Filmmaking Forum: Conversations

Course details

Interested in a career in film—or want to further your current film career? This series contains online conversations with modern filmmakers, as they discuss the creative process, storytelling strategies, industry relationships, and more, and offer advice for new filmmakers entering the industry. Staff author Ashley Kennedy interviews over a dozen film professionals, including Hollywood editor Eddie Hamilton (Kingsmen: The Secret Service and Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation), independent filmmaker and editor Kurt Kuenne (Dear Zachary and Batkid Begins), TV editor Zack Arnold (Empire and Burn Notice), feature film editor Sofi Marshall (A Teacher and Wild Canaries), and commercial director and editor Abigail Honor. She weaves their insights into short, concise nuggets of advice.

Learning objectives
Advice for novice filmmakers entering the industry
Finding, enhancing, and tweaking your story
Experimenting in filmmaking
Solving problems and troubleshooting your film
Changing your approach or finding new angles
Communicating and collaborating on set and in the edit room—and with clients
Working on different genres of film
Teaching and mentoring new filmmakers

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome

Previous Conversations

02 - Planning, shooting and editing the documentary - telling real stories
03 - The narrative film - Planning, Production and Post
04 - Making and working on commercials
05 - Understanding the importance and process of working with a composer
06 - Laying the musical foundation - Working with the temp score
07 - Appreciating the director's job
08 - Building a rapport and a language with the director
09 - Taking on the film festival circuit
10 - Discussing different work environments - Freelance vs. facility
11 - Broadening your skill set - Embracing your inner generalist

Nurturing the Body and Mind - Talking about Health and Knowledge

12 - Finding work-life balance and implementing healthy work habits
13 - Teaching and mentoring new filmmakers

Working Well with Clients

14 - Strategies for working effectively with clients

Getting Started

15 - Top advice for new filmmakers and editors
16 - The art of storytelling in film

Collaboration and Communication - Aligning Visions and Elevating the Project

17 - The collaboration and alignment of visions
18 - The director-editor relationship - Elevating the project

Importance of Trust and Trying Things Out

19 - Trust is essential in all parts of filmmaking
20 - Never say no to trying something out

Wonderful World of Editing

21 - The art of editing
22 - The process of editing
23 - Editing your own footage yay or nay

Art of Watching - Screening Dailies and Getting Feedback

24 - Watching dailies and organizing footage - Setting yourself up for success
25 - Smart strategies for conducting screenings and feedback sessions

Working Well with Assistant Editors

26 - Strategies for working effectively with assistant editors