Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film from Udemy

This is an all-encompassing guide for making an independent feature length movie. By the end of this course you will have the information you need to successfully make a feature film that you can distribute around the globe to be seen by possibly millions of people.

I'm sharing with you my experience as a veteran screeenwriter, director, producer and editor of 11 feature films. Normally film students pay a lot of money to learn this information at universities, and often all they really learn is cinema theory.

These videos tell you what you need to do and how to do it to make your movie.

This course covers:

the basics of screenwriting
turning your screenplay into a shooting script
organizing and scheduling your film shoot
tips on saving money
calculating your budget
fundraising
contracts you'll need with cast and crew*
basic tips for filming, lighting and recording audio
basic film editing instruction and concepts, along with tips to make the editing easier
tips for finishing the film to give it the professional look
thorough review of distribution options for your movie
and tons and tons of details about all the steps in between

The videos include lectures, demonstrations and examples illustrating the information I'm sharing.

This course also includes sample spreadsheets, contracts, and a list of additional resources. You will get all the forms and resources I use to make a movie.

A special bonus video (Lecture 53) is included on filming with Covid-19 Safety Precautions. During the global pandemic it is possible to continue making films safely. The 24 minute video explains the basics of how filming adapts to safety precautions and how we can keep everyone healthy on our indie film productions.

I LOVE filmmaking. I LIVE to make movies. If you have a story you want to tell, this course gives you the tools to do it.

*I'm not a lawyer. These sample contracts are not legal advice.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops both the theoretical and practical core skills needed to make an independent feature film

Taught by someone who has extensive experience as a screenwriter, director, producer, and editor of feature films

Provides opportunities to collaborate on real-world film projects

Offers a comprehensive overview of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production

Covers a wide range of filmmaking topics, including storytelling, cinematography, and sound design

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film with these activities:

Practice writing daily logs

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Develop the habit of recording daily logs to improve planning, communication, and documentation skills.

Browse courses on Filmmaking

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Set up a system for logging your activities and observations
Make it a habit to record daily logs, even if it's just a few notes
Review your logs regularly to identify patterns and areas for improvement

Volunteer on a film or video production

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Contribute to the filmmaking process and learn from experienced professionals by volunteering your time.

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Identify film or video productions in your area
Reach out to the production team and offer your assistance
Show up on set and be prepared to help out in any way you can

Follow tutorials on camera angles, lighting, and sound recording

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Enhance your technical skills by following video tutorials and practicing different techniques.

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Identify specific areas where you want to improve your skills
Find and follow video tutorials that cover those areas
Practice the techniques you learn in your own projects

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Review 'Film Directing: Shot by Shot' by Steven D. Katz

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Gain insights into film directing techniques and visual storytelling by reading this book.

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts
Summarize the main ideas and principles discussed in the book
Apply the concepts you learned to your own filmmaking projects

Write a short film script

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Craft a short film script to put your learnings into practice and reinforce the skills learned.

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Brainstorm and develop a story idea
Outline the plot, characters, and setting
Write a first draft of the script, following industry-standard formatting
Review and revise your script for clarity, flow, and dialogue
Get feedback on your script from peers or mentors

Attend a screenwriting or filmmaking workshop

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Gain practical knowledge and network with industry professionals by attending workshops tailored to your interests.

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Research and identify workshops that align with your goals
Attend the workshops and actively participate in discussions and exercises
Connect with other attendees and industry professionals

Create a guide to screenwriting and film editing techniques and terms

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Create a guide that summarizes screenwriting and film editing techniques and terms to improve your understanding as well as to use as a reference.

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Review your notes, assignments, and course materials
Organize your findings by category and topic
Summarise the most important points from each category and topic
Compile your summaries into a written document, such as a Word document, Google Doc, or PDF

Start a short film production

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Gain hands-on experience in all aspects of filmmaking by starting your own short film project.

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Develop a compelling script
Assemble a team of talented individuals
Secure funding and resources
Execute all phases of production, including pre-production, production, and post-production

Career center

Learners who complete Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Film Director

This course provides a well-rounded overview of the filmmaking process, from writing and directing to distributing a feature-length film. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to turn your vision into a reality. The course covers all aspects of filmmaking, including budgeting, scheduling, and working with cast and crew, giving you a solid foundation for a successful career as a Film Director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Director

Screenwriter

This comprehensive course provides you with the tools and techniques you need to write a compelling screenplay. The course covers the basics of screenwriting, turning your screenplay into a shooting script, and organizing and scheduling your film shoot, giving you a solid foundation for a successful career as a Screenwriter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Film Producer

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the film production process, from development to distribution. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to produce a successful film, including budgeting, scheduling, and working with cast and crew. The course also covers fundraising and distribution options, giving you a solid foundation for a successful career as a Film Producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Producer

Film Editor

This course provides a solid foundation in the art and technique of film editing. The course covers basic film editing instruction and concepts, along with tips to make the editing easier. By completing this course, you will gain the skills necessary to edit a film to give it a professional look and feel, opening doors to a successful career as a Film Editor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Editor

Cinematographer

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the art and technique of cinematography. The course covers basic tips for filming, lighting, and recording audio, giving you a solid foundation for a successful career as a Cinematographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cinematographer

Art Director

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as an Art Director. The course covers the basics of budgeting and scheduling a film shoot, which are essential skills for an Art Director. Additionally, the course provides tips on saving money, something that is always a concern for an Art Director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Production Designer

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Production Designer. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the film production process, from development to distribution, which is essential knowledge for a Production Designer. Additionally, the course covers budgeting and scheduling, which are important skills for a Production Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Production Designer

Costume Designer

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Costume Designer. The course covers the basics of budgeting and scheduling a film shoot, which are essential skills for a Costume Designer. Additionally, the course provides tips on saving money, something that is always a concern for a Costume Designer.

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Hairstylist

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Hairstylist. The course covers the basics of budgeting and scheduling a film shoot, which are important skills for a Hairstylist. Additionally, the course provides tips on saving money, something that is always a concern for a Hairstylist.

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Makeup Artist

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Makeup Artist. The course covers the basics of budgeting and scheduling a film shoot, which are important skills for a Makeup Artist. Additionally, the course provides tips on saving money, something that is always a concern for a Makeup Artist.

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Film Distributor

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Distributor. The course covers a thorough review of distribution options for your movie, which would be an important asset for a Film Distributor.

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Film Marketing Manager

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Marketing Manager. The course covers a thorough review of distribution options for your movie, which would be a helpful asset for a Film Marketing Manager.

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Film Critic

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Critic. The course covers the basics of screenwriting, which would provide a strong foundation for a Film Critic.

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Film Historian

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Historian. The course provides a thorough review of distribution options for your movie, which would be a helpful asset for a Film Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Historian

Film Professor

This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Professor. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the filmmaking process, from writing and directing to distributing a feature-length film. This knowledge would be invaluable for a Film Professor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Professor

Filmmaking

Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film

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