Music & Documentary Filmmaking with Mirrorless Cinema Cameras (Featuring Nikon ZR) with Peter John

This masterclass redefines high-impact filmmaking through the lens of the "Invisible Filmmaker," prioritizing agility and intimacy over heavy production footprints. You’ll learn to strip a Nikon Z-series setup down to its essentials, mastering a minimalist approach that captures the raw "mystery" of an artist without killing the vibe. By focusing on handheld techniques and a low-profile presence, you’ll gain the skills to move seamlessly between the quiet of the dressing room and the electric chaos of a live stage.

Beyond the shoot, you will learn to navigate hostile environments—mastering strobe lighting, low light, and high-volume audio—to ensure professional results in unpredictable settings. The session concludes with a deep dive into post-production, teaching you how to transform "run-and-gun" footage into a cohesive narrative. You'll master syncing and color grading in DaVinci Resolve, learning the secrets to making Nikon N-Log footage look indistinguishable from high-end RED cinema files.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Peter John.

What You’ll Learn

Part 1: The “Invisible” Filmmaker

• Philosophy: Why "Big Rigs" kill the vibe. How to stay small and fast to capture the "Mystery" of an artist.
• The Setup: Stripping the Nikon ZR down for speed. Minimalist rigging that doesn't scream "Camera Crew."
• The Gear: Handheld vs. Gimbal (why you don’t need one)

Part 2: Live Demo - The Concert "Slayer"

• Practical: Artist Performs (syncs) a chorus to a track
• Real-Time Tech: How to handle strobe lights, low light, and high-volume audio without peaking.
• The Secret Shot: The "One-Take" walk-on. Demonstrating how to follow an artist from the dressing room to the stage in one continuous, cinematic breath.
• Filming Crowd / Energy

Part 3: From B-Roll to A-List

• Editing with Intent: Using 100+ concert archive to show how to cut "Run- and-Gun" footage into a cohesive story.
• Syncing the footage using Davinci
• Color Grading the Nikon: Showing the photographers how to get those rich, "filmy" tones out of the Nikon N-Log footage so it looks identical to your RED footage.

Who It’s For

• Creators looking to bridge the gap between stills and high-end video using their existing mirrorless systems..
• Filmmakers who need to navigate low-light, high-decibel environments without the bulk of a traditional cinema rig.
• Directors who prioritize intimacy and speed, needing to blend into the background to capture authentic, unscripted moments.
• Editors eager to learn how to match "prosumer" camera logs to the aesthetic of elite cinema brands like RED or ARRI.
• Anyone curious about the world of music video & documentary!

How to Join

• The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent up to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

After founding and successfully running Epik Films, Peter now offers his expertise as a freelance Producer and Director, specializing in music videos, concerts, and documentaries.

With over 120 music videos under his belt and 3 Dove Award nominations, it's no surprise that his work has earned him 5 Platinum and 3 Gold music videos, as well as almost a billion views from fans around the globe.

Some of the talented artists he has worked with include Morgan Evans, Simple Plan, The Paper Kites, New Empire, Planetshakers, Kita Alexanda, Bliss n Eso, and many more.

Get ready to be mesmerised by the captivating visuals and unforgettable stories brought to life by Peter John's directorial vision.