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  • Jeff Stein

    Jeff Stein

    Jeff Stein

    Drone Operator (Independent Contractor)

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    Jeff Stein has flown over 500 successful and diverse commercial drone pilot jobs since 2016 ranging from documentaries, music festivals and events, live broadcasts, car commercials, real estate, promotional marketing and beyond. One of the most notable drone projects was the live broadcast of the College Football National Championship Halftime Show on ESPN with over 28 million viewers.

    In addition, Jeff has been the drone operator for many live performances, including Imagine Dragons, Lil Wayne, ODESZA and, most recently, Olivia Rodrigo’s live performance at the San Diego Rady Shell for a Universal production.

    Jeff has also operated during large festivals including BottleRock in Napa and 4XFAR in the Coachella Valley.

    Jeff also has experience in high security projects as well, including aerial filming for multiple military contractors and the Navy, including the dry docking of two Navy destroyers on a brand new flagship dry dock by BAE systems.

    Based in San Diego, California, Jeff has experience in locations such as downtown San Diego, including Petco Ballpark, San Francisco’s Bay Bridge and financial district, the Port of Oakland, Port of San Francisco, Port of San Diego, San Diego Maritime Museum, Port of Ensenada, the US Border Patrol, military contractors and multiple California State Parks.

    Although most of his work is conducted in California, Jeff works all over the country and world, including Canada, Mexico, Greece, Ukraine and Montenegro.

    Jeff’s is holds a FAA Part 107 certification.

  • What Is B-Roll & Why It’s Called That (and what’s the opposite?)

    If you’ve ever watched a news story, documentary, or promotional video, you’ve seen B-roll—even if you didn’t know it had a name. B-roll is the supporting video footage that plays while a voiceover, interview, or narration is happening. It helps visually tell the story, adds context, and keeps the viewer engaged.

    But why is it called B-roll? And what’s the opposite of it? Let’s break it down.What Is B-Roll? Why It’s Called That (and What the Opposite Is)

    The Origin of the Term “B-Roll”

    The term “B-roll” dates back to the days of film editing. In traditional editing rooms, editors would work with two rolls of film:

    • A-roll: The main footage—usually the interviews, talking heads, or primary scenes.
    • B-roll: Supplemental footage—shots that could be cut in to cover edits, add variety, or illustrate what’s being talked about.

    The B-roll literally came from the “B” roll of film used alongside the main “A” roll. Over time, the term stuck, even in our digital era.

    What’s the Opposite of B-Roll?

    The opposite of B-roll is A-roll—your main footage. In a news segment, the A-roll might be the anchor speaking on camera or an interviewee telling their story. The B-roll would be shots of the location, related activities, or other visuals that support what’s being said.

    Think of A-roll as the core message and B-roll as the visual reinforcement that makes the message richer and more compelling.

    Why B-Roll Matters in Modern Video Production

    High-quality B-roll can:

    • Make your video more visually engaging.
    • Cover jump cuts for smoother edits.
    • Provide context and detail for the story.
    • Increase the chances of your footage being picked up by media outlets.

    Without strong B-roll, even the best interviews or scripts can feel flat.

    How F&L Media Can Help with B-Roll Packages

    At F&L Media, we understand that sometimes news crews simply can’t attend your event—whether due to scheduling conflicts, travel distance, or breaking news elsewhere. That’s where we step in.

    We can produce professional B-roll packages that include:

    • Crisp, well-framed shots that tell your story visually.
    • Relevant close-ups, wide shots, and action footage.
    • Audio clips or natural sound for added atmosphere.
    • Proper formatting and delivery for newsrooms.

    Our B-roll packages are ready-to-use, making it easy for TV stations, online outlets, and social media teams to cover your story without physically being there.

    Final Takeaway

    B-roll may have started as the “second roll of film,” but in today’s fast-paced media world, it’s essential for telling complete, compelling stories. Whether you’re making a promotional video, pitching to a news outlet, or building social content, strong B-roll is the glue that holds the narrative together—and F&L Media can make sure yours stands out.

    Need professional B-roll for your next event?
    Contact F&L Media today and let us help you get your story seen—even when the media can’t make it in person.

