Thursday 31 October 2013

Killer tips for guerrilla filmmakers



Killer tips for guerrilla filmmakers

Making a movie on a shoestring is easier than ever. Follow these pro tips to get started.

We are living in exciting times. You no longer have to have be a Hollywood big-shot with multi-million dollar investment to make a movie. The success of low-budget movies such as Kevin Smith's Clerks has given rise to a movement dubbed 'guerrilla filmmaking', involving low budgets, skeleton crews, simple props and a can-do attitude.

http://www.creativebloq.com/audiovisual/killer-tips-guerrilla-filmmakers-10135103

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Blackmagic Design Cinema Cameras: Production Workflow Roundup



Blackmagic Design Cinema Cameras: Production Workflow Roundup

With the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cameraavailable at less than $1000 and theBlackmagic Cinema Camera's offering 4k for $4k you can't really beat those kind of prices. As more Blackmagic Design cameras find there way into filmmakers hands we should continue to see more productions taking advantage of Cinema DNG workflows. Here are some great tips on making the most of your shiny new camera!

10 Exciting New Tools For Indie Filmmakers



10 Exciting New Tools For Indie Filmmakers

The future has arrived! Check out a selection of the best new cameras, gadgets and equipment aimed at making it easier than ever to make your own movie.

The invention of the stills camera that can shoot video, the HDSLR, has played a huge role in the continuing democratization of the filmmaking process. Quick definition: a Digital SLR or DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera uses mirrors to direct light from the lens to the viewfinder. An HDSLR is a DSLR that is capable of capturing high definition video.

http://www.creativebloq.com/audiovisual/10-exciting-new-tools-indie-filmmakers-10135050

Monday 28 October 2013

Budget DSLR Video Tip: Using Old Canon FD Lenses On Your Digital SLR



Budget DSLR Video Tip: Using Old Canon FD Lenses On Your Digital SLR

Did you know that you can save a ton of money and grow your video lens collection by buying old Canon FD lenses? You can find these for very cheap, I just saw a 50mm F/1.4 for under $100, that is a huge savings over the current Canon 50mm f/1.4 at around $400. The catch is that these old FD lenses require an adapter to use with your Digital SLR and they are manual focus only.

DSLR Video Camera Equipment Guide



DSLR Video Camera Equipment Guide

Introduction to DSLR Camera Lenses

Choosing a lens is one of the most important decisions you make as a filmmaker. Your depth of field, distortion, and overall composition are dependent on the lens you choose. But how do you go about shopping for camera lenses with so many brands and options out there? We'll break it down for you in our Video Camera Equipment Guide.

http://www.slrlounge.com/school/dslr-video-camera-equipment-guide-lenses

Saturday 26 October 2013

Learn How You Can Improve the Efficiency of Your Workflow



Learn How You Can Improve the Efficiency of Your Workflow

If you are considering or have already switched to Adobe Premiere Pro for your video editing, then you may want to take advantage of new hardware technologies to improve the efficiency of your workflow. Whether you are a wedding /corporate videographer or indie film maker the demands for delivering great quality, more creative projects with a short turn-around time are high. Attend this informative session on how to get the best hardware performance so you can deliver more projects in less time through a combination of production techniques using Adobe Premiere Pro and Production Premium with Dell and NVIDIA hardware.

Cinematographer Reed Morano on Climbing the Ladder



Cinematographer Reed Morano on Climbing the Ladder

Waitressing, temping and working as a grip and electric intern were some of the odd jobs Reed Morano had on the way to becoming a d.p. In this latest Craft Truck video, Morano makes the case that grip and electric is "not putting the light up, it's what you do with it once you get the light up." You can watch the full Craft Truck interview here.

