Cinematic Smartphone Gimbal Moves with the Moza Mini-S | Camera Movement Basics

Meet the Moza Mini-S, a compact, ultra lightweight folding smartphone #gimbal that's easy to take with you anywhere. The Moza Mini-S is one of the most affordable smartphone gimbals you can buy. I think it's the best smartphone gimbal for under $100. This doesn't mean you are compromising on quality. In fact I've sold two other larger gimbals since getting my hands on the Moza Mini-S because this gimbal serves the same purpose, sets up and balances in half the time, and occupies less space in my bag.
Buy the Moza Mini-S using my affiliate link: bit.ly/3fDo86S and get 10% off using my discount code MUDYM2YPV4 at checkout.
Learn the basics of #cinematic smartphone camera movement and how to compose moving shots with helpful tips you can use with any gimbal.
0:00 - Introduction
0:39 - Moza Mini-S Setup
2:45 - Pan Movement
3:13 - Tilt Movement
3:43 - Dolly Movement
4:14 - Truck Movement
4:46 - Jib Movement
Read my write up on the Moza Mini-S: www.richardlackey.com/moza-mi...
For more information on the Moza Mini-S, check out the webpage: store.gudsen.com/products/moz...
Tips I cover in this video: Pan, Tilt, Dolly, Truck, Pedestal/Boom/Jib, and #composition tips.
Also check out my thoughts on the Moza Mini Mi here: • Moza Mini-MI Smartphon...
Subscribe for more videos, tests, tutorials, tips and tricks.
AFFILIATE LINKS (I earn some affiliate revenue if you use these links):
Buy your Moondog Labs gear: moondoglabs.com/?ref=2u_sw53l45a
Buy your Beastgrip gear: beastgrip.link/Rich
Buy FilmConvert Nitrate (and get 10% discount): www.filmconvert.com/purchase/...
Richard Lackey:
Member: Colorist Society International (CSI)
Member: Digital Cinema Society (DCS)
Visit my website: www.richardlackey.com
Facebook: / richardlackey
Twitter: / richlackey
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DISCLAIMERS
This video was not paid for by a manufacturer.
I was given the products shown to test, review and use.
My opinions are my own and were not reviewed before publishing or paid for by any manufacturer.

[@RichLackey]

Check out some basic camera movements, which are really basic, I'm sure many of you have got this down already, but this should be helpful to some folks that are just starting out. Also I've made a little intro animation and some animated title graphics, I'd love to know what you think of those. Please let me know. Feel free to ask questions, either about camera movement, or the Moza Mini S gimbal (which I really like).

[@pasqualeciotti1946]

Scusami ma usi un'applicazione in particolare. Ho anch'io il moza mini s ma non so utilizzare questi effetti

[@oluchiproductions9023]

Can I use my mini s to control in filmicpro?

[@touby_photos]

@@oluchiproductions9023 i have no idea

[@robbykidman]

you know an artist when he explains. awesome

[@RichLackey]

Thanks for watching Rob.

[@DeeNimmin]

Very well explained. Beautiful location!

[@RichLackey]

Thanks Dee, yes, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an amazing place. Such a great place to test things but I have to keep my filming low key.

[@EMKWANREVIEWS]

Dee Nimmin it’s in Abu Dhabi my location. I need to take a leaf out of this and film more around here.

[@RichLackey]

Yep, the Louvre is a killer spot. I should get out there again soon.

[@dragonniz]

Thank you! Simple, no nonsense, direct - Instant subscribe!

[@RichLackey]

Wow! Thanks so much! You just made my day!

[@mikareef5927]

Thank you.. very much needed this

[@RichLackey]

You are more than welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@mikareef5927]

Just got my moza mini s gimbal and ulanzi anamorphic lens still have a long way to learn the basics. Ur video is informative and inspiring. I'm not an ios user I'm an android and it's very limited in terms of gears and apps. Keep on inspiring man and thank you!

[@Creative7inc]

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one of these smaller gimbals. Same way as you, I've got a bigger one that I'm always hesitant to bring with me. This little guy seems like the perfect option to never have to worry about that

[@RichLackey]

Absolutely, I sold the other smartphone gimbals I had over the past year or so and am just keeping the Moza Mini S. The exception is the Feiyu Tech AK4500, which is a beast of a gimbal that carries a larger configuration, but that one certainly doesn't go out all the time, only on specific planned shoots when I know I want to use my full cage, anamorphic lens and filters. To be fair though, there are some other lightweight folding gimbals on the market that I've seen, and haven't tried them. So I'm only basing my opinion on the fact I find this one super easy to carry around regardless of if I use it or not, and I like the stabilization it provides.

