How We Film

Most filmmakers show up to AFM expecting a life-changing deal—but the reality is very different. In this episode, Abbie and Connor, co-founders of A2C Entertainment, share hard-earned lessons from the American Film Market: how to prepare, what to avoid, and why most pitches fail before they even begin. From nearly being scammed out of $20,000 to discovering what buyers actually want, this conversation is packed with the insights filmmakers wish they had before walking into their first meeting.Whether you're planning to attend AFM, pitch your next project, or build a long-term career in film, this episode is your crash course in navigating the industry with clarity and confidence.

In this insightful interview, Abbie and Connor, founders of A2C Entertainment, share their journey from aspiring filmmakers to successful studio owners. They discuss the challenges they faced, lessons learned, and strategies that helped them turn their creative passion into a thriving business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your filmmaking career, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you navigate the industry.

Interviews can make or break your documentary. Anthropologist Laura Korculanin shares essential insights to master this often-overlooked skill, revealing techniques to build trust, overcome awkward silences, and gently handle interviews where subjects struggle to open up. If you've ever felt anxiety about conducting interviews—or wished for better results—this episode is your guide to authentic, meaningful conversations.

Exclusive Free Content:
👉 Want Laura's exact strategies for opening up tough or reluctant interviewees? Watch an exclusive segment for FREE at howwefilm.com

Struggling with noisy audio or unclear dialogue?Sam Castleton, dub mixer at Halo Post whose audio work appears in documentaries streaming on Disney+, Apple TV+, and NatGeo, shares essential DIY audio tips every filmmaker needs:

- Quickly clean up dialogue

- Balance music and speech professionally

- Common mistakes to avoid for better soundGet instant, cinematic audio improvements—straight from a professional who mixes top documentaries.

Sam Castleton reveals practical secrets to handling audio complexity, cleaning your dialogue effectively, and knowing when DIY is enough or when a pro will change the game. Unlock the power of cinematic audio and take your filmmaking to the next level.👉 Watch the exclusive free video now at howwefilm.com

How do you balance creativity and factual truth? How these 2 things come together? Is there such a thing as fly on the wall in documentary filmmaking? I talk about how directing always introduces perspective — even if you don’t mean to — and why creativity should enhance the facts, not replace them.Topics include:Why you can’t separate creativity from perspectiveThe myth of “fly on the wall” objectivityHow every camera angle influences the truthWhere ethical lines begin to blur in storytelling

In this episode of How We Film, dub mixer Sam Castleton—whose work can be heard on Netflix, Disney +, and many other platforms—dives deep into the power of cinematic sound. Learn how audio shapes storytelling, enhances visuals, and elevates your filmmaking. Sam shares insights from his journey—from DJ to acclaimed audio professional—and reveals practical tips to immediately improve your film’s sound design.Want to simplify your sound mixing and elevate your storytelling?Dub mixer Sam Castleton reveals practical secrets to handling audio complexity, cleaning your dialogue effectively, and knowing when DIY is enough or when a pro will change the game. Unlock the power of cinematic audio and take your filmmaking to the next level.👉 Watch the exclusive free video now at howwefilm.com

📽️ What makes a great cinematographer? How do you choose the right lens? And how do you work with a director to bring a vision to life?In this episode of How We Film, Joe Katches, an experienced Director of Photography, reveals:✅ The biggest mistakes filmmakers make when choosing lenses.✅ How to develop your own cinematographic style.✅ The secret to making low-budget documentaries look high-end.✅ The truth about working with directors (and how to handle creative clashes).

Many aspiring filmmakers believe that a film school degree or a perfect career path is the key to making it in the industry—but the reality is very different. In this episode, we dive into the unconventional journey of Joe Katches, who went from fixing VHS tapes to becoming a Director of Photography working in both fiction and documentary filmmaking.We break down the biggest misconceptions about success in the industry, the real skills that matter, and why relationships, adaptability, and storytelling often outweigh technical perfection. If you’ve ever doubted your path as a filmmaker or wondered if you're doing it "right," this conversation will change your perspective.

Going from short-form content to long-form storytelling isn’t easy. It’s like comparing a marathon to a speed run. So, what needs to change to make the switch—and why? Let’s break it down.

🎥 Think getting your documentary distributed is tough? Yeah… it is. But it doesn’t have to be a total nightmare. In this episode, I’m back with Zach Baliva (Potentially Dangerous) to talk about the good, the bad, and the straight-up shady side of film distribution. From dodging bad deals to finding the right partners (and why not to trust every distributor’s “reference list”), Zach spills what he learned the hard way. If you’re serious about getting your doc out there, you don’t want to miss this one! 🚀