  • Social Media Video Production vs. TV & Event Videos

    Shooting for Social Media vs. TV or Event Videos: Why It’s Different

    When you watch a video on Instagram or TikTok, it’s immediately clear that it doesn’t look or feel like a TV commercial or a video played at an event. The difference isn’t just in the message—it’s in how it’s shot, framed, and delivered. While all three share storytelling fundamentals, producing social media videos is a specialized craft, especially for brands that want results.

    The Similarities Between Social, TV, and Event Videos

    No matter where your video plays—social media, television, or on the big screen—it’s built on the same foundation:

    • Clear messaging – Knowing exactly what you want to say.
    • Strong visuals – Eye-catching imagery that grabs attention.
    • Professional production value – Quality lighting, crisp audio, and polished editing.

    Quality matters everywhere. But the approach changes based on the platform and audience.

    What Makes Social Media Video Production Special

    1. Aspect Ratios & Formats

    TV commercials and event videos typically use a 16:9 widescreen format for big displays. Social media requires more variety:

    • Vertical (9:16) for TikTok, Instagram Stories, and YouTube Shorts.
    • Square (1:1) for Instagram and Facebook feeds.
    • Horizontal (16:9) for YouTube and LinkedIn—still common, but must be mobile-friendly.

    Social video production often means planning for multiple versions from the start so your content looks its best everywhere.

    2. Audience Behavior

    • TV audiences are seated and ready to watch.
    • Event audiences are focused on the presentation.
    • Social media audiences are scrolling quickly, often with the sound muted.

    That’s why social videos need captions, text overlays, and visual hooks to grab attention in seconds.

    3. Pacing & Story Structure

    • TV ads can tell a full story in 30 seconds.
    • Event videos can build emotion over several minutes.
    • Social videos often need to get the point across in under 15 seconds—and still make an impact.

    On social, your hook in the first 1–3 seconds is everything.

    4. Purpose & Context

    A television ad might focus on brand awareness. An event video might inspire or celebrate. Social videos often have micro-goals—drive clicks, boost engagement, or spark conversation—working as part of a bigger content strategy.

    How F&L Media Creates High-Impact Social Videos

    At F&L Media in San Diego, we know creating effective social content isn’t about cropping a TV spot into a vertical format—it’s about rethinking the strategy entirely. We:

    • Plan for platforms from the very first storyboard.
    • Shoot for multiple formats so content is optimized everywhere.
    • Craft scroll-stopping hooks that grab attention instantly.
    • Adapt storytelling for audience behavior and trends.

    Whether you need Instagram Reels, TikTok ads, LinkedIn videos, or a multi-platform campaign, we make sure your message not only looks professional but performs.

    Ready to make your social videos as powerful as your TV and event content?
    Contact F&L Media today to create content that fits every screen—and every audience.

  • White Balance: The Secret to Natural-Looking Photos and Videos

    If you’ve ever taken a photo indoors and everyone looked orange, or filmed outside and everything looked icy blue, you’ve run into a white balance problem.

    White balance is how your camera decides what “true white” should look like in a shot—and it has a huge impact on the colors in your photos and videos. Get it right, and your footage looks natural and professional. Get it wrong, and even the best composition can look “off.”

    What White Balance Actually Does

    Every light source has a color—even if your eyes don’t always notice it. Some light is warmer (more orange), and some is cooler (more blue). White balance adjusts for that color so your whites actually look white, and skin tones look natural.

    To measure this color, cameras use a scale called Kelvin (K). While Kelvin is technically a scientific temperature scale, in photography and video it simply describes how warm or cool the light is:

    • Lower numbers (2000K–3500K): warm light, like candlelight or old-fashioned tungsten bulbs
    • Middle range (4000K–5000K): neutral, like daylight on a cloudy day
    • Higher numbers (5500K–7500K+): cool light, like noon sun or a cloudy sky

    Why White Balance Matters

    When your white balance is wrong, you’ll see:

    • Orange tint indoors under warm lights
    • Blue tint outdoors in bright daylight or shade
    • Weird skin tones in portraits or interviews

    Correct white balance makes your image feel true-to-life, which is essential in everything from product photography to documentary filmmaking.

