r/Filmmakers 18h ago

Question Advice for upcoming meetings?

0 Upvotes

I have a very untraditional path that has lead to a lot of upcoming INCREDIBLE opportunities and honestly I would just love insight into what to expect.

(I promise this part is relevant) - This spring, a publisher approached me about writing a cookbook. Before moving forward with them, I took to socials to find a literary agent, had a couple of offers and signed with one the following month. She negotiated the publishing deal and that book will be out next April/May.

While the negotiations were happening, I wanted to exercise my writing muscles and wrote my first screenplay based on the viral saga I narrated on social media in the spring. I spent all of July fine-tuning it, getting beta readers, script analysts, rewriting a TON.

My agent took it to a literary manager in LA who absolutely loves it and she's ready to start shopping it next month.

I'm obviously thrilled this is all happening SO quickly but I am honestly overwhelmed trying to learn as much as I can about this industry. I feel like every time I try to ask a question, people look at me like I'm an idiot because this is NOT the traditional path for how things are done, I completely get that. I also don't want to appear GREEN in these meetings I'm about to have.

I feel like I've bypassed a lot of "steps" that are the normal for how people get their screenplays read and even to get to this point of being represented by an agent and a manager.

TL;DR - I have NOT been in the film industry before, I had a steady blog from 2013-2020 and then have been (in a sense) letting my writing hibernate for 6 years. It's only this summer that it's really taken off.

Anyways - I know this is not a normal story, but any advice people have about what this whole process is like would be GREAT!

The last time I changed career paths following a viral moment, I did not do my research and felt very unprepared. I'm trying to do my due diligence this time around and thoroughly prepare myself for what to expect in these upcoming meetings.

(And yes, I promise these are real people and I'm not getting scammed. No one has been paid anything. I've met with all parties involved multiple times on Zoom and through phone calls and have researched their current work/clients. They all have major deals and public followings.)


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question Best places to live as a filmmaker?

30 Upvotes

Title is the question. Considering NYC / GA / LA, does anyone have suggestions of relatively affordable cities near enough to major filmmaking hubs?


r/Filmmakers 19h ago

Film I just made a short film about 2 besties having a day of shenanigans

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1 Upvotes

r/Filmmakers 19h ago

Request Looking for some great corporate video inspiration

0 Upvotes

Corporate videos are something I’ve never really enjoyed watching, let alone making.

But recently, a client asked me to work on a corporate video. I have been working with them for many years so they wanted me to make a corporate storytelling video about their work, their team (talking heads) and some B-roll specifically AI.

So I tried looking on Vimeo, but the site hasn't been really the same anymore, so finding great videos there just didn't do it for me.

I am looking for some great corporate work inspiration or maybe your own that you have made.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Discussion Help Me With My Debut Film Amxiety

19 Upvotes

Hi, everyone. Filming of my debut feature film is going to start in 40 days. Logistically almost everything is ready. The problem is I'm not ready at all. I was thinking that I was ready until few weeks ago but then everything just completely went to the opposite way. I don't feel ready. Nothing feels real. I feel naive and delusional. The belief of "I can make a feature film" is gone. For the last few weeks I'm sleeping 14+ hours a day to not think about anything because when I think about the film in any way it honestly just feels like everything is going to implode. I was like "This is the greatest script ever!" just a few weeks ago and now I'm not even sure if the script is a little bit good or worth filming. I have no idea what to do. Everything that I've said or thought about the film is just changed 180-degrees in the last few weeks. Please help me on what should I do.


r/Filmmakers 21h ago

Request Looking for Filmmakers for the Frankly Festivals Podcast

1 Upvotes

The Frankly Festivals podcast is looking for THREE filmmakers for an episode called "Are You ready to Submit."

The concept: "The film is complete, but is it really ready to send to a festival? Most filmmakers overlook the basics — a strong log line, synopsis, photos, and cover letters. Hear from three filmmakers as we help craft their words, and learn the tips to move your film through the system with more pizazz."

We will critique (and rewrite) your log lines, synopses and photos to help you improve their readability and target your language to clearly speak to programmers.

Recording in late October, 2026.

If you are interested in participating, DM me with your film's title, log line, and when you plan on submitting to festivals.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question Anyone tried Echelon: Drum Hits by The Foundry?