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Need to Read: Biz Stone's First Movie, Editing on Vine and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Need to Read: Biz Stone's First Movie, Editing on Vine and More

1. Biz Stone, Director: The founder of Twitter has made "Evermore," a short film that's part of Ron Howard and Canon's Project Imaginat10n. Stone is one of five celebrity directors (the others are Eva Longoria, Jaime Foxx, designer Georgina Chapman and musician James Murphy) and ten directors overall who created films inspired by user-generated photos. Learn more about the project here and see the film here.

Friday 25 October 2013

Indy Filmmaking from JPR's POV



Indy Filmmaking from JPR's POV

So we had a talk in a previous post regarding the filmmaking process, we talked about the beginning, the principles and a little of what happens.

As an Indy production company, we are always challenged with money when we dive in to a project done by us. This with time has forced us to think effectively, and to us the trick has been, how do we use what we already have, own or have access to, to the maximum potential.

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?p=342107

Midlands film-maker Drew Roper seeking funds to keep animation project moving



Midlands film-maker Drew Roper seeking funds to keep animation project moving

An award-winning animator is hoping to raise £10,000 to allow him to finish his latest short film.

Drew Roper, aged 26, has launched a campaign on crowd-funding website Kickstarter, urging members of the public to donate at least £1 towards his film, At-Issue.


http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/midlands-film-maker-drew-roper-seeking-6232003

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs



What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs

Making a film, like running a business, is a collaborative process. The greats have vision but also the smarts and the guts to get those around them to help improve it. In this new book, The Designer Says: Quotes, Quips and Words of Wisdom (Princeton Architectural Press, 2013), writer Jamie Thompson Stern compiles thoughts from famous directors about inspiration, instinct and bringing a big idea into the world. We've pulled out our favorites in this slideshow.

Producing a Low-Budget Short Film and Pitching a Movie: Run Like Hell



Producing a Low-Budget Short Film and Pitching a Movie: Run Like Hell

Red Giant has unveiled their latest low-budget, effects-rich short; Run Like Hell. It's billed as a short film, but it's really intended to be a teaser for a full-length movie director Stu Maschwitz hopes to make. Maschwitz is a visual effects wizard who worked at Industrial Light & Magic before co-founding effects house The Orphanage. He is also the author of The DV Rebels Guide, but that doesn't mean Hollywood is beating down his door to make a movie.

Thursday 24 October 2013

How to connect with filmmakers, community, find interest in a story?



How to connect with filmmakers, community, find interest in a story?

Synopsis: Recently, I stumbled across the story of Randy Kraft, a very prolific (67+ victims) serial killer who was operating in California in the 70's and 80's. He would gain his victims trust and ply them with alcohol and drugs until they were incapacited, then he would torture and kill them, then dump their bodies on the highway. In his other life, he was an educated, prosperous, and well-liked person, active in the Long Beach gay community. A significant proportion of his victims were Marines. He liked taking pictures of his victims.

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: The Future of 3D Filmmaking, How 3D Printing Will Change Filmmaking and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: The Future of 3D Filmmaking, How 3D Printing Will Change Filmmaking and More

Sony RX10 – A bridge camera with exciting video features



Sony RX10 – A bridge camera with exciting video features

Another Sony camera release, this time it's in the form of a bridge camera - The Sony RX10. You may ask why a camera of this sort receives any form of acknowledgement from a filmmaking blog – a fixed lens 1″ stills camera. But it holds some very interesting features that not only looking exciting for video but offer groundbreaking technology for any sort of video-able stills camera.

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Veteran and Indie Producers Offer Tips to Young Filmmakers at Santa Fe Independent Film Festival



Veteran and Indie Producers Offer Tips to Young Filmmakers at Santa Fe Independent Film Festival

In addition to its 100+ screenings, the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival has been hosting a number of educational panels for independent filmmakers in attendance. At the Production Panel, veteran and independent film producers came together to discuss the state of American film making today. Indiewire asked the panelists what tips they had for young, up and coming filmmakers. Here's what they had to say.

How Safe Is Drone Filmmaking?

An interesting article on the uses of drones and filming.

How Safe Is Drone Filmmaking?