    Common Lighting Scenarios and Their Kelvin Ranges

    Here are a few typical lighting scenarios and their corresponding Kelvin values:

    Lighting SourceColor Temperature (Kelvin)
    Candlelight~1900K
    Tungsten bulb~3200K
    Sunrise/Sunset~3000K–3500K
    Fluorescent light~4000K
    Midday sunlight~5500K–5600K
    Overcast daylight~6500K–7500K
    Shade or heavy clouds~7000K–8000K+

    How to Use White Balance on Your Camera

    Most cameras let you:

    1. Pick a preset (like “Daylight,” “Shade,” or “Tungsten”)—good for quick setups.
    2. Manually set the Kelvin number—best for precise control.

    Examples:

    • Indoors under warm lights? Try 3200K.
    • Bright sunny day? Around 5600K works well.
    • Want to fake a golden hour look? Lower your setting to 4500K to warm things up.

    Some filmmakers even deliberately adjust white balance for creative effects—cooling down a hospital scene to feel sterile or warming up a café scene to make it cozy.

    Matching Lights for Consistency

    If you’re using artificial lights like LED panels, many let you choose the exact Kelvin value. Matching all your lights to the same white balance keeps your colors consistent and saves a ton of work in post-production.

    Final Thoughts

    White balance isn’t just a technical setting—it’s one of the easiest ways to make your images look polished and professional. By understanding how Kelvin relates to the warmth or coolness of light, you can control the mood, accuracy, and style of your visuals.

    Next time you pick up your camera, don’t just trust auto white balance. Take a moment to set it yourself—your future self (and your audience) will thank you.

    Want more tips on lighting, camera settings, and production tricks? Keep an eye on our site for new blogs or follow us on social media.

  • How to incorporate videos into your social media plan?

    Incorporating videos into your social media plan can significantly boost engagement, drive traffic, and increase brand awareness. Video content tends to perform well across most platforms due to its ability to capture attention and communicate messages quickly and effectively.

    Here’s how to strategically incorporate videos into your social media plan:

    Define Your Goals and Objectives

    What do you want to achieve with video? Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive traffic, generate leads, or improve customer engagement? Having clear goals helps shape your content strategy and ensures that your video efforts align with your overall social media objectives.

    Understand Your Audience

    Know where your audience is: Different platforms attract different demographics, so understanding where your target audience spends their time is key. For instance, younger audiences tend to engage more on TikTok and Instagram, while LinkedIn is more suited for professional or B2B content.

    Tailor content to platform preferences: Each platform has its own culture and preferences for video content:

    • LinkedIn (professional content, thought leadership)
    • Instagram Reels or Stories (short, snappy content)
    • TikTok (fun, viral, trend-driven videos)
    • Facebook (longer, informative videos)
    • YouTube (in-depth tutorials, vlogs, or product demos)

    Create a Content Calendar

    Plan in advance: Consistency is key on social media. Create a content calendar where you schedule video posts throughout the month. This helps ensure regular posting and alignment with any campaigns, promotions, or seasonal events.

    Balance video with other content types: Video should be a key part of your social media strategy, but it’s important to mix it with other types of content like images, carousels, blog posts, or infographics to maintain variety and keep your audience engaged.

    Tailor Your Videos for Each Platform

    • Aspect ratio: Different platforms have different video dimension requirements (e.g., square for Instagram posts, vertical for Stories and TikTok, landscape for YouTube).
    • Video length: For TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Stories, short, quick-to-consume videos work best (15–60 seconds), whereas YouTube and Facebook can support longer formats (2–10 minutes).
    • Captions and Thumbnails: Include engaging captions and create eye-catching thumbnails, especially on platforms like YouTube or Facebook. Captions are also crucial for accessibility and for people who watch videos with the sound off, especially on mobile.

    Types of Video Content to Consider

    Product Demos: Showcase your product in action to highlight its features, benefits, and unique selling points.

    Behind-the-Scenes (BTS): Share authentic, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your company, product development, or team. This builds trust and adds personality to your brand.

    Customer Testimonials: Video testimonials from satisfied customers are powerful social proof. They can help convert prospects by showing real people enjoying your product or service.

    Tutorials/How-Tos: Educate your audience on how to use your product or provide solutions to common problems within your industry.

