All those years of playing Call of Duty actually made me a better videographer.
Now, you might read that opening statement and think I’m crazy. You’d be right, but not for the reasons you think.
So, what’s the biggest thing all those late nights on Xbox Live taught me about doing video production in Little Rock, Arkansas?
The importance of a good loadout.
So, if you want to get good enough to 1v1 me on Rust, no zooms, headshots only, keep reading.
Key Takeaways
Keep your core rig light: A compact setup lets you move fast and shoot longer without fatigue.
Prioritize versatile glass: A solid 24-70mm lens eliminates constant lens swaps and keeps momentum going on set.
Streamline your audio: Clip-on wireless mics save setup time and keep talent comfortable.
Primary Weapon: Sony FX3
Category: Compact Cinema Body
Equipped Perk: Dual Native ISO (+25 Low-Light Vision, +20 Mobility)
Stats:
Low-Light Performance: 98 / 100
Mobility: 95 / 100
Reliability: 90 / 100
Field Notes: Lightweight enough to run handheld all day without needing a heavy rig, but powerful enough to handle dark venue spaces and fast-moving shoots.
If you keep up with my blog at all, you’ll know that I purchased the Sony FX3…
…literally right before they released the FX5.
Pictured: Me desperately trying to hang onto whatever social media clout I had from my camera
Poor decision making aside, this is an amazing camera. The dual-native ISO means that I can reliably shoot across a wide variety of locations without having to sacrifice footage quality. Plus, because this is a lightweight cinema rig, it means that my weak, gamer arms can comfortably lug it around all day long.
(even if I do complain about it)
Primary Attachment: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
Category: Standard Zoom Optics
Equipped Perk: Sleight of Hand (Instant focal length switching without lens swaps)
Stats:
Versatility: 99 / 100
Image Sharpness: 95 / 100
Weight Penalty Reduction: +20% lighter than Gen 1
Field Notes: Covers everything from wide environmental shots to tight interview framing. Saves critical seconds on set by eliminating the need to stop and change lenses.
The Sony FE 24-70mm was actually a recent purchase of mine. After finding my FX3 used at such a great price, I decided to take the money I’d saved on the purchase and outfit my camera with some proper glass.
Unless you’re my girlfriend reading this blog post, in which case they just threw this bad boy in with my purchase because they thought I was so super cool and talented.
The zoom range is perfect for most of the stuff I shoot and the ability to crank the aperture down to 2.8 at any length means that I can get that nice cinema look, even from far away.
Field Upgrade: Rode Wireless Mics
Category: Audio Systems
Equipped Perk: Ghost / Dead Silence (Filters background room noise and keeps setup clutter-free)
Stats:
Setup Speed: 95 / 100
Audio Clarity: 90 / 100
Stealth / Profile: 92 / 100
Field Notes: Clip-and-go simplicity. Keeps talent comfortable without dealing with long cable runs or complex audio routing.
Don’t tell the RODEs, but they’re on their way out. They’re still chugging along, but these things have been out since 2019. I’ve used them for social media content, professional interviews, and even filmmaking. I have a feeling I’m going to prestige in audio soon, meaning I’ll need some equipment with better stats.
Either way, these Gen 1 Rode Mics have carried me throughout my entire video production career, so we’ll definitely need some Fs in the chat to pay our respects.
Perk Package
These are just a couple of things that I keep in my bag on shoots to guarantee everything goes smoothly.
Perk: Battlehardened
The K&F Concept Variable ND Filter lessens the effects of flashbangs and tames harsh sunlight without messing with the depth of field
Perk: Gung-Ho
The SmallRig side handle allows for better hip fire aim, especially when chasing around talent on set.
Perk: Tactical Expert
The Godox RGB Mini Creative gives you a way to add more light to any setting without heavily affecting the weight of your rig.
The Wrap Up
A good loadout isn't about having the most expensive gear on the planet, it's about having reliable tools that get out of your way so you can focus on making great video.
(didn’t stop me from paying for the battle pass though)
What’s the one piece of gear you can’t leave for a shoot without? Let me know in the comments, or hit me up if you want to talk video production in Little Rock!
