Free Smartphone Filmmaking Course When You Buy Zacuto Smart Z-Finder

MZed Education

by Francesco AndreolaNovember 14^th, 2022

In partnership with Rob Kaczmark and MZed, Zacuto is showing gratitude to all supporters of their recently-launched Smart Z-Finder crowdfunding campaign by giving away a free smartphone filmmaking online course ($99 value) with every purchase.

Creating jaw-dropping content while only relying on the smartphone cameras we all carry in our pockets is a craftsmanship on its own. Indeed, it does not only require specific tools, but also a good chunk of proper filmmaking knowledge.

Whilst accessory manufacturer Zacuto knows how much gear matters, they also take your eduction seriously. That’s why they have decided to gift a free smartphone filmmaking online course to anyone who decides to pick up their recently-launched Smart Z-Finder (we reported about it before), a mobile version of their popular viewfinder. Let’s take a look!

Smartphone Filmmaking Course: soon on MZed

MZed, the CineD-owned online education platform, already hosts 300+ hours of filmmaking education, and we are constantly growing our offer with new courses added periodically (in fact, a new course on Building a Pitch Deck launched yesterday – details here). Among several new ones that are in production right now, there’s also Rob Kaczmark’s Smartphone Filmmaking Course.

Rob is the CEO of Chicago-based Spirit Juice Studios as well as the inventor of 1 Minute Film School. In his forthcoming MZed course, he shares all of his knowledge, tricks and tips to get you started with creating entertaining content on-a-budget using only your phone. Hear directly from Rob by watching the video below.

How to get free access to the Smartphone Filmmaking Course on MZed

Well, it’s pretty simple! No golden ticket or lucky winner. Indeed, anyone who already backed up Zacuto’s crowdfunding campaign or will do so in the future will get life-time access to Rob’s upcoming lessons. Along with your Smart Z-Finder, you will receive a voucher with a discount code to redeem the course on MZed.

This free course is worth about $99 in cash, but the only amount you have to pay equals to the price of the Zacuto Smart Z-Finder, which ranges from $299 for the basic kit up to $465 for the more comprehensive Cinematographer’s Bundle. Keep in mind that you have until November 18th to back up the company’s Kickstarter campaign. (The course will also be available for subscribers of the MZed Pro Filmmaking Education membership once it’s released.)

For more information, please visit Zacuto’s Kickstarter campaign here.

Content of Rob’s Smartphone Filmmaking course

Here’s an outline of the content of the course to get you excited:

1. Introduction

1.1 Welcome to the course

1.2 Creating an online reel – overview

2. iPhone Camera Basics

2.1. Getting Started with the iPhone camera app
video, photo, portrait modes, RAW option, how to focus and adjust exposure

2.2. Introduction to iPhone lenses 
how to zoom, difference between optical and digital zoom, discussion of focal lengths in each iPhone lens, shooting situations where it is ideal to use each one

2.3. Choosing a frame rate and format
4K vs HD, 24fps vs 30 fps vs 60fps

2.4. Camera preferences and settings

setting default formats, enabling HDR video, configuring buttons for camera app

2.5. Expanding your iPhone camera rig with accessories
What type of shooting are you doing? Tips to build your rig for the most successful result

3. Filming with iPhone

3.1. Controlling exposure with iPhone camera
Overview of exposure tips for interior and exterior locations, how to adjust on iPhone camera app

3.2. Composition and Framing
How to frame your subject

3.3. Sequencing
Capturing basic coverage

3.4. Lighting
Using Natural light, ring lights, other very basic techniques and tools

4. Editing

4.1. Downloading and Adobe Rush Video Overview
Installing Adobe Spark, opening the app, overview of features

4.2. Importing video to Adobe Rush

4.3. Trimming Video Clips in Adobe Rush

4.4. Exporting video in Adobe Rush

4.5. Adding text to video

4.6. Adding music to video

4.7. Previewing video

4.8. Sharing your video to social media

Learn more with MZed Pro

As an MZed Pro member, you also get access to over 300 hours of filmmaking education, including the newly added course Building a Pitch Deck with Lesley Powers, plus we’re constantly adding more courses (several are currently in production, including the Smartphone Filmmaking Course).

For just $30/month (billed annually at $349), here’s everything you’ll get:

• 45+ courses, over 650 high-quality lessons spanning over 300 hours of learning.
• Highly produced courses from educators who have decades of experience and awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award.
• Unlimited access to stream all the content during the 12 months.
• Offline download and viewing with the MZed iOS app.
• Discounts to ARRI Academy online courses, exclusively on MZed.
• The majority of our courses provide an industry-recognized certificate upon completion.
• Purchasing the courses outright would cost over $8,000.
• Course topics include cinematography, directing, lighting, cameras, and lenses, producing, indie filmmaking, writing, editing, color grading, audio, and even how to launch a YouTube channel.
• 7-day money back guarantee if you decide it’s not for you.

Join MZed Pro now and start watching today!

Full disclosure: MZed is owned by CineD

Do you often create content using only your smartphone? Do you have any specific tip for mobile filmmaking? Share your experience in the comments below!