Local New York news recently featured the story of an unmanned aerial vehicle (a UAV or drone) with a camera attached to it that crashed to the ground near Grand Central Station, in the middle of a busy part of midtown.

The drone's pilot, David Zablidowsky, was charged with a Class A misdemeanor for reckless endangerment. As the local ABC affiliate reported, "The FAA has yet to come up with concrete rules for unmanned aircraft systems, known as UAS or drones, but has said that 'UAS operations are currently not authorized in class b airspace which exists over major urban areas.'"

http://www.indiewire.com/article/how-safe-is-drone-filmmaking

John Hawkes’ Tips For Surviving The Film Industry



John Hawkes' Tips For Surviving The Film Industry

Oscar-nominated film and TV actor John Hawkes had some advice to share for filmmakers on surviving in the film industry.

In an article published by Movie Maker Magazine, Hawkes said he has no formal education in moviemaking, but that he's picked up helpful hints through his profession by observing others on set and learning via filmmaking books. Considering the varying nature of the projects he takes on, from HBO's comedic "Eastbound and Down" to the more serious tone of Spielberg's film "Lincoln," Hawkes wisdom is well-earned.

http://www.screencraft.org/blog/john-hawkes-tips-surviving-film-industry/

How To Make Your Movie



How To Make Your Movie

In ONE Content-Packed Day, 3 Established Filmmakers Will Reveal Their Step-by-Step System So You Can Finally Make Your Movie And Sell It.

First you need a great script. Then you need to write a business plan, then you gotta find investors. As part of this process, you will want to know how to leverage tax incentives and hire crew… And obviously, you'll want to know how to get your movie made!

Techniques to Make a Better Video Demo Reel | planet5D - the best DSLR video community on the planet!



Techniques to Make a Better Video Demo Reel | planet5D - the best DSLR video community on the planet!

Posted on 22. Oct, 2013 by steven schwartz

For people looking for work in offices, the resume is the currency of hope. For creatives looking to impress those who hire for video positions, the job is a little more complicated. To get work you have to a) have done work in the past, b) made some great-looking projects, and c) have some references from people who'll say they liked working with you. Video work counts even when you didn't get paid for it, so for those starting out, be willing to work for free just to get portfolio fodder. This two-part article from Fstoppers is filled with good advice and has examples of some great demo reels. One tip not mentioned – make your demo reel an ongoing project and update it periodically with fresh material.

http://blog.planet5d.com/2013/10/best-foot-forward-make-a-better-video-demo-reel/

Why John Carpenter Is the Most Underrated Filmmaker Of Our Time



Why John Carpenter Is the Most Underrated Filmmaker Of Our Time

Most of Carpenter's films are now available on DVD and streaming platforms.

About a decade ago while I was attending the Vancouver International Film Festival, I ended the screening day over beers with a small group of critics. By the end of the evening, we came around to proclaiming John Carpenter the most underrated American filmmaker of our time. Here's a filmmaker who has made only one feature in the past decade, the low-budget "The Ward," yet his legacy is getting more respect than ever -- at least on home video. In 2013 alone, he's had six films debut on Blu-ray and one remastered in a gorgeous new edition, reason enough to revisit his legacy.

http://www.indiewire.com/article/why-john-carpenter-is-the-most-underrated-filmmaker-of-our-time

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Netflix to Commission Films, 'Blue is the Warmest Color' in GIFs and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Netflix to Commission Films, 'Blue is the Warmest Color' in GIFs and More
http://www.indiewire.com/article/5-daily-tech-stories-that-filmmakers-and-film-fans-must-read-netflix-to-commission-films-blue-is-the-warmest-color-in-gifs-and-more

Tuesday 22 October 2013

5 Tips for Filmmakers Applying to SXSW from the Festival's Programmers



5 Tips for Filmmakers Applying to SXSW from the Festival's Programmers

The Programmers and Organizers of the SXSW Film Conference & Festival in Austin, which takes place next March, took to Reddit yesterday to answer questions in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything). The SXSW team shared tips about what filmmakers should and shouldn't do when applying to SWSX and provided insight into what sorts of films they accept.

