Filmmaking Tips For Beginners
Growing up in Nigeria, I remember watching movies and wondering how could I be one of the actors in the film or how …
Searching For Sugar Man
As a filmmaker, one of your biggest goals is creating great work that is moving and memorable. While there are no guarantees in business or life, I wanted to share an example of a movie that succeeded in moving me. Searching for Sugar Man tells the story of a a charismatic Mexican-American singer/songwriter named Rodriguez…
You Ain’t Nobody In Hollywood Until…
You are thinking about making a movie because you want to be rich, famous and powerful, right? If this isn’t your goal, please let me be the first to call you out on your BS. There are plenty of ways to make money in the world. There are faster ways to produce a product. Easier ways to rush to market. Less stressful ways to make money. But none of that stuff matters to you because…
Video Encoding Service
If you are looking to get your movie seen and selling on the popular VOD platforms like iTunes, Hulu, Netflix and some of the cable outlets, your movie must first go through a video encoding service. And since most filmmakers are new to the world of film distribution, here is an overview of how modern movie distribution works…
How To Create A Viral Web Series
You no longer need Hollywood to get your work distributed and seen. Thanks to the internet you have a readily accessible option for creating a web series and reaching a global audience. All you need is a camera, some creativity and internet access. Read this filmmaking article…
You 12 Week Movie Promotional Plan
As a filmmaker, getting your movie made is paramount to success. Without a movie, you have nothing to offer your audience. Since your audience is your business, without an audience, you have no business! If you have been reading Filmmaking Stuff for any length of time, you know that the world of distribution has forever changed. The days of multi-gazillion dollar cash advances are over. Instead, what we are left with is…
Changes In The Movie Industry
Yesterday I had breakfast with a studio executive from one of the Majors here in Los Angeles. Much of what we talked about revolved around changes in the movie industry and how many of the studio folks are slow to implement new ideas. With an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 independent movies flooding the market each year, the movie industry is experiencing what happens to any industry when cheap labor, inexpensive production…
Download The Modern MovieMaking Movement
Looking for free Filmmaking Books? Download The Modern Moviemaking Movement. Ten of Hollywood’s most innovative filmmakers share tips on navigating the indie film landscape.
Modern Moviemaking FAQs
If you are wondering about the future of filmmaking, I can tell you it is not Hollywood. It will be the gazillion filmmakers all over the world who take action, pick up a camera and make the movie they can make with the resources they have. There are a lot of people fearful of this shift…
VOD Submission Prep
As a filmmaker, getting your movie into the various VOD marketplaces takes way longer than it should. The reason for this is simple. Every platform including iTunes, Amazon, NetFlix, Hulu and The Watchbox all want great content. The delivery standards required by some of these platforms are so high, that if even one frame is messed up, your title will be rejected! This is why video aggregators work with amazing encoders…
Aspiring screenwriter: Go Hollywood or go indie?
Because I’ve written a few books about screenwriting I sometimes get questions from people just starting out on their careers. One query that has started coming up more often recently is whether it’s better to chase the Hollywood dream or get involved with indie films, including ones made for the web…
Why You Need A Shot List
My first feature was a science fiction monster movie called Tasmanian Devils. As is usually the case with first features, we did not have enough time or money, and so 12 pages a day of monsters and blood explosions was to be expected. I was ready for the challenge and I was as prepared as I could be. I built extensive shot lists before the shoot – creating all sorts of custom spreadsheets to manage the hundreds of scenes and thousands of shots. Then my AD and I meticulously rearranged our shooting days to make the perfect plan…
Crowdfunding For The Canyons
Writer Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho) has teamed up with writer-director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), and producer Braxton Pope to create the new feature titled The Canyons. But unlike most movies produced in Hollywood, what makes this project different than most projects is…
DSLR Cage
Camera operating can be tricky in its own right, but when it comes to being a one man band, where you’re in charge of both camera and audio – then things can get pretty difficult. With the DSLR craze, it can seem at times ridiculous to build out a full-scale camera rig. In some instances, doing so can defeat the purpose of shooting with these cameras, especially if you’re going guerilla…
Filmmaking Podcast: Make Your Movie
If you want to make your movie, you might find this valuable. I just recorded a filmmaking podcast where I share 3 tips that are NOW essential for all successful independent filmmakers…
Blackmagic Camera and NAB Recap
Here is a breakdown of some of the key stories from NAB 2012 for indie filmmakers, including news of the Blackmagic Camera and NAB recap…
Filmmaking Stuff Book
Grab Your Copy Of Filmmaking Stuff So You Can Take Action And Make Your Movie Now! Are you looking for filmmaking books? As …
GoPro Hero Time Lapse
The GoPro Hero can be utilized for time lapse footage. When dealing with time lapses, it’s all about doing the correct math. Not only because you want your end product to be a certain length, but also when dealing with the storage space while creating a time lapse.
Who Wants To Go Mad For Free?
The idea is that you set a goal for the day and declare it on the MAD website and check in every hour to report your progress and watch a five minute live broadcast in which Jurgen gives tips and answers questions.
Film Fundraising: 5 Crowdfunding Mistakes to Avoid
As I type this, I am halfway through my Kickstarter campaign for my feature I Hate You. We’re about one-third of the way toward our goal, and we now have $10,000 to raise in about 30 days…
Future filmmaking BOOK Coming Soon!
For those of you following filmmaking stuff, you know that I have been working on an awesome and comprehensive filmmaking book for quite …
Gary King Talks Filmmaking
see Kevin Smith as the guru who is able to take his fan base and monetize it in a way that makes sense and doesn’t make anyone feel ripped off. We’ve also seen the recent success of comedian Louie C.K. and his comedy special that he sold exclusively and independently online which grossed over a million dollars.
Location Sound Crew
The sound crew starts their day by assuring themselves that every piece of hardware they have works flawlessly. They post a header and test tone at the start of every days work.
Back From Sundance
I’m back from Sundance. This was one of those trips that you don’t plan. But when you get a call from the Utah asking…
Sundance Film Festival
A decade ago, my goal was to make a movie and get it into the Sundance Film Festival. Back then, this was the only way you “made it.” Since that time, the entire world of indie filmmaking has turned upside-down.
Filmmaking Stuff Gets Updated
If you’ve been reading Filmmaking Stuff for any length of time, you probably noticed that things are changing around here. When I first started this site I had no idea that it would become one of the most popular filmmaking websites in existence…
Filmmakers and Screenwriting Frustration
Many filmmakers and screenwriters feel frustrated. You know what you want to do. But you have no idea how to get started. A …
Become a movie marketer
If you are going to increase your odds of movie success, you need to find out how to become a movie marketer. To get started, I recommend spending as much time as possible learning about internet marketing.
Holiday Movie Scout
If you are doing any traveling for the holiday season, make sure you carry a camera with you. While your friends and family take pictures of themselves, you should take time to scout for various locations and other interesting elements that you can eventually put in your movie.
Showbiz Expo
If you are planning to attend the Showbiz Expo, make sure you check out my talk on “How To Sell Your Movie Without The Middle Man.” I go on at 11AM and will provide some valuable tips on how to get your movie seen and selling.