On Thursday, November 17, four days after Owen returned to Los Angeles, Second Take Films reappeared in the feed of all its subscribers. Almost a month had passed since the last video, so the notification caught many people by surprise. What no one expected was the type of content.
For the first time in the history of the channel, it wasn't a short film, nor a trailer.
It was a vlog.
The title and the thumbnail immediately caught attention. The duration exceeded fourteen minutes, making it the longest video on the channel. In the thumbnail, Owen appeared in the foreground surrounded by boxes and new equipment, while Matt, in the background, made a peace sign with an expression of astonishment at the mountain of purchases.
The title: "I Spent $265,000 on Film Gear (I'm Not a Director, by the Way)"
The reception was huge. In just one week, the video had accumulated more than three million views.
[YouTube]
📺 I Spent $265,000 on Film Gear (I'm Not a Director, by the Way)
👤 Second Take Films
📌 1,658,529 subscribers
👁️ 3,124,572 views | ⏳ Published 7 days ago
💬 22,463 comments
From the 17th to the 24th, the video managed to average nearly 450 thousand views per day, a strong number considering it was a vlog.
[Video excerpts]
The screen turns on and Owen appears in a medium shot, sitting in front of his desk, with natural light coming in through the window. He's wearing a black hoodie, his hair slightly messy, and a faint smile, looking at the camera relaxed, as if he were in front of a friend.
OWEN (to camera):
"Hey, how's it going? I'm Owen… If you're subscribers to the channel, you probably know me from Paperman and The Black Hole, or Paranormal Activity… But today we're not here to talk about that."
He leans forward a bit, resting his arms comfortably on the desk.
OWEN:
"I wanted to do something different. This is going to be a more personal video. I want you to come with me to buy better film equipment for the channel's upcoming projects. The gear I have worked well for the short films, but it's starting to feel a bit outdated… I need to upgrade several things."
He slightly changes his tone, almost amused.
OWEN:
"So, if you're interested in behind-the-scenes stuff, if you want to see what I use on this channel and what I'm going to use from now on… stick around, because today we're going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on gear. With a purpose, sure… but ridiculous nonetheless. But first I want you to see the current equipment, the gear I used to make everything on this channel."
The camera makes a small cut and Owen appears inside a room that clearly functions as his studio. Shelves with boxes, LED lights, tripods, and a table with meticulously organized equipment.
Owen grabs the camera and walks around the space.
OWEN:
"Alright… this is the current arsenal. Field monitors; one large and one secondary. An MKH-416 microphone, I still don't understand how I remember that name. Portable lights, a professional recorder, stands… 40TB of storage. And the most expensive part of all: these three cinema lenses."
On screen, each lens appears with a small label as Owen keeps talking.
OWEN:
"Fun fact: all this equipment cost me twenty-seven thousand dollars. More than Paranormal Activity."
He pauses briefly as the camera refocuses on him.
OWEN:
"And now some of you are probably thinking: 'Where's the main camera? How did you shoot Lights Out, Paperman, and everything else without one?'"
He leaves a dramatic pause and smiles.
OWEN:
"The answer is simple: I don't have a main camera. The one I used was borrowed from my friend, and honestly, we need him to help me today. Many of you already know him as the director of Paranormal Activity and basically the director of every short film on this channel…"
At that exact moment, the screen switches to a retro video-game, style transition: pixelated visuals, chiptune music, and bars filling up as if a secret character were being unlocked.
[Name: Matt Rogers]
Age: 21
Class: Director
Studies: Directing at USC
Specialties: Cheap beer and wine, late-night editing, unlimited energy
Skills:
-Effective directing, but with overflowing enthusiasm
-Starting sentences without knowing how to finish them
-Negative self-control
-Passive skill: Talks faster than his brain
Matt appears in the room out of nowhere, as if he had been summoned.
MATT (excited):
"The day has finally arrived! We're getting top-tier gear. My camera is already held together with duct tape, it deserves retirement."
His energy contrasts with Owen's calm, as Owen watches him with a slight smile, letting him talk.
OWEN:
"Is it really that bad?"
Matt nods several times.
MATT:
"I've had it since I was fifteen. It has quality, but it's outdated."
OWEN (joking):
"What if we give it away on the channel?"
Matt's eyes widen as if Owen had just committed blasphemy.
MATT (indignant):
"Of course not! It has sentimental value. That camera is a survivor, it deserves a display case or something."
OWEN (laughing):
"I'm kidding. It doesn't deserve that."
