If you've got questions about filmmaking, somebody is bound to have answers (or point you in the right direction). Feel free to share experiences, tips, or whatever else. If you feel as though I should add a link here, I'll update this post:

Movie sites:
http://www.indiewire.com/
http://www.comingsoon.net/
http://deadline.com/

Tips and Such:
http://nofilmschool.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/joeyshanksfx
http://phlearn.com/ (mainly for photoshop, but still free tips. can be nsfw)
https://www.youtube.com/user/filmriot/videos
http://www.videocopilot.net/

Gear and the like:
http://www.dpreview.com/

Reviews:
http://letterboxd.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/DoubleToastedDOTcom (nsfw at times)

Free ish:
https://www.celtx.com/index.html (yea, I know...final draft. This is to start
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve (Lite is the free version. You or someone on your squad should learn color)

Really Basic Common Camera Terms for starters (google for better examples and definitions) (also read the fucking camera manual):

-Aperture: The hole or opening formed by the metal leaf diaphragm inside the lens or the opening in a camera lens through which light passes to expose the film. The size of aperture is either fixed or adjustable. Aperture size is usually calibrated in f- numbers-the larger the number, the smaller the lens opening. Aperture affects depth of field, the smaller the aperture, the greater is the zone of sharpness, the bigger the aperture, the zone of sharpness is reduced. The hole or opening formed by the metal leaf diaphragm inside the lens; controls amount of light and depth of field, prevents vignetting and reduces lens aberrations; the size of the aperture is indicated by its f-number, i.e., the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the focal length of the lens; a large aperture is indicated by a small numerical f-number.

-F-Stop: Basically used to describe the size of the aperture.  You usually see it typed/printed/written as f/__(insert number). The larger the f-number, the smaller the lens opening. The smaller the lens opening, the less light gets in.

-ISO: Measure of light sensitivity.

-FPS: Frames Per Second (also frame-rate). You all know what this is.

-Shutter Speed: How long the shutter stays open.

-White Balance: Basically the balance/measurement of color.

-Exposure: The amount of light recorded on film/sensor.

-Depth of Field: The amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in acceptably sharp focus in a photograph. Depth of field depends on the lens opening, the focal length of the lens, and the distance from the lens to the subject or can explain as in simpler term as the zone of sharpest focus in front of, behind, and around the subject on which the lens is focused; can be previewed in the camera.

-Focus: Adjustment of the distance setting on a lens to define the subject sharply. Some cameras have guides that measure this, with focus peaking. You can also hack certain cameras to get it as well.

I'm probably forgetting a lot of basic shit, but this is extremely basic shit. You should also read your camera manuals and most importantly, experiment.


I guess my first bit of advice (for those starting out), is that you need to save money for craft services. Doesn't matter if you feel like you've got the world's greatest script, or they're your homies. Fed people are more likely to put up with you, stick around, and give 100%, as opposed to starved ones, whom probably won't (no matter how nice you are). You're extra cool if you get food allergies from people ahead of time. If you've got actors/actresses that need to sing, don't get them a bunch of cheese pizza...Even if you have a simple ass vfx element that needs compositing, consult whomever is doing the compositing to make sure everything is shot correctly (saves time + money). Time is everything, especially if it's a favor (or you don't have much money to work with). Even adding fake blood can be a bit of a hassle if you shoot your scene incorrectly. Storyboards are everything (stick figures work for those whom can't draw). Watch movies from every region.
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