Episode 3 Show Notes - Pow!!!

Alright, I am back from summer vacation. Episode #3 – Learning the Process of Filmmaking is officially out the box. This is Part 1 of a two-parter.

This is a topic I haven’t really come across much discussion on, so I thought I’d give you my take. Essentially, I wanted to just relay a list of all the different ways that that you can go about furthering your filmmaking education.

If you combine all of these different types of resources, you can program your own personal film school curriculum and pick an choose the resources that work best for your learning style. In this episode I duscuss Filmmaking Podcasts and Documentaries and DVD's about filmmaking.

Keep in mind that these are by no means exhaustive lists, but rather starting points and suggestions based on what I personally recommend and have seen work for others.

More comprehensive lists will be included in the upcoming release of my book, Down and Dirty DV: Vol. 1 - Documentaries.

Filmmaking Podcasts:

Izzy Video
Probably the most comprehensive collection of free filmmaking video tutorials out there. When I just checked, there were more than 40 different video tutorials on core subjects such as 3-point lighting, shoting green screen, and editing techniques. These are at the hobbyist/beginner level and I highly recommend them if you’re just starting out. How he keeps these coming for free with a day job and a family I don’t know, but thank you, Izzy, and more power to you. It’s a great service.

The DV Show
Get your technical questions answered here. Codecs? What type of tape to use? Sync issues? Listen or ask the DV Show, because God knows I can’t answer all your technical questions!

KCRW’s The Business
My favorite Hollywood news show. Not Entertainment Tonight, but rather in-depth discussions and interviews with industry movers and shakers about current news and trends in the entertainment industry that affect filmmakers, actors, audience and studios alike.

KCRW’s Martini Shot
Amusing anecdotes of Hollywood culture and kookiness. Short, insightful and funny.

Four Eyed Monsters
I’ve ranted about these guys before and they’ll be in an upcoming video podcast, so I’m not gonna spend too much time here. But I will say that I think that this is the prevailing model for using the power of podcasting to promote your film. Watch them all from Episode One and do a Google search and look at what any of you out there could do if you free your mind, take advantage of new technologies and make wise use of your resources.

Mac Break
I won’t lie, some of this stuff goes over my head (I’m only 5’5”), but these mac video nerds provide some great technical info, especially with regards to video/filmmaking technology on the Mac. (And "nerds" is not a derogatory term here... these guys are very smart and on the cutting edge.)

Filmmaking Central
Another informative podcast dealing with technical and production issues.

Invisible Children
Excellent model for the power of podcasting to promote and distribute social-issue / activist docs. If you are a documentary-maker you can’t afford not to study these guys and their promotional/fundraising model. They take full advantage of online media from communication to fundraising to marketing and distribution. I believe this is a model for the bright new future of documentary film.

Hearts of Darkness Article
This is an article about the doc Hearts of Darkness from a Cinema Studies standpoint. FilmEducation.org also has many resources for film educators such as study guides and discussion questions for various films, new and old.

Documentaries and DVD’s About Filmmaking

American Movie Official Site
This documentary is probably hands down my favorite film about filmmaking (doc or narrative). It is drop-dead funny, heart-breakingly tragic and totally inspirational all at once. It’s about the daily struggles of Milwaukee low-budget filmmaker named Mark Borschardt to get his projects made despite the lack of local filmmaking resources, shortage of professional talent, overwhelming debt, and his own personal demons. While you may find Mark’s actual filmmaking a little rough around the edges, this man’s persistence, belief in his vision, unwaivering enthusiasm and ability to push through no matter what is an awe-inspiring example of the difficulties of realizing a low-budget project and still coping with all the complications of everyday life.