[@brunotadeubraga]

Man that is a Nice vídeo for the mini s. Very cool to Watch, smooth music. Thanks for sharing

[@RichLackey]

Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words Bruno. Appreciate it.

[@madsoundsdj]

Great video tutorial, I’ve watched it 3 or 4 times already.

[@RichLackey]

Thanks!

[@AnandaGarden]

Very nice refresher and enjoyable to watch. Thank, Richard.

[@RichLackey]

Thanks so much for watching! Some basics for beginners in this one. I’ve realised I have a real mix of people with different skill and knowledge levels. This is a great gimbal for anyone new to video, so a good opportunity to cover some basics. 🙂

[@arbrahmbhatt99]

Yes very useful tips

[@RichLackey]

Thanks for watching!

[@speedracer3967]

I enjoyed your video. I am getting ready to shoot my first short film and wondered if you had some tips for just getting started and the process behind those steps? Thanks.

[@sijigs]

Thank you for this - you've earnt a sub from this and your website as well :)

[@RichLackey]

Wow thank you Angelo!

[@sijigs]

@@RichLackey thank you for sharing your knowledge! Have a great rest of the year.. be safe - from Sydney Australia :)

[@Fibofestra]

Very informative indeed.

[@RichLackey]

Thank you!

[@pablovaldez1978]

Hi Richard, great video. I can't decide between the smooth 4 and the mini s, I leaning towards the mini. What you think?

[@AJVLlaxus90]

Thnks for the tip bro..goodjob

[@RichLackey]

Thanks so much! I know these were pretty basic tips, but if they help someone out, I'm happy. Thanks for watching.

[@taufik1983]

Nice 👌 informative. I liked your videos, well explained.

[@RichLackey]

Thank you Taufik!

[@taufik1983]

My Moza Mini S goes in standby mode while shooting, I don't know whats wrong.

[@kausky]

Great video. I have added this to my personal playlist and keep watching and re-watching it. One question - How did you manage to take those smooth Truck shots at 2:02 and 4:06 on a stairway? How did you move? Thanks!

[@fit2travel822]

Thankyou for sharing my friend. Ive been using Gimbal but i dont know how to maximize the usage

[@RichLackey]

Thanks! I hope this gave you some ideas. The most important thing is to practice (which I need to do more of too) 😆

[@Nysoupla]

Great sense and sensibility.

[@RichLackey]

Thanks Andre! I try to make sense as much as possible. Sensibility however can be a bit hit or miss. 😂

[@BillHutchensFilms]

I think what would be really useful for people is if you showed the type of shot end result (which you did) and also show how to achieve it by showing your movements to achieve it. You did it with one type (tilt I think), but if you did it for all I think new people might find that association helpful. That could just be some bts footage of you taking the different type of shots.

[@RichLackey]

Thanks so much Bill, that's a really good idea. I can probably do that just by setting up a second static position wide shot on a tripod. Some locations around here where I live (in the UAE) are difficult. This is shot at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, and any indication of more equipment or something other than a tourist with a phone would draw attention from security. For sure I'll do a follow up in another video when I'm somewhere where nobody cares. Thanks again, really appreciate your input.

[@CVC-CSS]

Thank you, Sir.

[@RichLackey]

You are more than welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@mohamedshabaka2155]

Awesome 👌

[@RichLackey]

Thank you Mohamed!

[@mohamedshabaka2155]

@@RichLackey your welcome 🙏 ❤

[@milindsarwate1919]

Very good information .

[@RichLackey]

Thanks for watching!

[@pompeyboy]

Richard, I’m loving your channel. It was actually one of your travel shorts that initially inspired me to purchase filmic pro. Then I had to buy a gimbal (now own two), then a moondog lens (now got two, one clip on), then a beastgrip, made my own ND filters using Lee filters and a spare moondog lens cap. I'm hooked and having fun with the iPhone 7plus which I'm discovering it's limitations, but still amazed at the results I'm getting. Hoping to make a promo for a local bike shop soon. Thanks again for inspiring me to ressurect an old passion of mine that died with an old canon xm1 doing wedding videos 18 years ago. Keep posting your informative and travelogue films. One question for you? Preference 24 or 25fps? Thanks.

