Will you be working with child actors on your next film or video production? Read these tips before diving in. As a filmmaker, even working with professional actors sometimes can be tough. Working with kids and child actors, on the other hand, can be a downright challenge. They can be on to

A good logline can relay the message and plot of your film or video during its early stages and on into its release.  Brevity We’ve all made that long-winded three-minute spiel about the plot of our next film. And most of the time, we still feel like we’ve left out important aspects of the

Not every documentary turns out the way you intend. Find out how this filmmaker pivoted to tell a remarkable story. All images via Netflix. We had the opportunity to sit down with the DP Jake Swantko of Netflix’s latest documentary, Icarus. This riveting documentary begins by attemptin

5 amateur filmmakers have the chance to make a feature film funded by Robert Rodriguez. Enter now! To celebrate the 25th anniversary of El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez’s legendary low-budget debut film, the director is now giving five filmmakers the chance to make a film on the same siz

No need for film school. Here are your book recommendations for every film department + 3 FREE e-Books Fall is near, with its pumpkin-flavored everything and college students flooding back into a city near you. It’s back to school, but even if your days in the classroom are done, don’t

The lyric video trend is alive and well. Learn to add some flash to your own projects with these After Effects tutorials. Music videos have been an integral part of the music industry since the television became a household item. Although, typically, music videos have been about grandeur an

Here’s how shooting with a shallow depth of field can immerse your audience like nothing else. Choosing how you will shoot your project might be just as hard as writing the script. With all the different lenses and cameras available today, choosing the right piece of equipment can be

Explore the power and influence of filmmaking in world history through the lenses of some of the greatest American directors. All images via Netflix. Often, I think we forget how significantly storytelling affects a society. In a previous article, I explored the possibilities that open up wh

Channel your inner southern goth and embrace the tenants of this DIY-friendly filmmaking style. Whether you’re aware of the genre or not, the southern gothic style has become a favorite in film and television. From True Detective to the recent Ozark to the entire filmography of Jeff Nichols

Learn how to showcase your social media platforms using a social media bumper and lower thirds. If you are a brand manager, freelancer, or otherwise have anything to do with offering a product or service, you probably use social media as a part of your business. When you create video conten

Augmented Reality is becoming more common on film sets and productions, and now it has joined forces with traditional print publishing. W magazine has collaborated with filmmaker Steven Klein, The Mill, and Katy Perry to bring an augmented reality experience to the cover of its September 2

Writing a solid treatment is the key to landing your next big commercial or music video gig. Treatments are the most concise and organized way to relay your vision as a director to your client. A well thought-out and organized treatment will not only help you land your next commercial job b

The clever use of silence can help you guide your audience’s reaction to your film. Let’s take a look at how to pull it off. Cover image from Raging Bull (United Artists). While films like Baby Driver may be the peak of creative sound design, films that know how to make use of qu

Here are 8 tips for filming concerts both big and small — including what not to do. In what has become an absolute staple of the concert experience, videographers will now and forever be recording at shows. If you’ve attempted it before, you know that concerts can be tricky for several reas

When Apple did their first interview-style video on a white background, everyone copied that approach. What will these new films inspire? As filmmakers, I know we all saw an increase in white backdrops following Apple’s video. I know for a fact that I even pushed to shoot on white bec

Drone footage can make any project look more cinematic, but should every filmmaker own one? To me, overhead aerials are some of the most effective shots in cinema. They establish location, style, and aesthetic in a matter of seconds. Now with the accessibility of consumer-grade drones, and t

Lighting for day exteriors can be difficult. Fortunately there are budget-friendly approaches to creating a cinematic look in tough scenarios. In ideal scenarios, most of us would love to have 4K or 18K HMIs on standby to light a day exterior scene the way we’d like. However, sometime

Learn how to transfer your expert photography skills into the world of videography. While photography and videography share many concepts and skill sets, in many ways, they are worlds apart. Yes, if you own a good multipurpose camera like a Canon 5D, you may feel like you’re already half-wa

A simple trip to the box office can broaden your grasp of filmmaking and the film industry — and help combat gender inequality. In an era of exorbitantly big-budget, flash-and-bam action films that can be painfully predictable, it’s easy to be weary of handing over your cash to yet another

Looking to get your film produced? Here’s what you need to bring to the table. Are you looking to turn your directorial ambitions into reality? To be successful, you’re going to need to find a good producer to help bring your film to life. While producers work on films for a variety of reas