Filmmaking With the Sony A7R V: Creating a Short Film & Music Video Across Different Cities

Tony Brainz
2 days ago
3 min read

Introduction

Filmmaking is a journey—one that blends storytelling, creativity, and technical mastery. As a filmmaker and director working with the Sony A7R V, I’ve taken this camera across cities, environments, and artistic projects. In this blog, I'll walk you through the process of creating both a short film and a music video, utilizing various lighting conditions, locations, and strategies to maximize the camera’s capabilities.

Why the Sony A7R V Is a Beast for Filmmaking

The Sony A7R V is a hybrid camera that excels in both photography and cinema-quality video production. Some key features that make it a top-tier creative tool:

High Resolution: 61MP stills + oversampled 4K for incredible sharpness.
Fast and accurate autofocus with real-time tracking.
Excellent low‑light performance—perfect for night shoots.
10‑bit 4:2:2 internal recording.
Extremely flexible dynamic range for cinematic color grading.

Whether filming in Miami’s neon nightlife, the Bronx’s gritty streets, or Los Angeles’ artistic alleys, the A7R V gives you the ability to adapt smoothly.

Pre‑Production: Planning the Shoot

Success starts before you ever hit “record.”

1. Concept Development

For a short film and a music video, the concepts will differ:

Short Film: Story-driven, emotional beats, clean scene transitions.
Music Video: Rhythm-driven, stylized shots, punchy effects.

2. Shot List & Storyboards

Your shot list should break down:

Angles
Lenses
Camera movement
Emotional beats

Example Shot:

Close-up of the artist rapping in a subway station.
Lens: Tamron 28‑75mm at 35mm.
Movement: Slow push-in on gimbal.

3. Location Scouting

Different cities give different vibes. Here are some example environments:

Miami, Florida

Ocean Drive — neon signs for music video performance shots.
Wynwood Walls — graffiti backgrounds for urban scenes.
Downtown Brickell — clean, modern look for cinematic dialogue.

New York City (Bronx & Manhattan)

Grand Concourse — gritty street storytelling.
Fordham Road — energetic music video crowd shots.
Subway platforms — dramatic lighting, echoing environment.

Los Angeles

Arts District — industrial warehouses for moody scenes.
Santa Monica Pier — sunset performance shots.

On‑Set Camera Setup (Sony A7R V)

General Settings

Resolution: 4K 24fps (short film), 4K 60fps (music video slow motion)
S‑Cinetone for quick turnaround jobs
S‑Log3 when planning heavy color grading in DaVinci
Shutter Speed: 1/50 for 24fps, 1/125 for 60fps
White Balance: Manual using your color checker

Lenses for Different Scenes

Sigma 16‑28mm: Wide establishing shots
Tamron 28‑75mm: Dialogue, gimbal work, versatility
7Artisans 35mm T2.0: Cinematic storytelling, moody scenes
50mm Prime: Intimate close-ups

Shooting in Different Environments

1. Bright Daylight in Miami

Use ND filters to control exposure. The A7R V handles harsh sunlight well when you expose for the highlights and lift the shadows in post.

Example Setup:

Music video scene by the beach
ND8 filter
S‑Log3
28mm on the Sigma lens

2. Night Shooting in New York City

New York is a playground for low‑light shooters.

Example Setup:

Short film dramatic scene in the Bronx at night
ISO 640–1600
S‑Cinetone
35mm T2.0
Slow push-in on the DJI RS4 gimbal

3. Indoors in a Diner or Café

For controlled lighting environments:

Use your GVM RGB lights for fill/backlight
Use reflector for bounce
Keep ISO low at 320–800

Example Breakdown:

Two characters discussing a secret (short film)
Key light: Softbox at 45°
Fill light: Small RGB light set to a warm tone
Lens: 50mm, shallow depth of field

Filming the Short Film

Scene Example: The Confrontation

Location: Brickell rooftop
Golden-hour lighting
Camera: A7R V in S‑Log3
Lens: Tamron 28‑75mm at 50mm
Movement: Slow dolly slide

Creative Tips:

Capture reaction shots before leaving location
Use the city skyline for atmosphere

Filming the Music Video

Performance Shot Example

Location: Wynwood graffiti alley
Lighting: Natural + RGB accent light
Frame Rate: 60fps for slow motion
Lens: 16‑28mm for energetic wide angles

B‑Roll Example

An artist walking through Times Square
Reflections, street vendors, neon signs
A7R V handles dynamic highlights well with S‑Log3

Editing in DaVinci Resolve

Your workflow should look like:

Import and organize clips
Color management – set timeline to DaVinci Wide Gamut
Apply conversion LUT (S‑Log3 → Rec.709)
Basic node tree:
- Noise reduction
- Primary color correction
- Secondary color adjustment
- Sharpening
Sound design (dialogue, effects, music)
Export at 4K

Final Thoughts

The Sony A7R V is a powerful creative tool capable of producing elite-level cinematic visuals. Whether you’re filming a gritty Bronx short film, a Miami sunset music video, or an experimental LA art project, this camera adapts effortlessly.

As Tony Brainz Creatives LLC continues to grow, the A7R V remains a core part of the toolkit, helping to bring stories, visuals, and artistry to life.