Matt exhales in relief, though he keeps up the dramatic exaggeration.
OWEN:
"Alright, you're the expert. You made the shopping list, the models, prices… What's first?"
MATT (excited):
"First, the most important thing: the main camera. Today we choose the definitive one. The one that's going to be the heart of absolutely all the next projects."
OWEN:
"What are the options, and where are we going to buy them?"
Matt smiles broadly, as if he'd been waiting for that question.
MATT:
"We're going to AbelCine! One of the biggest professional film stores in America. And of course, they have a branch right here in Los Angeles. Our options are two: the famous ARRI Alexa Mini LF, or the RED V-Raptor XL."
Owen points to himself, raising an eyebrow.
OWEN:
"In English, please."
Matt nods, takes a breath, and starts explaining with almost dangerous enthusiasm.
MATT:
"The ARRI Alexa Mini LF, which has nothing 'Mini' about it, is literally the most used camera in the world in 2021. Probably in 2022 as well. It's used in movies, series, commercials… To give you an idea: Dune was shot with one of these."
Then he suddenly speeds up.
MATT (faster and faster):
"Full-frame sensor, spectacular dynamic range, the most cinematic color science on the market, stable workflow, total compatibility with practically any professional setup, robust, reliable, and-"
The video starts playing at x2 speed, then x3, then x4, while Matt keeps moving his hands as if he were preaching about alien technology.
Owen's face is a clear poker face already lost, glancing sideways at the camera, waiting for it to end.
The speed returns to normal just as Matt runs out of air.
MATT (letting out a sigh):
"And that's the general explanation. Now, the RED V-Raptor XL-"
The video speeds up again. This time even faster. Matt gestures as if he were giving a university lecture.
Finally, it returns to real time.
MATT (smiling, satisfied):
"That's everything."
Owen looks at him for a second, as if processing the tsunami of information.
OWEN:
"You know I'm going to put that whole part in fast-forward, right? I don't think people want to watch fifteen straight minutes of technical explanations about cameras and their sensors."
Matt laughs, completely unapologetic.
MATT:
"Yeah, do whatever you want. It's extremely important information anyway. At least to me."
OWEN:
"Perfect. So… shall we?"
MATT:
"Let's go! Let's go now! I want to touch an Alexa Mini with my own hands!"
Matt exits the frame almost at a run.
Owen looks at the camera and says in an amused tone.
OWEN:
"There you have the director of the film with the highest ROI in history. But I have to say, he really knows his stuff."
The screen makes a smooth transition and now they're inside a moving car. The camera points at Owen, who's driving calmly. This time Matt is the one holding the camera.
MATT (mocking tone):
"As you can see, folks, we're in a BMW."
He zooms in on the steering wheel, where the BMW logo fills the entire screen.
MATT:
"However, this is not the famous BMW that financed Paranormal Activity. Right, Owen?"
Owen laughs without taking his eyes off the road.
OWEN:
"No, it's not. This one's new. I bought it with my The Hunger Games paycheck. Let's say it's the younger brother of the other one."
MATT (laughing):
"But the other one was sold to the highest bidder."
OWEN (nodding):
"Don't say it out loud, the brother mustn't know."
They both laugh, trading nonsense comments for several seconds. The drive continues with small jokes and exaggerations until they finally exit the highway and the car comes to a stop.
Owen parks in front of a modern building with large glass windows and bright signs: AbelCine.
They both get out of the car. Owen is now holding the camera as he walks toward the automatic door. The door opens and they enter the massive showroom filled with cameras, lenses, and professional equipment.
MATT (excited whisper):
"I'm in heaven."
OWEN:
"And I'm in the place where they're going to take a lot of money from me."
After only a few steps, a young, well-dressed salesperson with glasses approaches them professionally, until he notices the camera recording and looks slightly taken aback.
SALESPERSON:
"Can I help you with something?"
Matt steps forward with unexpected seriousness.
MATT (solemn tone):
"We'd like to see an ARRI Alexa Mini LF and a RED V-Raptor XL."
The salesperson nods, not particularly surprised. His gaze shifts to Owen, and he seems to recognize him.
SALESPERSON:
"Wait a second… aren't you… Owen? The guy from Paranormal Activity and Paperman?"
Owen blinks, a bit surprised, but keeps his natural composure.
OWEN:
"Yes, that's me."
The salesperson smiles, a mix of professionalism and excitement.
