Industry-Standard Training for television and motion picture production

Emmy and Academy Award winning filmmakers lead engaging courses designed to take you inside the entertainment industry like never before. From development and scriptwriting to production, post-production, and distribution, gain the skills you need to succeed the ultra-competitive entertainment industry.

  • <span>Get</span> Certified

    Get Certified

    Get trained and certified by industry-recognized instructors in courses covering the entire production process. Improve yours skills, get certified, and get more work.

    Explore the Courses Explore the Subscriptions
  • <span>Individual</span> Training

    Individual Training

    Access the same training content used in over 53 top film schools... anywhere, anytime. Over 100 hours of videos, illustrated companion guides, downloads, and discussion boards. Choose subscription access or a certification course.

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  • <span>For</span> Film Schools

    For Film Schools

    In addition to industry-leading content that engages your students, FilmSkills is a complete learning management platform with over 10,000 test questions, student management, and classroom tools. Engage your students visually like no textbook can.

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Learn from the Best

Learn from people just like you - who figured out how to make it in Hollywood. Discover what they did to succeed and how you can do it too.

Our instructors have won:

  • 4 Academy Awards
  • 21 Emmy Awards
  • 1 Academy Award Nomination
  • 43 Emmy Nominations
  • 1 BAFTA Award
  • 1 DGA Award
  • 1 Golden Globe
  • 1 SAG Award Nomination
  • 2 Golden Reel Awards
  • 2 DGA Awards
  • 1 Peabody Award
  • 1 BET Comedy Award
  • 1 Humanitas Prize
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“

…the breadth and depth of the learning experience placed on this site for most all of the areas of film making are staggering.

”- ImpulseGamer
“

Voted one of the top 10 resources for independent filmmakers.

”- MovieMaker Magazine
“

FilmSkills is a fantastic academic resource, populated with a wealth of knowledge that is generously supplied by industry professionals

”- Microfilmmaker

If you want a career in the film industry, you MUST know how it works.

Don't be one of the thousands of people who fail, then give up on their dreams. Hundreds of successful industry professionals - many of whom have started out the same way as you - are here to teach you what they've learned.

Learn the Entire Film Industry

Screen Writing

A-Story and SubplotsCharacter ArchetypesConflict TypesDeveloping the IdeaDialogue and SubtextFrom Title to OutlineMarketing the ScriptPersonality and BackstoryRewritingStory PacingStory StructureSupporting CharactersThe AntagonistThe First Draft The ProtagonistThe Three Act Structure

Director's Craft

Advanced CoverageBasic CoverageBeginning a ProjectBlocking ActorsContinuity and Script NotesCreating a ShotlistHow to Shoot a SceneStoryboards and Pre-VisualizationThe Visual Story

Camera and Lens

Back FocusBasic Camera TechniquesBasic Shooting TechniquesExposureFocusGainIntroduction to LensesLens CareMacro FocusThe ShutterThe Zone System

Development

Agents and ManagersMaking a Business PlanPackaging Your MovieThe Studio SystemWorking For a Studio

Producing

Forming a Production CompanyMoney ManagementRaising MoneyTax IncentivesUnions and GuildsWorking with SAG/AFTRAWorking with Vendors

Lighting

Advanced Lighting TechniquesAttributes of LightColor TemperaturesHMI LightingHow to Build a Light KitKey Light TechniquesLighting a SceneLighting OutsideLighting PeopleLow Budget Lighting ToolsReducing Light Shaping LightSoftening LightTungsten LightingWorking with Mixed Light

Directing Actors

Analyzing CharacterAuditionsBlocking ActorsCallbacksDirecting Actors on SetDirecting ExtrasDirecting MistakesFinding ActorsRehearsing ActorsThe Art of Directing ActorsWorking with Local CelebritiesWorking with the Military

Cinematography Technique

CompositionCreating DepthEyelinesFilmmaker's ToolkitFraming PeopleGreen Screen Techniques Rule of 180Shot TypesThe FrameUsing a ClapboardUsing a Light MeterUsing a Monitor

Documentary Production

Choosing the GearDocumentary Pre-ProductionEditing DocumentariesEthics and ObjectivityField Shooting TechniquesFinding the StoryInterview Camera Set-UpsIntro to DocumentariesPreparing for the InterviewShooting B-Roll FootageThe Art of the InterviewThe Interview Location

