Backstory

When Grant Petty announced the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K back in April, it reminded me of how I felt when Canon announced 1080 video recording to the 5D and 7D cameras back in 2009. It would revolutionize, and democratize cinema quality video. 

After the announcement ended I thought this amazing little camera could use a two-in-one accessory. Something that could house the external SSD that the camera would shoot to via the USB-C port, plus something that would hold cinema batteries on my rig. The ideas started flowing.

I've had no prior experience with engineering and creating a product to sell. But, like many filmmakers, I like to come up with solutions to problems. So I found TinkerCAD on the web (which is an elementary learning tool for creating 3D models), and I started designing. To a pro, I probably looked something like a baby giraffe trying to walk for the first time. Eventually, I graduated to learning AutoCAD's Fusion360 by watching countless YouTube tutorials. 

When I thought I had a design worth sharing, I found Rex Roi, a 3D printing shop in downtown Los Angeles. The team there has been helping me progress my prototypes as we figure out the final design.

I started talking to other filmmakers, and cinematographers about my ideas, and design, and they've been so enthusiastic and helpful. I discovered Micah Brown on Youtube, who affirmed my suspicions that cinema-battery hole-patterns would be an integral element. Another cinematographer and educator, Casey McBeath, who I met through Sharegrid (the peer to peer camera rental platform), had helped with some mounting option ideas.  I met with big time pro cinematographer, Vance Burberry,  and discussed size, view-ability, and ergonomics. 

As I continue this journey, I hope I can help all those filmmakers like me out there save a ton of money on media, and make it easier to attach power solutions to their Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.