Film Courses And Information

Film Finance And Distribution - Course Description

This comprehensive film course covers everything you need to know to produce, finance and distribute a theatrical motion picture film. So many creative people in the film industry are completely in the dark when it comes to the financial and business aspects of movie making. During the course of this 3-part series on film finance and distribution, you will receive a detailed, step by step explanation of how the motion picture business actually works.

Easily one of the least understood and most overlooked aspects of filmmaking, most film schools either skim over the top of the business side of things, or they just don't bother to address it at all, but not at Film School Online! Where other courses simply re-hash the same old platitudes like "you need distribution before you shoot" or "never use your own money to make a film" but then fail to explain how to do that, the reasoning behind it and why it's that way to begin with.

This course is different, because it is based solely on the functional, working reality of the motion picture industry. Where other courses leave you in the dark, or worse yet, don't even realize that they should be teaching you this material, Film Finance And Distribution will be your ticket to a true understanding of motion picture business and fianance.

Inside this course you will see first hand how financial decisions are made, how professional film producers develop and package movies, the inner workings of the theatrical and video distribution systems, how to finance films independently as well as showing you alternative financing sources used by the pros. This DVD course will also show you everything you need to know to protect yourself legally and financially, how film business entities and structures are created and most importantly, how to start doing it today.

Whether you're just getting started or you've already made some movies, this course is guaranteed to give you the skills and information to realistically take your career to the next level. For the diligent, motivated filmmaking student, this film course is a real game changer, because you will learn the correct way to truly become a filmmaking professional. (back to top)

Order This Course On DVD - Film Finance And Distribution

Theatrical Film Production Course Description

This 4-part film course details every essential element to learn how to successfully produce a theatrical movie. Unlike most film school curriculums which spend the bulk of their time focusing on film history, criticism and appreciation, this course goes straight to the heart of film making. Whether a first time filmmaker or someone with more experience, you will learn what really happens on a professional soundstage. Most importantly, this film course focuses solely on fundamental principles of movie making that are adaptable to almost any situation.

To put that in perspective, you have to realize as a film student, that all movies are made almost exactly the same way on a certain level. All filmmakers have to shoot footage, they have to get good, believable performances, they have to edit the film and ultimately, they have to deliver it to someone. This is true whether you are Goddard or Spielberg, they all have to go through that process. Now, of course, the details of what and how those films get made are obviously going to be very different, but the essential elements will always be there.

The thing most film schools seem to overlook is that filmmaking is limited to certain realities about what can and can't be done. If a filmmaker comes up with a movie that has a cast of 200 people with speaking parts and it takes place at 300 different locations, there just won't be enough time in the day to shoot that movie. What Theatrical Film Production will show you is what we call "best practices", as in, things that professional filmmakers do because they work. And by that I mean, that these filmmaking principles will apply across the board, almost regardless of how big or small your production is.

The beauty of learning how to make films this way is that you won't be wasting a lot of time re-inventing the whole filmmaking process, you will be gaining the benefit of the summation of over 100 years of movie making history. Plus, you won't be learning from "second hand", or even worse "second rate" sources that give you bad or incomplete information. This film course will show you how to make a film like a pro, why the pro does it that way, the reason behind it all and how it all translates into a realistic career. You won't hear any "creative" mumbo jumbo about what so and so filmmaker was "trying to say" with a certain shot or another. What you will hear is accurate, foundational and expandable film making principles and practices that you can carry with you for the rest of your filmmaking career.

This course is guaranteed to show you the real skills you need to become a professional filmmaker. Regardless of whether you want to make art-house indie dramas or huge budget science fiction action films, once you have these elements in place, you will have the tools you need to actually make it happen. (back to top)

Order This Course On DVD - Theatrical Film Production 

Post Production And Delivery Course Description

Perhaps the most complete and informative film course on post production available anywhere at any price. This 3-part series goes where even professional filmmakers with years of experience often dare to tread! After film finance, post production is probably the biggest knowledge "black hole" for filmmakers. Post is an incredibly technical arena that demands years of specialized training with incredibly expensive equipment that is simply out of the reach of any film school.

