Last week, I bought a gimbal. Until then, I wasn’t even sure what a gimbal was. Turns out, it’s a smartphone camera stabilizer that comes with a selfie stick.

Two years ago, inspired by a contest from Little Wars TV, I attempted to film a club day and a wargame battle video clip. Many of the moving shots I took—hovering over the tabletop, zooming in and out—were shaky and not very sharp. They were decent, but lacked a professional touch. The subsequent editing process was incredibly time-consuming—hours turned into days, and sometimes even weeks for longer reports. 2021 truly felt like a different era.

Contrast this with a 45-second clip I filmed last month, which took me just 2 minutes. I achieved this with the €160 DJI Osmo 6 Mobile stabilizer.

The quality of the shots is impressive. I believe that with some experimentation, I’ll be able to produce even better club day clips, vlogs, and battle reports. The straightforward club day report linked above was crafted using the DJI MiMo’s preset ‘story mode’. The software offers 4 to 6 shot instructions and takes care of various actions like zooming and turning. It then auto-generates the video, adds music, and finalizes the clip. Additionally, it can track the presenter, interviewer, or interviewee when set to follow mode. The DJI MIMO app that accompanies the hardware is undeniably handy. Here’s a YouTube review of it:

However, a word of caution: The software consumes a significant amount of energy. The first time I used it, after only half an hour of video filming and standby, my phone was so hot that it was nearly untouchable. It even issued a heat warning, and the battery was nearly depleted. The root cause remains a mystery. It could be due to the age of the app (which is no longer available on the Google Play Store and can only be obtained directly from DJI), the fact that I use a Fairphone instead of a more common brand like iPhone or Samsung, or even the phone cover isolating heat. Whatever the reason, overheating has been a consistent issue. One user even mentioned on a forum that his phone got damaged. For now, my temporary fix is to switch off the stabilizer when not in use and regularly check my phone’s temperature. While the advantages of the stabilizer are substantial, it’s important to be wary of potential downsides.

The ChatGPT Quick Strike 10 minute Wargame Script

Too many videotaped battle reports drag on, becoming tedious. Neckbeards rolling dice for hours. I commend Little Wars TV for introducing wargamers to a more engaging style. Their concise 10-minute vlogs are not only entertaining but also instructional. They even released a tutorial on creating a battle report using just a smartphone. Thanks to their challenge, I honed my video editing skills, which unexpectedly enhanced my prowess as a lawyer. I’ve even started using video presentations in court!

An engaging battle report vlog requires thorough preparation, including:

1. Story: About 3-4 friends playing a game, discussing strategies, reacting to in-game events, and learning from the outcomes.
2. Scenario: A narrative within the game where both sides have a protagonist and antagonist.
3. Storyboard: Outlines the main scenes of the report.
4. Shotlist: A detailed list of camera shots and angles to be used throughout the game.

Pre-planning is the linchpin of a successful vlog. I recently engaged ChatGPT to assist with scripting and asked it to draft a storyboard for a 10-minute Arnhem battle report. The result, after some prompt fine-tuning, was:

Storyboard for “Four at the Bridge: Battle of Arnhem, A Strategic Showdown”

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Minute 1: Historical Introduction and Game Setting

• Shot 1: Black and white historic footage of Arnhem in 1944, transitioning into color on the wargame table.
• Voice Over: “September 1944, Arnhem. A crucial point in WWII. Fast forward to today, and it’s game time!”
• Shot 2: Top-down shot of the game board showcasing Arnhem and the bridge.
• Voice Over: “The goal? Capture the bridge. The players? Four friends, two sides, one epic battle.”
• Shot 3: Pan across Players A & B (German side), then Players C & D (British side).
• Voice Over: “Meet our teams: A & B for the Germans and C & D for the British!”

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Minute 2: The German Strategy

• Shot 4: Close up on Player A as they discuss strategy with Player B.
• Player A: “Defensive positions here and here…”
• Shot 5: Over-the-shoulder shot of Player A pointing at specific spots on the map.
• Player B: “We need to keep the bridge secure. Hold the line.”
• Shot 6: Close up of German miniature troops being placed on the game board.
• Voice Over: “The German side is all set. But what’s the plan for our British duo?”

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Minute 3: The British Strategy

• Shot 7: Zoom in on Player C and D, huddled in discussion.
• Player C: “We flank from the left while distracting them up front.”
• Shot 8: Bird’s eye view of British miniature troops being positioned.
• Player D: “Speed and surprise. That’s the ticket!”
• Shot 9: Pan across the board highlighting key strategic positions.
• Voice Over: “The stage is set. The strategies in place. Let’s roll!”

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Minute 4: Game Commences

• Shot 10: Close up of dice being shaken in Player A’s hand, then rolled.
• Voice Over: “Each roll can change fate. It’s all about luck and strategy.”
• Shot 11: Wide angle showcasing Players A & B moving their troops.
• Player B: “Advance cautiously, fortify the bridge.”
• Shot 12: Zoom in on Player D reacting.
• Player D (to camera): “Interesting move. But we’ve got a trick up our sleeve.”

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Minute 5: The Flank

• Shot 13: Close up of Player C’s hand moving troops on the board’s left side.
• Player C: “Here’s the distraction…”
• Shot 14: Top-down shot revealing a large British force on the opposite side.
• Player D: “And here’s the real attack.”
• Shot 15: Over-the-shoulder shot of Player A observing the British movements.
• Player A (to camera): “Didn’t see that coming…”

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Minute 6: Challenges and Dice Rolls

• Shot 16: Close up of dice rolling, shifting fortunes.
• Voice Over: “The dice can be a game-changer. Literally.”
• Shot 17: Zoom in on Player B’s face reacting to a bad roll.
• Player B: “Not good. We need a Plan B.”
• Shot 18: Close up of Player D giving a sly smile.
• Player D (to camera): “Luck’s on our side today!”

