The Ultimate Filmmaking Content Library

300+ lessons packed with on-set video tutorials taught by Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmakers, illustrated articles, hundreds of downloadable forms, online resources, and much, much more.

Video Tutorials

Experience every part of the filmmaking process through engaging on-set video tutorials shot on working sets.

Articles

Supplement videos with thousands of illustrated articles on nearly every facet of the filmmaking process.

Downloadables

Download hundreds of real documents from top TV shows and movies, as well as blank templates you can use on your own productions.

Web Links

Connect with industry leading production companies, job boards, vendors, rental facilities, and online resources.

Explore the Lessons

Your academic license includes the following lessons. Mix and match to create custom learning paths for your students.

How to Break into the Film Industry
Career Advice from the Pros
21:13
How to Get Your First Job
22:54
How to Move to Los Angeles
18:13
How to Make Money in the Film Industry
24:37
Realities of a Career in the Film Industry
27:18
The Art of Networking
22:17
How to Survive in Hollywood
17:00
How to Write Your Screenplay
Beginning the Writing Process
Working with a Writing Partner
Developing the Idea
34:58
The Changing Landscape of Television
34:36
How to Structure Your Story
33:07
Defining and Writing Comedy
29:36
The Hidden Tools of Comedy
32:02
The Three Act Structure
35:45
A-Story and Subplots
28:27
How to Fix Story Pacing Problems
37:01
Creating an Amazing Protagonist
33:13
Creating the Perfect Antagonist
23:08
Conflict Types
20:20
How to Write Memorable Supporting Characters
18:24
Understanding Character Archetypes
21:45
How to Develop Your Character’s Personality and Backstory
29:49
Writing Original Dialogue and Subtext
25:48
The Writing Process from Title to Outline
26:00
How to Write the First Draft
22:36
Techniques for Rewriting and Refining Your Script
31:52
How to Market Your Script to Producers and Agents
27:09
How to Become a Hollywood Writer Part I
10:53
How to Become a Hollywood Writer Part II
30:12
How to Work in a Television Writers Room
24:40
How to Write a Reality Television Show
22:22
Working with Final Draft Software
Final Draft – Script Basics
26:05
Final Draft – Using Templates
13:02
Final Draft – Story Organization
15:21
Final Draft – Distributing Your Script
17:37
Final Draft – Tips, Tricks, & Utilities
28:00
Final Draft – Production
23:15
Producing and Development
The Studio System
33:09
Working for a Studio
26:19
Making a Business Plan
30:53
Packaging Your Movie
29:29
Agents and Managers
23:37
How to Pitch and Sell a Reality TV Show
28:54
How to Raise Money for your Movie
39:30
Taking Advantage of Tax Incentives
21:54
Forming a Production Company
32:54
How to Manage the Budget Money
36:07
Hiring the Crew
30:31
Working with Vendors
18:34
Unions and Guilds
35:40
Working with SAG/AFTRA
25:47
Scheduling and Budgeting
Beginning Pre-Production
Breaking Down the Script
19:11
Scheduling the Production
29:27
Scheduling the Day
30:03
How to Build a Budget
30:45
Production Insurance
19:45
The Crew
Crew Structures
Crew Positions
The Line Producer
37:33
The Unit Production Manager
28:57
Production Coordinator
19:53
1st Assistant Director
39:06
2nd Assistant Director
10:10
2nd 2nd Assistant Director
5:33
Production Assistants
31:36
Script Supervisor
28:44
Production Designer
21:14
The Art Director
11:26
Construction Coordinator
27:52
The Cinematographer
Camera Operator
26:13
1st Assistant Camera
11:24
2nd Assistant Camera
7:33
Key Grip
20:45
Best Boy
11:22
Grips
12:01
Working as a Grip
25:16
Dolly Grip
13:02
Gaffer
20:10
Best Boy Electric
9:57
Electricians
16:19
Cinematography
An Overview of Cinematography
How a Cinematographer Preps a Project
Camera and Lens
Building the Camera Package
How to Prep a Camera
14:37
Imaging Sensor and ISO
20:25
Frame Rates
20:02
Film vs Video
26:57
Tripods and Sliders
17:58
Introduction to Lenses
22:00
Lens Care
9:28
Focusing Techniques
23:21
How to Expose a Shot
25:16
F-stops and T-stops
17:42
The Zone System
23:03
Lens Focal Length
23:50
Depth of Field Tutorial
27:29
Macro Focus
9:28
Back Focus
4:51
The Shutter
12:54
Managing Your Media
Framing and Composition
The Visual Story
35:48
Composing the Shot
27:03
Creating Depth on Screen
25:43
Singles and Over the Shoulder Shots
24:25
Head Room and Lead Room
19:41
Eyelines
18:01
Screen Division and the Rule of Thirds
23:06
Screen Direction and the Rule of 180
23:06
Shot Types and Camera Movements
27:56
The Frame
24:45
Using a Clapboard
11:04
Using a Light Meter
12:34
Using a Production Monitor
14:29
Lighting
Introduction to Light and Exposure
23:27
Attributes of Light
34:02
Tungsten Lighting
11:01
HMI Lighting
20:02
Kino-Flo Fluorescent Lighting
14:02
LED Lighting
7:10
How to Build a Light Kit
15:31
Low Budget Lighting Tools
9:37
Reducing Light
26:43
Softening Light
26:50
