Great filmmaking is more than just the newest and coolest gear, it’s also about teamwork, working with all types of personalities, and leadership. This month Lydia and I sit down to answer your questions about how to deal with difficult people on set while maintaining professionalism, how to ensure your crew hold their work to a high standard, as well as what to learn first when you’re starting out, gear for solo/indie work, and when to rely on “go to” looks. Follow us on Instagram: https://www....
Jun 15, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 31
A camera can only take you so far as you make your way along your cinematic story. There’s a whole other element that is both native and dependent to a professional-looking image — lighting. Applying lights is the key to creating multiple dimensions. Good lighting will give your work that specific tone you’re looking for on the screen. You see, understanding the significance of cinematic lighting is the other half of the battle. A lot of times you will see aspiring filmmakers pick up a camera an...
May 31, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 30
It’s tough breaking into the industry and knowing whether you are making the right decisions, or not. Should you dive-in straight as a DP or go up the ladder from the bottom? Are you scared to make the leap into a freelance lifestyle? It’s a lot to wrap your mind around when first starting out in the business. Lydia and I discuss my path to becoming a DP and how having someone to lean on in tough times is key! Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on You...
May 18, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 29
This month’s podcast covers how to put your camera through the ringer and get the most out of it. Shane discusses how it’s one thing to own a camera, but it’s another to understand its full potential. Camera tests are key when it comes to knowing when and where to apply your camera, as well as when and where not to. Shane takes you step by step on how to understand the soul of your sensor. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.you...
May 04, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 28
This month’s podcast covers how to stay on the ball and figure out what works best for you to successfully manage your career and personal life. Lydia discusses what has worked for her and shares her tips to help you figure out your schedule, how to manage the storm, all while keeping calm and staying strong. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their gam...
Apr 20, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 27
This month’s podcast covers your questions on setting up your lighting. Shane discusses lighting backgrounds first, set ups and ratios as they pertain to moods, white balancing the night, lighting tips to create a darker mood, lighting for different skin tones, and smoke and hazers. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy a...
Apr 06, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 26
This month’s podcast covers your questions on planning coverage and when to roll. Shane discusses rolling during rehearsals, coverage and storyboarding, color grading, aspect ratios, and more. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advi...
Mar 23, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 25
This month’s podcast covers your questions on good work ethics shaping you as a leader. Lydia discusses challenges faced by Lydia and Shane, advice for those with families who want to pursue this line of work, the importance of energy and self care, and inspiration for the Inner Circle.
Mar 09, 2019•55 min•Ep. 24
This month’s podcast covers your questions on getting into the business. Shane discusses building relationships with vendors, putting together a reel, the pros and cons of getting into the union, and eye correction.
Feb 23, 2019•58 min•Ep. 23
This month’s podcast covers your questions on topics related to lenses, filters and cameras. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2...
Feb 09, 2019•59 min•Ep. 22
This month in her podcast, Lydia answers your questions on film crew attitudes, growing in the business, and breaking into the business, as well as adding her point of view to some questions asked of Shane. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled wi...
Jan 26, 2019•47 min•Ep. 21
In this month’s Inner Circle podcast, I cover your questions on: Techniques for best camera placement Best documentary cameras and lighting Best ways to operate the camera handheld The power of the Leko Light Painting with “strokes” of light Differences in quality of light from the Kino Flo vs. the Book Light Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their gam...
Jan 12, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 20
This month in her first podcast, Lydia answers your questions on work/life balance and talks about her philosophy on making career decisions. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: htt...
Dec 29, 2018•56 min•Ep. 19
This month’s podcast focuses on your questions around understanding workflows in relation to camera technology. Color grading and camera bit depth The future of the digital imaging technician (DIT) How I use post production lighting and vignettes The differences between cinema glass and still lenses for the cinematic look Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top...
Dec 15, 2018•54 min•Ep. 18
In this month’s Inner Circle podcast, I answer your questions about: How I create flame flicker and the color quality of fire Lighting talent near a fire effect Differences in wood burning fires vs propane fires How to light for small objects, shiny objects and other product shots Lighting to bring out a product’s texture and color How I create a catch light without changing levels or ratios My batten lights and how I use them Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/...
Dec 01, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 17
In this month’s Inner Circle podcast, I answer your questions about career issues in the industry. how and when to move into bigger film markets what is the “right” kind of commercial reel to submit to agencies how to pick crew members for low budget projects how to find crew members when you have limited contacts my relationship and working with production designers implementing the concepts I taught from the Illumination Tour Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy...
Nov 17, 2018•46 min•Ep. 16
In this month’s podcast, I answer some great questions regarding the industry’s attitude and give you first hand advice on how to stay motivated, how to lead and inspire your crew, and making the best out of difficult personalities and situations. Topics include: Tips for on set leadership, building trust and confidence Breaking incorrect perceptions about your experience or abilities What keeps me motivated and why I strive to inspire my crew Pushing your comfort zone and challenging yourself H...
