Smartphone
Video Production

Gimbals for Smartphones, why?

This is a smartphone gimbal, which is a “stability” tool.  If you ever filmed something handheld, you will see shakes and vibration especially when the camera or phone is light.  A gimbal stabilizes those shakes and helps provide a smooth glide to your handheld filming. Smartphone gimbals used in selfie mode or regular are excellent for the “walk and talk” speaker or if you are trying to capture an event and want to get some smooth dynamic shots.  When you get a gimbal you have to do some balancing which is pretty easy for smartphones compared to heavier cameras.  For all gimbals, once you balance it you turn it on and connect via bluetooth to the accompanying software. 

Do I really need a gimbal or is this just another “shiny object” that is going to collect dust?

Well, good question.  It really depends on what stage you are in your business and what type of business you are doing. 

Here’s a few cases we would recommend getting a gimbal.

• You already make videos and film yourself on a tripod. And are looking for something to add to your videos like “walk and talks” in different environments.
• You are ok with a new learning curve in understanding how to work your gimbal. You know how to use bluetooth, and are not afraid to switch settings on your phone.  With new tech, you are open to learn via video tutorials, or empower an employee/friend that is good at that stuff and has patience. (it’s really not too hard, but you need to understand it is a new set of skills) 
• You want to create more videos and aren’t shy about asking someone to film you.  (Gimbals make it so much easier for someone else to film you and minimize the shakiness, no training needed, you just set it up in the right mode and hand it off) 
• You have a tripod already but have some ideas where to film where you can envision a plan for the videos you will create.  (For example a real estate agent that makes their own videos, and wants to show more than just pictures, or a store owner that wants to create new content featuring employees, or new products)  
• You aren’t shy about asking a friend or someone in your business to take video of you, and you want them to film you showing them something that requires them walking with you to the “thing” or “event” 

Why you shouldn’t get a gimbal:

• You don’t understand bluetooth settings or don’t want to understand, and aren’t willing to ask a resource for help or search for answers online when a new tech issue comes up on your phone. (Gimbals require some basic setting changes, and connection and sometimes some minor troubleshooting)
• You haven’t done videos for yourself yet.  (Our recommendation is to start with a tripod first (see above), and start taking videos, there is no reason to jump into high tech toys, if you haven’t dove into basic video creations) 
• You don’t have a plan on how to learn this new skill.  Whether it’s teaching yourself online, or paying for a course or even getting your “techie” friend to commit to figuring it out with you, do not purchase anything without understanding you will need to dedicate time in learning.  
• You will not troubleshoot, or do not have someone to troubleshoot for you.  Every smartphone and gimbal will have new versions coming up, and occasionally something goes wrong.  You have to be willing to upgrade and update.  If it’s not you, think about who is your right hand person to do this, are they open and available to helping you when it comes time to troubleshoot? 
• You don’t know how you will use it or you do but it’s not important in the near future.  This is a new powerful tool, but if you don’t plan for how it will be used, and are motivated to use it,  it’s just another shiny object that will collect dust.  If years pass, it could be outdated, or something better is released. 

Well, if you are still reading and want to dive in…. 

Sheila and Dina’s picks for gimbals:

IPHONE Pick: The OSMO Mobile 6 and previous generations, (Dina and I have an older model Osmo Mobile 3, that works really well too) are manufactured by DJI, which is a reputable name in video accessories like gimbals and drones. What we like about the Osmo, is that it is going to be supported and upgraded unlike some others that their support may not keep up with the changes as smartphones constantly get updated. What is a huge plus with the osmo, is that you just doubleclick to change the orientation from horizontal to vertical.