Inspiring Quotes for Filmmakers
Filmmaking is an art that demands creativity, passion, perseverance, and resilience. Whether you're writing a script, directing a scene, or editing late into the night, the journey can be both exhilarating and challenging. In moments of doubt or fatigue, the right...
10 Essential Networking Tips for Making Connections at Mixers
Short Film Writing Prompts with Clear Objective, Conflict and Resolution
Austin Street Performer Objective: A street performer wants to earn enough to pay rent. Conflict: Passersby are indifferent, and a rival performer takes the best spot. Resolution: A child's act of kindness restores the performer’s faith, leading to an emotional...
Location Scouting Checklist
When scouting for the perfect location to shoot an indie film, filmmakers need to take into account a myriad of factors that can affect both the production quality and the logistical feasibility of the shoot. This comprehensive list covers everything from aesthetic...
Indie Film Pre-Production Checklist
Assign crew to production team Get crew contracts signed Screenplay Breakdowns – Break down the script into scenes, shots, and sequences to help you plan the shoot. Create storyboards Scout & secure locations Cast talent Table read with cast & key crew,...
Tips for Effective Communication for Directors of Indie Film
Effective communication is essential for indie film directors to ensure their vision is realized and to maintain a positive, productive environment on set. Here are some tips for honing your communication skills in the indie film context: 1. Articulate Your Vision...
Crafting the Creative Vision and Look of Your Indie Film
Crafting the creative vision and look of an indie film is a multifaceted process that involves deep consideration of various elements to ensure the film's visual narrative supports its story and themes. Here's what an indie film director should consider: 1. Story and...
9 Tips for Managing the Energy on Set for Indie Film Directors
Don't forget that cameras are actually vacuums of light. And light is energy. So, make no mistake, the camera will suck up all the energy on set. Be sure to make it what you want! This is an often-overlooked, but key ingredient in the recipe of strong filmmaking....
25 Tips for No-Budget or Low-Budget Indie Film Directors
No-budget indie film directing is a test of creativity, resourcefulness, and leadership. Here are 25 essential tips to guide directors through this challenging yet rewarding journey: Embrace Your Limitations: Use your constraints as a creative challenge. Let them...
Super Simple Short Film Screenwriting Prompts Just to Get You Started
Three people are stuck in an elevator because one of them caused the elevator to stop because they needed to trap one of the people in the elevator but the third person is seemingly unrelated. An Uber ride breaks down in the middle of nowhere and they must wait for...
9 Reasons to Attend the Austin Polish Film Festival
There are at least 9 cinematic reasons to visit Austin Polish Film Festival (APFF), and all of them are female! ’Women's cinema has not yet emerged as a trend in Poland” – wrote Barbara Kosecka in 2006 at Culture.pl. What has changed since then? Check out some of the...
Film Studios & Equipment Rentals in Austin & Central Texas
Studio Rentals Aduro Film - https://www.adurofilm.com ATX Film Studios - http://atxfilmstudios.com Austin Public - https://www.austinfilm.org/austin-public/about-austin-public/ Austin Studios - https://www.austinfilm.org/facilities/austin-studios Motion Media Arts...
Women in Film & Television Opens Chapter in Austin, Finally!
Membership recently opened for the much-needed, newly-developed, Austin chapter of Women in Film and Television. Spearheaded by Alicia Estes, the group offers networking and mentoring opportunities for women in the entertainment industry. The professional organization...
Shot by Shot Spotlights Local Films in Austin for a Good Cause
There's a new film festival in town that aims to screen strange and unusual films. Of course, I had a few questions and the founders were kind enough to hook me up with some answers about this cool new Austin film festival. Here's what they said... HC: Hey guys,...
Screen Your Strange Film
Do you have a underground or alternative film? Maybe you'd call it odd or weird? Then by all means, submit it to the Austin-based Shot by Shot Film Festival. Submissions are currently open! Also, you'll want to buy tickets early. This one-night festival is scheduled...
10 Tips for Life as an Actor
New to acting? Here are a few tips that you'll want to keep in mind for the rest of your career. Practice your craft. If you aren't performing in any roles, take classes. Take lots of classes. Study with lots of different coaches and study lots of different types of...
Austin Film Festivals 2019
With so many film festivals, Austin truly is a mecca for film and movies!Film Festivals in Austin (alphabetical) 48 Hour Film Project --- Summer 2020 512 Film Festival --- TBD All Genders Lifestyles & Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) --- August 22-25, 2019 Austin...
Is The Feeling of Watching Movies on the Big Screen Gone?
I was very much a kid of the ‘90s. I remember the summer of ‘96, waiting in line late at night, with a packed movie going crowd to watch “Independence Day.” I was with a few of my friends and I remember watching people with t-shirts and movie memorabilia getting...
