This is how a mountain of tech merchandise come collectively to assist AppleInsider’s Andrew O’Hara sustain with the demanding and rising wants of Apple-focused video manufacturing.
Right here at AppleInsider, most of my work revolves round our video manufacturing in addition to masking the occasional information and writing critiques. Most of my time is spent within the manufacturing studio, however I am dangerous at staying put.
I am all the time transferring round, which dictates which sort of gear I exploit. For instance, whereas I drool over the New Mac mini and even the yet-to-be-updated Mac Studio, I exploit an M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Professional as a result of its portability.
This is what different tools I exploit to make it by a mean workday.
xBloom sensible espresso maker
I do not imply to be a cliche tech author, however my day is fueled — and refueled — by espresso. I’ve examined out lots of coffee-related gadgetry through the years however am presently keen on and counting on the xBloom sensible espresso maker.
I’ve all the time cherished the comfort of pod-based espresso machines. I might by no means get behind a Keurig as a result of the espresso all the time tasted watery to me and we do have a Nespresso for pulling espresso pictures.
The xBloom espresso maker with customizable recipes and an choice to make use of your personal fresh-roasted beans
With regards to espresso although, I typically used a pour over. Till extra just lately once I began utilizing the xBloom.
It nonetheless can use pods, which you’ll be able to order immediately from the corporate and lots of are roasted on-demand whenever you order. They’re full beans reasonably than pre-ground and are available in a paper tremendous so that they’re completely compostable.
Should you do not wish to use pods although, you need to use your personal beans. That is nice as my spouse and I like to journey and check out totally different espresso outlets and convey beans dwelling.
The underside of the machine has a scale so you’ll be able to weigh out your beans, earlier than they’re poured into the highest grinder. You load up your recipe from the app or an NFC-based card, and off it goes.
It’ll modify the grind based mostly on the recipe, in addition to the water temperature, bloom length, and extra. It takes only some moments to make a wonderful pour over cup off espresso, which I do liberally all through the day.
Nikon Z8
Whereas I do loads of writing, a lot of my time is targeted on video manufacturing. Writing the script on my iPad or Mac, taking pictures within the ready-to-be-remodeled studio, and enhancing in Closing Minimize Professional.
Not too long ago, our video technique right here at AppleInsider has expanded, from not solely producing a number of full-length long-form movies on YouTube every week, however an everyday provide of short-form content material for the likes of Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok — ya know, if it is not banneda.
My Nikon Z8 mirrorless digital camera with a tripod fast launch plate, a 35mm f/1.8 lens, and a mount for the Elgato teleprompter
For many of our footage, I shoot with my Nikon Z8 mirrorless digital camera. I do know many video of us have moved to the Sony line, and whereas I have been tempted, I’ve all the time cherished Nikon.
I grew up taking pictures on a Nikon movie digital camera and developed my pictures in our basement in our personal darkroom my dad had arrange. So it is half nostalgia, half familiarity, and half the very fact I’ve lots of glass for the Nikon system.
It is no less than a contemporary digital camera with the flexibility to shoot vertically and might transmit footage wirelessly to my iPhone. It really works nice and has solely gotten higher with some current software program updates.
When creating vertical short-form content material I nonetheless shoot footage on my iPhone, however I am getting a great routine of filming some further speaking head A-roll whereas the digital camera is ready up after filming a long-form video.
Lexar cell SSD
Pondering of a 3rd system in my day by day workflow, I had loads of choices. Particularly Apple merchandise.
I swear by my Apple Watch and depend on it for messages and alerts whereas I am filming and never Slack on my Mac. My iPhone 16 Professional is used for filming, messaging, and every thing in between.
The Lexar transportable SSD is so extremely tiny and quick but has 4TB of storage to work on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac for video enhancing and storage
Apple TV 4K is continually considered one of my favourite units and never solely do it use it daily, nevertheless it’s my major Dwelling Hub for my sensible dwelling. In fact, there’s additionally my MacBook Professional and iPad the place a lot work will get accomplished.
I wished to decide on a non-Apple product although, so I landed on my Lexar cell SSD. It is considered one of many, many exterior storage units I exploit and as a result of its dimension, has change into my go-to as of late.
It is only some millimeters thick, runs over USB-C, and has a 4TB capability which is nice for video enhancing. Once I sit at my desk, I sync again up with a bigger SSD array, however for cell work, that is the place I do it.
I can edit in Closing Minimize Professional immediately off this exterior disk, preserving my inner SSD freed up. It is very quick, simply transportable, and has been very dependable.
My different transportable drives embrace the equally glorious LaCie cell SSD and ever-popular Samsung T7 Defend however since they do not have as a lot capability, I do not faucet into them as ceaselessly.
I like the pliability to work from anyplace, whether or not I am within the studio, outdoors within the solar, and even remotely whereas at a commerce present. Like CES in January.
Reflecting on my day by day workflow, there’s lots of unsung gear I exploit. I discussed loads all through this however loads nonetheless will get missed.
For instance, my CFExpress Kind B card reader, my blazing mesh routers, the huge key mild utilized in filming, or the Elgato teleprompter William splendidly reviewed are all essential to the job. It is loads, nevertheless it all lends itself nicely to a modular, cell, fashionable video manufacturing workflow.
