FAQ

What is Filmmakers Academy?

Filmmakers Academy is a versatile, premium online filmmaking platform and resource that unlocks a whole new realm of educational possibilities for creatives. We teach you what you don’t learn in film school with a blend of on-set Hollywood training, resulting in a unique educational experience for both professionals and aspiring visual creatives.

Membership

What’s included in a Filmmakers Academy membership?

Filmmakers Academy offers three premium membership tiers: 12-month membership, 3-month membership, and Lifetime membership.

All premium memberships include unlimited access to all of our regularly updated courses, lessons, career paths, training videos, and downloadable resources, as well as entry to our platform and community. Premium membership also grants access to monthly Spotlight group coaching sessions with industry professionals, in-person and virtual networking events, and special discounts from our partners and sponsors.

Premium Masterclasses

3-month membership differs from 12-month membership and Lifetime membership with premium masterclasses. Due to the cost of production, premium masterclasses are exclusive to 12-month and Lifetime members.

*NOTE: However, premium masterclasses are available to purchase separately from membership.

Lifetime Membership

What Lifetime membership includes over the 12-month membership, other than just one-lifetime payment, is one annual membership call. The annual membership call takes place with Filmmakers Academy team member(s) where you can get advice and guidance on the direction of your career, and networking advice to make connections in the industry.

Free Membership

Filmmakers Essentials is a free membership tier that invites anyone who creates an account into Filmmakers Academy’s community and platform. Also included with Filmmakers Essentials is a limited library of free content like demos and podcasts.

Download the App

Anyone can download the app and create an account.

Can I interact with Filmmakers Academy mentors?

Filmmakers Academy mentors teach video lessons based on many years of industry knowledge and experience. These uniquely designed video courses save you years of trial and error, time of grinding on the job, and money. Our mentors are giving you the playbook for what you need to succeed in your career.

Spotlight Group Coaching Sessions

Mentors also participate in Spotlight Group Coaching Sessions on a rotating monthly basis. This means premium members have the opportunity to engage with mentors and industry experts and get their questions answered.

1:1 Coaching Sessions

If you wish to interact one-on-one with a specific mentor, then anyone (members and non-members alike) can purchase a 1-hour virtual private session with your mentor of choice to ask questions, review work, and learn how to leverage your career!

*NOTE: If you pay for a 1-hour private coaching session, you must schedule a day and time within 365 days of purchase. All payments are non-refundable.

How can I join the secret Facebook group for members?

When you join as a premium member, we’ll send an invitation to the email you provided to gain entrance into our secret Facebook group. Please be sure that your email address for Facebook matches the email that you used when signing up. If not, please reach out to our customer service team.

Does a premium membership give me access to all new Filmmakers Academy content during membership?

Yes, all new content added to Filmmakers Academy will be immediately available to premium members (Lifetime, 12-month, and 3-month members).

Can more than one person use a Filmmakers Academy account?

No. A Filmmakers Academy account is for one individual, and account sharing is in violation of the terms & conditions. Members found to be sharing logins are subject to having their accounts terminated.

Student and School Pricing

Filmmakers Academy does offer student and special education and institution pricing which is designed to accommodate larger group licenses. For more information, please contact us at customerservice@filmmakersacademy.com.

Can I gift a Filmmakers Academy membership to someone?

Yes! To purchase a gift card, please scroll down to the footer on our site and click Buy a Gift Card.

Content

What filmmaking topics does Filmmakers Academy provide?

Filmmakers Academy offers an impressive range of filmmaking disciplines, including:

Just note that some disciplines are more robust than others. For example, Cinematography is our largest discipline with the most content, whereas we are still growing our content for producers. If you have any questions, please message our customer service team at customerservice@filmmakersacademy.com.

What should I study for film production?

Filmmakers Academy offers a Career Paths feature designed by Shane Hurlbut, ASC based on 30+ years of Hollywood feature film experience that guides you through the right modules, lessons, and courses to achieve your unique trajectory.

Do you offer any free content?

Yes, we do! Unlocked lessons and excerpts are available on our blog. However, the best way to get a taste of Filmmakers Academy is to start a free Filmmakers Essentials membership or a premium 3-month membership.

