Here’s the Podcast, and here’s the feed you can subscribe to. This is the text version of the Podcast. It contains some links I didn’t give out, and also those I did.
Tips n’ Tricks
When I first got an interest in filmmaking I had no clue what I should know, so I could start on my first film. I read up on it, and was overwhelmed by the traditional Hollywood methods. The amount of people and money it takes to make a Hollywood movie is huge.
I figured I’d work with what I have, like many independent filmmakers do. A lot of them can’t afford a professional crew and huge cast. It all comes down to what makes a good film, and that’s telling an interesting stories with passion.
You do need to know the filmmaking basics, so here are a few online guides and courses to get you started.
CNET’s Help.com started a digital video workshop.
Look for Digital Video Workshop: Shoot & Edit Great Videos. The course is perfect for the complete beginner. It covers everything from purchasing the right camera to capturing and editing your video. The information is simple to understand and fun.
Video 101 is about video and film production. It covers editing, shot composition, camera operation, sound, lighting and more. As well as how to work equipment that’s often used in film and TV.
Guide Book for Guerrilla Filmmakers This site approaches filmmaking using traditional Hollywood techniques. It starts with film production followed by a chapter on video basics covering digital video. It also has chapters on Pre-Production and Post-Production.
Filmmaker’s Journal
I was wondering what has the web done for filmmakers? How can they use it to it’s full potential? For me the web definitely is a one stop for news, entertainment, education, shopping. You name it. It’s got it.
Around 1998 independent filmmakers started using the web to showcase their talent. Hollywood slowly followed when file-sharing communities like Napster or Kazaa, showed that people didn’t want to drive to Blockbuster to get their movies. They wanted entertainment at a mouse click. Now there are sites like CinemaNow and MovieFlix, where you can watch or download the latest movies with pay-per-view or subscription.
Using a digital camera and computer anyone can make a film for cheap. Then showcase it on the web. Some use this to get their foot in the Industry door. I think it can be used for much more.
If you write, direct and edit your films on your own, why not take distribution in your hands as well?
The way people are getting their entertainment is radically changing. As this Cnet article points out. People want their entertainment to be convienient, their favorite movie or TV show right at their finger tips.
So far I found filmmakers advertising their DVD and VHS online. Why not let people buy a high quality downloadable version as well?
Bandwidth restrictions or Download time? This Cnet article points out all the shortcomings of the web as a distribution medium. The basic argument is the web is not ready to bring DVD or High Definition quality video on demand. Some of the discussions going on about the article are interesting, basically pointing out the web is ready, or getting ready to handle the workload.
What about per-to-per technology? Altnet through Kazaa offers to sell your work securely.
BitTorrent is another technology commonly used for file sharing. With a torrent file basically the more people downloading the faster it goes. Maybe you can get a programmer to write you up a BitTorrent client designed to sell and distribute your film quickly and efficiently.
Valve has their own distribution program Steam. Which they use to distribute their pc games. Apple’s iTunes is another example. Maybe Apple will come up with something for movies, But why leave it to them?
My Bookmarks
Wikipedia has a helpful breakdown of Hollywood movie production.
Raindance Indie Tips Great tips and tricks of the trade, From financing, directing, screenwriting to distribution tools.