General Filmmaking | Pointers

CONTENTS

Click to jump to a section:

1. 1. Filmmaker Databases
   2. Filmmaker Websites
   3. Filmmaker Podcasts
   4. Filmmaker Fora
   5. Stock Video /Screen grabs etc.
   6. Tutorials
   7. International
   8. UK Film Fesitvals
   9. Filmmaker Magazines
   10. Books

I. Filmmaker Databases

IMDb Pro
https://pro.imdb.com

Production Base
https://www.productionbase.co.uk

II. Filmmaker Websites

General:

4rfv
https://www.4rfv.co.uk
Film production directory and jobs

ActionCutPrint
https://actioncutprint.com
Peter Marshall’s independent filmmaker website

Association of Film Commissioners International
https://afci.org

Backstage
https://www.backstage.com
Film crewing. Merged with Mandy q.v.

The Beat
http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog
Filmmaking instruction & philosophy

Breaking Through the Lens
https://breakingthroughthelens.org
Annual funding & mentoring for women in film

Brighton, Film City
https://filmcitybrighton.org
Resources for filmmakers in Brighton

Brighton Filmmakers’ Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightonfilmmakers
Accessed via Meta Facebook

British Blacklist, The
https://thebritishblacklist.co.uk

Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph & Theatre Union (BECTU)
https://bectu.org.uk

BFI Network (networking via their regional events)
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bfi-network

BFI Network Short Hand (30-minute podcasts on filmmaking specialisms)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6OUltZxTFtFKAZB0VSHtlsM7VA6klGtd

The Callsheet (connects film & TV professionals)
http://www.thecallsheet.co.uk

Cine Circle
https://www.cinecircle.co.uk
Training & networking. Useful for upcoming producers.

CreativeLive – Filmmaking classes online
https://www.creativelive.com/catalog/photography/filmmaking

Creative Cow
https://creativecow.net
Film professionals’ community

Crew Birmingham
https://www.crewbirmingham.co.uk

Crew United
https://www.crew-united.com

Curlie’s Filmmaker Pages
https://curlie.org/en/Arts/Movies/Filmmaking

Decentralized Pictures (run by American Zoetrope)
https://app.decentralized.pictures

D4Darius
https://www.youtube.com/user/D4Darious
Filmmaking tips

Director’s Notes
https://directorsnotes.com
Platform for emerging independent cinema (have extensive Vimeo and YouTube channels)

Every Frame a Painting
https://www.youtube.com/@everyframeapainting
Insightful video essyas on filmmaking by Tony Szhou and Taylor Ramos

EWA: European Women’s Audiovisual Network
https://www.ewawomen.com

Film Access Scotland
https://filmaccess.scot
Connects filmmakers in Scotland

Film Bang (Guide to film production in Scotland, includes crew directory)
https://www.filmbang.com

Film Courage (YouTube channel)
https://www.youtube.com/@filmcourage
Fantastic resource about film writing and production

Film Crux – Free film resources
https://www.filmcrux.com/blog/free-film-resources

FilmBase
https://www.filmbase.uk
Resources for art department, set decorators & props

Film Jam
https://www.filmjam.co.uk
Run a 1-day and 1-month film making collaboration

FilmD
https://www.filmd.co.uk
Filmmakers’ Platform

Film Local
https://filmlocal.com
Canadian /US site with industry tips and info.

Film Riot
Ryan & Josh Connolly’s how-to trip of film making
https://www.filmriot.com
https://www.youtube.com/@filmriot

Film School Rejects
https://filmschoolrejects.com
Filmmakers’ blog

Filming in England (crew directory to get listed on)
https://england.reel-scout.com/crew_directorylist.aspx

Filmmachen
https://www.filmmachen.de
German site

Filmmaker Tools
https://www.filmmaker.tools/filmmaking-101
Introductory articles

Filmmakers’ Academy
https://watch.filmmakersacademy.com
Free and paid filmmaking tutorials (all areas)

Filmmakers’ Podcast
https://thefilmmakerspodcast.com
Run by Giles Alderson

Filmmakers’ Social: Shoot the Breeze
https://www.meetup.com/filmmakers-social-shoot-the-breeze/events/302615554
East-London social run by Alec Rossiter, 1st Wednesday /month 7-9pm  at Castle Cinema E9 6DA

Filmmaking Stuff
https://www.filmmakingstuff.com
Film making info. from Tom Malloy

Films on a Shoestring
https://filmsonashoestring.com/filmmaking-sitemap

Future Movies
https://www.futuremovies.co.uk/category/filmmaking
Filmmakers’ discussion

Galway Film Fair (Ireland)
https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com

Gotham, The
https://thegotham.org
Nurturing independent filmmakers

iFeatures
https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/film-tv/ifeatures
UK government programme supporting filmmakers

Independent Film Co-operatite, Manchester
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/independent-film-cooperative-manchester-34380717075

