Planning & Directing
Stuff You Need to Know
Why pre-production is essential for all videos and films
Pre-production is dreaded by many; some consider it tedious, non-creative work.
How to Prepare for Your First Directing Gig
Directing your first project is like getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. You read through the manual, attended the...
Video Gear: Finding and Accessing Equipment
A long time ago, in an industry that now seems a lifetime away, accessing gear to make films was a very expensive proposition, and...
Rehearsing with Actors
The pre-production process is important for your entire production team. Once actors are cast, they are often overlooked until it's time to shoot with...
Why the Job of a Director Starts Long Before the Shoot
For the director, this process begins in the pre-development stage of their project. The first stage of the creative process is the script. The...
How to plan a successful video ad
Here we’ll focus on the pre-production aspects of producing a video commercial. We’ll discuss all the steps that must be completed before you press...
What is color theory? A simple explanation
Color theory can set the tone and mood for the viewer using color manipulation in pre-production, shooting and post. But what exactly is color theory?
How to Develop Strong Characters that Draw in Your Audience
An outline for your screenplay is a great way to start, but developing strong characters will engage viewers in the story you’re telling. Would...
Freytag’s pyramid, dramatic structure and story arc
A first-class story is compelling from beginning to end. Freytag's Pyramid is a formula that describes the structure of most dramas.
Video Courses
Special Effects Basic Training
Making movie-like special effects doesn't have to be difficult. Our experts at Videomaker show you how easy it is to make your own using...
Advertisement
What's New
Fight choreography: Planning and shooting your fight scenes
Fight scenes add excitement to virtually any story, but proper fight choreography is crucial if you want to create believable and engaging fight scenes.
Who needs pre-production?
We talk about pre-production and whether or not anyone really needs it. Spoiler alert, most of the time, everyone does.
The power of words: Tips for writing strong dialogue
The screenplay is the backbone of a movie. It is the written version of a film, and it’s what everyone on set is working together to bring to life. For many, writing dialogue can be the most daunting part...
How to make an awesome shot list for your film or video project
A shot list details every shot the filmmaker or video producer intends to capture during production. It's a crucial step in the pre-production process.
Why pre-production is essential for all videos and films
Pre-production is dreaded by many; some consider it tedious, non-creative work.
Screenwriting: A clear guide to the basics
You want to write a screenplay? Here’s a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about the basics of screenwriting.
To learn more, stay tuned! How to keep viewers glued to...
As a former college instructor, I know how hard it can be to keep students’ attention and teach them something at the...
What does a film director do?
What exactly does the film director do? This article aims to answer this question and more, as we explore: The Role of The Director.
Advertisement
How to break the rules of filmmaking to evoke emotions
In film and video, pushing the boundaries of your viewers expectations can take your project to the next level. Break the rules for a creative edge.
What you can and can’t learn at film school
On this episode of the Videomaker Podcast we talk about what you can and can’t learn at Film School; try to figure out what clues the new Dropbox/Clipchamp collaboration tells us about cloud video editing; and discuss the latest version of the TriCaster Mini.
Film Theory explained – A beginners guide
Often seen as dense and abstract, film theory can be a useful tool in understanding the meaning and impact of a film. But what exactly is it? Here’s what you need to know.
Visual storytelling
For the video creative, every shot tells a story. Learning the art of visual storytelling will take your video from mundane to engaging.
How to direct animals and stay sane
Difficult to control and often unpredictable, many filmmakers avoid working with animals altogether. With the right approach, however, you can find success.
Create a YouTube studio in your home
If you want to make it onto YouTube, your video quality needs to have a level of professionalism that a YouTube studio brings to the table.
