Sidney Diongzon is a filmmaker and photographer who loves to chase stories, traveling around the globe shooting campaigns with brands like Mazda, Sony and Google. Sharing his knowledge on YouTube and Instagram, he helps other aspiring creators become better storytellers through practical tutorials, camera gear reviews, cinematic visuals and behind-the-scene vlogs.
As a #DellInsideCircle member, Sidney’s Dell Precision 5750 workstation is integral to his post-production efforts. I recently sat down with him to discuss his current projects and the role of technology in his work.
Matt: What inspired you to become a filmmaker and photographer?
Sidney: I featured in commercials as a kid, and my first professional gig was with Nestle. When I arrived on set, I was intrigued by how many people were behind the camera. There were people setting up lights, dressing the set, and of course the director who was coordinating everything. I was blown away! It was that moment I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker. I went to film school at Chapman University. After graduating college, I went straight into freelancing using my newly acquired skills to film weddings and shoot corporate and travel videos.
What’s been your favorite project to work on, and why?
My favorite project was a campaign for Mazda in 2018. They invited six creators to go on an epic road trip and drive their new CX vehicles from Vancouver to the Arctic Ocean. Our job was to capture the journey and enjoy the ride. I drove over 4000km on the Alaskan Highway, swam in a natural hot spring in freezing temperatures at night, raced against a blizzard to cross the Arctic Circle, and stepped foot on the frozen Arctic Ocean. That project encompasses everything I love: filmmaking, photography, and traveling.
Any “bucket list” items or goals you’d like to achieve in future?
One day, I’d love to travel from the South Pole to the North Pole in 30 days. Can you imagine documenting that journey starting from Antarctica, traveling through Patagonia, the Andes, Route 66, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, and standing on a glacier in the North Pole?
What five pieces of gear or software could you not live without?
As a filmmaker and photographer, it would be hard to live without my camera, phone, Precision 5750 workstation, Premiere Pro and Lightroom.
What role does technology play in your day-to-day workflow? How has the Dell Precision workstation enhanced your workflow?
Technology is naturally embedded in my line of work. Whether it’s filming a vlog or taking photos, I rely on tech because it helps me tell the most compelling stories. Luckily, I’ve been able to bring my Dell Precision 5750 workstation everywhere I go. Whether I’m working in a studio or out in the mountains, I can easily offload my 4K footage and RAW photos thanks to the built-in SD card slot. Thanks to the powerful Intel® Xeon® processor and NVIDIA RTX™ 3000 graphics card, I can edit photos and videos on the go. The Dell Precision 5750 is portable, powerful, and perfect for the work I do.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to be in your shoes?
Learn how to get back up after a video doesn’t do well or if you receive negative comments. Making videos and sharing them with the world is one of the most grueling things anyone can do. It makes you vulnerable because your work is at the mercy of the algorithm and keyboard warriors are always ready to critique you. It was hard when I received my first negative comment on a YouTube video. Of course, it hurt; I’m only human. But telling stories through video and photography is my passion, and I wasn’t going to let a few words from a stranger dictate my happiness. I learned to brush off those comments, get back up and try again. After much perseverance, I’m happy to say I’m a full-time YouTuber.
What new technologies are you excited to explore for future storytelling?
I get excited about first-person view (FPV) drones! I love how immersive FPV drone video looks. I hope to one day start creating stories in the sky.
Who inspires you?
My family inspires me big time. It’s a cheesy answer, but they are the reason why I do what I do.
