Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: AI Tracking, Filmmaking & Teleprompter Production
Master the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI from setup to advanced production. Learn balancing, gimbal modes, AI tracking, ZY Cami, StaCam, smartphone filmmaking, Video Teleprompter, Teleprompter Pro, Glide Gear TMP50 workflows, camera movement, troubleshooting and professional content creation.
What the Course Teaches
Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is a complete beginner-to-advanced course that teaches students how to set up, operate, control, troubleshoot, and creatively use the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI smartphone gimbal.
The course begins with the fundamentals, including hardware identification, package contents, charging, mounting, balancing, axis movement, controls, buttons, indicators, and gimbal modes. Students then progress into AI tracking, gesture control, custom framing, app-based shooting, native camera workflows, manual filmmaking controls, advanced settings, calibration, firmware management, troubleshooting, and real-world filming techniques.
The course also teaches practical smartphone filmmaking, including smooth walking, camera movement, composition, B-roll, shot sequencing, visual storytelling, creator-focused filming workflows, and scripted on-camera production.
Students will also learn two professional teleprompter workflows. The first uses Video Teleprompter on the iPhone for direct scripted recording with the Smooth 5S AI. The second uses Teleprompter Pro with dedicated teleprompter hardware for more traditional studio-style prompting and professional production.
The dedicated teleprompter training includes the Glide Gear TMP50, iPad Air 2, GoPro HERO9 Black, and Satechi R2 remote, giving students a complete hands-on workflow for professional scripted video production.
Who the Course Serves
This course serves complete beginners, Smooth 5S AI owners, content creators, filmmakers, educators, trainers, product reviewers, and anyone who wants to improve the quality of their smartphone video production.
It is especially useful for YouTubers, TikTok creators, Instagram creators, Facebook creators, vloggers, travelers, small-business owners, Amazon Influencers, course creators, product demonstrators, real-estate creators, fitness creators, interviewers, event shooters, and solo content creators.
The teleprompter sections also make the course highly relevant to presenters, instructors, online educators, coaches, business owners, speakers, trainers, and anyone who records scripted talking-head content.
No previous gimbal, filmmaking, or teleprompter experience is required.
Skills Students Will Develop
Students will learn how to confidently mount and balance a smartphone, operate the three gimbal axes, use the physical controls, select the correct gimbal mode for different situations, and improve their overall operating technique.
They will develop practical skills in AI subject tracking, gesture control, custom framing, tracking recovery, solo filming, app-based camera control, manual exposure, focus, white balance, frame-rate selection, camera movement, composition, B-roll creation, shot sequencing, visual storytelling, calibration, firmware management, and troubleshooting.
Students will also develop scripted presentation and teleprompter skills, including script preparation, script formatting, cue points, scrolling speed, eye-line control, natural delivery, remote control, mirrored text, beam-splitter alignment, camera positioning, glare reduction, reflection control, and teleprompter troubleshooting.
The course also teaches students how to combine teleprompter workflows with smartphone filming, AI tracking, gimbal operation, GoPro recording, and real-world content production.
By the end of the course, students should understand not only how the Smooth 5S AI works, but also how to choose the correct gimbal mode, tracking method, app, teleprompter workflow, camera movement, and filming technique for a specific production.
Major Applications and Products Covered
The primary product covered throughout the course is the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, including its gimbal hardware, built-in fill light, magnetic AI tracking module, magnetic fill-light system, tripod, motors, axes, controls, and supported package accessories.
The course also covers the Zhiyun ZY Cami app and StaCam app, including compatible camera controls, intelligent shooting features, SmartFollow, manual filming controls, monitoring tools, and supported creative functions.
Students will learn how to use the Smooth 5S AI with native iPhone and Android camera apps, as well as selected third-party camera and social-media apps.
