Tackling extreme shoots with Ninja

Austin Lysaker, founder of Rooster Rooster Creative Company in Wisconsin, is a freelance Director of Photography with an accomplished career in TV, documentaries, and branded productions. His projects include Discover Wisconsin, PBS’s Into the Outdoors, and Uniquely Wisconsin, a docuseries about extraordinary local individuals.

Austin’s documentary experience ranges from grassroots storytelling to large-scale production studios such as Lonewolf Studios, creators of Netflix’s How to Rob a Bank and Hulu’s Amanda Knox. He is currently in pre-production on a documentary featuring a leading vintage guitar collector and reseller.

Through his production company, Austin has transitioned to creating branded documentaries, blending his background in higher education marketing with his passion for storytelling. This shift has led to projects with dairy farms, breweries, and higher education institutions. Austin reflects, “We used to travel nationally, creating commercials for two-year community colleges. Since our change in direction, we’ve combined that background with our love for documentaries.”

Through his production company, Austin has transitioned to creating branded documentaries, blending his background in higher education marketing with his passion for storytelling. This shift has led to projects with dairy farms, breweries, and higher education institutions. Austin reflects, “We used to travel nationally, creating commercials for two-year community colleges. Since our change in direction, we’ve combined that background with our love for documentaries.”

To meet the fast-paced demands of run-and-gun filmmaking, Austin carefully selects his equipment to prioritize portability, efficiency, and quality. “Most projects start with a pre-production call with the producer or director, where we discuss everything – look, feel, inspirations, locations, schedule and even the climate. This helps us figure out the gear we’ll need to get the job done right,” he explains.

His go-to setup features three Blackmagic cameras – the Pyxis 6K, Cinema Camera 6K Full Frame, and Pocket 6K Pro, renowned for their exceptional image quality, intuitive menu systems, and flexibility in post-production. Austin explains, “This three-camera setup is ideal for the fast-paced nature of my work. It allows my team to capture distinctive shots simultaneously – whether handheld, on a tripod, slider, or gimbal. For interviews, we don’t need to disassemble or rebalance the gimbal, which helps us stay efficient and keeps us fully mobile.”

Outside his main camera setup, Austin incorporates tools such as the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, GoPro Hero 12 Black, DJI Air 3 drone, and a full set of Aputure lights to maintain versatility on set.

“The Ninja’s intuitive user interface allows me to quickly access the tools I need, which is essential given the pace and variety of my projects.”