Working with Reflected Light
19:18
Shaping Light
23:53
Color Temperatures
26:22
Lighting a Scene
24:42
Lighting Daytime Exteriors
23:10
Working with Mixed Light
22:32
Lighting People
23:36
Three Point Lighting
21:28
Key Light Techniques
25:20
Advanced Lighting Techniques
17:15
Green Screen Techniques
25:22
Lighting Demo – Kitchen Counter Daytime
19:14
Lighting Demo – Bedroom Dialogue Scene – Nighttime
23:19
Lighting Demo – Bedroom Daytime
20:19
Lighting Demo – Bathroom Daytime
24:22
Lighting Demo – Living Room Nighttime
12:34
Lighting Demo – Kitchen Table Daytime, Part I
19:59
Lighting Demo – Kitchen Table Daytime, Part II
13:20
Lighting Demo – Living Room Morning
16:21
Lighting Demo – Dining Room Nighttime
23:04
Grip and Rigging
C-Stands
17:59
Clamps
23:36
Stands
16:37
Rigging
17:59
Grips Support
8:02
Grips Rigs
19:09
Butterflies and Overheads
18:51
Dolly and Track
29:18
Grips Tools
9:20
Knots for On Set Rigging
Quick Start Lessons
Setting Up Your Camera
12:36
Basic Shooting Techniques
16:56
Basic Framing Techniques
16:27
Basic Audio Techniques
15:21
Bsic Production Techniques
15:51
Directing Actors
Analyzing Character
25:37
Rehearsing with Actors
25:37
Rehearsing Exercises
24:47
The Art of Directing Actors
30:07
Acting in a Changing Industry
19:48
Acting Techniques
Acting Techniques for the Screen
28:33
How to Direct Actors on Set
36:29
Common Directing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
21:20
How to Direct Background Extras
29:54
The Directors Craft
Beginning a New Project
30:29
Developing the Visual Look of Your Movie
38:22
A Day as a Director
How to Shoot a Scene
39:23
How to Direct a Scene
31:19
Blocking Actors
34:22
Basic Coverage
20:21
Advanced Coverage
26:18
How to Direct a Chase Scene
21:39
How to Create Invisible Camera Moves
25:42
Storyboards and Pre-Visualization
31:02
How to Create a Shotlist
17:48
Continuity and Script Notes
23:26
Working with the Military
20:23
Reality Show Interview Techniques
25:00
Production Design
The Art Department
29:54
How to Design a Set
25:28
Set Construction – Building Your Set
35:15
How to Dress Your Set
33:16
Creating the Look of the Environment
32:10
Props
36:16
Tour a Prop House
6:08
Shooting on Location
Finding Locations
19:13
Film Commissions
24:53
Working with Location Owners
34:47
Shooting on a Studio Backlot
Film Permits
22:58
Location Tech Scouting
26:03
Community Relations
25:00
Production Life
What to Bring to Set
9:31
Filmmaker’s Toolkit
10:40
Proper Set Etiquette and Behavior
15:44
Working with Difficult Personalities
22:56
Walkie Talkie Etiquette
14:59
A Day on Set
Audio Recording
The Physics of Sound
25:33
How Microphones Work
21:56
Microphone Pick-Up Patterns
18:55
Audio Pre-Production
26:36
Lavalier Microphones
18:18
The Microphone Boom
17:29
Boom Operating Techniques on Set
20:36
How to Record Audio on Location
23:02
Recording the Audio
35:09
Audio Configurations
20:00
Working with Cables and Adapters
19:18
Documentary Filmmaking
Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking
24:51
Finding the Story
28:18
Documentary Pre-Production
18:51
Choosing the Right Gear
32:08
Finding the Interview Location
18:53
Interview Camera Set-Ups
25:05
Preparing for the Interview
33:03
How to Conduct an Interview
32:05
Ethics and Objectivity
21:37
How to Shoot Amazing B-Roll Footage
21:52
Field Shooting Techniques
20:17
Editing a Documentary
28:41
Safety Training
The Attitude of Safety
20:45
Basic On Set Safety
34:49
Equipment Use and Safety
18:47
On Location Safety
20:32
Studio Facilities Safety
24:14
Vehicle and Roadway Safety
21:13
Shooting Moving Vehicles
19:34
Lighting Equipment Safety
26:46
Grip and Rigging Safety
30:36
Electrical Safety I
39:10
Electrical Safety II
29:51
Lifts, Trucks, and Tools
24:25
Weapon and Prop Safety
29:08
Pyrotechnics and Special Effects
24:06
Environmental Safety
25:45
Editing
Introduction to Editing
Hiring an Editor
10:46
Working with an Editor
20:23
Concepts of Editing
37:39
Data Management and Workflow
26:39
The Assembly Cut
21:33
Stock Footage
20:58
How to Edit a Dialogue Scene
34:27
Editing Action
24:56
The Rough Cut
19:04
Test Screenings
21:34
The Fine Cut
14:44
Online and Offline Editing
8:28
Color Grading
15:40
Understanding Compression
Audio Post-Production
Intro to Audio Post Production
24:49
ADR
30:31
Directing Actors in ADR
28:19
Foley
33:33
Sound Effects
24:49
Mixing the Audio
31:18
Music Composition
Emotion Through Music
28:25
The Who and How of Music
31:29
Working with a Composer
47:33
Music Licensing
33:15
Film Marketing
Film Marketing
15:41
Reaching Your Audience
26:05
Designing the Key Art
16:11
Making a Movie Trailer
27:23
Building Your Website
5:43
Building a Press Kit
13:35
Working with the Media
17:56
Distribution
Introduction to Distribution
32:55
Film Ratings and the MPAA
14:09
Domestic Distribution
23:32
Foreign Distribution
37:19
Mistakes Filmmakers Make at Film Festivals
30:05
Film Festivals
26:46
Online Distribution
27:34