The Practical Filmmaker

Don't give away all your rights to a film distributor.

This week, Anthony Hackett, Director & Actor, shares his experience of getting burned in his first distribution contract.  In this episode, he talks about the contract process, what to avoid in contracts, and working with investors.

Listen to avoid giving away your film rights to a distributor.

Key points:
1:28 - Journey into filmmaking
8:20 - Becoming a niche filmmaker
11:24 - Contracting process
14:48 - What to avoid in a contract
18:32 - Budgeting for indie films
25:54 - Working with investors
33:40 - Directing and acting
38:05 - What role did you need help with
39:47 - Favorite Gear
42:25 - What went wrong

Links:
SONset Friday

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Thank you so much for joining us on our adventure. 

We're taking a summer break to rest, recover, and get more great guests booked for the future. 

We will be back in August. Enjoy your summer!  

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It can be tough finding time to work on passion projects after spending a day working on a commercial project. Myriad Video has found a way to merge their commercial work with their passion projects.

In this episode, Alysse Campbell, Manager of Orginal Content for Myriad Video, shares how they balance commercial work with narrative filmmaking. Alysse shares about pitching projects, self-funding passion projects, and her favorite gear.

Listen to hear how Myriad balances commercial work and narrative filmmaking.


Key points:
1:20 - Journey to becoming a filmmaker
4:15 - Current agency work
4:58 - Client budgets
7:54 - Pitching projects
11:06 - Self-funded passion projects
14:07 - Freelancer path
17:43 - Apprenticeship program at Myriad
20:53 - Favorite gear
25:34 - Something going wrong

Links:
Myriad Video
Myriad on Instagram
Film Freeway 

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Breaking down a script and scheduling scenes can take time away from being creative.

This week Ruslan K joins us to talk about his new software, Filmustage, that uses AI to help filmmakers save time breaking down scripts and scheduling scenes.  In this episode Ruslan talks about his software, Filmustage, and how is using AI to help filmmakers save time.

Listen to see if FIlmustage would work for you and get a discount code.

Key Points:
1:24 - How he got started
3:02 - Replacing Movie Magic
4:35 -  What is Neural Network Technologies
8:25 - Studio Binder integration
10:06 - Fixing issues
11:49 - Testing software
13:09 - Something going wrong
16:39 - Favorite Gear
18:12 - Views on AI
20:20 - Upcoming changes
20:57 - Pricing
23:07 - Starting a startup

Links:
YouTube Channel
Matt Hadley Episode
Filmustage use Discount Code Practicalfilmmaker30

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It's cutting together and it looks good.

This week we follow up with Sydney Tooley in part 4 of her journey to completing her first feature, Sun Moon. She gives you an update on her progress and the struggles she's going through in post.

Watch to Sydney's latest update on her first feature.

Links:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Trying to make a film in a different country can bring a unique set of challenges such as language barriers and cultural differences.

This week, Sydney Tooley joins us for part 3 of her journey into making her first feature film. In this episode, she shares her journey to getting into Taiwan, how she connected with the crew, and how she tried to stay true to the culture.

Listen to hear how Sydney worked with an international crew, and her next steps to getting her film finished.

Key Points:
1:28 - Getting into Taiwan
2:40 - Filming in Taiwan
9:45 - Connecting with crew
12:47 - Bridging cultures
15:00 - Miscommunication
20:49 - Working with producers
21:09 - Working with studio
22:48 - Staying close to culture
31:51 - Delivery to Studio


Links:
Part 1
Part 2
Sonscreen Panel
Sun Moon Film Instagram
Sydney Tooley Instagram

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The SkyPanel is more expensive than the Vortex 8, but is it worth it?

This week, David George compares the Cream Source Vortex 8 vs. the SkyPanel S60-C. In this episode, he reviews the features of each light, their pros & cons, and light output.

Watch to see what light you should use for your next project.

Links:
Vortex 8
SkyPanel S60-C

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It can be hard balancing school and shooting your first feature film as a student filmmaker. 

This week we talk with a panel of filmmakers live from the Sonscreen Film Festival, our sponsor, about how they were able to make their first features. The panel includes three former students and one current professor from Southern Adventist University.  In this episode, they share how their project was funded, what their biggest expense was, and how they've transitioned into full-time filmmaking.

Listen to learn how these former students made their first feature film.

Key Points:
1:55 - After 95 (Production Company) Latest Production
4:24 - Michelle Noland Feature Filmmaker
5:42 - Nicholas Livanos Feature Filmmaker
8:46 - Sydney Tooley Feature Filmmaker
12:14 - How they raised funds for their projects
17:10 - Biggest Spend
19:18 - Transitioning from student to full-time filmmaker
28:13 - Managing life & filmmaking
31:11 - Working with an international crew
35:15 - Favorite gear
41:49 - Something going wrong
53:42 - Other jobs to pay bills
55:17 - Future plans with filmmaking
58:55 - Merging music & filmmaking
59:48 - Where to watch the panels' projects
61:42 -  What would you do over again

Links
Michelle Noland Film
Voices Rising
Jared Jamison
Michelle Noland
School of Visual Art & Design at Southern Adventist University
Sydney Tooley

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The Nanlux Evoke 1200 is cheaper than the Arri M18, but will it be reliable?

This week David George compares the Nanlux and Arri lights to help determine what kit you should use. In this episode, David goes over the features of each light, the color temperature, as well as the flood and spot.

Listen to see what light kit will work for your next project.

Links:
Nanlux Kit
Arri M18 Kit

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Landing your first editing gig can be tricky, but there are a few ways you can stand out.

This week, John Quinn, editor, shares his tips on getting started as an editor in Hollywood. In this episode, he talks about working union vs. non-union, the benefits of having an agent, and tips on how to get into the industry.

John's resume includes Windtalkers, The Chosen, and The Grudge 3.

Listen to learn how you can get started as an editor in Hollywood.

Key Points:
1:18 - Why get into editing
4:19 - Getting the job for Windtalkers
6:55 - SciFi Channel Movies
9:03 - Cutting horror films
10:27 - Cutting the Chosen
14:28 - Why edit horror and faith-based films
18:50 - Comparing Union vs. Non-union
23:28 - Kappa Studios
25:42 - Are agents helpful
32:27 - How to stand out as a beginner
36:10 - Favorite Gear
38:01 - When something goes wrong
49:39 - Creative vision different from the director
54:30 - Best advice for cutting dialogue scene
55:55 - When to hire the sound house
58:24 - What would you tell your younger self
59:44 - The power of networking
62:08 - Getting fired

Links:
Kappa Studios
Christian Film Finishing Fund
Art Of The Cut
John's IMDB

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