    Live Streams: Live videos generate a sense of urgency and can be used for product launches, Q&A sessions, or behind-the-scenes events. They can drive higher engagement due to their interactive nature.

    User-Generated Content (UGC): Encourage your audience to create and share their own video content using your product. Reposting UGC is a great way to increase engagement and build community.

    Announcements & Updates: Use videos to share news, events, or company updates. Video content tends to attract more attention than text-based posts.

    Use Video Ads for Targeted Campaigns

    Facebook/Instagram Ads: Create video ads tailored to your target audience, using the platform’s targeting features to reach specific demographics based on interests, behaviors, or location.

    Retargeting Ads: Use video ads to retarget people who have previously engaged with your brand but haven’t yet converted. Retargeting can be highly effective when paired with engaging video content.

    Test Different Video Formats: Test video formats, lengths, and calls to action to see what works best for your audience. Experiment with short ads (5-15 seconds) for quick impact or longer ads for more detailed storytelling.

    Engage with Your Audience

    Encourage comments and interaction: Encourage interaction with CTAs like “Comment below,” “Tag a friend,” or “Share your thoughts.” Make use of platform features like polls, quizzes, and challenges to build a two-way conversation.

    Polls, quizzes, and challenges: Incorporate interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or hashtag challenges to boost engagement. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have features that make it easy to create interactive video content.

    Measure and Analyze Performance

    Track engagement metrics: Monitor how your videos perform by looking at metrics like view count, watch time, likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates (CTRs). Use this data to determine which types of videos resonate most with your audience.

    Adjust strategy based on insights: If certain types of video content or platforms outperform others, adjust your strategy to focus more on high-performing areas.

    A/B testing: Experiment with different video styles, thumbnails, and CTAs to see what generates the most engagement.

    Repurpose Video Content

    Cross-promote across platforms: Take your long-form videos and break them down into shorter clips for Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. You can create teasers, highlights, or behind-the-scenes snippets from longer YouTube videos.

    Repurpose user-generated content: If you get great video content from customers, repost it across your social channels with credit. This not only gives you more content but also helps build trust with your community.

    Leverage Trends and Challenges

    Jump on viral trends: Take advantage of trending sounds, challenges, or hashtags on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to make your videos more discoverable and relevant to current social conversations.

    Stay authentic to your brand: While participating in trends can increase visibility, ensure that your video content stays aligned with your brand’s voice and values.

    By thoughtfully incorporating video content into your social media plan, you can create engaging, shareable content that builds community, strengthens brand awareness, and drives action from your audience.

    Why Hire a Professional Video Production Company?

    While smartphones and DIY tools have made video creation more accessible, there’s a clear advantage to partnering with a professional video production company like F&L Media—especially if you’re serious about elevating your brand.

    1. Quality and Credibility: Professionally produced videos signal that your business is legitimate, trustworthy, and invested in delivering high-quality experiences. From lighting and sound to scripting and editing, the polish and storytelling of a pro-level video can’t be replicated with off-the-cuff mobile clips.

    2. Strategy-Driven Production: F&L Media doesn’t just shoot and edit—we work with you to align each video with your broader marketing and business goals. Whether it’s growing your audience, converting leads, or establishing thought leadership, every piece of content is built with purpose.

    3. Platform Optimization: Our team at F&L Media understands the technical and creative nuances of each social platform. We deliver videos tailored in format, tone, and pacing for maximum engagement on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

    4. Time and Resource Savings: Video production takes time—and a lot of it. By outsourcing to F&L Media, you free up your internal team to focus on growth while we handle everything from storyboarding to post-production.

    5. Scalable Content Creation: With a well-planned shoot, F&L Media can help you create multiple pieces of content—reels, behind-the-scenes clips, ads, and more—from a single session. This gives you a consistent stream of on-brand content to keep your feed active and compelling.

    6. Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent visual identity across your videos is crucial for building brand recognition. F&L Media ensures that your brand’s look, tone, and messaging are reflected in every frame.

    By integrating professional video production from F&L Media into your social media strategy, you’re not just creating content—you’re making a statement. It shows your audience that you take your brand seriously, and in turn, they’ll take you seriously too.

    Let F&L Media help you create video content that turns scrolls into clicks and views into loyal customers.