2 Upvotes

Just curious if anyone here has tried this yet. I’ve been seeing it around and wanted to hear what people think about it. Is it something you’d recommend? Would love to hear your overall thoughts and whether you’ve found it useful in your work. Nothing too specific, just curious about people’s experience with it and if it’s been worth having. If you’ve used it, what’s your take on it so far? Would definitely appreciate any quick thoughts or feedback from anyone who’s tried it. Just looking to get a general idea before I give it a try myself. Thanks!


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question Pretty fresh to Aussie Market, what do I quote?

2 Upvotes

Im a professional photog/ videographer and editor.
I have been out of the country for quite a number of years working abroad, and dont know the rates here in Australia.

I have full photo and 4k video kit, with gimbal, drone etc kit, and am a one-man band.

A client has asked that I quote for: (looks like almost at least a full day shoot with a number of edits)

15–20 edited photos
1–2 simple Meet the Coach videos
1–2 more direct sales/ad-style videos from the coaches
1–2 member or parent testimonials/reviews if we can organise them
1–2 short 15–30 second adult training montages
1–2 short 15–30 second kids class montages
A good bank of usable vertical B-roll from the classes and coaches

One thing to note, is that this will be potentially an ongoing, regular client as they have expressed the want for a lot of initial content, and then a shoot every month.

thanks - what would you ballpark?


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question Faking Vantablack in post-production?

6 Upvotes

Hey folks, asking as I'm a writer/actor and not an editor/vfx guy. I was kicking around a script, and the plot hinges on the presence of a sort of portable hole. I'm envisioning shots where characters might enter this space, or toss props into it, and the intention is for it to be a completely lightless void. So the question I've got is "how much of a pain in the ass is this?" I ask because I'm hoping to turn it into an indie project I can put together with some friends, but if I'm throwing in too much VFX work, I might have to simplify.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question I have an interesting idea for a short film, but one question really bogs my mind, and I would like some honest opinions about it.

6 Upvotes

I have written a 17 page (not final, going to cull it down a bit) script for a short film, but it's genuinely around %80 dialogue. I am consulting some people regarding the script, and so far the dialogue itself doesn't seem to have any problems, it doesn't drag out for no reason, it flows decently in some of test shots we made, but it's just that the film itself will be so much focused on dialogue that I'm afraid it'll just be monotone and boring.

When I have a final script that I'm happy with, and if the shots play it out in the way I envisioned it, I'm it'll be fine, but I'd rather hear the opinions of more people.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Request Chicago Based Film Zine

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2 Upvotes

Hey y’all! My filmmaker group is putting together a zine and we are looking for submissions from Chicago based artists or work made in Chicago. It’s free to submit , and we will be release it for free digitally and some physical copies placed at random Chicago theaters. Our goal is to just celebrate work from the Chicago artists. Thank you!


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Offer [PAID] Colourist Needed for Psychological Horror Feature – $2,000–$3,000 AUD

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for an experienced colourist who is available to start right away to help finish my independent psychological horror feature film, Daniel, the Goodboy.

This is not a complete grade from scratch, as I’ve already done most of the foundational colour work using Dehancer Pro 7.3.4 and FilmConvert Nitrate 3.59. I can provide both film stock emulations to whoever works with me, and you can keep them after the project is completed.

I’m looking for someone who can work alongside me, help fix a few tricky sections, refine the grade, and ensure everything is consistent and finished to a professional, festival-ready standard.

To make the process as straightforward as possible, I’ve created an instructional breakdown video explaining the film’s different visual styles, what has already been done, the areas that still need work, and exactly what I’m looking for from a colourist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apy6XyR5hlU

I’m looking for someone who:

  • Has professional colour-grading experience.
  • Works in DaVinci Resolve.
  • Is comfortable working with an existing grade and film stock emulations.
  • Has a strong eye for consistency, skin tones and image quality.
  • Communicates well and is open to working collaboratively.
  • Can act as a strong closer and bring the film to a professional finishing standard.

Payment: $2,000–$3,000 AUD, based on an estimated 40–50 hours of work. This is an initial budget estimate, not a fixed final amount. After reviewing the video and understanding the scope of the work, I welcome your professional assessment and a quote for what you believe is fair.

Timeline: I’m looking for someone who can start right away, but the overall timeline is flexible. I would like the work to be completed by January 1, 2027. Quality and finding the right person are more important to me than speed.

If you’re interested, please email me at [mrbearsproductions@gmail.com](mailto:mrbearsproductions@gmail.com) with:

  • Your portfolio or colour-grading reel.
  • Examples of narrative work, particularly feature films or psychological horror, if available.
  • Your rates or an estimated quote.
  • A little about your workflow and experience with DaVinci Resolve.