[@RichLackey]

Wow, so happy to see you’re hooked! It’s so much fun. Hmm... 24 or 25... I usually default to 24, but I’m not convinced there’s any perceivable difference between 24 and 25. I switch to 25 when I see flickering with 50Hz lighting. So my preference is 24fps but I don’t think it’s critical.

[@yamraaj4529]

💖💖💖💖

[@rondoniagold5363]

Compre o meu. Hoje, valeu ótimo video.

[@RichLackey]

Great! I hope you get some good video using it! Thanks for watching.

[@mikimeu]

Very interesting video ,can I ask you please which kind of app use for phone,

[@RichLackey]

Hi Mihai, thanks for watching. I’m mostly using FiLMiC Pro.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

Hi Richard, time has passed and there are quite a few gimbals on the market right now. I am new to this. I have an old iphone 5 with a new battery plus an iPhone 7, my daily phone. I have Filmic Pro Plus the v log 2 upgrade and First light. I have no lenses yet nor a gimbal. I also like convenience and was looking at the osmo 3 mobile as a first gimbal. Do you think that's a reasonable choice? I am perhaps going to get a Sony Xperia 1 v 2 when it's released but thought I'd see what I could do with my old iphones First, I'd still keep them of course. I don't want to spend a fortune on iPhone equipment then move over to the dark side though/android lol. I may go iPhone 11... This is a decisive time for me and your opinion on my thoughts would be well appreciated, thanks. I've watched quite a few of your videos now. They're great by the way. You have been great with comment replies I noticed as well so I'm subbing and hitting the notification bell and likes of course. 👍👍👍

[@RichLackey]

Thanks so much! The Osmo mobile 3 is a good gimbal. I prefer the Moza Mini S, and actually the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is excellent also. You won’t make a bad decision with any of these. I would stick with Apple just because all the features will always be available. It can be hit and miss with Android because different manufacturers and models have different OS versions and tweaks and some FiLMiC Pro features may be unavailable.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

@@RichLackey Thank you Richard. I've been doing more research/youtube and found that FiLMiC Pro is what most want, plus the v 2 upgrade. Even though the Sony Xperia 1 and 5 have cinema pro, most want FiLMiC Pro but have problems with it one way or another because of android. I may need a sturdier gimbal than the Osmo mobile 3 if I'm going to be using heavy Lenses. I'll look into the others that you suggested. Thanks again for your help Richard, much appreciated!

[@arifihtifazuddin7619]

I love you room interior

[@RichLackey]

Haha thanks!

[@akbarhussain422]

For a D..Resolve tuts made of two color grading and how the luts is used

[@RichLackey]

Thanks for the comment Sadam, can you explain your question a bit more?

[@joelkuhn5704]

Hey Richard, do you still think the Moza Mini S is the best smartphone gimbal now that the Osmo Mobile 3 and Zhiyun M2 are out? Thanks!

[@RichLackey]

Hi Joel, sorry for the late reply. I can’t actually tell because I haven’t used the Osmo Mobile 3 or Zhiyun M2. I don’t know that the Mini S is the best necessarily, it may not be, but I do like it a lot.

[@zoranmilutinovic9890]

So what is that at 1:42 in the bottom right corner because I am guessing its not your finger since it is a gimbal review?

[@RichLackey]

Ha! I totally didn’t catch that. Yep, that’s part of the gimbal creeping in.

[@ridomaniacarns3858]

How to use moza minis with filmic pro please make a video on it. Am pretty new with gimbals and having problem to use the moza genie app

[@RichLackey]

Thanks for watching, there isn’t any direct integration between FiLMiC Pro and the Moza Mini S gimbal, you just mount the phone on the gimbal, balance it and turn it on, then use FiLMiC Pro as normal.

[@ridomaniacarns3858]

@@RichLackey thank you sir

[@rdgronconi]

+1 subscribed

[@RichLackey]

Thank you!

[@billwhite2818]

Just wondering if you are still using/liking this gimbal, or if something better has come along? Thanks!

[@RichLackey]

Hi Bill, yes, I still like this gimbal. I've been using my much larger gimbal more because of the need to mount the phone in a full cage, with lenses and filters, and all sorts. However, if I'm going out to shoot minimally, just with the phone, this is still the gimbal I take out.

[@Photoshock]

Stanley Kubrick golden standard!