Robert Rodriguez’s 10 Minute Film School
What more can I say? While some of you younger filmmaker’s may only know Robert Rodriguez from his big-budget Hollywood fare such as Spy Kids, his roots are pure Down and Dirty guerrilla. As legend has it, his first feature film, El Mariachi, was shot in Mexico for $7000.00 which he’d largely earned as a medical test patient. El Mariachi went on to became a huge indie hit and launch his career as a major player in Hollywood. His book, “Rebel Without a Crew” is a guerrilla film classic and his essay/DVD extra, “Robert Rodriguez’s 10-Minute Film School” is his simple advice for guerrilla rebels. While I disagree with his assertion that when it comes to cameras the crappier the better, I largely follow a lot of this advice for squeezing out production value an keeping things moving when shooting when shooting. This is a link to the essay, but definitely check out the video version of “10-Minute Film School” on the “EL Mariachi” DVD extras.

Wrap Up
That’s it for now. Stay tuned for Episode 4 - part 2 of Learning the Process of Filmmaking, which I will drop as soon as I have a chance to “enhance” it with pics and links. (Probably in a week or two.) In Episode 4 I will cover Film School, DVD Extras, Workshops, Crewing, Tv Shows and a few more learning resources.

And seriously, give a brotha some feedback, leave a comment below, send an email, or better yet, leave a comment on iTunes if you’re feeling the podcast, because I haven’t gotten much feedback yet and I’m trying to hone the show to best serve YOU the Down and Dirty Digital Posse.

A lot of work goes into putting together each episode and I just want to know if this is an effective resource for you or if I should spend my nights and weekends doing normal things like relaxing and spending time with friends and family. Holla back, y’all.

Peace, Love and Video,

-Ant.

Podcast Episode #1 Show Notes

Additional Commentary

Okay, so these are the show notes for Down and Dirty DV Podcast - Episode #1: How to Choose a Camera. (See previous post to download or subscribe using link to your left.) This is a podcast series designed specifically for new and aspiring digital guerrilla filmmakers. The topics I address will be from the standpoint of low-budget digital shooting and solving the many problems that come along with it.

This was my first podcast ever and it was admittedly harder and more work than I thought it would be, but I’m fairly happy with the end result. If you weren’t aware, Episode 1 is enhanced with photos and links (included below) if you view it on an iPod or in iTunes.

It’s damn hard talking having a whole conversation alone to a microphone. Let me know I’m not really talking to myself and holla back. Your feedback let’s me know somebody cares about this effort and helps me improve the show. Please drop me an email at anthony@downanddirtydv.com with your comments, corrections, and suggestions for future show topics.

Enhanced Links and Additional Resources

My Online Bio
Want to know more about me? I’m an old-school digital pimp and a complex man of mystery, but I will share this much with you.


XLR Article – Berkeley Journalism
This article breaks down XLR cable basics and expands upon my comments about XLR adapters.

XLR Adapter Box – B&H Sales Page
Check out features and specs or purchase the popular Beachtek DXA Adapter Box here.


DIY Network - Low Light Article
This is a link to a very basic DIY Network article on shooting in low-light.

Here are the 2 forums I recommended for researching user experiences and reviews of cameras you are considering purchasing. (More such sights are listed to the left under “Links” section.):

Creative Cow Online Filmmaking Community & Forums

DVX User Online Filmmaking Community & Forums


I forgot to mention this site in Episode #1 , but UrbanFox.tv is a great little website run by a woman named Christina Fox out of London that provides consulting and some great free info and tutorials for people looking to get into DV filmmaking. Most notably for the topic at hand, she provides some great camera comparison buyer's guide charts that include most of the latest prosumer models. This info is often in magazines, but it's hard to come by comprehensive side-by-side comparisons online. Check out the charts here:

DV and DV Cam Cameras

HDV Cameras

Notes on Upcoming Episode 2

This first podcast was actually 42 mins., so rather than torture you that long, I broke it into 2 episodes, so Episode #2 is also Choosing a Camera. In Episode #2 I cover other features to look for in a prosumer camera. These aren’t the make or break features, but those that you may wish to also consider depending on your budget, experience-level and style of shooting. I also dicuss renting vs. buying and avoiding common scams when purchasing a camera online.

On a crappier note, I just discovered that I somehow managed to wipe out my master audio files for the fully completed Episode 2. I will have to perform some voodoo on a surviving MP3 version to see if I can put it back together or rerecord the whole thing, so hang tight for a week on that.