well played. 😂

[roshpo]

This was the most refreshing “filmmaking video” I’ve seen in forever. It seems like most filmmaking videos like to talk about filmmaking but never employ their own advice. This was super creative and I love how you turned a generic topic into a creative and unique story!

[Manifoldrecording]

29:49 "I'm a firm believer that in any creative process nothing has to be what it was supposed to be. ... The story you set out to write and the story that emerges on the screen are rarely the same." Pure gold!!!

[tgtAltero]

This is such a beautiful example of how to turn your failed footage into a masterpiece with a powerful storytelling and message. Thank you!

[thedantwining]

Can I just say I've never seen a gear review turned into a cinematic masterpiece before this? Love it

[michaelgebauer]

First vid I've seen from you. Loved it. Such a fresh breath of air in the YouTube filmmaking world. "At the end of the day it's your job to make the best piece with what you actually end up with not with what you hoped you'd end up with." This hits hard. I'll try to remind myself of that from now on, whenever I feel like my shots suck and are useless. Which is kinda often.

[imhoinmyhonestopinion]

Wow!!! 4 product reviews and a sponsor spot and I sat here and watched all of it.
Great video!
Great storytelling.
Thumbs up!

[gabrielarabaldo]

It was a relief to find this video on youtube. As a filmmaker that doesn't live in the US, it is SO HARD and SO EXPENSIVE to buy gear. My country has so many taxes for everything, it's so frustrating. But the thing is: as much as I watched Youtube videos from US creators talking about gear, I began to believe that I would never have enough to tell the stories I wanted. This killed my creativity for a while, I was only thinking of how I could buy things that I obviusly couldn't aford... Videos about gear are very important, but it shouldn't make you feel like an amatour 'cause you don't have money to buy things. The most important thing about a video is not the video itself, but the story you're telling, let's never forget that. Thanks for this!

[Joakimcomicscenter]

"-Any video I make could be anything"

Such a good line!
It could sound silly at first, but within the context of the video it has weight!

[iambenlerner]

I love this video. It's probably my favorite that you've ever made here on YouTube. As a fellow YouTuber who has been navigating the same gear review dilemmas you explained, this story is validating and inspiring. Keep telling standard stories :)

[chronoscopefilm]

I once picked up a crappy webcam to improve my skype calls. I got hooked on cameras

4 years later and suddenly I own a $130, 000 set of anamorphic lenses and i'm not really sure wtf happened

[fmpwizard]

You have a very special way of making videos, they feel honest, are full of emotions and are very engaging. I also really like the "small" details, which I imagine are not small at all when you are planning a video, but the "anonymous witness" was perfect!

[darkrehart]

You're so underrated. You actually deserve millions of subscribers. Maybe one day you'll get that recognition. Love you.

[jacques_crafford]

Your videos are full of spirit, just love your vibe dude! You're one of my favourite's for sure, keep it up bro!

[paolapieretti]

This is the most meta thing I have ever seen. And it’s amazing. I’m not into video making, but I am a creative myself, and it’s common place for us, to remember that a “failure” is also part of learning, perhaps the most important one, and that not everything has to be perfect and that’s okay. Great content man, subbed.

[HORNGEN]

As someone who just bought their first nice camera/monitor with big dreams, this is the story I need right now. Beautifully done!

As a musician and audio engineer I've learned this lesson more than once already, but it's definitely like a drug...or disease like you say. I try to remember how in my music experience it never matters how nice of a mic/preamp or instrument you're using, if the musician sucks and/or the song sucks...it doesn't matter.

[creatancremanova]

hahaha, loved the "anonymous witness" one. And I agree, appreciating your honesty and authenticity in your videos in general, also here! Well done! and great reminder of being flexible with the storyline too.

[utilitarian]

I got the overwhelming feeling that you were experiencing imposter syndrome and that nagging voice was the biggest driver. It is helpful to listen to it but remember that you also have an equally powerful confidence voice. This was a really good twist on the gear review space ❤

[Joakimcomicscenter]

Never have I ever heard a man say: - I had a horrible time, in such nice manners.

Loved the video Kent. As I am getting more into investing in my own little filmmaking business I find your videos incredible valuable, and gives a light relief when getting to see new gear. When compared to the more "extreme"camera gear channels.

[DoctorMikeReddy]

I love the way you soaked up all these “Please review…” commitments inside a video warning us about the downside of “Please review…” commitments. Very meta!