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Inspire Design Create with David Lee

Inspire Design Create with David Lee

ATDAVIDLEE 100 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

A weekly podcast designed for aspiring filmmakers, featuring insights and advice from working professionals in the industry. Each episode explores how their personal stories and experiences can motivate you to improve both your creative craft and your business. The show focuses on practical lessons and inspiration to help you grow as a filmmaker.

Episodes

How I Sold a 13-Year-Old Gym on a 90-Second Brand Film | Ep.200
How I Sold a 13-Year-Old Gym on a 90-Second Brand Film | Ep.200 Aug 20, 2026 860 This episode is a real walkthrough of how I sold a client on a vision before I ever picked up a camera. I'm breaking down the discovery call I had with Andrew, owner of Fit Brea, where I talked him out of the generic "gym hype video" he already hired someone else to make, and into a 90-second brand film plus member testimonials that actually served his business. Then I get into the exact tool I us
The Pre-Production Tool That Killed My Guesswork on Set | Ep. 199
The Pre-Production Tool That Killed My Guesswork on Set | Ep. 199 Aug 17, 2026 854 I used to walk onto set with a vibe and a storyboard that was more suggestion than plan — and honestly, that worked fine until it didn't. In this episode I break down how I stopped guessing on commercial shoots and started shot-listing every single frame using animated reference GIFs instead of static stills, and how that one shift changed everything from my pre-pro process to how much creative en
Sony FX5 Is Here: Should You Actually Upgrade? | Ep.198
Sony FX5 Is Here: Should You Actually Upgrade? | Ep.198 Jul 23, 2026 1273 Sony just dropped the FX5 II — but does it actually deserve a spot in your camera bag? In this episode, I break down the FX5 through the lens of two questions every working DP should be asking before buying new gear: will it get you more clients, and will it make your workflow faster? Pulling from 9 years of real production experience — including award-winning shorts, branded docs, and global comm
9 Years, 6 Sony Cameras: What Actually Gets You Hired | Ep.197
9 Years, 6 Sony Cameras: What Actually Gets You Hired | Ep.197 Jul 8, 2026 1321 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
Sony FX5 Leak: 5K Open-Gate & Venice Sensor — Is This the One? | Ep.196
Sony FX5 Leak: 5K Open-Gate & Venice Sensor — Is This the One? | Ep.196 Jun 30, 2026 1133 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
Build a DP Reel That Actually Books Jobs (60 Seconds Is All You Need) | EP. 195
Build a DP Reel That Actually Books Jobs (60 Seconds Is All You Need) | EP. 195 Jun 17, 2026 890 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
EPISODE 194: From Imposter to DP - How I Conquered Self-Doubt on a Kobalt Campaign
EPISODE 194: From Imposter to DP - How I Conquered Self-Doubt on a Kobalt Campaign Jun 8, 2026 987 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
EPISODE 193: What I Feared MOST As An Early DP
EPISODE 193: What I Feared MOST As An Early DP Jun 2, 2026 639 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
EPISODE 192: Health Is Not Over-rated
EPISODE 192: Health Is Not Over-rated Feb 10, 2026 772 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
EPISODE 191: Work Life Balance A Thing?
EPISODE 191: Work Life Balance A Thing? Feb 3, 2026 543 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
EPISODE 190: YEAR END REVIEW 2025
EPISODE 190: YEAR END REVIEW 2025 Dec 22, 2025 1325 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
EPISODE 189: Sony A7V - Five Years Too Late?
EPISODE 189: Sony A7V - Five Years Too Late? Dec 2, 2025 1197 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!

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