Filmmaking Tips & Tricks
As Emerging Filmmakers at Howcast Studios, you spend quite a bit of time showing the world how to do stuff – and deserve a chance to sit back and pick up a few tips yourself. So, we’re building a collection of the best filmmaking tips and tricks from Howcast Studios as well as leading filmmaking experts across the web to help you grow as a professional filmmaker.
Over the next few months, we’ll be introducing new videos and tips on a variety of topics. Tell us what you’d like us to show you how to do next. Email your ideas to emergingfilmmakers@howcast.com.
How To Make Your First Movie
Every filmmaker has the dream of making their own feature length film. So, our first series of videos show tips on how to make your first movie – straight from our own experts at Howcast Studios.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 1: Writing
- The screenwriter Gene Fowler once said, “Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Here’s how to make the process a little less painful.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 2: Budgeting
- Producing your first movie is difficult enough without running out of money halfway through. Reduce the chances of that happening with these budgeting tips.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 3: Casting
- Good casting can bring a script to life. The trick is knowing where to look for the best people.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 4: Gear
- First movies are often tight on funding. Learn what gear to look for and you’ll be able to get A-list results from a C-list budget.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 5: Lighting
- Novice filmmakers tend to focus on the script and filming, but proper lighting lends a professional quality that can’t be beat.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 6: Audio
- You may be tempted to skimp on audio quality in your first movie. Don’t—a single garbled conversation can drive an audience to the exits.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 7: Shooting
- Shooting will probably be the most exciting part of making your first movie, and possibly the most challenging, too. Follow these steps to make the best use of your cameras.
- How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 8: Editing
- How do you edit a low-budget flick to look like an Academy Award-worthy film? The same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice.
AFI Screen Nation
Want to learn about filmmaking? ScreenNation, from the experts at the American Film Institute, offers up some great tutorials. Check out AFI Screen Nation on Howcast:
- AFI ScreenNation: Editing Transitions
- Xander and Calvin go over some basic editing transitions. They primarily feature THE CUT and THE DISSOLVE and explain why they're they best "storytelling transitions".
- AFI ScreenNation: Lighting Basics
- Xander and Calvin give some helpful tips on how to light your films and videos!
- AFI ScreenNation: Sound Tips
- Xander and Calvin go over some ways to help get great sound for your films and videos!
IndyMogul
IndyMogul is a weekly online TV show dedicated to teach you how to recreate the latest Hollywood special effects for cheap! Check out IndyMogul on Howcast:
- Girls Gone Viral: 4 Minute Film School
- Did your last video flop on YouTube after nagging all of your "friends" to watch it and spread it? Well, we've taken a seat with the fine folks at BarelyPolitical.com to discuss how they consistently churn out more viral hits than heroin addicts.
- Build a Tracked Camera Dolly For Cheap : BFX
- Shooting hand held is great, but sometimes you need the smooth motion of a camera dolly. We've made a dolly in the pasted, but this week we are making one with a track! Plus an original Steve Nelson Test Film!
- How To Use a Green Screen
- Ever wonder how to use a green screen? Indy Mogul's Steve shows all the do's and dont's of green screening (or blue screening), including lighting and editing tips. Got any more questions? Leave some comments and it might turn up in a Weekend Extra.