The course also includes extensive training on:
Video Teleprompter for iPhone-based scripted recording
Teleprompter Pro for professional prompting and dedicated teleprompter workflows
Glide Gear TMP50 beam-splitter teleprompter hardware
iPad Air 2 as the prompting display in the instructor-confirmed TMP50 configuration
GoPro HERO9 Black as the dedicated recording camera
Satechi R2 Bluetooth Multimedia Remote as the primary teleprompter controller
Cloud-based script synchronization and remote-control workflows
The primary smartphone demonstration device is an iPhone 14 Pro, while the core gimbal and filmmaking principles also apply to compatible Android smartphones.
Prerequisites
No previous gimbal, filmmaking, photography, teleprompter, or video-production experience is required.
Students should ideally have access to a Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI and a compatible smartphone so they can follow the demonstrations and complete the practical exercises.
Access to the AI tracking module is required for the hardware AI tracking portions of the course. Some lessons also require ZY Cami or StaCam.
Students who want to complete the mobile teleprompter lessons should install Video Teleprompter on a compatible iPhone or iPad.
Students who want to complete the dedicated teleprompter sections should have access to Teleprompter Pro and compatible teleprompter hardware. The course demonstrates the Glide Gear TMP50 with an iPad Air 2, GoPro HERO9 Black, and Satechi R2 remote.
Students do not need to own every device or accessory demonstrated in the course to benefit from the training.
A willingness to practice is more important than previous technical experience.
Course Structure
The course contains 31 progressive sections that take students from first setup through advanced operation, filmmaking, teleprompter production, troubleshooting, and real-world creator workflows.
Students begin with course orientation, hardware identification, charging, mounting, balancing, controls, stabilization fundamentals, and gimbal modes.
The course then progresses into operator technique, AI tracker setup, gesture control, custom framing, subject tracking, difficult tracking situations, and a dedicated AI Tracking Test Lab.
Students then move into ZY Cami, StaCam, native camera workflows, Blackmagic Camera, third-party camera apps, and social-media filming.
The teleprompter portion of the course includes four major learning areas:
Video Teleprompter for direct iPhone recording
Teleprompter Pro for professional prompting and remote control
Glide Gear TMP50 hardware setup, alignment, optics, care, and operation
A complete production lab using the iPad Air 2, GoPro HERO9 Black, and Satechi R2 remote
Students then continue into smartphone filmmaking fundamentals, camera movement, B-roll, shot sequencing, visual storytelling, creator workflows, advanced settings, calibration, firmware management, troubleshooting, care, and maintenance.
Throughout the course, students complete guided exercises, independent practice activities, hands-on labs, practical assignments, downloadable reference materials, section summaries, and Chapter Quizzes.
The course concludes with a final mastery project and comprehensive final examination.
Expected Outcome
By the end of Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, students should be able to confidently set up and operate the Smooth 5S AI without relying on trial and error.
They should be able to correctly mount and balance their smartphone, understand and select gimbal modes, control camera movement, use AI tracking and gesture control, work with supported apps, troubleshoot common problems, and apply professional smartphone-filming techniques in real-world situations.
Students should also be able to create and deliver scripted video using both mobile and dedicated teleprompter workflows.
They should understand how to use Video Teleprompter for direct iPhone recording, how to configure and operate Teleprompter Pro, how to assemble and align the Glide Gear TMP50, how to use the iPad Air 2 as a prompting display, how to record with the GoPro HERO9 Black, and how to control the teleprompter with the Satechi R2 remote.
Most importantly, students should be able to move beyond simply owning a gimbal or teleprompter and begin using both as intentional creative production tools.
The final goal is for each student to plan and create a polished 60–90 second Smooth 5S AI mastery film that demonstrates stabilization, purposeful camera movement, composition, tracking, shot sequencing, confident overall control, and, when appropriate, professional scripted teleprompter delivery.
Curriculum
- 31 Sections
- 14 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Section 1: Course Orientation and Roadmap16 ItemsStart your Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI training with a complete overview of the course, equipment, learning path, and practical exercises. This section introduces the Smooth 5S AI, explains how the course progresses from beginner setup to advanced filmmaking, and shows how the gimbal, AI tracker, smartphone, and camera apps work together.
