ResourcesResources
If you’ve never made a movie before, or if you just need some pointers, the Web offers all kinds of tips to get you started. We’ve collected just a few sites that have information about everything from camera gear to proposal writing to film uploading. Don’t be afraid to do your own research too. There are no absolutes – these aren’t rules, just guidelines to help you envision your work.
Elevator Pitch
What is an elevator pitch, anyhow? Here’s a tidy definition from Wikipedia.
Writing a Treatment/ITVS
ITVS (Independent Television Service) programming staff's notes on writing an effective treatment.
Frontline’s Best Practices for Journalists
Frontline’s standards and best practices for journalists and non-fiction reporting.
back to top
VC2 Producer Training
Current TV's quick training manual for new producers, from choosing gear to editing.
The California Arts Project
Download and keep their Video Production 101 guide with you wherever you shoot.
One Minute Movies
The BBC’s how-to on making a one-minute movie, from story to sound.
WGBH Lab Sandbox
In case you can’t film it all, check out the Lab’s Media Library, a collection of clips from WGBH that are free to use under a Creative Commons license.
Freevlog
An all-encompassing guide to video blogging, from an explanation of video blogging to what steps you should take to hit the ground running.
back to top
Center for Social Media: Fair Use
Documentary filmmakers’ statement of best practices in fair use.
Ourmedia Open Media Directory
A helping hand in the search for legal, podsafe music and video.
Law, Copyright, and Grassroots Media
Information to help you stay on the right side of the law.
ccMixter
Archive of musical works to mash up, remix, and sample licensed under Creative Commons.
Podsafe Audio
Musicians upload, podcasters download, rights-free exchange made possible by the Creative Commons License.
SpinXpress
Pull from a wide range of content available under Creative Commons licenses.
back to top
Blip.tv
A free video-sharing site guided by principles of sustainability and democracy.
SpinXpress
Publish your work and connect with other filmmakers.
YouTube
One of the biggest vaults of video content on the planet.
back to top
POV Blog
The blog (presented by POV, a WGBH Lab partner) is a forum for all things documentary.
ITVS
The Independent Television Service funds, presents and promotes independently produced programs for public television.
Indiewire
A link to everything you want to know about independent films.
Filmmaker Magazine
A print magazine and blog that links you to independent films and the people who make them.
Independent Television Service
ITVS funds, promotes and presents independent work on public television and cable, as well as new media projects online.
Filmmakers Collaborative
A Boston organization that offers low-cost fiscal oversight for films in all genres. They also sponsor events to review and critique on-going work by local filmmakers.
Color of Film
TCOF is a non-profit supporting media makers of color who create new and diverse pictures of people of color in film, video, and performing arts.
New England Film
This online and magazine resource publicizes film-related events and job postings, and offers a directory of New England professionals and companies that help with every phase of filmmaking.
back to top
Write a Pitch
Here are some universally accepted tips for presenting an idea for public television.Elevator Pitch
What is an elevator pitch, anyhow? Here’s a tidy definition from Wikipedia.
Writing a Treatment/ITVS
ITVS (Independent Television Service) programming staff's notes on writing an effective treatment.
Frontline’s Best Practices for Journalists
Frontline’s standards and best practices for journalists and non-fiction reporting.
back to top
Produce and Edit
Get the gear and get to filmmaking. These links offer advice on how best to approach shooting and post-production.VC2 Producer Training
Current TV's quick training manual for new producers, from choosing gear to editing.
The California Arts Project
Download and keep their Video Production 101 guide with you wherever you shoot.
One Minute Movies
The BBC’s how-to on making a one-minute movie, from story to sound.
WGBH Lab Sandbox
In case you can’t film it all, check out the Lab’s Media Library, a collection of clips from WGBH that are free to use under a Creative Commons license.
Freevlog
An all-encompassing guide to video blogging, from an explanation of video blogging to what steps you should take to hit the ground running.
back to top
Copyright Law and Music
Find the soundtrack to your story (legally).Center for Social Media: Fair Use
Documentary filmmakers’ statement of best practices in fair use.
Ourmedia Open Media Directory
A helping hand in the search for legal, podsafe music and video.
Law, Copyright, and Grassroots Media
Information to help you stay on the right side of the law.
ccMixter
Archive of musical works to mash up, remix, and sample licensed under Creative Commons.
Podsafe Audio
Musicians upload, podcasters download, rights-free exchange made possible by the Creative Commons License.
SpinXpress
Pull from a wide range of content available under Creative Commons licenses.
back to top
Upload, Host and Share
Learn how to share your movie with the world.Blip.tv
A free video-sharing site guided by principles of sustainability and democracy.
SpinXpress
Publish your work and connect with other filmmakers.
YouTube
One of the biggest vaults of video content on the planet.
back to top
Filmmaking Community
Get connected to the world of independent filmmaking.POV Blog
The blog (presented by POV, a WGBH Lab partner) is a forum for all things documentary.
ITVS
The Independent Television Service funds, presents and promotes independently produced programs for public television.
Indiewire
A link to everything you want to know about independent films.
Filmmaker Magazine
A print magazine and blog that links you to independent films and the people who make them.
Independent Television Service
ITVS funds, promotes and presents independent work on public television and cable, as well as new media projects online.
Filmmakers Collaborative
A Boston organization that offers low-cost fiscal oversight for films in all genres. They also sponsor events to review and critique on-going work by local filmmakers.
Color of Film
TCOF is a non-profit supporting media makers of color who create new and diverse pictures of people of color in film, video, and performing arts.
New England Film
This online and magazine resource publicizes film-related events and job postings, and offers a directory of New England professionals and companies that help with every phase of filmmaking.
back to top