Filmmaking Essentials
Information about filmmaking equipment and general elements of the filmmaking process (also refer to the Curriculum and Resources section at the bottom of this page)
Filmmaking Process
- How to Write a Short Film Step-by-Step Guide (younger ages)
- How to Write a Short Screenplay (older ages)
Equipment
- 10 Tips for Beginner Filmmakers (younger ages)
- Top Filmmaking Basics Every Beginner Needs to Know (older ages)
Storytelling & Inspiration
- Storytelling for Kids: Creative Ideas Teachers Can Use to Get Kids Writing
- Localore
- 13 Powerful Refugee Stories From Around The World
- Kitchen Sisters
- Patagonia Stories
- Red Glass Pictures
- Meridian Stories
- Tutorials Archive – Berkeley Advanced Media Institute
- Video & Film Making Websites for Kids and Students
Cinematography
- Designing Camera Shots
- Telling Your Story: Film Language for Beginner Filmmakers
- Understanding Depth of Field
- Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology (older ages)
- Camera Angles
- Acting On-Camera in the 3 Basic Shots (younger ages)
- The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (older ages)
- Video Camera Focus
- HOW TO… focus for video (older ages)
- Shot Types
- Here are 10 of the most common types of camera shots in film
- Framing
- Camera Framing Techniques: Frame Shots Like a Master Filmmaker (older ages)
- Shooting Technique
- 25 Powerful Cinematography Techniques For Cinematic Shots
- Lighting Tutorials
- 5 Best Film Lighting Techniques: Filmmaker’s Guide to a Cinematic Look (younger ages)
- 13 Film Lighting Techniques Every Filmmaker Should Know (older ages)
Photography
- Introduction to Photography
- 15 Photography Lessons for Kids (younger ages)
- Photographic Composition
- How to Teach Kids Photography With an iPhone (younger ages)
- 28 Composition Techniques That Will Improve Your Photos (older ages)
Interviewing
- How to Shoot an Interview (older ages)
- The Art of Documentary Interviews (older ages)
- Documentary Interview Tips
Editing
Filmmaking Apps
Filmmaking applications to use on mobile devices and/or computers
Audio Making Essentials
Podcast Sites & techniques for capturing good audio in film production
- Beginner’s Guide to Field Recording Part 1
- Beginner’s Guide to Field Recording Part 2
- Sound for Beginners – Everyday Films Audio Workshop (younger ages)
- Tips on recording audio for film (older ages)
- Music and audio techniques for film (older ages)
- Microphones for Filmmaking | How to Choose A Microphone for Video Production (younger ages)
- The Best Microphones for Vloggers, Podcasts and Filmmakers (older ages)
Editing Software & Tutorials
Tutorials on multiple software platforms used in post-production stage of filmmaking
Video
- Using B Roll in Movie Making
- 10 Video Editing Tips Every Editor Should Know! (younger ages)
- Video Copilot:Special Effects
- How to Use Adobe Premiere Rush – Complete Video Editing Tutorial (younger ages)
- iMovie – Tutorial for Beginners (younger ages)
- iMovie for iPad Tutorial Part 1 (younger ages)
- iMovie for iPad Tutorial Part 2 (younger ages)
- 5 Video Editing Techniques Every Editor Should Know | Premiere Pro Tutorial (older ages)
- Video Made Easy with Adobe Rush
- Movie Maker Tutorial for Beginners (younger ages)
- A Few Basic Tips and Tricks to Master Windows Movie Maker (older ages)
- Getting started in WeVideo (younger ages)
- WeVideo – Advanced editing (older ages)
- How to use the green screen effect in WeVideo (younger ages)
- WeVideo Academy | Tutorials and How-To Information (younger ages)
Audio
- Audacity Free Download
- Mixkit (younger ages)
- Pond 5 (older ages)
- Knight Digital Media Center Audacity Tutorial
- Film Stock
- Free Sound
- Landr
Distribution & Exhibition
Resources about sharing student work with a larger audience and sites for uploading student work.
Movie Media Galleries
Movies and other media projects produced by students, teachers, and professional filmmakers.
Youth Produced Media
Public Service Announcements
Stop Motion Animation
- 50 Incredible Stop Motion Videos
- Western Spaghetti
20 Wonderful Stop Motion Ideas for Beginners and Kids (younger ages)
Personal Narratives
- StoryCorps – audio personal narratives
Media Literacy: Resources to help teach and strengthen students’ understanding of media literacy and their role as media consumers and producers.
Curriculum Resources & Lesson Plans
Digital media curriculum and lesson plan ideas for teachers to use and modify in the classroom.
Professional Development
Sites with workshops or opportunities to enhance your teaching profession.