Sony RX10: A video journalists delight?



Sony RX10: A video journalists delight?

The RX10 in video configuration – proof that all news shooters need a floppy hat.

Most of the web chatter yesterday was about Sony's new A7 and A7R full-frame cameras. These are small technological marvels but for me it may well be the RX10, launched at the same time, that is of more interest to video journalists.

http://www.newsshooter.com/2013/10/17/sony-rx10-a-video-journalists-delight/

Become A Better Videographer – Shoot Like A Video Editor



Become A Better Videographer – Shoot Like A Video Editor

For those of you who shoot video, want to get better at shooting video, edit your own video, or edit video shot by others, this article is all about you wonderful guys and gals. As someone who is editing a lot, I thought this short video was fantastic. The great hints and tips provided here are totally free, you don't have to buy anything to get something out of this article, and if you aren't doing this stuff already, this is guaranteed to make you both a stronger video shooter, and a producer of stronger edits.

What Filmmakers Can Learn from Journalists (and Vice Versa)



What Filmmakers Can Learn from Journalists (and Vice Versa)

At the always-electrifying Online News Association conference, filmmakers could learn plenty from journalists—including the fact that journalists think they need filmmakers.

5 Lessons for Documentary Filmmakers From Pioneering New Journalism Article



5 Lessons for Documentary Filmmakers From Pioneering New Journalism Article

Popular documentaries like The Imposter have used literary and formal devices influenced by the style of New Journalism, established in the 1960s.

Know your past so you can tell your future can be applied to all forms of culture, and there was a recent, scintillating reminder of this truism for documentary filmmakers.


http://www.pbs.org/pov/blog/docsoup/2013/10/5-lessons-for-documentary-filmmakers-from-pioneering-new-journalism-article/

Friday 18 October 2013

‘The Moment I Was Able To Leave My Day Job To Be A Full Time Filmmaker’ by @HunterWeeks for @OldFolksRock



'The Moment I Was Able To Leave My Day Job To Be A Full Time Filmmaker' by @HunterWeeks for @OldFolksRock
http://filmcourage.com/content/'the-moment-i-was-able-to-leave-my-day-job-to-be-a-full-time-filmmaker'-by-hunterweeks-for-o

Guerilla Filmmaking: Planning Your Film!



Guerilla Filmmaking: Planning Your Film!
http://revision3.com/filmriot/planning-your-film

Sony A7 and A7R: hands-on first impressions and video

Yet more DSLR cameras...

Sony A7 and A7R: hands-on first impressions and video
http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/sony-a7-and-a7r-hands-on-first-impressions-and-video

Canon EOS 70D Review: DSLR Video Nirvana Comes More Into Focus



Canon EOS 70D Review: DSLR Video Nirvana Comes More Into Focus
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/10/canon-70d-review-dslr-video-nirvana-comes-more-into-focus/

Canon 5D Mark III - what are the best camera settings for video shooting!



Canon 5D Mark III - what are the best camera settings for video shooting!
http://www.motionvfx.com/mblog/canon_5d_mark_iii_-_what_are_the_best_camera_settings_for_video_shooting,p2858.html

How to Shoot Video for Film: 9 Things to Pay Attention To



How to Shoot Video for Film: 9 Things to Pay Attention To
http://www.indiewire.com/article/how-to-shoot-video-for-film-9-things-to-pay-attention-to

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Filmmakers Detained For Filming World Cup Construction



Filmmakers Detained For Filming World Cup Construction
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/15/german-filmmakers-detained-qatar-peter-giesel-robin-ahne-world-cup_n_4100813.html

The Cost Of Film Festival Submissions



The Cost Of Film Festival Submissions
http://www.heason.net/blog/2013/10/16/The_Cost_Of_Film_Festival_Submissions/