Where can I find the course resources for the lesson I’m watching?

Many of our courses have learning aids, textbook lessons, downloadable media, and helpful resources that are offered in addition to the video tutorials. You can find them in the “Resources” tab directly below the video player.

How much does Premium Membership cost as opposed to accessing the courses individually?

Filmmakers Academy premium memberships are priced as they are presented on the Pricing page of our website and are subject to change with promotions and pricing adjustments. All premium memberships provide unlimited streaming for as long as you remain an active premium member.

You can also choose to purchase content like courses, lessons, and premium masterclasses individually without a premium membership. Simply navigate to the content of your choice and select the purchase button that is positioned next to the “Subscribe to watch” button.

Can I just access one of the courses without subscribing to a membership?

If you’re only interested in taking one specific course, we do offer many of our courses in the Store.

Do you offer captions or subtitles?

Filmmakers Academy offers English captioning on most courses.

Can I download the videos?

Yes, Filmmakers Academy members can download videos when using the Filmmakers Academy app. You must be logged into your account and a member to download content.

Download the App

Anyone can download the app and create an account.

PLAYBACK QUESTIONS

My video does not playback smoothly. How can I fix this?

Video playback depends on several factors. To improve your playback experience, make sure you have a fast, stable internet connection. We recommend using the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

If one browser is giving you trouble, try using one of the others. You may also experience playback issues with outdated devices and browsers.

For optimal performance, consider using the Filmmakers Academy app.

Download the App

Anyone can download the app and create an account.

Can I watch videos using Chromecast and AirPlay?

Yes! Both Chromecast and Airplay are compatible with our site.

To use Chromecast: Locate the Chromecast icon in the bottom right corner of the video you want to cast. Click the icon and select the correct Chromecast from the pop-up in your browser.
To use AirPlay: Open the video on your Apple device and click the AirPlay icon in the bottom left corner.

Can I watch videos on my TV without using an app?

Yes. By connecting your laptop directly to your TV with an HDMI cable, you will be able to watch videos from our site on your TV. You can also cast to your TV from your device using Chromecast or AirPlay.

Can I watch videos on my phone or tablet without using an app?

Yes. Our website adapts to phone and tablet browsers so you can watch our content anywhere at your convenience!

Which browsers are supported?

While we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, we also support Firefox and Safari browsers released within the last five years. You may experience playback issues when using an out-of-date browser or any version of Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

I forgot my password. How can I reset it?

Follow the steps below to reset your password:

Navigate to the Sign In page.
Click Forgot Password.
Enter the email associated with your account.
Click Send Instructions.

The instruction email will arrive in your inbox shortly. In the instruction email, click Reset Password and you will be directed to select a new password before being redirected to the Catalog page.

How do I change my password?

Once signed into your account, you can change your password by clicking Menu and then Change Password from the top navigation menu.

Where can I update my billing information?

Once signed into your account, you can update your billing information by clicking Menu and then Billing from the top navigation menu.

My credit card is being declined. Why is that?

Many credit/debit cards have online purchase restrictions. If your card is being declined, please contact your credit card company to let them know the purchase you would like to make is valid. Also, certain credit/debit cards do not allow for recurring subscription billing, and therefore, may be denied.

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your account, follow the steps below:

Once signed into your account,click Menu from the top navigation bar.
Select Settings.
Click Purchases.
Click Change Plan and Cancel Membership.

Your membership will be cancelled and your access will be discontinued at the end of your current payment period.

Who can I contact if I have a question?

Please contact Customer Service by sending an email to customercare@filmmakersacademy.com or by phone at 747-999-5321.

Is membership setup with autopay?

Yes, when you sign up for Filmmakers Academy premium membership, your membership will continue into the next payment period. If you wish to discontinue your membership, you must cancel before the next payment period to avoid being charged.

Can I finance my membership or individual purchases?

Yes, we now offer financing options for U.S. customers! You can split your purchases over $99 into six easy installments using PayPal Credit. This gives you greater flexibility to manage your payments and enjoy our products and services.