Curriculum

31 Sections
14 Lessons
Lifetime

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Section 1: Course Orientation and Roadmap
16 Items
Start 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.
- 1.1
  0. Before You Begin: Early Access, Pricing & No-Refund Policy
  9 Minutes
- 1.2
  1. Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI
  3 Minutes
- 1.3
  2. What You Will Learn in This Course
  4 Minutes
- 1.4
  3. Who This Course Is For
  3 Minutes
- 1.5
  4. What Equipment You Need
  3 Minutes
- 1.6
  5. Understanding the Course Structure
  3 Minutes
- 1.7
  6. How to Get the Most From This Course
  2 Minutes
- 1.8
  7. Meet the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI
  3 Minutes
- 1.9
  8. Important: Smooth 5S AI vs Smooth 5S
  3 Minutes
- 1.10
  9. Understanding Course Source and Version Labels
  3 Minutes
- 1.11
  10. Hardware, AI Tracker, App and Phone Features – Who Does What?
  3 Minutes
- 1.12
  11. How Demonstrations, Exercises and Assignments Work
  3 Minutes
- 1.13
  12. Using the Course Practice Workbook
  3 Minutes
- 1.14
  Section 1 Assignment: Readiness Audit and Learning Plan
- 1.15
  13. Section 1 Summary
  3 Minutes
- 1.16
  Section 01 Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI Chapter Quiz
  8 Questions
Section 2: Meet the Smooth 5S AI and Package Options
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Learn 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 Tour
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Explore 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 Safety
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Learn 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 Balancing
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Learn 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 Fundamentals
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Understand 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 Indicators
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Master 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 Modes
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Learn 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 Orientation
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Learn 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 Walking
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Improve 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 Indicators
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Learn 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 Framing
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Control 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 Scenes
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Discover 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 Lab
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Put 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 SmartFollow
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Understand 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 Controls
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Learn 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 Modes
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Explore 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 Monitoring
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Take 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 Workflows
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Learn 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 Apps
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Learn 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 AI
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Learn 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 Control
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Master 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 Care
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Learn 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 R2
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Build 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 Users
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Learn 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 Library
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Build 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 Storytelling
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Learn 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 Projects
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Apply 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 Firmware
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Fine-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 Maintenance
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Learn 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 Exam
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Bring 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.

Curriculum

1. Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI

Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI!

This course will guide you through the equipment, controls, applications, AI tracking tools and practical filming techniques you need to use your Smooth 5S AI confidently.

Watch this introductory video for a brief welcome and an overview of the learning experience ahead.

Welcome to the Course

This course combines clear explanations, video demonstrations, practical exercises, downloadable resources and chapter quizzes.

You will begin with the fundamentals before progressing to more advanced controls, camera movements, AI-assisted tracking and creative filming techniques.

What to Do Next

Before continuing:

Confirm that you can access the course videos.
Download resources when they are introduced.
Keep your Smooth 5S AI and smartphone available for practical lessons.
Complete the exercises instead of only watching the demonstrations.
Use the Course Practice Workbook to record your setup and progress.

Key Takeaway

You do not need previous gimbal or filmmaking experience to begin. Follow the lessons in order, practise regularly and allow your skills to develop one step at a time.

When you are ready, continue to the next lesson.

Video Transcript

Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI. This course takes you from little or no gimbal experience to planning and recording smooth, purposeful smartphone video with confidence.

The exact product at the centre of this course is the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI. That full name matters. Zhiyun has several similarly named Smooth models, and instructions for one model should not automatically be treated as instructions for another. We will verify the model first and then build your skills in a deliberate order.

You will begin with product identity, package options, safe setup, phone mounting, balancing, and three-axis fundamentals. From there, you will learn the controls and modes, operator technique, AI tracking, supported app workflows, teleprompter production, filmmaking skills, troubleshooting, care, and final production planning.

This is a practical course. Watching gives you information, but practice gives you control. At key points I will ask you to pause, perform an exercise, compare the result with clear success criteria, and record what happened. Those records become a personal operating reference for your phone, package, and software versions.

My primary demonstrations use the Smooth 5S AI Pro package and a bare iPhone 14 Pro. The course also supports Android students where a verified workflow applies. When an app screen, operating-system behaviour, or package item can differ, I will label that difference instead of pretending every setup is identical.

For now, leave the gimbal folded and powered off. Do not force an axis, mount the phone, or copy a setup from a different model. Download the Smooth 5S AI Quick Start Guide and Course Practice Workbook, then continue in order.

By the end of the full course, the goal is not to memorize every button press. The goal is to understand the system well enough to choose the right setup, movement, tracking method, application, and filming technique for the result you want.

Curriculum

Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: AI Tracking, Filmmaking & Teleprompter Production

1. Welcome to Mastering Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI

Welcome to the Course

What to Do Next

Key Takeaway

Video Transcript

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