SALESPERSON:
"Wow. Your movie was impressive. Congratulations on the record, by the way."
Owen thanks him with a humble gesture.
OWEN:
"Thanks. Is it okay if we film here? We're shooting a vlog."
The salesperson looks at the camera for a second and nods without hesitation.
SALESPERSON:
"No problem. You do vlogs now?"
OWEN:
"Let's say it's a new format for the channel."
SALESPERSON:
"In that case… follow me. I'll set up both cameras in the testing area."
Matt takes a deep breath, almost trembling with excitement, rubbing his hands together.
MATT (whispering):
"Finally…"
Owen points the camera at him, gradually zooming in.
OWEN:
"You look like a criminal about to commit a crime. Calm down."
Matt smiles nervously, but doesn't calm down at all.
The scene cuts to a studio inside the store: black walls, perfect lighting, a professional table, and on top of it, two metal cases with the ARRI and RED logos. The salesperson carefully opens both.
For several minutes, they test each camera. Matt examines menus and movements. The salesperson also explains advanced features.
Owen doesn't understand half of it, but Matt translates it for him and for the audience watching the video.
Eventually, the fast-forwarded discussion ends, and Owen and Matt step a few feet away to make the final decision about which camera to buy.
MATT (out of breath):
"The RED is incredible. But the Alexa… it has the best color science on the planet. It's… pure cinema."
Owen thinks for a few seconds and nods.
OWEN:
"Then, Alexa."
The camera has to be purchased with the full kit: the Alexa body, the battery, chargers, and more.
Then, once the salesperson had entered the entire purchase into the computer, he looked at Owen.
SALESPERSON:
"That will be ninety-two thousand dollars. Would you like to review it for a moment, or are you ready to proceed?"
Matt lets out an impressed whistle at the figure, though it was normal for this type of high-end camera.
OWEN:
"I will continue. Bank transfer."
Even the salesperson, used to seeing numbers like that, raised an eyebrow when he saw that Owen was ready to pay without an appointment and without giving it much thought.
In the same store, taking advantage of the fact that they were already there, Owen and Matt moved on to the professional cinema lens section. Matt tested them one by one with great devotion. Meanwhile, Owen alternated between filming and looking at the price of each lens, his expressions growing increasingly resigned.
In total, between the three main lenses, plus accessories, mounts, and protection, they added more than fifty thousand dollars to the bill.
Then they moved on to the lighting and illumination equipment area, where they added almost thirty-five thousand dollars more.
Even the salesperson, already accustomed to clients with high budgets, began raising his eyebrows.
Was the creator of the indie phenomenon of the year about to film another movie?
A bigger one?
A high-budget one?
The doubt showed in every surprised look as Matt and Owen added more and more items.
Then there's a transition where Owen and Matt exit through the doors of AbelCine. Matt is carrying three huge boxes, while Owen films him, amused.
OWEN:
"Careful, you're carrying objects worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."
MATT:
"Stop filming and help me! It's your money, and I'll never forgive myself if I break one of these babies!"
Owen laughs and there's a cut. They appear in front of the open trunk of the BMW, where everything is already stored and neatly arranged.
MATT (excited):
"First half completed!"
Owen gets into the car and, before heading to the next store, shows the purchase receipt, where the amount spent so far can be seen: $177,000. A counter appears in the video showing how much money they've spent up to that point.
The vlog continues as they visit other specialized stores.
They weren't places as premium as AbelCine, but they did carry high-quality products and, according to Matt, more affordable prices. The most important and premium items, the cameras and lenses, were already taken care of.
More receipts, more boxes going into the car, and more back-and-forth comments between the two of them.
In the final minutes of the video, they were back at Owen's apartment. The camera, now on a tripod, showed several stacked boxes, cases, bags with accessories, and brand-new equipment.
Owen was sitting in a swivel chair, and Matt stood with his arms crossed, looking over all the new gear.
OWEN:
"Well… that's it. We bought everything."
MATT:
"Everything."
A final counter appears on screen, ticking up until it reaches the final total:
💸 Total spending of the day: $265,735.00
OWEN:
"Well, everyone… that's it for today's video. Thanks for watching."
MATT (in a tone somewhere between joking and serious):
"Subscribe. Big things are coming."
Owen lets out a short laugh, shaking his head.
OWEN:
"See you."
He reaches his hand toward the camera, covering the lens with his palm. The screen goes completely dark, and the video comes to an end.
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Link: https://[email protected]/Nathe07