Welcome to Influenced, where we interview personalities of all stripes about the equipment they use to do their jobs and their advice for those looking to follow in their footsteps.

This week, we chatted with YouTube film critic Sean Chandler about how he created his home studio over the years.

Here are the cool things Sean Chandler does

• Film critic with more than 190,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel 'Sean Chandler talks about'

• He is a certified reviewer for the Rotten Tomatoes site.

• Experienced public speaker with appearances at various events and conventions.

When Chandler recorded his first video he decided to talk about the controversial 2016 Ghostbusters movie and at that time it was recorded using a MacBook's built-in webcam and a Blue Spark microphone that he had borrowed from a friend and connected via a USB interface. .

The audio was nice and crisp, but it had a terrible picture because it was an old camera built into a computer and I didn't have any lights in front of me, nothing to make it look good.

So I started with what I had.

As his hobby became a source of income (and eventually a full-time career as a film critic), Chandler gradually made updates that have allowed him to produce high-quality videos that are sharper than those early clips. MacBook.

Here's what Chandler's setup looks like today, and what he recommends for people interested in starting their YouTube channel:

Sean Chandler's Favorite Gadgets

For a simple and clear sound: Blue Yeti microphone (MX $ 2,599) 

One of the first big purchases Chandler made for his YouTube setup was the popular Blue Yeti microphone, with which he says he has recorded about 1,500 videos as of this writing.

It remains his most widely used microphone to this day, although he also has a high-end Blue Spark for MX $ 7,999.

Although everything sounded great at first, it was a simple setup.

So I bought a basic Blue Yeti.

It is a microphone that connects via USB to the computer.

It made everything much simpler.

Chandler is one of countless creators using the Blue Yeti, which we at 

CNN Underscored

have called the best microphone thanks to its precise and clear audio, four practical recording modes, useful controls and a solid construction.

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To bring it to life in front of the camera: Fancierstudio Lighting Kit (MX $ 4,659)

Like many experts we've talked to, Chandler emphasizes that having adequate lighting is invaluable when it comes to looking good on video.

And for him, that lighting comes from a relatively inexpensive set of studio lights that you can buy from Amazon Mexico.

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The Fancierstudio lighting kit that Chandler uses gives you three softbox lights, the kind you might see on the set of a photoshoot or in a television studio.

The kit includes two 16-inch by 24-inch lights and a single 16-inch by 16-inch light.

Each softbox includes four 45-watt fluorescent bulbs that should keep you looking bright and lively while shooting video or streaming, and there's a carrying case included for when you need to take your gear.

For recording in the studio: Logitech C930e (MX $) and Canon EOS M50 (MX $)

Chandler used a different series of cameras over the years improving the quality over the years and the growth of his channel.

Like many youtubers, it started with the beloved Logitech C920 before moving on to the high-end Logitech C930e that offers a wider field of view.

However, once the film critic made the decision to go full-time with his YouTube channel in early 2019, it was time for another update: the Canon EOS M50.

This popular camera has a list of high-end features, including the ability to record in 4K and provide fast autofocus, thanks to its advanced sensor.

Tips for those who want to open their channel on YouTube

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring YouTubers, Chandler said:

I think you should start as simple as possible and find out what you really need.

He was also quick to point out that you can get great video quality with the gear you already have just by making basic adjustments.

I was about to buy a new webcam and spent a ton of money, and then I just did a little research, asked a few questions, and people introduced me to software where I could edit the settings.

Chandler also recommends asking other creators for advice and ensures that they are most likely willing to help.

Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of publication of the article.