Yesterday we shot eight of the videos for *[All the Things](https://thesweetsetup.com/things/)*.
Many people have asked me about my video recording setup, so I thought it’d be fun to share some behind-the-scenes details from yesterday’s shoot, and also walk you through our process and the gear we use.
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First, a bit of context…
These videos are part of my upcoming course, *[All the Things](https://thesweetsetup.com/things/)*, which we are on track to launch in a few weeks.
The course will actually have two parts:
* Part 1 will be in-depth tutorials on how to use the app, [Things 3](https://thesweetsetup.com/apps/best-personal-gtd-app-suite/).
* Part 2 — which is basically a whole other course in and of itself — is where I go into detail about my best practices, templates, personal systems, and more for managing your tasks and being productive (including a very detailed walk-through of my “hybrid productivity method”).
It was yesterday that we recorded all the videos for Part 2.
## The Process
**Outlining and planning:** I spent several days last week and this week going over all the [feedback and input from our survey responses](https://shawnblanc.net/2018/01/survey-results-2/), making sure that I was addressing all the most important topics and questions.
**Writing:** Then I outline and write all my course scripts in [Ulysses](https://thesweetsetup.com/apps/best-writing-app-mac-iphone-ipad/) ([of course](https://thesweetsetup.com/ulysses/)). Once written, I read through each script out loud and adjust the language so it sounds natural as I speak it.
**Recording:** Once the course video scripts are ready, I transfer them onto my TelePrompTer app (more on that below), and we transform the office into a recording studio.
*Personal, side-note abut using a Teleprompter… When I first did video shoots like this for The Focus Course, I felt somewhat disingenuous using a Teleprompter. It felt like having pre-scripted talking points took away from the genuineness of the video. But in reality, using a TelePrompTer is just smart. It means I can stay on topic and communicate more clearly. If anything, using a telemprompter is more genuine because it allows me to spend time beforehand carefully considering what it is I want to say, and then ensure I say those things.*
With everything set up, we are ready to record. Some videos I’m able to knock out in one take. And some take a few tries.
Yesterday we were in a groove, and we recorded every single video in one take…. except, for one… For the audio, we use a lav mic plugged into my iPhone. And though I had my phone on Do Not Disturb, my mom called me toward the end of one of the video shoots. Since she’s a Favorite her calls go through, and even though I didn’t answer the incoming call caused my recording app to stop its background recording, and thus we had to re-shoot the final 5 minutes of one video. (Hi, mom! ?)
## Gear List
Okay, if you’re interested in the nerdy details, here they are:
* [I use Ulysses](https://thesweetsetup.com/shawn-blanc-ulysses-setup/) to write and plan all the video scripts.
* This [Teleprompter app](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teleprompter-premium-the-pro-script-lyrics-app/id941070561?mt=8) paired with my Apple bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard is kept by my foot and I tap the space bar to start and stop the scrolling words. This allows me to move through the script at my own pace, which is so nice.
* [This Teleprompter rig](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NPBEJA/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20) is how I set my iPad Pro up to function as the teleprompter.
* For recording audio, we use [this Lavalier Microphone](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EO4A7L0/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20) plugged into my iPhone with [Røde iPhone app](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/r%C3%B8de-rec/id528642521?mt=8&at=11l7ja).
* Camera: [Canon 6D](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B0MZ8U/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20) with either the [50mm f/1.4](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009XVCZ/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20) or the [20-70mm f/2.8](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076BNK30/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20) that we borrowed from a friend.
* [These umbrella lights](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FG5FQ5S/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20).
* [This Tripod](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BQ1D4C/ref=nosim&tag=shabla-20), that has an adjustable telescoping extension so we could shoot the overhead video where I walk through exactly how I use my notebook and set up the different pages for my weekly and daily planning, etc.
If you have questions, or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter: [@shawnblanc](https://twitter.com/shawnblanc).