Nov 03, 2018•42 min•Ep. 15
This month, the Inner Circle podcast covers your questions on: How to light for complete darkness Blending camera formats seamlessly Deconstructing a script for camera emotion How to create camera emotions to match your MUSE keywords using depth of field, camera angles, lighting and more. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Aca...
Oct 20, 2018•58 min•Ep. 14
There was a bit of a glitch with the podcast last week, so I’ve recorded a new one for you. In this podcast, I answer questions on how to shoot film, choosing a film school, budget vs high end lenses, and more. Why film school is important and what to look for when choosing one How to learn to shoot film if you have never tried it My lens rules of engagement What monitors are best for on set exposure and color Canon CN-E lenses as a first investment Budget solutions for choosing lenses Follow us...
Oct 06, 2018•48 min•Ep. 13
My July podcast is all about camera technology from formats and exposure to the emotion and motivation of focus pulling and much more. Topics covered include: What it takes to capture the “cinematic” look and feel with your camera Selecting your next camera: the pros & cons of Panasonic GH4, Sony A7s, Canon 5D Mark II & Mark III, C100, C300 and the Blackmagic Cinema Camera The emotion and motivation of focus pulling 3D LUTS and false color Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...
Sep 22, 2018•57 min•Ep. 12
This month’s podcast focuses on your lighting questions. Specifically, I cover these topics: How-to lighting set-ups for Inner Circle member’s projects Advice for lighting on a micro-budget Tips on recreating looks in camera and in post How to light for an iPhone shoot The Gaffer/DP relationship and workflows Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their gam...
Sep 08, 2018•58 min•Ep. 11
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this month’s Inner Circle podcast. Just a reminder that you can submit more questions here- http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2014/08/submit-your-podcast-questions/ This month we cover: My path to becoming a DP, getting an agent, crafting your reel, self-negotiating Vintage lens recommendations, Rokinon vs Canon EF, diffusion filters and other options A discussion about lens barrel distortion and sharpness, Cooke vs Leica camera test Lighting wi...
Aug 25, 2018•58 min•Ep. 10
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this month’s Inner Circle podcast. Just a reminder that you can submit more questions here- http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2014/08/submit-your-podcast-questions/ This month we cover: Mastering color temperature, choosing picture styles and exposure tips for specific cameras In depth discussions of DSLR, C100, C300, C500, 1DC, Alexa, BMCC and Red Dragon My camera tests, how I shoot them and what I look for in lenses, sensors and color space Ch...
Aug 11, 2018•52 min•Ep. 9
Hello Inner Circle team from our tests on my new project. It’s time for the March podcast, where I answer your questions. This month we cover: Visual Style or Signature Inspiration and Influences Technical Tools: Frame Rates, Key Framing a Scene, Choreographing complex movement Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and be...
Jul 28, 2018•54 min•Ep. 8
The podcast this month focuses on taking your lighting technique to the next level, including commentary on light quality and essential tools, lighting large spaces, powering your lights, Chimera soft banks, Rosco LitePads and DIY lighting. You can find the questions down below. Be sure to submit your own questions for future podcasts. Thanks. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmmakers_academy Learn filmmaking f...
Jul 14, 2018•49 min•Ep. 7
Hello from Sundance, an amazing experience this year. Below you will find our January podcast, where I answer your questions. You can either stream it or download the file, whichever works best for you. You’ll also see that we’ve provided the questions, along with the timecode for each question. You asked, and we’ve added it! Soon, we will add that retroactively to the older podcast posts as well. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Follow us on YouTube: https:/...
Jun 30, 2018•49 min•Ep. 6
Happy Holidays everyone! My family and I are off to Thailand until the beginning of January. We will be back and ready to rumble around January 10th. Enjoy the December podcast, answering your questions. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https:/...
Jun 18, 2018•48 min•Ep. 5
It’s time for the November Inner Circle podcast, where I answer your questions. This month, the podcast is themed around lighting questions, and I’ve included the actual questions below. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2...
Jun 04, 2018•37 min•Ep. 4
It’s time for the October Inner Circle podcast, where I answer your questions. This month, the podcast is themed around camera questions. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free assets, gear talk, and on set stories: https://bit.ly/3CzwFn2...
May 21, 2018•41 min•Ep. 3
It’s time for the September Inner Circle podcast, where I answer your questions. This episode focuses on lighting, and I will try to answer as many questions as possible in an hour. We’ll go into specific scenarios and some low budget alternatives. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakers_academy/ Learn filmmaking from artists at the top of their game. Try Filmmakers Academy and become a member today: https://bit.ly/302orWv Check out our blog filled with career advice, free a...
May 21, 2018•53 min•Ep. 2
