So, you’re filming in a hallway. Kind of a dull location, isn’t it? Flat, painted colour. No photos or art on the walls. Thinking of just throwing up a light and getting on with it? Well… consider what time of day it is in the script. Might there be filtered light from a nearby window […]
Black Friday Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenage (or New) Filmmakers
Black Friday always makes me think about black production t-shirts (which I love!), and new filmmakers need all kinds of stuff to make their movies, especially teens without paying jobs. So, in the spirit of empowering black-clad filmmakers to experiment with and make better movies, here’s a gift idea list for the new filmmakers around […]
Playing With Toys When Making A Movie
If you know me, you know I love Playmobil. Having had two kids over a long span of years, I’ve had the excuse to collect and play with Playmobil long after the recommended age on the packaging. Yesterday, however, I found a particularly fabulous piece: a teen with a cell phone and what at first […]
Write! Shoot! Edit! Goes To The Libraries
My new book “Write! Shoot! Edit” is added to the collections at libraries all over the place. I’m thrilled that teens and young adults have the chance to borrow the book and try it out, making their first movies. Here’s a shout-out to just some of the libraries that I know already carry the book. […]
FILM: Let’s Talk About Framing
A still camera (and yes, I mean Smart phone) is a terrific device for practising framing. Let’s take this picture and make it a bit better: Often we place the subject in the middle of the frame because that’s where the auto focus is going to work best. Sure, the green plant constrasts nicely with […]