If you’ve ever dabbled in marketing, you know that video is king. 

But creating slick, engaging videos that don’t scream “amateur hour” is easier said than done. I’ve always wanted to master the art of video marketing, but between work and life, who has time to dive deep into filmmaking?

Cue Facebook—the digital oracle that knows exactly what you need (or at least thinks it does). After being bombarded with ads for the 14-Day Smartphone Filmmaker Course, I finally gave in. 

You’ve certainly already seen this face on your Facebook feed…

As someone who loves learning and can’t resist a good challenge, I figured, why not? 

I’ll finally be able to create marketing videos that look like they belong in a big-budget campaign, all with just my smartphone.

I’ll take you through my experience with the course, the brain behind it—Anthony Gallo—and whether it lived up to the hype (spoiler: it actually did!).

The course and its creator

Meet Anthony Gallo, the mastermind behind the 14-Day Smartphone Filmmaker Course:

With a background in filmmaking and a passion for teaching, he’s managed to simplify the art of video creation for everyday people like you and me. Gallo’s approach is refreshingly practical—no complicated jargon, no fancy equipment—just solid techniques that can make your smartphone footage look surprisingly cinematic.

The course itself is designed with a clear goal in mind: to help you create professional-looking videos in just 14 days. 

But Gallo breaks it down into bite-sized lessons that focus on the essentials—lighting, framing, movement, and storytelling—all while keeping things fun and engaging.

One of the standout aspects of this course is its accessibility. Whether you’re a complete novice or someone with a bit of experience, Gallo’s teaching style makes it easy to follow along without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, his emphasis on practice ensures that you’re not just watching tutorials—you’re actually building real skills.

Another thing I appreciated is how Gallo busts the myth that you need a Hollywood budget to make great videos. Throughout the course, he introduces affordable accessories (I bought most of mine from Temu ^^) and clever hacks to elevate your production quality without emptying your wallet.

Why it’s cool?

The best way to describe this course? I’d say it’s accessible, practical, and surprisingly fun. Here’s why I think it’s cool:

  • Comprehensive yet simple: The course strikes a perfect balance between depth and simplicity. Whether it’s understanding lighting, framing, or audio, each lesson is clear and digestible. No overwhelming jargon—just actionable steps.
  • Hands-on approach: This isn’t one of those courses where you watch hours of content and do nothing. Every lesson comes with a practical assignment, pushing you to experiment and get your hands dirty.
  • Budget-friendly hacks: Who knew you could achieve cinematic shots with a few clever tricks and affordable accessories? Anthony provides real-world solutions that work without spending a fortune.
  • Instant Gratification: Seeing immediate improvements in my videos was incredibly motivating. The progress was tangible, and that kept me coming back for more.

A few things I personally enjoyed:

  • Learning how to shoot smooth tracking shots using simple handheld techniques.
  • Discovering budget-friendly microphones that drastically should improve my audio quality.
  • Editing tricks that should turn my raw footage into engaging, polished content with minimal effort.

Downsides

While the course offers a lot of great content, it’s not without its challenges. The marketing approach, for instance, felt a bit too much at times. The flashy landing pages, persuasive copy, and relentless ad campaigns felt straight out of an aggressive online sales playbook. I usually avoid such aggressively marketed courses, expecting disappointment, but this one turned out to be an exception.

Another significant challenge was the ambitious 14-day timeline. Let’s be real—14 days might sound achievable on paper, but when you have a full-time job and a personal life, it’s tough to keep up. Realistically, this course should be marketed as a “14-Session Filmmaker” instead. I found myself spreading the lessons over a month, at speed 1,5X to fully absorb and apply everything I was learning. The course is excellent, but it requires flexibility, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to rush through it.

After completing the course, I took the plunge and ordered all the recommended gear—stabilizers, microphones, the whole kit. I feel equipped and excited to start producing better marketing videos that will hopefully stand out in the crowded digital space.

Despite my initial skepticism, this course turned out to be a great investment. It delivered practical skills in an engaging way, and I’m genuinely looking forward to applying what I’ve learned. While the aggressive marketing initially put me off, the content itself was well worth it.

If you’re on the fence about trying it, my advice is simple: go for it, but take your time. 

The 14-day timeline is ambitious, and there’s no harm in pacing yourself. Whether you’re looking to up your video marketing game or just create better content for social media, this course is a solid starting point that offers real value without breaking the bank.

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