In the queue to post since day one, now's a fine time.
(Who says nothing good happens at 3 am?)

Courtesy of the Daily Planet team, this goes out to FX artists everywhere.

Thanks DP, for penning and producing our anthem. We've loved it since its release.

"I easy ease, ease out, then I ease back in…"

I've a wonderful clip I use in my video production course of this master documentarian sharing how the Ken Burns effect came to be.

Well here's a look inside the storyteller's head, revealing some fundamental insights on what filmmaking is really about; telling a story and shaping the way it's told to elicit certain feelings and emotions from your audience.

If there's a common thread in these posts on filmmaking advice, it's to be true to yourself and your story. Be genuine. Don't make a film based on what you think will arouse. Let it move and excite you first. If it does then it'll move and excite others as well.

Enjoy.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

It's entitled Quentin Tarantino's advice, and he does make some good points (heavily peppered with expletives, but that's Quentin, right?).

But it's Sam Raimi's golden nugget at the beginning that shines here.

"Make films, no matter what anybody says, and you'll be a filmmaker."

Freddie and Brandon's first post, from 2006.

"For those about to shoot, we salute you."

If you're shooting for TV or film you're not wiring everyone with lavs. You're booming a shotgun mic.

Here's an interesting how-and-why-to production.

This was written and directed by Colin Hart for Full Sail University's Digital Audio Production class in the Digital Cinematography program.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Here's a clip from a 2003 documentary. It might seem like an eternity ago, especially given the advances in equipment and technique. (You'll chuckle when John McNaughton talks about having just shot a movie on Hi8.)

But as Stephen Covey points out, principles and the natural laws of effectiveness are changeless.

Point is, don't get caught up in having just the right gear to work with. Tech has, and always will, upgraded every six months. Who can keep up with that?

Sure, shooting 4K at 48fps is [probably] great. But when life hands you an SD Flip and that's all you've got to work with (for years) keep shooting.

Keep telling stories.

Cause maybe — just maybe — someone will let you build and run a film studio. And you'll be ready.

😉