Safety Training

Basic On-Set SafetyElectrical Safety IElectrical Safety IIEnvironmental SafetyGrip and Rigging SafetyLifts, Trucks and ToolsLighting Equipment SafetyOn Location SafetyPyrotechnics and Special EffectsShooting Moving VehiclesStudio Facilities SafetyThe Attitude of SafetyVehicle and Roadway SafetyWeapon Safety

Audio Recording

Audio Pre-ProductionBasic Boom Operating TechniquesCables and AdaptersLavalier MicrophonesLocation Recording TechniquesMicrophone BasicsMicrophone Pick-Up PatternsRecording the AudioThe Boom MicThe Physics of Sound

Production Design

Creating the LookPropsSet ConstructionSet DesignSet DressingThe Art DepartmentThe Art DirectorThe Construction CoordinatorThe Production Designer

Editing

Color GradingConcepts of EditingData Management and WorkflowEditing a Dialogue SceneEditing ActionHiring an EditorOffline/Online EditingTest ScreeningsThe Assembly CutThe Fine CutThe Rough CutWorking with an Editor

Audio Post-Production

ADRDirecting Actors in ADREmotion Through MusicFoleyIntro to Audio Post-ProductionMixing the AudioMusic LicensingSound EffectsThe Who and How of MusicWorking with the Composer

Distribution

Domestic DistributionFilm FestivalsForeign DistributionInternet DistributionIntro to Distribution
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The nation's top film schools use FilmSkills to give their students the competitive edge.

  • UCLA
  • Tribecca Flashpoint Academy
  • Yale University
  • Oral Roberts University
  • Emerson College
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Full Sail University
  • University of Texas - El Paso
  • The Art Institute
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Columbia College Chicago
  • Missouri State University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Ouachita Baptist University
  • Georgia Southern University
  • Western Michigan University
  • Baylor University
  • Valencia College
  • DePaul University
  • Ithaca College
  • Santa Clara University
  • Waldorf College
  • Florida State University
  • Westminster College
  • Grove City College
  • Columbia University
  • Walla Walla University
  • New York University
  • Stuyvesant High School
  • Bowling Green State University
  • California Baptist University
  • University of Colorado
  • El Paso Community College
  • Kent State University
  • The New School
  • Xavier University
  • Mount St. Mary’s College
  • University of Nevada - Las Vegas
  • Utah Valley University
  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Confederation College
  • Ball State University
  • University of North Carolina
  • Anderson University
  • Widener University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Morgan State University
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Maranatha Baptist University
  • Tarrant County College
  • Western Michigan University
  • Campbellville University
  • Hood College
  • University of Central Florida
  • Columbia College Hollywood
  • University of Idaho
  • Fresno School District
  • Boston University
  • Brigham Young University
  • California Baptist University
  • Campbellsville University
  • Cerro Coso Community College
  • San Jose State University
  • Tulane University
  • Ursuline Academy
  • Meridian Technology Center
  • Quinnipiac University
  • Union University
  • St. Joseph's College
  • Clark Atlanta University

Learn How To Make It

Everyone starts out the same way – dreaming of working in the film industry. Many people try and fail; few succeed. Your FilmSkills instructors have made it... and they're here to show you how you can too.

We Take You Inside

Get the inside track from professionals who have worked for every network and studio:

  • Walt Disney Pictures
  • Warner Bros. Entertainment
  • Sony Pictures
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Paramount Pictures
  • ABC Entertainment
  • NBC
  • NBCUniversal
  • Miramax
  • 20th Century Fox
  • National Geographic Channel
  • British Broadcasting Corporation
  • Lucasfilm
  • Engaging Videos

    Engaging Videos

    Over 100 hours of content shot on Hollywood sets and productions

  • Downloads

    Downloads

    Everything you need - including contracts, forms, templates and examples

  • Certification

    Certification

    Earn your certification in one of twenty courses

  • Discussion Forums

    Discussion Forums

    Connect, chat, and share techniques, information, and help with other filmmakers

  • Professional Profile

    Professional Profile

    Create a profile with resumes, demo reels, and content into. Meet and network.

  • Always Up-to-Date

    Always Up-to-Date

    FilmSkills is constantly updated and expanded with the latest information

You are only 30 seconds away from taking your craft, your skills, and your filmmaking career to the next level.

Come join us... we have a lot to show you!

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FilmSkills