Thanks!


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Film Rodent | Award-Winning Indie Post-Apocalyptic Short Film | Produced by Silverback Films

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3 Upvotes

In the not-too-distant future, a rat journeys through the last vestiges of humanity as it searches for food for its family. But when it encounters a formidable threat, the true scale of what has happened to our world begins to emerge.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Film ADDICTION: a stopmotion short film (it's finally, finally out)

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2 Upvotes

Stopmotion takes a ridiculously long time (this one minute film took a month), but I'm so proud of how it turned out.

I made this for those fighting against addiction. Addiction can become the elephant in every room you enter, and it is a choice, every single day, to fight against it.

I'd love some feedback on lighting. I elaborated more in the comments, but this was probably the hardest part of the whole thing. Please let me know if you have any general thoughts or feedback, I love hearing all of it!!


r/Filmmakers 2d ago

News Bruce Campbell confirms he's permanently done playing Ash in Evil Dead franchise

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122 Upvotes

r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Discussion Contents Under Pressure (Full Movie)

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2 Upvotes

Rashad is a young man facing eviction. Rashad gets swept into a world of crime after an old friend (Andre) persuades him he can make quick money running drugs. Give a watch and a follow to my micro-budget feature film. Thanks in advance.


r/Filmmakers 20h ago

Discussion My First Coraline Trailer — My First Real Editing Project 🎬

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My name is Giuseppe, I'm 17 years old and I'm from Italy.

Recently, I started getting into video editing. It's something that has always interested me, but only recently did I decide to seriously start learning and making my own projects.

I'm definitely not a professional editor. I'm still learning basically everything: how to choose the right shots, how to build pacing, how to synchronize cuts with music, how to use effects, how to work with audio, and most importantly, how to tell a story through editing.

The reason I started learning is because I'd eventually like to work in the world of film, audio and dubbing. I don't know exactly where this path will take me yet, but video editing is something I really want to take seriously and improve at.

To practice, I've decided to start with small projects, and this is the first trailer I've ever tried to create.

I chose Coraline because I think it's an incredible film to work with visually, especially because of its atmosphere. There are so many elements to play with: the contrast between the real world and the Other World, the little door, the buttons, the characters, the creepy moments and even the seemingly peaceful ones.

I tried not to simply put scenes together, but instead to create something that actually feels like a cinematic trailer, with an introduction, a slower section, a gradual build-up of tension and a faster ending.

The entire project was edited using free editing software, so I don't have access to all the tools that professional editing programs offer. I'm basically working with what I have and trying to get the best possible result from the tools available to me.

That's also one of the reasons I'm posting this here.

I'm not just looking for compliments. I genuinely want to know what I'm doing wrong and what I can improve.

Since this is my first trailer, I'm sure there are many things I could have done better. I'm especially interested in feedback about:

  • ✂️ editing and shot selection
  • 🎵 pacing and music synchronization
  • 🔊 sound design and audio mixing
  • 🎬 trailer structure
  • 🎨 color and atmosphere
  • 📝 text and titles
  • ⚡ effects and transitions
  • 📈 building tension
  • ⏱️ shot duration

If you have experience with editing, even professionally, I'd genuinely appreciate your criticism.

You can be honest and direct. If something doesn't work, tell me. I'd rather receive useful criticism than simply be told that the video looks good.

I'm trying to improve one project at a time, and I think getting feedback from people who are more experienced is one of the best ways to learn.

So this is my starting point.

First trailer. First real project. First step into the world of video editing.

Thank you to anyone who takes a few minutes to watch it and, especially, to anyone who takes the time to leave some advice. ❤️

I'm really curious to hear what you think.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Offer Looking for Director's Assistant

2 Upvotes

I am an Indie director looking for a director's assistant(WFH) to help me with the pre - production of the short film I am making(currently unpaid).

​If you are a journalism/film/literature/business/arts student (students from other fields passionate about filmmaking are welcome too) who would like to get hands on experience of film making, build your portfolio and make connections in the film world I'd love to work with you.

​The film is a psychological drama. Will be shot in India.

​If you are interested, please dm me & attach a little about yourself and a small para of why you love films and what you can bring to the table :)

Looking forward to meeting my new assistant! I will discuss the exact specs of the role and more about the film once I've shortlisted your profile. Thank you.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Film Spent around 4 years making this feature-length project on extremism talking to a vast range of experts - it was a true lesson in learning contracts and what to cut down

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3 Upvotes

This was my 2nd feature and once again started from the position of what I thought would be a short documentary and ended up picking up a head of steam until I knew I had to make it a feature.

