Production Archives - Filmmakers Academy

Finding the Frame with Alice Brooks ASC thumbnail

Camera, Composition, Finding the Frame, Lenses, Pre Production, Production

Finding the Frame: Alice Brooks, ASC

Alice Brooks, ASC is the award-winning cinematographer behind some of the most recent musical hits like In the Heights and tick, tick… BOOM!, working alongside icons like Jon M. Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Brendan Sweeney of Filmmakers Academy sat down with Alice to discuss her career and latest work…

Chewed Gum Documentary - Alana Maiello looking up at the Mormon temple

Announcements, Post Production, Producing, Production

“Chewed Gum” Documentary Seeks Finishing Funds with DocLands

At its best, the value of documentary filmmaking allows filmmakers to bring an important subject to light in order to enact change for the betterment of the world. That’s what makes the documentary feature film Chewed Gum so prescient. It’s a film that follows the personal story of Alana Maiello,…

Camera, Finding the Frame, Lenses, Lighting, Production

The Cinematography of HBO Max’s MOONSHOT with Brendan Uegama

Anyone who has ever experienced a long-distance relationship knows it’s no easy matter. But, what if you and your better half resided on two separate planets? HBO Max’s latest film Moonshot explores that very idea! Moonshot is a romantic comedy that follows two college students (Cole Sprouse and…

Producing, Production

Inside Foo Fighters’ Studio 666 with the Producers

Studio 666 is a horror-comedy that defies all expectations to make it into theaters after contending with the pandemic. Among Foo Fighters fandom, it’s sure to become an instant cult classic. Plus, anyone who loves 80s slasher films, exceptional rock music, and slap-stick comedy will find a good time…

Pre Production, Producing, Production

Interview with Producer Jamee Ranta on Halsey’s Album-Film

Singer/Songwriter Halsey released her all-new album-film If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power in 2021. A potpourri of Halsey’s latest album with a medieval horror aesthetic, the film is not only genre-defying but an artistic wonder that explores and challenges the nature of femininity. The album-film…

Directing, Pre Production, Producing, Production

A Discussion with The Producers of Mass

There’s something special about a film that can spark a conversation about a taboo subject and ultimately create more empathy in the world. This very idea is what makes Mass one of the most important films of the year. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that allows the audience a fly-on-the-wall perspective…

Production, Technology

Are Game Engines the Future of Filmmaking?

Since the earliest days of cinema, filmmakers have captivated audiences with movie magic. Similar to a magician and his hat, such visual innovations trick viewers allowing them to experience fantasy as reality. Today, with the advancements in gaming technology, amazing new workflows are transforming…

Lighting, Production

Where Should I Place My Key Light?

Light is to filmmaking what paint is to — well — painting. So, for anyone who might be thinking, “Where should I place my key light?” don’t worry, you’re in the right place. The way you place your key will have an impact on your mood, dimension, and color tones, but you probably already…

Pre Production, Production

6 Tips for Renting Equipment from a Film Rental House

Any seasoned filmmaker will tell you how their relationship with their local film rental houses is their lifeblood, allowing fthem to gear up for production without needing to spend thousands of dollars in purchasing expensive equipment. Yes, using a rental house can be expensive but it’s completely…

Directing, Film Theory, Pre Production, Production

The Art of Filmmaking Collaboration

The better you collaborate, the greater your chance for a successful film. That’s because, at its highest order, filmmaking collaboration occurs between various teams and departments to make a vision a reality. The goal is to work cohesively and work as a unit to boil down all the floating ideas, opinions,…

How To Create Room Tone - Filmmakers Academy

Composition, Lighting, Production

How To Light Characters and Create Room Tone

Understanding how to light characters and create room tone is one of the most important and subtle tools you can use to take your storytelling to the next level. In fact, the nature of your ambient light hinges on how you light the background, mid-ground, and foreground. This video shows you a glimpse…

Camera, Production

Commercial Cinematography: Owning the Night

Lighting cars at night can be a challenge, especially for commercial cinematography. You want to make a great impression and get the job done right. There are a lot of questions you first need to ask yourself. Namely, what camera and lenses should you choose? Then, how do you light fast-moving shots…

Business, Production

Start Your Career in the Film Industry with Artisha Mann-Cooper

Changing career paths is never an easy task and it can prove a bit daunting at first, especially if you’re switching to a passionate profession like filmmaking. But rest assured that it’s not nearly as big of a long shot as you might initially think. In fact, even if you work in an entirely different…

Camera, Composition, Production

Discover a Worldwide Filmmaking Community with Hurlbut Academy

Filmmaking is one of few art forms that actually necessitates an entire village to see a particular project through to the end. From working with storyboard artists in pre-production to the many departments and skilled artists in production and post, there are a ton of creative forces working towards…

Camera, Production

RED Gemini: Innovations for Disney+ film Safety

RED Digital Cinema hit the market in 2005 and ever since the world of filmmaking has never been the same. RED was a major factor in revolutionizing the industry by making digital cinematography the standard for motion capture. And, trust me, I know a little something about that major turning point in…

Pre Production, Production

Blueshape Innovations for the Disney+ film Safety

There are a million different factors that go into making a film. And if one of those factors goes wrong, like say your battery gives out during a crucial moment, it could prove to be the difference between a successful shoot or spending a treasure trove of money on reshoots. That’s where Blueshape…

Camera, Lenses, Production

Tiffen: Innovations for the Disney+ film “Safety”

One cannot simply stress the significance of color and what it means for the emotional experience of a film. This is especially the case for Disney and its vast vault of memorable films that transcend both time and space. That’s why I realized early on in pre-production for the newly released movie…

How to shoot sports action cinematography

Camera, Pre Production, Production

How to Shoot Sports Cinematography

The magic of cinema evokes emotion through feeling visceral moments that put you in the headspace of the protagonist.

Lighting, Production

Softbox – Construction and Theory

You wanna know how to make a Softbox that can rival the most expensive ones on the market? I like to make my own equipment so it works for me on screen. Now I'm revealing one of my best kept secrets using materials that cost next to nothing - even using BEDSHEETS! You won't want to miss out on this explosive blog that will give you the edge on set.

Announcements, Film Theory, Production

Making Movies an American Dream

Movie-making - an American Dream “It ain’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forwards.” - Rocky Balboa When I think about movies, about why I wanted to be involved in making movies, I have a real sense of pride that America has always…

Ed Phillips of Matthews Studio Equipment with Hurlbuts

Announcements, Production

A Friend, A Pioneer & A Legend – Ed Phillips

Legend is a term we hear banded around in this industry over and over and, most of the time, it’s a point that is debated, questioned, open to interpretation and is often merely an opinion. However, there are those that are universally accepted by everyone and, when I learned this weekend about the…

Production