Phil Machi Stays Tooned and Inspires Love for Animation
I recently had a chance to interview artist and content creator Phil Machi about his latest projects and upcoming event. Here's what he had to say... C: Hello Phil, thanks so much for letting me interview you today. So, let’s start with a quick and easy Q and A. Who...
Will Movie Theaters Become Obsolete?
Throughout the decades, studio films would play in your local neighborhood theater and be released on home video. Movie goers were introduced to dollar cinemas, where you have the studio films play in major movie theater chains (AMC, Regal, etc), and then head to a...
Catching up on the Last Chat Short Film with Screenwriter Matthew Paris
I asked Matthew Paris if I could interview him and the following text is a transcript of our chat conversation. HC: Hi Matthew, thanks so much for doing this chat interview with me. Let's jump right in with an introduction. Can you tell us what film project you're...
Austin WebFest 2017 Live Stream! – Sunday, July 2
Austin Film Meet proudly presents the Austin WebFest Live Stream! Sunday, July 2nd @ 11:15 AM Can't attend the Austin Web Fest in person? Get info at: http://www.austinwebfestival.com/ Watch our live stream instead! We'll cover panels and workshops from the festival,...
Top 4 Reasons to Do Research for Your Next Film
If you’re a new or struggling filmmaker, you’re probably wondering what is an effective creative process or, at least, an easier one. For most people, the film industry seems to be purely based on crowd pleasing and pure fabrication. However, the actual processes...
Austin Asian American Film Festival Recap
On this past weekend, from November 3rd through the 6th, the Blanton Auditorium was proud to present the 9th annual Austin Asian American Film Festival. The AAAFF is a yearly event that promotes the culture and experiences of Asians and Asian Americans that are...
Top 4 Reasons Why Screenwriters Quit
Throughout my studies of the film and television industry, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is an epidemic amongst aspiring screenwriters: They stopped being aspiring screenwriters.
Future Technology from the Movies (Infographic)
Ever notice how the movies sometimes predict future technology? It's an awesome thing. This gorgeous infographic from Vouchercloud illustrates what we might expect. What technology do you want to see? Tell us in the comment section below. And be sure to check out the...
New “Lights and Shadows” Plugin for Final Cut Pro
A new plugin gives editors the ability to add lights and shadows directly inside Final Cut Pro X truly adding a remarkable experience and opening the door for unlimited creativity.
Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival The 29th Annual Film Festival September 8th-11th, 2016 at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar This year's festival is sure to be one of our best ever! aGLIFF is bringing you over 30 feature films, nearly 50 short films, and...
Other Worlds Austin SciFi Film Festival Offers Grant to Texas SciFi Filmmakers
OWA’s DAN O’BANNON AWARD offers $1,500 Grant to Texas SciFi Filmmakers Other Worlds Austin SciFi Film Festival is excited to announce that it will award a $1,500 grant for the production or post-production of a short film to an emerging Texas filmmaker who exhibits an...
Monday, August 8, 2016 – Connect Film Festival – Flash festival! Submit Now! Screen Monday!
Promote your feature film or best short work of all time. Features & shorts submit now! Final submission push, as low as $4 for AFM members. *This* Monday 8th August Connect Film Festival hosts a special screening & networking event for narrative filmmakers....
33 Audition Tips for Indie Film Actors
Auditions are a requirement for every actor and chances are, you’ll have to do lots of them just to get one part. Here’s a long list of tips to make your next audition go as well as possible.
Promoting an Independent Film Using Social Media
Congratulations! You have completed your film. Pat yourself on the back, but don’t get too comfortable because your ultimate goal is still ahead. Is your film a short or maybe it’s a feature film? Whether short or long form, the main goal now is to secure distribution...
11 Reasons Why Austin Is the Best City for Indie Filmmakers
Austin is an amazing place to live as a filmmaker and content creator. Here are some reasons why: Austin has awesome light. We're closer to the equator and the shines a lot here. We have long days in the summer and winter and there's plenty of daylight and gorgeous...
Austin Music Video Festival Submissions Update
In a recent newsletter, Austin Music Video Festival announced... We are currently accepting music videos for this years festival. The 2016 fest will open submission to filmmakers and artists outside of Texas and will feature two new categories, the "Long Form Music...
Could YOUvolution Be Your Video Coworking Solution?
If you are an independent filmmaker living in Austin TX and looking for affordable equipment and in need of an editing lab with expensive software from the Adobe Cloud, there is a new co-creating company on Riverside Drive right off Montopolis. The business, founded...
The Nature of Directing: What to Expect
The director has the toughest job of all on a film set. A director is father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, to the cast and crew. A person has to be all that, the captain of the ship, but what happens when the journey is rough?