My tech stack
People often ask me about the tools I use for building software, editing videos, and creating animations. Well, here's a big list of all the tech I use every single day to get the job done!
Computers & Gear
Intel Core i9 24-Core Processor i9, 128GB RAM, RTX 4090
As I found myself working on more vfx, video, and 3D animation projects, I realised it was time for a bit of an upgrade. This new PC as really spead up my workflow and really cut down render times for final output. The extra RAM doesn't hurt either when it comes to running all those lovely virtual machines for development work.
BENQ PD3200U 4K Ultra HD 32” LED Monitor
We were on the lookout for a monitor that came pre-color calibrated and could easily switch between SRGB and Rec.709 color spaces. The BENQ turned out to be a fantastic pick, especially considering the price. Plus, it has a lovely matte finish—no shiny screens for us!
14 inch Macbook Pro, M1 Pro (16GB)
I wouldn't call myself an Apple fanboy, but I've got to admit, I've ended up with quite a few of their products! I just can't deny that when it comes to mobile devices, they really hit the mark. The value for money you get from them is undeniable, especially with those new Apple Silicon chips—they've totally nailed the price/performance balance.
Development tools & Software
PHP Storm
For about 9 years now, PHPStorm has been my trusty go-to IDE. I honestly can't imagine tackling my everyday work without it. I routinely use VSCode, Visual Studio, Sublime Text, and a few others from time to time, but nothing quite hits the spot like PHPStorm does. It just feels like home!
Vagrant & VirtualBox
At Awesome, we're big fans of Docker, especially with the new Apple Silicon Macs! But when it comes to my daily development, I still lean towards good old VMs. Vagrant has an amazing community, and using Laravel Homestead is hands down the quickest way for me to kickstart a new Laravel project alongside the other projects I am working on.
MySQL Workbench
It's buggy and its not the best user experience, but I still find its the best tool for the job!
3D Animation, VFX and Video Editing Software
Blender
Back in the day, I dabbled with 3dsMax just for fun, but it wasn't until years later that I stumbled upon Blender when I got a bit more serious about 3D. Blender's community is fantastic, and personally, I find it's the easiest to learn out of all the modeling software I've tried. Its price is great as well – you can't beat free!
Syntheyes
We need to do a lot of camera tracking to add additional elements to our video content. Syntheyes is super fast, and once you get past the steep learning curve, it's simple to use.
DaVinci Resolve & Fusion
I used to use Adobe Premiere and After Effects for student films and projects. However, when I started considering tools for professional use, I decided to give DaVinci Resolve and Fusion a try, especially since we use Black Magic Cameras and the Studio Version of the software comes with the camera. I found them much nicer to use, and I'm a big fan of a good node-based system. Although, if I were compositing full-time, I would like to explore using Nuke. Unfortunately, the high license fee makes it impractical for our current work.
Camera Gear
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
I absolutely adore this camera—the image quality is simply stunning! Sure, it chews through battery life like nobody's business, and the built-in screen leaves much to be desired. But you know what? It just adds to the fun of putting together an awesome kit!
Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art Lens
Paired with my BMPCC, this lens captures stunning quality images. My next investment? Either a set of cine lenses or an anamorphic lens!
Tilta Shoulder Rig
No more painful backs and shaky footage from tired arms for me! I've only used this setup on a few shoots so far, but it's been worth every penny.