5 Affordable or Free iPhone Apps for Filmmakers: Shoot, Edit, and Add Special Effects



5 Affordable or Free iPhone Apps for Filmmakers: Shoot, Edit, and Add Special Effects
http://www.indiewire.com/article/5-apps-for-filmmakers

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Best Filmmaking Apps, Women Film Pioneers and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Best Filmmaking Apps, Women Film Pioneers and More
http://www.indiewire.com/article/5-daily-tech-stories-that-filmmakers-and-film-fans-must-read-women-film-pioneers

Filmmaking is not for the faint hearted.

You don't say..! 

Filmsourcing a Free Pre-Production Platform For Sharing Filmmaking Resources Like Cast, Crew & Locations



Filmsourcing a Free Pre-Production Platform For Sharing Filmmaking Resources Like Cast, Crew & Locations
http://cinescopophilia.com/filmsourcing-a-free-pre-production-platform-for-sharing-filmmaking-resources-like-cast-crew-locations/

Are You Getting Paid What You’re Worth? Seven Tips To Avoid Going (Completely) Broke Producing Your Film



Are You Getting Paid What You're Worth? Seven Tips To Avoid Going (Completely) Broke Producing Your Film
http://www.filmthreat.com/blogs/71566/

Jack Kerouac Lists 9 Essentials for Writing Spontaneous Prose



Jack Kerouac Lists 9 Essentials for Writing Spontaneous Prose
http://filmmakeriq.com/2013/10/jack-kerouac-lists-9-essentials-for-writing-spontaneous-prose/

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Inventors Build Cameras To Shoot Never-Before-Seen Footage [Video]



Inventors Build Cameras To Shoot Never-Before-Seen Footage [Video]
http://www.psfk.com/2013/10/new-camera-technology.html

How Can I Make Quality Videos and Short Films on a Budget?



How Can I Make Quality Videos and Short Films on a Budget?
http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-make-quality-videos-and-short-films-on-a-budg-1445466729

Five short film directors to look out for | Dazed Digital

Short film directors to look out for...

http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/17465/1/five-short-film-directors-to-look-out-for


Sent from my iPhone

A Beginner's Guide to Drone Filmmaking: 5 Steps | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews | Indiewire

A beginners guide to drone filmmaking...

http://www.indiewire.com/article/the-beginners-guide-to-drone-filmmaking-5-steps

Legendary Cinematographer Gordon Willis Reminds Us: 'There is No Formula'



Legendary Cinematographer Gordon Willis Reminds Us: 'There is No Formula'
http://filmdirectingtips.com/archives/8354

Could the 2015 Tentpole Surge Actually Open the Door to Indie Filmmakers?



Could the 2015 Tentpole Surge Actually Open the Door to Indie Filmmakers?
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/10/2015-tentpole-surge-open-door-to-indie-filmmakers/

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Need to Read: 'Her' Explores Our Relationship to Technology, 'Gone Girl' Camera and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Need to Read: 'Her' Explores Our Relationship to Technology, 'Gone Girl' Camera and More
http://www.indiewire.com/article/5-daily-tech-stories-that-filmmakers-and-film-fans-need-to-read

Cameras d'Afrique: Indie Films of West Africa



Cameras d'Afrique: Indie Films of West Africa
http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/cameras-dafrique-lacma.html

Monday 14 October 2013

The 15 Things I've Learned about Transmedia Storytelling | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews | Indiewire



The 15 Things I've Learned about Transmedia Storytelling | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews | Indiewire
http://www.indiewire.com/article/the-15-things-ive-learned-about-transmedia-storytelling

Filmmaker Magazine | The Magazine of Independent Film

13 Filmmaking steps to glory..!

http://filmmakermagazine.com/76583-adapt-or-die-13-steps-to-adapting-a-film-from-something-else/