Independent Horror Society
https://independenthorrorsociety.com

Indie Film Hustle
https://indiefilmhustle.com
Resource for independent filmmakers

Indie Shooters
https://www.indieshooters.org
Filmmakers’ community

Kino London
https://www.kinoshortfilm.com
Short film collective run by Dustin Murphy

Let’s Make Films
https://www.letsmakefilms.net
Group gatherings for makers of short films

London Black Film Creatives
https://www.meetup.com/london-black-film-creatives
Meet-up group

New Black Film Collective, The
Supporting and promoting black filmmakers and black cinema. Run the TNB Xpo event
https://www.tnbfc.co.uk

Noam Kroll Filmmaker Resources
https://noamkroll.com

Mandy
https://www.mandy.com
Jobs for cast, crew & creative professionals

Media Lunch Club (London)
https://www.medialunchclub.com
Regular luncheons organized with guest talks from seasoned filmmakers

Medium: Joshua Caldwell’s Filmmaker Blog
https://joshua-caldwell.medium.com
Useful tips on producing, directing and cinematography

Midlands Movies
https://www.midlandsmovies.com

Movie Insider
https://www.movieinsider.com/movies

Movie Maker Magazine
https://www.moviemaker.com

New Black Film Collective, The
https://www.tnbfc.co.uk
Supporting UK black-led filmmaking

Post Magazine
https://www.postmagazine.com
Post-production resource

Premium Beat – Free video assets
https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/category/free-for-video

Production Beast
https://www.productionbeast.com
Video jobs posting board

Production Crate
https://www.productioncrate.com
Image & sound VFX for filmmakers

Queer Filmmakers’ Network
https://queerfilmmakersnetwork.org

Raindance
https://raindance.org
Home of the Raindance film festival; organize filmmaker courses and run a regular networking event.

Raising Films
https://www.raisingfilms.com
Supporting parents and carers in the UK film sector

Reel Brum
https://www.reelbrum.com

Sine Screen
https://www.sinescreen.com

Sparroww
https://www.sparroww.com
Film platform for screenplays, jobs, connections & funding

Dov Simens’s Film Resources
https://www.webfilmschool.com/category/film-resources

South Yorkshire Filmmakers’ Network
https://syfn.org

StarNow
https://www.starnow.com
Film crewing

Straight 8
https://www.straight8.net/about
Ed Sayers’s support, resources, social and screening for making one, 3 mins 20 secs super-8mm film.
“A rite of passage for every filmmaker.”
More info.: https://vimeo.com/769884700/a9070c87d1

Student Filmmakers
https://www.studentfilmmakers.com
Tutorials

Style & Sound networking
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/style-and-sound-27384234139
(London-based. Sometimes have filmmaker evenings)

Tabb
https://tabb.cc
Profiling & team-forming platform

Tape Collective
https://www.tapecollective.co.uk

Tutti – Essential Guide to Micro and Low Budget Filmmaking
https://www.tutti.space/blog/guide-to-mirco-low-budget-filmmaking
(For beginners)

Underscore Studios
https://underscorestudios.co.uk

Vashi Visuals’ 1-Page Film School
https://vashivisuals.com/category/1-page-film-school

Women in Film & Television
https://www.wftv.org.uk

Work Space – Free filmmakers’ workspace in London
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/stories-events/news/we-are-opening-our-doors-at-22-golden-square

Your Cinema Films
https://yourcinemafilms.com/category/production-opportunities
Production opportunities

For Documentary Makers:

Bertha Dochouse
https://dochouse.org

Docs Ireland
https://docsireland.ie

Doc Society
https://docsociety.org

Documentary Association of Europe
https://dae-europe.org

Documentary Association (International)
https://www.documentary.org
Tips for documentary filmmakers

Documentary Film Council
https://documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk

Fwd Doc
https://www.fwd-doc.org

Grierson Trust
https://griersontrust.org

International Documentary Association
https://www.documentary.org

London Documentary Network
https://www.londondocumentarynetwork.com
(‘Doc in a Day’ initiative can be a way to showcase work)

Scottish Documentary Institute
https://www.scottishdocinstitute.com

III. Filmmaker Podcasts

There are lots of these. Here are some to get started. Simply search in a podcast app. such as Overcast:

• The Filmmaker’s Guide to the Industry
• The Filmmaker’s Playbook
• The Filmmakers’ Podcast
• IndieWire Toolkit
• Just Shoot It
• MicroBudget Film Podcast run by Chicago-based Zanah Thirus

For podcasts with too many episodes, search for keywords of topics that interest you, to be directed to relevant episodes.

IV. Filmmakers’ Fora etc.

Exploding Cinema
https://explodingcinema.org
(Very) indie screenings of new, experimental short films.

