Directing

Creative Self-Promotion Using a Video Reel

Directors, editors, actors, and other film workers use the video reel for promotion. The reel is a commercial in the form of a compilation movie. It brings together short clips from a variety of productions. Although the images don’t relate to each other —as they would in a narrative film—taken together they illustrate the creative’s…

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Word Play Featured in Inspiring Restaurant Movie

The restaurant movie genre has given us many hits such as “Big Night” and “Ratatouilleille.” Now we have “Bus Girl.” The title captures the protagonist’s life as she buses to a restaurant where she busses tables.  Jessica Henwick directed and starred in this 11-minute drama, shot on a Xiaomi M111. “Bus Girl” received a BAFTA…

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Tutorial Review: “Working with Non Actors”

Low-budget filmmakers often must work with non actors. This can creator directing challenges. Left to their own devices, untrained actors generally will not give polished performances. But as filmmaker Darious Britt explains, a few strategies can enable novices to shine. In his idea-packed three-minute tutorial, Darious gives authentic advice on such issues as casting, communicating,…

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How to Make a No-Budget Short Film

“How to Make A No-Budget Horror Short Film” is Ryan Camp’s behind-the-scenes video telling how he produced  “2AM.” This BTS covers getting the idea, obtaining the props, location scouting, lighting, finding sound effects, shooting with FiLMiC Pro, and much more. Casting wasn’t an issue because he starred in the movie. “2AM” was chosen as a…

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Tutorial review: “Film Blocking (It’s easier than you think)”

Film blocking from Epic Light Media “A minute to learn; a lifetime to master.” That motto for the board game “Othello” applies equally well to film blocking. When it comes to figuring out where to place characters and how to move them, there are only a handful of principles. Yet, as this Epic Light Media tutorial…

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Making Movies with Friends

Jacob Givens comes at filmmaking from the perspectives of acting and writing. Like many filmmakers, he’s developed his skills not in the classroom but in the field. Equally important, in the tradition of Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Federico Fellini, Givens has developed the habit of making movies with friends. This valuable method is available to everyone.…

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