UNSCRIPTED STUDIO
ALL COURSES BY BRANDON LI
Updated: September 15th, 2024
- Unscripted Storytelling
- The Gimbal Masterclass
- Fusion Filmmaking
- The iPhone Filmmaker
- Filmmaking For Photographers
- DJI Pocket 3 – Cinematic Video
Unscripted Storytelling
A unique blend of classic storytelling techniques with the unique addition of Brandon’s personal framework for turning unrelated and unscripted video clips into a compelling story.
Improvised Storytelling is the heart of Unscripted Studio. This is where I teach not just how to do, but how to think. When I make a film, I don’t just follow a script an storyboards. I create a general structure, then I improvise the film while following that overall framework. Because a shoot never goes exactly as planned, and I like to use those unexpected moments to make the film special. In the Improvised Storytelling course, you’ll learn how I think of story in terms of units of change. You’ll see how I divide my shots into energy levels. You’ll learn how I divide my travel films into acts. How I find the central meaning of my stories to decide what to shoot and what not to shoot. How I use the 5 senses to make the storytelling richer. And so much more. Improvised Storytelling is different from most tutorials because I’m not just teaching “how to do it”, I’m teaching “why to do it”. Ultimately it will be the thoughts and emotion behind your films that make them stand out from the others.
VIDEOS: 37
RUNTIME: 276 minutes and 53 seconds
$197
The Gimbal Masterclass
Many call Brandon “The Human Gimbal” because he pushes this stabilization tool to it’s limits. In the Gimbal Masterclass Brandon show’s you all of the core skills all the way to the more advanced techniques. The course culminates with shooting a “one shot master” which is how to get an entire scene from start to finish using a gimbal. Make your camera fly with the skills you gain from this training.
Through the last few years I’ve become known for my signature style of camera movement, and the way I get those super smooth moves is by using a special piece of gear called a gimbal. This mechanical stabilizer allows me complete freedom to create any moving shot I can imagine. The Gimbal Masterclass is my course for teaching you how to get started using a gimbal up through advanced techniques that will make you a pro. I start off with an explanation of how to setup and balance a gimbal, then I show you basic moves that anyone can do with a little practice. Then we get into the advanced stuff – low angles, high angles, using a monopod for drone-like shots. I take you out into the real world for shooting practice so you can see how these techniques work in a challenging environment. I show you advanced dual handle techinques, gimbal handoff tricks, and so much more. The Gimbal Masterclass will show you ways to use the gimbal you’ve never thought of before. If you want to get excited about shooting again, try this course.
VIDEOS: 48
RUNTIME: 152 minutes and 22 seconds
$147
Fusion Filmmaking
Once considered toys, you can know make entire videos using 360 cameras, action cameras and your smart phone. In Fusion Filmmaking Brandon shows you his approach from seamlessly switching between these different cameras to give viewers an unexpected visual surprise.
Fusion Filmmaking is my newest course and it teaches you how to mix your different footage seamlessly into your filmmaking process. I created Fusion Filmmaking because I have been using a wide variety of cameras for my own work lately. From 360 cameras to action cameras to my smartphone, the new generation of portable cameras has gotten so good that they can be used for real projects like my award-winning short film Morocco Arise. In that film, I mixed and matched the different cameras based on the type of scene I was shooting. Whatever did the job best and fastest was what I used. And now I’m teaching you the techniques I’ve been developing. You’ll be able to shoot more efficiently and more creatively than ever before. Shots that were impossible a few years ago have become easy to do if you know the right techniques. This involves way more than just learning the settings. You have to develop an instinct for how to use each type of camera. And I teach that through these fast-paced lessons out in the real world showing my real results.
VIDEOS: 51
DOWNLOAD 1: 2.9 GB of clips from each of the 6 scenes
DOWNLOAD 2: DaVinci Resolve timelines with the clips loaded
RUNTIME: 230 minutes and 42 seconds
$147
The iPhone Filmmaker - Start to Finish Film Project w/ The iPhone
This is a complete, start to finish project and full behind the scenes look at how Brandon makes a short film using only an iPhone. You can also download the video clips from his shoot to follow along in the editing process. If you want to know how he approaches filmmaking and uses limitations to get the most creative shots possible, this is for you. Any smartphone with video capability can be used.
The iPhone Filmmaker will get you up and running fast (literally) as we make a complete short action movie using nothing but an iPhone.
We won’t be using any accessories or 3rd party apps in this course to shoot our film. In the basics lessons you’ll get a full overview of how to setup for pro results using the default camera app, how to choose your lens, set exposure, how to use cinematic mode for natural-looking defocus, and how to shoot handheld and get gimbal-like results.
Then we go in-field and you’ll see, shot by shot, how I make an action short film. This section teaches you not only how to use the phone, but how to shoot your scenes professionally. You’ll get tips for scene blocking, continuity, stacking a hit, doing camera orbit moves, POV shots, and shooting at night.
Then I’ll take you through a mini-storytelling course with even more info about the basics of story structure. This part is like getting a mini version of my Improvised Storytelling course fro free!
In the editing section we’ll sit down in Final Cut Pro and turn all that footage into a film. You’ll learn how to import off your phone and color correct your HDR footage. You’ll learn to adjust Cinematic Mode blur in post. You’ll see my techniques for organizing my footage into stringouts, scenes, and master projects. Then you’ll get a lot of tips about filmmaking techniques every editor should know, such as screen direction, eyelines, and speed ramping. Finally we’ll add the finishing touches with Sound FX, Music and Voiceover.
The iPhone Filmmaker is a whole mini filmmaking course unto itself. So if you want to turn your phone into a filmmaking tool today, this is the course for you.
VIDEOS: 38
RUNTIME: 121 minutes and 57 seconds
$147
Filmmaking for Photographers - Full Start to Finish Film Project w/ clips
Make the leap from your experience taking photos into the world of moving pictures. Filmmaking For Photographers is the second project where you’ll make a a shot film from start to finish. Join Brandon on a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand to make the short film “Island Memories”. Download the clips to follow along in the edit even if you can’t go shooting this weekend. It’s a fun ride through a charming island where you get to see Brandon at work and gain new skills in the process.
Making your first film – is a course designed to get you up and running making a great travel film starting today. This is a complete standalone course teaching the basics of setting up your camera, creating interesting shots, blocking and directing actors, shooting coverage, and even some visual tricks like hyperlapse shots. This course includes editing tutorials in Final Cut Pro, and you’ll even be able to access my raw footage for your own edits. So if you’re looking for an all-in-one bundle for getting started making travel videos, this is for you.