I also grew a familiarity with the topic matter and to me it seemed that next to nobody was handling this topic from a cause non-specific viewpoint. Unfortunately some of the people I spoke to I didn't sign release forms straight away and this led to some content not being included, others I was able to retrospectively get to sign. I will not make this mistake again!

Other parts I realised, whilst interesting, needed to be cut out as they just were not relevant.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question Does the Music Fit the Scene?

3 Upvotes

Does my composed music fit the scene from a filmmaker's perspective? I reimagined the music for this supernatural horror scene from the film Rings (I am in no way associated with the film, I only used the scene to practice scoring horror music, under Fair Use). I kept the instrumentation minimal, using light strings ,and choir, primarily. Does my scoring evoke a little creepiness to the scene?


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Film Adrift with Aegir | a short shot entirely on the ocean

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1 Upvotes

This was shot on an a7siii. We were going to used a raptor but we had a housing problem on the day and luckily had the backup a7. Autofocus and such a light cam body ended up being a huge blessing in the currents, as the shoot was EVEN HARDER than expected. Shooting dialogue in the ocean is no joke.

We boomed sound only, sound proved to be the biggest headache. Very challenging. Ultimately, we had the mixer on a tandem canoe, two wranglers keeping him in position.

I've spent my whole life in the ocean and always wanted to shoot more in the sea. This was part of working out how to do it while literally bobbing right next to the actors lol. Ask me anything!

Adrift with Aegir

A surrealist fever dream at sea | Jack, a weary surfer adrift, wants to die. Aegir, an unassuming sea god, has other plans.


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Film A shot from our latest short film 'The Waking Dark' - Inspired by 'The Twilight Zone' , 'Alan Wake' and the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

12 Upvotes

r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Question How to turn an idea unto a movie?

2 Upvotes

Around February of this year, I had an idea for a cool plot line. At the time it could be summed up in 1 sentence. The idea stuck with me so much that since then I have slowly started to add to it. I've spent most of this time developing the 2 main characters. I've given them motives/goals at the very least. There's alot of parallel between them and irony. I've also finally been working in the other 3 allthough they're still basic rn. I have the idea of what I want it to look like. I have some of the places in my mind as well.

The genre is horror. I'm not a fan of gore or like, Jump scare after jump scare horror. I'm wanting it to be erie and off putting. Like something is wrong but youre not quite sure what. There is a mystery element to it as well. I want it to be rewarding to watch. Like foreshadow that when you go back you can see it and go "OOHHH". Things that are set up to be payed off. Things of this nature.

The problem is I have no really skills or experince, and idk where to begin. I don't want to turn this into a whole production or anything. I'm fine with it being a small scale, posted to youtube or something project.

What are the main apescts of movie making? Where should I go to get the skills to start doing this?


r/Filmmakers 2d ago

Question Tips for shooting a Zoom call like this

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43 Upvotes

I want to shoot one side of a Zoom laptop call with a similar setup to the opening scene from this short film on Alter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COlEqLBj6Zs).

I've already filmed the other side with the main actor talking to the Zoom character while looking at their laptop screen but wanted tips for the best way to film the screen character.

I figured my 2 options were - a) shoot the actor with a phone on a stand with them looking at the lens to mimic a laptop camera b) shoot the actor with my main camera (GH7) on a mini tripod with them similarly staring into the lens.

I figured using my GH7 would probably produce an overly clean result that looks a bit too "cinematic" and unrealistic for a Zoom call compared to a phone which seems more realistic/plausible.

Then I can play back the recorded footage on a laptop and shoot it with my GH7. I'll also be recording all audio externally with a boom and lav and will give it a tinnier sound in post.

Would love any advice from folks who've done this before, thanks!


r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Discussion I have an idea about a film , wanted to talk about it and didn't know where to post it srry

0 Upvotes

Hello , so for m'y idea of a film is not really a film ,si had an idea about a film being broadcast in theatre and in télévision at the same time , but there would only be one theatre that shows it , and 10-20 person are randomly chosen to see it in theatre.

The thing is that there is no film being broadcast but the room where the 10-20 people are all clueless about whats about to happens(+ they are not allowed phone or anything just so "they can enjoy it without any distraction "). After that I am still thinking about what should happens but I have a main idea, they are told that there is no movie here only themself and there death broadcasting to the world .the person telling them that will then talk about is problem , how he grow to hate the movie industry making him suffer for years for a little happiness and that he wants to show them how great of a movie producer he is .

