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.
How to write a film treatment
Notes on writing an expanded synopsis of your film or screenplay, usually for funding.
Frontline’s Best Practices for Journalists
Frontline’s standards and best practices for journalists and non-fiction reporting.
Storyboards
Learn how to think out the shots in your story scene by scene
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Video Production from A to Z
Current TV's quick training manual for new producers, from choosing gear to editing.
VIMEO's new Video School
Great visual instruction on the basics of shooting good video.
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 on Blip.tv
An all-encompassing guide to video blogging and what steps you should take to hit the ground running. We especially love this advice about how use a low-end camera to tell a story.
Steve Garfield's Get Seen advice
Steve shows how anyone can start making video and get their stories seen through mulitmedia channels.
Editing Tools
For those just getting started, here is a list of affordable editing tools to introduce you to concepts of new media storytelling.
Windows Movie Maker
iMovie for Mac users
Soundslides for combining audio with photos
Audacity for editing sound
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WGBH Terms of Use
Pay special attention to section C when submitting content to the Lab's open calls.
Center for Social Media: Fair Use
Documentary filmmakers’ statement of best practices in fair use.
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.
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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. The link takes you to the WGBH Lab channel, where we host our open call video submissions.
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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.
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.
Videomaker.com
Subscription-based site full of advice for video making.
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.
New York Video School forums
NYVS teaches anyone with a video camera how to make films and videos like a Hollywood professional. Forums available without membership.
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What's Your Story?
The Lab Open Calls don't require you to pitch us first, but learning to briefly describe your video project can help you clarify your goals and focus your story idea into a tight concept. Here are some universally accepted tips for presenting an idea for public media.Elevator Pitch
What is an elevator pitch, anyhow? Here’s a tidy definition from Wikipedia.
How to write a film treatment
Notes on writing an expanded synopsis of your film or screenplay, usually for funding.
Frontline’s Best Practices for Journalists
Frontline’s standards and best practices for journalists and non-fiction reporting.
Storyboards
Learn how to think out the shots in your story scene by scene
back to top
Produce and Edit
Get the gear and get to film and video making. These links offer advice on how best to approach shooting and post-production.Video Production from A to Z
Current TV's quick training manual for new producers, from choosing gear to editing.
VIMEO's new Video School
Great visual instruction on the basics of shooting good video.
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 on Blip.tv
An all-encompassing guide to video blogging and what steps you should take to hit the ground running. We especially love this advice about how use a low-end camera to tell a story.
Steve Garfield's Get Seen advice
Steve shows how anyone can start making video and get their stories seen through mulitmedia channels.
Editing Tools
For those just getting started, here is a list of affordable editing tools to introduce you to concepts of new media storytelling.
Windows Movie Maker
iMovie for Mac users
Soundslides for combining audio with photos
Audacity for editing sound
back to top
Copyright Law and Music
Find the soundtrack to your story (legally).WGBH Terms of Use
Pay special attention to section C when submitting content to the Lab's open calls.
Center for Social Media: Fair Use
Documentary filmmakers’ statement of best practices in fair use.
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
Place your video short on sites that make them easy to share.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. The link takes you to the WGBH Lab channel, where we host our open call video submissions.
back to top
Film and Video Community
Get connected to the world of independent storytelling.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.
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.
Videomaker.com
Subscription-based site full of advice for video making.
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.
New York Video School forums
NYVS teaches anyone with a video camera how to make films and videos like a Hollywood professional. Forums available without membership.
back to top