DocHouse Camera Masterclass with Molly Dineen on Vimeo

Filmmaking master class...

http://vimeo.com/m/58006348

Understanding Kickstarter - BAFTA

http://bafta.ticketsolve.com/mobile/shows/873504449/events?TSLVq=9250f0dc-59e3-4236-957a-91fd96690e93&TSLVp=a9897779-9395-449c-99b6-fd9413978044&TSLVts=1381775038&TSLVc=ticketsolve&TSLVe=bafta&TSLVrt=Safetynet&TSLVh=5a729464102c4c1d2ac3d6f1248aef41#long

British Council Film: BLOG: Call on the Crowd

http://film.britishcouncil.org/our-projects/2013/blog-call-on-the-crowd

The 5 Habits of Highly Successful Filmmakers



The 5 Habits of Highly Successful Filmmakers
http://www.raindance.org/the-5-habits-of-highly-successful-filmmakers/

Sunday 13 October 2013

Stories from the Egyptian Revolution Told by a Film, a Book, and a Journalist's Testimony



Stories from the Egyptian Revolution Told by a Film, a Book, and a Journalist's Testimony
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raghida-dergham/stories-from-the-egyptian_b_4086216.html

How to Steer Clear of the Pitfalls of Guerrilla Filmmaking



How to Steer Clear of the Pitfalls of Guerrilla Filmmaking
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/10/steer-clear-of-pitfalls-of-guerrilla-filmmaking/

Work this year by black actors and filmmakers could bring unprecedented recognition at the Academy Awards



Work this year by black actors and filmmakers could bring unprecedented recognition at the Academy Awards
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/black-stars-directors-poised-big-oscars-article-1.1481638

Tech giant Apple has now signed up with the filmmakers



Tech giant Apple has now signed up with the filmmakers
http://www.99share.in/2013/10/tech-giant-apple-has-now-signed-up-with.html

NFDC’s labs for screenwriters, directors crucial to independent cinema’s experiments



NFDC's labs for screenwriters, directors crucial to independent cinema's experiments
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/media/entertainment-/entertainment/nfdcs-labs-for-screenwriters-directors-crucial-to-independent-cinemas-experiments/articleshow/24054523.cms

Ted Hope’s 32 Qualities Of Better Film



Ted Hope's 32 Qualities Of Better Film
http://filmmakeriq.com/2013/10/ted-hopes-32-qualities-of-better-film/

Nicholas Barber's the Watch List: Journalists on film



Nicholas Barber's the Watch List: Journalists on film
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/nicholas-barbers-the-watch-list-journalists-on-film-8858992.html

Saturday 12 October 2013

How to Create a Hyperlapse Plus 3 Cool Example Videos



How to Create a Hyperlapse Plus 3 Cool Example Videos
http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/how-to-create-a-hyperlapse-plus-3-cool-example-videos/

70D First impressions; stills &Video; is it a 60D or 7D replacement?



70D First impressions; stills &Video; is it a 60D or 7D replacement?
http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00c40K

Iranian film industry on the decline, but light at the end of the tunnel



Iranian film industry on the decline, but light at the end of the tunnel
http://filmdirectingtips.com/archives/8374

Shooting People » Festival Focus » 57th BFI London Film Festival – The Epic of Everest

https://shootingpeople.org/blog/2013/10/57th-bfi-london-film-festival-the-epic-of-everest/

5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Women in Silent Film, Sundance New Frontier Story Lab and More



5 Daily Tech Stories That Filmmakers (and Film Fans) Must Read: Women in Silent Film, Sundance New Frontier Story Lab and More
http://www.indiewire.com/article/5-daily-tech-stories-that-filmmakers-and-film-fans-must-read-women-in-silent-film-sundance-new-frontier-story-lab-and-more

Why Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain Has Given Up on Movie Theaters



Why Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain Has Given Up on Movie Theaters
http://www.thewrap.com/filmmaer-tiffany-shlain-ill-never-release-movie-theaters/