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Minute 7: Defense and Pushback

• Shot 19: Wide angle showing the bridge with both sides’ troops clashing.
• Player A: “Reinforce the bridge. Push them back!”
• Shot 20: Close up of Player C’s hand pulling back some troops.
• Player C: “We need to regroup.”
• Shot 21: Zoom in on Player D reacting.
• Player D (to camera): “It’s a tug of war. We’re still in this.”

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Minute 8: The Tide Turns

• Shot 22: Bird’s eye view of the board, showing shifting troop positions.
• Voice Over: “It’s a back and forth. Who will clinch the win?”
• Shot 23: Close up of Player A and B in a short discussion, then nodding.
• Player B (to camera): “It’s about adapting. We’ve got a plan.”
• Shot 24: Over-the-shoulder shot of Player C observing German movements.
• Player C (to camera): “They’re up to something. We need to be careful.”

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Minute 9: Climax & Capture

• Shot 25: Close up of dice being rolled with a triumphant reaction from Player D.
• Player D: “That’s what we needed!”
• Shot 26: Wide angle showing a successful British push.
• Player C: “Charge! The bridge is ours!”
• Shot 27: Zoom in on Player A shaking his head.
• Player A (to camera): “Well played. Didn’t see that coming.”

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Minute 10: Wrap Up and Reflection

• Shot 28: Zoom out revealing the entire board, the aftermath evident.
• Voice Over: “And that’s a wrap. What a game!”
• Shot 29: Pan across Players A-D as they discuss key moments.
• Player B (to camera): “We had it, then lost it. That’s wargaming.”
• Shot 30: Final shot of all four players, arms around each other.
• Voice Over: “Strategy, dice, and a bit of luck. Until next time!”

Any more advice in particular?

In seeking more specific camera advice, I turned again to ChatGPT. The “god-robot”, as I fondly call it, provided a comprehensive sequence of shots based on the “Four at the Bridge: The Battle for Arnhem” wargame story:

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• 1. Establishing Shot: To introduce the wargame setting. Show the entire game setup on the table.
• 2. Aerial Shot: Transition from real world to the miniature world of Arnhem, emphasizing the intricate details of the battleground.
• 3. Medium Shot (MS): Focus on Players A and B as they converse and strategize.
• 4. Pan: Slide to Players C and D, revealing their confident demeanor.
• 5. Close-Up (CU): Focus on a hand as it rolls the dice to kick off the game.
• 6. Point-of-View Shot (POV): From Player A’s perspective, showing the movement of miniatures towards the bridge.
• 7. Two-Shot: Show Players C and D whispering to each other, revealing their alliance.
• 8. Medium Wide Shot (MWS): Displaying a significant part of the battlefield, showing the movement of troops from both sides.
• 9. Rack Focus: Transition focus between miniature troops in the foreground and defensive structures in the background.
• 10. Low Angle: Emphasize the bridge’s importance, making it appear grand and the main objective.
• 11. Insert Shot: Highlight a particular event, like a key artillery piece being moved or a bridge fortification.
• 12. Reaction Shot: Capture Player B’s response to an unexpected move by Player D.
• 13. Handheld Shot: To bring urgency during intense moments, like when there’s a major clash between the two sides.
• 14. Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OTS): From behind Player C, showcasing the advancing troops of Players A and B.
• 15. Whip Pan: Quickly transition from one player’s action to another’s reaction.
• 16. Extreme Close-Up (ECU): To show the determined eyes of a player or the fine details of a miniature.
• 17. Dolly Shot: To follow a significant move across the game board, like the advance of main troops.
• 18. Profile Shot: Showing Player D deeply engrossed in strategy.
• 19. Tilt: Transition from the chaos on the game board to the players’ expressions, emphasizing their investment in the game.
• 20. Cutaway: To a sideline event, like a player taking notes or referencing game rules.
• 21. Depth of Field Shot: Focus on Players A and B’s miniatures while also showcasing the distant actions of C and D’s miniatures.
• 22. Tracking or Follow Shot: Following a player as they stand and move around to get a better view of the battlefield.
• 23. Reaction Shot: Capturing Player A’s expression after a significant dice roll.
• 24. Rack Focus: Transition from a celebrating Player B to a worried Player C after a turning point in the game.
• 25. Arc Shot: Circle around the table as the game reaches its climax, emphasizing the shared intensity of all players.
• 26. Top Shot: Directly overhead as Players A & B’s troops finally reach the bridge, signaling their impending victory.
• 27. Medium Close-Up (MCU): On Player D, showing signs of defeat or planning a last-resort strategy.
• 28. Pull Back or Reveal Shot: As the game concludes, revealing all the players discussing and laughing about the game.
• 29. Two-Shot: Players A and B, celebrating their triumph.
• 30. Pan: To Players C and D, appreciating the game and shaking hands with their opponents.
• 31. Wide Shot (WS): To capture the final scene with all four players and the game table, ending the story on a note of camaraderie.

“This sequence should vividly capture the essence of the game, the strategy, the tension, and the camaraderie. Adjustments can be made based on the exact flow of events and game progress”, my god-robot added.

Later this year, I plan to set up and record a game—probably something Napoleonic, as I’ve already covered Arnhem. If everything goes as planned, I’ll have both the equipment and the format to produce polished battle reports much more efficiently than before.

For standard static photo reports, I still have a fondness for the cartoon strip or graphic novel style, which can be effortlessly achieved using the $30 Comic Life software.

Important: although I mention DJI and Comic Life, this blog is in no way sponsored. I buy my own gear and software, just like I buy my own rules and miniatures.