Indie Talk
https://indietalk.com

Reddit Filmmakers
https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmmakers

Square Peg Social
https://www.squarepegsocial.com
Annual gathering in Texas (US) bringing together established & up-and-coming filmmakers

Student Filmmakers
https://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com

V. Stock Video, Screen-grabs etc.

Curlie – Stock footage

Film Grab (Stills for mood boards)

Pexels Video

ShotDeck

VideoBlocks

VI. Tutorials

Mark Duplass: 8 Pieces of Advice on Micro-budget Filmmaking

Every Frame a Painting (film form)

Film Courage (YouTube channel)

Film Riot (filmmaking tips & techniques)

Filmmaker IQ (filmmaker how and why)

Indy Mogul (indie video)

Luke Seerveld (gaffer)

StudioBinder

Film Production Tips:
https://www.studiobinder.com/category/production

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@StudioBinder

Video & Filmmaker magazine Tutorials

VII. International

Centre national de la cinématographie (CNC) (France)
https://www.cnc.fr/web/en/filming-in-france

VIII. UK Film Festivals

(selection)

Great places to network and to find your next gig.

IX. Film Magazines

Cinefantastique Magazine – back issues
https://archive.org/download/cinefantastique_1970-2002

CineFiles – Treasure trove of film artefacts
https://cinefiles.bampfa.berkeley.edu

Internet Archive of Film & Cinema Magazines
https://archive.org/details/cinemamagazines

Lantern‘s Historical Archive of film/TV/sound
https://lantern.mediahist.org

Movietone News back issues
https://parallax-view.org/movietone-news

Starlog Magazine back issues
https://comicsforall269084760.wordpress.com/2021/03/22/starlog

X. Books

ABUSHWESHA, Farah:
A Guide to Low-Budget Filmmaking
(Creative Essentials, 2019)

ASCHER, Steven & PINCUS, Edward:
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age
(Plume, 2013)

BAND, Charles:
Confessions of A Puppetmaster – A Hollywood Memoir of Ghouls, Guts & Gonzo Filmmaking
(William Morrow, 2021)

BRADLEY, Stephen:
Shooting & Cutting – A Survivor’s Guide to Filmmaking & Other Diseases
(Mercier Press, 2019)

BRINDLE, Mark:
The Digital Filmmaking Handbook
(Quercus, 2014)

BUCHANAN, Andrew:
Film Making from Script to Screen
(Quercus, 2014)

BURCHELL, Ricky:
Independent Filmmaking: The Ultimate Guide
(FBC, 2020)

COSCARELLI, Don:
True Indie: Life & Death in Filmmaking
(Macmillan, 2018)

DOYLE, Barbara:
Make Your Movie – What you Need to Know About the Business & Politics of Filmmaking
Routledge, 2012

EDDY, Kylie & EDDY, David:
The Art of Lean Filmmaking
(Lean Filmmaking, 2021)

FIGGIS, Mike:
Digital Film-making
(Faber & Faber, 2014)

LoBRUTTO, Vincent:
The Filmmaker’s Guide to Production Design
(Allworth Press, 2002)

BUTLER-HART, Tori & BUTLER-HART, Matthew
Full to the Bring with Fizz, Ginger & Fierce Determination: A Modern Guide to Independent Filmmaking
(Applause, 2021)

HOLDEN, Tom:
Getting Started in Film Making
(Teach Yourself, 2018)

HUGHES, Michael:
Digital Filmmaking for Beginners
(McGraw Hill, 2012)

JAY, David:
It Came from the Video Aisle: Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment Studio
(Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2017)

LEE, Spike:
Gotta Have It – Inside Guerilla Filmmaking
(Fireside, 1987)

LENNY, Lipton:
Independent Film-making
(Simon & Schuster, 1983)

MACKENDRICK, Alexander:
On Film-making
(Faber & Faber, 2006)

POLISH, Mark:
The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking – An Insider’s Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood
(Mariner Books, 2005)

SCHENK, Sonja:
The Digital Filmmaking Handbook
(Foreing Films Publishing, 2021)

SCHWARZE, Kelly:
Broke Indie Filmmaker: Starting Your Filmmaking Enterprise from the Ground Up
(Indie Film Factory, 2023)

SCHWARZE, Kelly:
A Filmmaking Mindset
(Indie Film Factory, 2020)

SCHWARZE, Kelly:
What Film Schools Don’t Tell You: Your Basic Guide to Making Movies & Finding Good Distribution
(Indie Film Factory, 2019)

SHANE, Stanley:
What You Don’t Learn in Filmschool – A Complete Guide to (Independent) Filmmaking
(independently published, 2018)

SIMENS, Dov:
From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film
(Warner Books, 2004)

STANLEY, Shane:
What You Don’t Learn in Film School
(IFH Books, 2021)

TOMARIC, Jason:
The Power Filmmaking Kit
(Focal Press, 2008)

WINTERBOTTOM, Michael:
Dark Matter – Independent Filmmaking in the 21st Century
(Focal Press, 2008)

World of Books is a useful website to find cheap, 2nd-hand titles. Prices include postage.

• Search YouTube for informative videos on any film topic.

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