Put another way, the only way to learn post is to do it. The film schools can't realistically teach this material because of the incredible expense involved in acquiring the equipment to do even small parts of the process. Time and again, filmmakers and producers will get to post and find that they are going over budget or that they haven't accounted for any number of small technical details. The worst of it is when a young independent filmmaker can't finish their film or they lose a distribution deal because they have too much remaining expense to finish their film.

But, this film course changes all of that! I think for the first time, this DVD lecture series will give even an amateur an inside look at what happens on the post finishing side of filmmaking. This course will be invaluable for not only filmmakers and directors, but producers, even actors as well. There are so many places for a film to save time and money in post during production, yet most filmmakers, including even some of the best in the business are completely clueless about it.

Now you can learn how to not only have a deep understanding of the process, you will learn the inside tricks and methods to save time and money at what might be the most critical phase of your film's life...right before its completed. Like the old saying goes "it's always darkest before the dawn", the same is true for post and you definitely don't want to be a casualty here. The road through the post production process is littered with bodies, but with this course from Film School Online, you will not only survive post production, you will thrive in post.

Inside this five hour DVD lecture series, you will learn step by step every link in the post production chain and how each step relates to you as a film maker or producer before, during and after production. You will see first hand how it was done in the past, where the industry is going in the future and how to best navigate that process by utilizing and effectively mixing old processes and the new technologies to achieve maximum results for a minimum of expense. (back to top)

Order This Course On DVD - Post Production And Delivery

Free Shipping For All DVD Film Courses

Film School Online is proud to offer free shipping to you wherever you are via First Class Mail with delivery confirmation. As I offer an immediate digital download and to manage costs more effectively, I cannot offer any form of expedited shipping. However, First Class Mail is, for the most part, fast and reliable.

International Customers, In Almost All Cases, Should Choose The Digital Download Version(s)

All DVD's are region free but NTSC ONLY, which means they are generally only compatible with DVD players in North America and Japan. The appropriate selection for international students would most likely be the Download Version of the "Complete Filmmaking Series".

30-Day Money Back Guarantee

If you don't like these film courses for any reason, contact me and I'll give you instructions to return the videos and refund your money, no questions asked. Please bear in mind that I'm not some big faceless corporation here. Ultimately, I'm just a fellow filmmaker and a teacher who genuinely wants to share my knowledge with the current and next generation of filmmakers.

Filmmaking Lecture And Course DVD's And Videos

The Film School Online video lecture series of film courses is available in two ways, either by digital download to your computer or on a traditional DVD video disc which ships in the mail.

There are some cost savings associated with ordering the film courses as a digital download, as I don't incur any expense in manufacturing and shipping a physical DVD. However, some people may simply prefer to have an actual physical copy.

There is no difference between the digital download and the DVD, it is the exact same material with the exact same presentation.

Until now, finding a realistic, behind the scenes education on how to become a director or filmmaker, or to really learn how film financing and distribution works was nearly impossible, even if you enrolled in or were attending a premiere film school. Film education is sadly lacking enough qualified personnel to teach the real world fundamentals to have a realistic chance at a career. Film School Online bridges the gap between the theoretical world of film school and professional world of theatrical film production like no other school can.

I truly believe that you will find these courses to be the most complete, eye opening and instructive film school classes you will take anywhere at any price. I sincerely hope that you will put the lessons, ideas and concepts into practical use and go out and make some great films. In truth, I am both humbled and encouraged by your courage, as I know what it takes to make the leap into this crazy business. I want to be the first to tell you that you really can learn how to make films...it's definitely a skill, but it's not rocket science!

Sincerely,
Danny

© MMXI Daniel L. White