- 1.10. Before You Begin: Early Access, Pricing & No-Refund Policy9 Minutes
- 1.21. Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI3 Minutes
- 1.32. What You Will Learn in This Course4 Minutes
- 1.43. Who This Course Is For3 Minutes
- 1.54. What Equipment You Need3 Minutes
- 1.65. Understanding the Course Structure3 Minutes
- 1.76. How to Get the Most From This Course2 Minutes
- 1.87. Meet the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI3 Minutes
- 1.98. Important: Smooth 5S AI vs Smooth 5S3 Minutes
- 1.109. Understanding Course Source and Version Labels3 Minutes
- 1.1110. Hardware, AI Tracker, App and Phone Features – Who Does What?3 Minutes
- 1.1211. How Demonstrations, Exercises and Assignments Work3 Minutes
- 1.1312. Using the Course Practice Workbook3 Minutes
- 1.14Section 1 Assignment: Readiness Audit and Learning Plan
- 1.1513. Section 1 Summary3 Minutes
- 1.16Section 01 Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI Chapter Quiz8 Questions
- Section 2: Meet the Smooth 5S AI and Package Options0 ItemsLearn how to identify the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI and understand the differences between available package configurations. This section covers Standard, Combo, and Pro packages, AI tracking hardware, fill-light options, included accessories, and important product differences so you know exactly which features your setup supports.
- Section 3: Unboxing and Hardware Tour0 ItemsExplore every major component of the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI before you begin filming. You’ll identify the motors, axes, smartphone clamp, controls, ports, AI tracker mount, fill lights, tripod, filters, and accessories while learning how each part contributes to stable smartphone video production.
- Section 4: Power, Charging, Fill Lights and Safety0 ItemsLearn how to safely charge, power, operate, and store the Smooth 5S AI. This section explains battery indicators, charging methods, runtime considerations, smartphone charging, built-in and magnetic fill lights, environmental limits, battery care, and important safety practices for reliable long-term use.
- Section 5: Phone Compatibility, Mounting and Balancing0 ItemsLearn how to correctly mount and balance a smartphone on the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI for smoother footage and reduced motor strain. You’ll work with portrait and landscape orientation, phone positioning, camera clearance, roll balance, front-to-back adjustment, and common mounting problems using an iPhone 14 Pro demonstration setup.
- Section 6: Three-Axis Gimbal Fundamentals0 ItemsUnderstand how a three-axis smartphone gimbal stabilizes movement across the pan, tilt, and roll axes. This section explains mechanical stabilization, horizon control, motorized correction, intentional camera movement, stabilization limitations, and why good operator technique remains essential even when using a powered gimbal.
- Section 7: Buttons, Wheels, Joystick and Status Indicators0 ItemsMaster the physical controls of the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, including the joystick, focus and zoom wheel, adjustment wheel, mode switch, function buttons, trigger, lighting controls, and status indicators. You’ll also learn which controls depend on ZY Cami, StaCam, or compatible camera apps.
- Section 8: Mastering the Gimbal Modes0 ItemsLearn how and when to use the Smooth 5S AI’s Pan Follow, Lock, Follow, POV, Vortex, and Go modes. Instead of simply memorizing mode names, you’ll understand which axes follow movement, which remain locked, and how to choose the right gimbal mode for static shots, walking shots, moving subjects, reveals, and creative camera movements.
- Section 9: Manual Reposition, Standby and Camera Orientation0 ItemsLearn how to quickly reposition the Smooth 5S AI during real-world filming without disrupting your workflow. This section covers manual repositioning, standby operation, selfie orientation, 180-degree pan movement, portrait and landscape changes, and safe orientation adjustments that avoid motor or arm collisions.