[@RichLackey]

If only up to Kubrickian standards! Plus I didn’t even touch on motivation for camera movement, which is really the most important thing of all. So many creators and filmmakers move the camera around all the time just because they have a tool to do it. But from a storytelling, and directing perspective, camera movement always has a deliberate purpose. Of course that’s a whole different subject! 🙂

[@Mechrank]

How about using the joystick 🕹 on that gimbal? For pan/tilt

[@RichLackey]

Yeah, it works very well, also on the second handle. The focus motor control knob can also control any axis. There’s a lot of different ways to use and control the Feiyu Tech AK4500. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@Mechrank]

Richard Lackey thanks for your reply. But i think we are discussing Moza, right? Coz u mentioned Feiyu..

[@RichLackey]

My mistake, I was replying to a comment on a different video at the same time. For the Moza Mini S, you can control pan and tilt with the joystick but I find it’s not a very precise way to control the motion. You have more control over speed and the end point of the pan or tilt by moving the handle carefully. Still, the best pan and tilt will not be from a gimbal, but from a good fluid head on a tripod.

[@johnvancamper9581]

Hi from the UK. Brilliant video for us complete newbies. Just the right length and info content to feel like I'll actually remember it all. You made it simple without making us feel simple. Just subbed. Thanks. Happy travels everyone. John

[@RichLackey]

Hi John, thanks so much for the encouragement. You just made my day. Very happy you found it useful. 🙂

[@rajeevnair8955]

Do you use FilmicPro or Moza Genie with this Gimbal?

[@RichLackey]

I use FiLMiC Pro with it. There’s no direct integration of course.

[@rajeevnair8955]

@@RichLackey Thanks Richard. That was my next question :)

[@RichLackey]

No problem, anytime. 🙂

[@whistleblowDE]

What kind of Smartphone do you use?

[@RichLackey]

I’m using the iPhone 11 Pro Max now, but many of my videos were shot on others, XS Max, iPhone 7 and the original SE.

[@kelponferradaespinosa1134]

how did you connect Filmic Pro to Moza Mini S? im confuse ..please notice this comment 🙏

[@RichLackey]

Hi Michael, unfortunately there is no direct integration between the MOZA Mini S and FiLMiC Pro, but it’s not really necessary. You just mount the phone in the gimbal, balance it, and turn it on. Done. Then you use FiLMiC Pro just as you normally would. Hope this helps.

[@arceomaligon833]

. Can you still control the buttons of the gimbal even tho it has no integration with filmic pro??

[@RichLackey]

Yes, the gimbal and phone are independent, so all the gimbal buttons work normally. The gimbal is fully functional.

[@arceomaligon833]

Richard Lackey what’s the disadvantage when it’s not integrated with Filmic pro? What are the functions that I cannot do? Thanks

[@RichLackey]

The integration with the Zhiyun Smooth 4 for example gives start/stop recording and focus control from the buttons on the gimbal handle. I haven’t used the integration so there may be some other control too. It’s really not a big deal. You just need to tap the screen on the phone to set and lock your exposure and focus, and tap to hit record. I don’t see any meaningful disadvantages.

[@arceomaligon833]

Richard Lackey how about the zoom control? Can you use the button?

[@weddingsbyjun5107]

does it support native camera apps?

[@RichLackey]

You can use any camera app you like with it. There is no support in the sense of integration to control the app from the gimbal, but that’s not really needed.

[@hirenr9778]

Thyw sya moza mini s audio problems ? Is it true ?

[@RichLackey]

Hi Hiren, I’m not sure about this. I haven’t really paid attention to audio when using the gimbal, but it’s never been a problem for me.

[@Andwave]

salam kenal dri ytber pemula dan semoga sukses selalu, ditunggi konten2 video menariknya 😁👍

[@RichLackey]

Thank you very much! (I had to use Google translate) :)

[@kyleblanco9561]

Need help, may gimbal moza mini s, doesnt what to stable or steady, how to do it? Thank you!

[@RichLackey]

Hi Kyle, have you balanced the phone correctly? The first step is to shift the phone in the holder sideways until it naturally sits level without falling to one side, also adjust it's position up or down in the holder until it doesn't want to fall over. Then turn the gimbal on and try again.

[@kyleblanco9561]

I already did, I just bought this yesterday, I’m losing hope now 😣

[@RichLackey]

So when you turn it on, what is it doing? I'm afraid you might need to get in touch with their customer support.

[@RichLackey]

Have you installed the Moza Genie app? I forget what settings are in the app, or calibration, I can check later. It should just immediately work once turned on though.

[@kyleblanco9561]

Once I turned it on, It’ll be center then it’ll go crazy like you can’t controll it. My phone is iphone XS max

[@AshishSawant]

Voice was very low sir

[@auravibes1980]

I got a better experience for your important message make your voice slight bold and styles