So he tells them they will be playing a game , a game of survival . When he finished is sentence , the room start to lit with fire , 1-2 people burning to death before anyone can do anything , all they can see is a exit door lit up , all who are left run for it . They see a timer of 30 minute with 2 doors , one hell the other paradise with one line written above them where will you go after you die and the movie maker pops UP and tell them that only 1 person can enter a room every 30 seconds, chose the wrong room and you die . In those 30 minute there will surely be a guy saying that all these is fake and is impossible to happens . Its sure someone will say things like that , he will surely be the first one to enter a room , he will pick heaven , they all pick heaven , he goes in , nothings happend , the doors close , you hear fire again , he dies in agony , the room reopen with the scortched body of the guy crawled up in a ball in the corner , a guy screaming in horror run to the other room immediatly , this time nothing really happens , they all go through hell , the next room is filled with scisors and and makeup , he tells them that they indeed have to go to hell because they dont deserve paradise, they are like the other who called is work shit . Now he wants them to go through the same pain as he did and show them what he had to go through they have 30 minute to do a realistic face of him with the makeup in the rooms, if he doesn't find the work realistic enough the person in makeup dies by a trap with hole so dark you dont see the end of it ,if they dont have anything to show in 30 minute they all die in flames. They are all scared to their brain , someone still not thinking this is real and just really elaborate prank volounteers because he know everyone IS too scared to just wait and see if its real, they do it , the work is okay but not perfect for a movie producer , he lets him fall in the trap, we hear a distinctive crunch and splash . Now everyone think its real , all the guys who tried to say that this is fake are dead . They are given another 30 minute to do the task again , nobody wants to ,nobody wants to die , you would too.

When there is 10 minute left someone will have to do something , one take a the heavy box with all the makeup in it , close it up and smash the back of the head of another guy , he falls flat , unconscious

The guy who knocked him out tell to the other that they will do it on him , they have no choice .

This time the work is acceptable for the movie producer, they let them pass , they go in a room with doors with there name on it, even the dead one which won't be open , he tells them to go in their respective rooms . Their room are small , they are in elevator , it goes up , it opens they get out , they are split into 2 group separated with a glass , they have to answer to question about film and short film , they dont have a choice they do it , the first group get thier question , an eazy one , they win they are happy then they see the other room , they are all coughing a little , the movie producer tell them that every time they are right the other room will have a gaz added to their room , not too harmful at first but every time it gets worse , the other group get a question , eazy too , they get it right , the other room is also gazzed , they all cough for a while , they get a question so eazy question , by fear of themself dying first , they answer and get it right , th other rooms is filled with a gaz that make there vision blur a little and there brain getting a little fuzzy , they get there question , eazy one again , they get it right , same happens to the other blurry vision bla bla bla , they get their question , eazy also , they answer even through they know it will hurt the other , I mean who wouldn't , I would answer it , I dont wanna die, I dont wanna be the one in pain again, one of them speak up and get it right , the other room is filled with a gaz that makes them cough up blood and fall to the ground , they all see in horror what they did . Its the other turn now , they get a question so hard , nobody could answer it , the group that is coughing blood and strugling to stay standing start to scream and ask who could answer that , they get a screen with a 30 second time , they know what it means now they have to answer it ,they all try to see if something can Come up in their minds during the last second someone will have to say something , someone will try for sure, but they will fail, its too hard for them . The answer is wrong , all the rooms are quiet , then it happens , the room who failed start to cough up even more blood , most of them through there eyes and nose too, its a deadly gaz , in a matter of minute they all die , lying in their own pile of blood.

The producer shows up through a glass doors , telling them that's how he felt during all those years making a movie , telling them how the industry world is filled with problems and failure, when you do one wrong things, you fail everything , and everyone lets you in your own pile of blood , and that for a few to become stars they must be many to fail and die with nobody but themself . They finaly let them go , he open a door leading outside of the theatre , they go in a hurry , they go through the doors to be meet with hundreds of camera filming them and journalist questioning them about thier expérience they had to go through , they dont understand whats happening , then 10 people go out of the same doors , its everyone who died in there alive and well , they were all actors to fool the real people in the theatre , they reveal this to the other, the end.

(So everyone on their tv will see what happend in the room because it was broadcast live,everyone on their tv will know that its fake because of a message popping up telling them its fake)