- Section 10: Operator Technique and Smooth Walking0 ItemsImprove your gimbal footage by learning the body movement techniques that electronic stabilization cannot replace. You’ll practice grip, stance, bent-knee walking, forward and backward movement, sideways movement, smooth turns, controlled starts and stops, and techniques for reducing vertical walking bounce.
- Section 11: AI Tracker Setup and Status Indicators0 ItemsLearn how to install, orient, activate, and operate the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI magnetic AI tracking module. This section explains front-camera and rear-camera setups, tracker orientation, sleep and wake functions, indicator lights, connection states, tripod use, solo filming, and AI tracking without relying on the ZY Cami app.
- Section 12: Gesture Control and Custom Framing0 ItemsControl the Smooth 5S AI hands-free with supported AI gestures. You’ll learn how to start and stop tracking, create custom framing, control supported capture functions, position yourself for reliable gesture recognition, and troubleshoot gesture problems caused by lighting, distance, backgrounds, or positioning.
- Section 13: Tracking Behavior, Reacquisition and Difficult Scenes0 ItemsDiscover how Smooth 5S AI tracking behaves when subjects move, leave the frame, become temporarily blocked, or appear alongside other people. This section explores subject reacquisition, multiple-person situations, backlighting, low light, close-up and full-body framing, portrait and landscape shooting, and practical tracking recovery techniques.
- Section 14: AI Tracking Test Lab0 ItemsPut the Smooth 5S AI tracking system through a structured series of real-world tests. You’ll evaluate stationary subjects, walking speeds, lateral movement, approaching and departing subjects, frame exits, occlusion, multiple people, low light, backlight, tripod shooting, portrait orientation, landscape orientation, and other challenging tracking situations.
- Section 15: Hardware AI Tracking vs ZY Cami SmartFollow0 ItemsUnderstand the difference between the Smooth 5S AI hardware tracker and ZY Cami SmartFollow. This section compares app-independent AI tracking with app-based subject tracking, including setup requirements, gesture control, target selection, limitations, and the best tracking method for solo creators, moving subjects, and different filming environments.
- Section 16: ZY Cami Setup, Connection and Core Controls0 ItemsLearn how to install, connect, and operate ZY Cami with the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI. You’ll explore Bluetooth pairing, the camera interface, photo and video controls, zoom, resolution, frame rate, physical gimbal controls, media management, settings, and connection troubleshooting.
- Section 17: ZY Cami Intelligent and Creative Shooting Modes0 ItemsExplore the intelligent and creative shooting features available through ZY Cami. This section covers SmartFollow, Smart Mode templates, gesture control, panoramas, timelapse, motion timelapse, supported automated shooting features, editing workflows, and creative tools that expand what you can produce with the Smooth 5S AI.
- Section 18: StaCam Manual Filmmaking and Monitoring0 ItemsTake greater control of smartphone filmmaking with StaCam and the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI. Learn manual exposure, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus, resolution, frame rate, focus peaking, zebra patterns, false color, scopes, framing guides, LUT-related tools, and supported physical gimbal controls.
- Section 19: Native iPhone and Android Camera Workflows0 ItemsLearn how to use the Smooth 5S AI without relying on Zhiyun camera apps. This section covers native iPhone and Android camera workflows, Bluetooth shutter control, hardware AI tracking, gesture-based operation, photo and video recording, stabilization behavior, and testing compatibility with your own smartphone.
- Section 20: Blackmagic Camera and Social-Media Apps0 ItemsLearn how the Smooth 5S AI works with Blackmagic Camera and selected third-party or social-media camera apps. You’ll separate physical gimbal stabilization from electronic app control, test record buttons, tracking, zoom, trigger functions, and gestures, and build a practical compatibility workflow for apps that may change over time.
- Section 21: Video Teleprompter: iPhone Scripted Recording With the Smooth 5S AI0 ItemsLearn how to combine Video Teleprompter with your iPhone and Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI for professional scripted video production. This section covers script creation, importing, scrolling, cue points, eye contact, portrait and landscape recording, external microphones, remote control, captions, stationary filming, and moving gimbal shots while reading a script.
