“We’ll fix it in post” are the five most dangerous words in filmmaking.

Filmmaking is absolute chaos. The sun is always dropping, the budget is always burning, and the crew is constantly looking to you for answers. Stepping onto a set without a deeply analytical prep strategy forces you into a state of split focus. You end up trying to figure out character arcs, blocking, lighting, and gear all at the exact same time—and that split focus destroys your visual grammar.

Cinematographers reach the top of their field based on their ability to strip away the noise and execute a singular vision. True preparation eliminates guesswork, becomes your ultimate superpower on set, and makes you an extraordinarily marketable creative partner.

“Saying ‘we’ll fix it in post’ is the exact moment a filmmaker surrenders. I am going to hand you the framework to take absolute control of your set, so you never have to wave that white flag again.” — Shane Hurlbut, ASC

Introducing the Fix It In Prep Masterclass

In the Fix It In Prep Masterclass, Shane Hurlbut, ASC unveils his set-tested Nine-Read Method. Developed over 35 years in the field alongside more than 100 directors, this complete pre-production workflow bridges the massive gap between a stack of paper and a fully realized cinematic vision.

You will learn how to deconstruct a script, remove the guesswork, and walk onto any set—from an indie passion project to a multi-million-dollar feature—ready to lead your crew with absolute certainty.

9 Reads. 3 Phases. One Unified Vision.

Stop reading the script like a crew member and start deconstructing it like a visionary. For well over 30 feature films, Shane has engineered the visual architecture of major motion pictures, replacing the panic of the ticking clock with the absolute certainty of the Nine-Read Process.

Phase-1: Finding the Core (Reads 1–3)

• The Gut Reaction

• Finding the Message

• The Seven-Minute Hook

Phase-2: Building the Language (Reads 4–6)

• Character Arcs

• Rules of Engagement

• Emotional Set Pieces

Phase-3: The Battle Plan (Reads 7–9)

• Filling in the Blanks

• The Gear Breakdown

• The Lighting Plan

Inside the Masterclass

• Find the emotional core, uncover the hidden message, and lock in your visual hook.

• Translate that truth into a unified visual grammar using composition and lighting emotion.

• Convert your creative vision into a highly efficient daily execution strategy.

• Deep-dive breakdowns on how to light for raw emotion rather than simple beauty.

• Techniques for designing powerful visual transitions across space and time.

• Downloadable templates to organize your gear, crew, and lighting setups.

Real-World Case Studies

Shane proves these concepts by taking you behind the scenes of his own feature films. You will see exactly how he applied the Nine-Read Method to solve massive logistical challenges and elevate the narrative on films including Música, Crazy/Beautiful, Swing Vote, Fathers and Daughters, Safety, Waist Deep, We Are Marshall, and Drumline.

Great cinematography doesn’t happen by accident. It is built in prep.

The Essential On-Set Companion Book

While the masterclass delivers the deep-dive visual breakdowns and video case studies, you need a physical handbook to take with you into the field.

Available now on Amazon, Fix It In Prep: A Cinematographer’s Nine-Step Script Breakdown is the ultimate tactile companion to the course. This handbook condenses the entire Nine-Read Method into a highly actionable reference guide. It gives you the exact templates, checklists, and mental frameworks to keep your visual grammar locked in when the pressure hits.

Whether you read it cover-to-cover or keep it in your kit as a quick reference, this book ensures you never walk onto a set unprepared.

• 📚 Get the companion handbook on Amazon 👉 Fix It In Prep: A Cinematographer’s Nine-Step Script Breakdown

🚨 Limited Time Offer: Save $50 on Annual Membership!

The Fix It In Prep Masterclass is available right now, exclusively for Filmmakers Academy Annual Members.

From foundational principles to advanced on-set techniques, an Annual Membership unlocks this course plus eight additional premium masterclasses designed to elevate your craft, no matter your skill level.

The Breakdown:

• 1-Year All Access Membership + 8 Masterclasses – $399 Value

• Masterclass: Fix It In Prep – $250 Value

• Retail Price: $649

• Sale Price: $299.99 (Save $50 for a limited time!)

Turn each page of the script into cinema.