Australian Short Filmmaker Expands Language Learning Channel with DaVinci Resolve
Blackmagic Design today announced that Australian YouTuber Lamont McLeod, who runs language learning channel “Days of French ‘n’ Swedish,” uses DaVinci Resolve editing, grading, visual effects (VFX) and audio post production software.
McLeod, who was formerly a professional photographer, takes a unique approach to making language learning content more engaging, and has created a series of short films that have been made possible thanks to DaVinci Resolve. “Days of French ‘n’ Swedish” began as a YouTube channel for reviewing foreign language television series, and has become very popular in the international language learning community, with a highly engaged subscriber base of more than 56,000.
“Originally I talked about foreign language series because I felt not enough people ever brought them up, but then I had lots of questions about how I had learned French and Swedish, so I started making videos about that,” McLeod said.
“When I started making my first short film in 2020, there were effects that I wanted that I couldn’t get in other software. I decided to give DaVinci Resolve a try and was blown away with how much easier a ton of stuff was, as well as some of the extra options it gave me. My only regret about it is not switching to Resolve earlier. Once I used it I never even thought about going back,” he said.
He continued: “I often have to be a bit creative with the color features of the software, and I felt like I could get to a look that I wanted in DaVinci Resolve much faster than before. It was only later that I found out that Resolve was originally a color grading tool, which explained why these features were so powerful.
“I also love the built in titles and effects,” he explained. “It saves me so much time to have animated titles and functions like Dynamic Zoom. It’s a bit like asking how a BMW is nicer to drive than an old Nissan. It’s every little thing more than it is one obvious thing.”
McLeod edits his regular video essays using DaVinci Resolve, but the software has also allowed him to scale up the production value of his videos, and he has created several educational short films. One of his most popular videos is titled “‘Immersion’ Aka ‘When watching a foreign TV series goes VERY wrong.’”
“I genuinely don’t remember having the idea, because before I knew it, I was working on a script that was a language learning version of the film “Gravity.” Although that film obviously uses tons of CG and green screen and mine uses none, I was inspired by seeing the lengths that they go to get a three second shot right.
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“I learned everything that I know about film lighting in the few weeks before shooting that first short, and since then I’ve been looking for an excuse to shoot another short. If I’m able to make another one, I want to expand on the idea of acquisition versus learning.”
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