- Section 22: Teleprompter Pro: Professional Prompting and Remote Control0 ItemsMaster Teleprompter Pro for professional scripted presentations and dedicated teleprompter workflows. You’ll learn script formatting, mirroring, scrolling modes, cue indicators, timed delivery, external displays, cloud synchronization, Bluetooth control, remote operation, and Satechi R2 integration for efficient hands-free prompting.
- Section 23: Glide Gear TMP50: Hardware Setup, Optics, Assembly and Care0 ItemsLearn how to assemble, align, operate, and maintain the Glide Gear TMP50 beam-splitter teleprompter. This section covers 70/30 beam-splitter glass, camera positioning, prompting-device placement, the instructor-confirmed iPad Air 2 configuration, GoPro HERO9 Black alignment, reflection control, hood setup, text visibility, cleaning, storage, and troubleshooting.
- Section 24: Dedicated Teleprompter Production Lab: iPad Air 2, GoPro HERO9 Black and Satechi R20 ItemsBuild a complete professional teleprompter production workflow using Teleprompter Pro, the Glide Gear TMP50, iPad Air 2, GoPro HERO9 Black, and Satechi R2 remote. You’ll prepare scripts, configure the display, align the camera, control scrolling remotely, improve eye contact, manage exposure and audio, and record polished scripted presentations.
- Section 25: Smartphone Filmmaking Fundamentals for Gimbal Users0 ItemsLearn the filmmaking principles that turn stabilized footage into better-looking video. This section covers shot sizes, composition, headroom, lead room, perspective, focal length, frame rate, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, focus, continuity, B-roll, and the creative reasons behind intentional camera movement.
- Section 26: Camera Movement Library0 ItemsBuild a complete library of practical Smooth 5S AI camera movements. You’ll practice pans, tilts, push-ins, pull-outs, follow shots, leading shots, orbits, arcs, reveals, parallax, low-angle moves, simulated slider and dolly shots, POV movement, product shots, walk-and-talk filming, social-media movements, timelapse, and more.
- Section 27: B-Roll, Shot Sequencing and Visual Storytelling0 ItemsLearn how to transform individual stabilized clips into complete visual sequences. This section covers establishing shots, medium shots, details, movement coverage, continuity, transitions, cinematic shot lists, product B-roll, vertical video, five-shot sequences, and techniques for building a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Section 28: Creator Workflows and Real-World Projects0 ItemsApply your Smooth 5S AI, AI tracking, filmmaking, and teleprompter skills to real-world content creation. This section includes workflows for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, travel, family videos, vlogging, interviews, products, Amazon Influencer videos, real estate, fitness, events, solo creators, scripted training, and teleprompter-based production.
- Section 29: Advanced Settings, Calibration and Firmware0 ItemsFine-tune the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI for different filming conditions and operator preferences. Learn how motor strength, follow speed, smoothness, dead zones, joystick behavior, calibration, horizon correction, firmware updates, and post-update testing can affect the way the gimbal responds and how your footage looks.
- Section 30: Troubleshooting, Care and Maintenance0 ItemsLearn a systematic approach to diagnosing Smooth 5S AI, app, AI tracker, teleprompter, and production problems. This section covers balancing, motors, Bluetooth, ZY Cami, StaCam, tracking, gestures, firmware, calibration, Video Teleprompter, Teleprompter Pro, Satechi R2, TMP50 alignment, GoPro framing, cleaning, storage, battery care, and long-term maintenance.
- Section 31: Final Mastery Project, Review and Exam0 ItemsBring everything together in a complete Smooth 5S AI mastery project. You’ll plan and produce a 60–90 second film that demonstrates stabilization, intentional camera movement, composition, tracking, shot sequencing, and confident gimbal operation, with the option to include a professionally scripted teleprompter segment before completing the final course examination.