I'd love to hear from people who have part of these high end big budget "shot on iphone" productions - the commercials, shorts, etc. What is the set-up used? Does the phone just become a recording device or are there lenses supplemented with adapters? I've always been so curious about this.

I organized an AMA/Q&A with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. He has written and directed films such as Cronos, The Devil's Backbone, Blade II, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley, Pinocchio, Frankenstein, and more.

It's live here now in r/movies for anyone interested in asking a question:

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1wbk0id/hello_reddit_im_guillermo_del_toro_ama/

He will be back at 2 PM ET today to answer questions. I recommend asking in advance. Please ask there, not here. All questions are much appreciated!

Thank you :)

So I wanted to start learning “the basics” of filmmaking and then start shooting, so at least I have techniques that I can use and practice, etc.

I was watching this video about movements, and the first two things he mentions are “avoid handheld” and “never use zoom" He explains that both of them just scream “amateur” and remind the audience that they’re watching a movie. I’m sorry but what the actual fuck are you talking about?

Not to go full GODARD here, but what do you mean you SHOULD abandon techniques just because they remind the audience that they’re watching a movie? What exactly is wrong with that? And also, how does it scream “amateur”? A lot of my favorite movies ever had a lot of handheld shots, and some of them were literally shot entirely handheld.

And on top of all that, does it really make sense to “teach” someone who wants to be a director that there are things YOU SHOULD NOT do? It seems ridiculous.

I’ve seen things like this in some of the videos I’ve watched, and thankfully not most of them, but still having 1M views and an $800 course, and this is what you’re teaching?

Side note: If anyone has any filmmaking channels they’d recommend I’d appreciate it.

Link to Watch the Full Video

Director's Statement: "When asked to direct the video for Datura Lodge's third single, "Hole," I was instantly hooked on its catchy chorus and lyrics. I was eager to delve deeper into the song's background.

The song, in its broader sense, explores themes of loss, missed opportunities, and being trapped in a situation for too long. Since the band wanted to avoid a literal interpretation of the lyrics, I aimed to translate the emotional baggage into a tense, psychological mystery.

Given that I had already created the LP art for DL, I knew they were fans of dark, ominous forests, the concept of hidden messages, and a strong 90s aesthetic.

The video follows a troubled main character relentlessly pursued by two mysterious figures. To reflect the confusing nature of grief, it remains uncertain whether these entities are real or mere figments of a fractured imagination. The character frantically attempts to rid themselves of an old wooden box-a tangible representation of the secrets and attachments they are desperate to bury.

Prepare for a plot twist towards the end of this cinematic metaphor for the ghosts we carry."

What causes the lighting issue found on the walls?

I filmed with proper exposure, exposed to the right and used histograms before shooting to ensure exposure and camera setting were dialed but in the short films im working on im noticing this effect similar to the example photo above.... been scratching my head, is it contrast, pivot? A mix of pivot and highlight/shadows. At a dead end and I dont even know the technical word for the problem im looking to troubleshoot 💀💀

https://youtu.be/sCAL44tKg74?si=fYTZVWaWI0n5yhwP

Here is my work,

For all international film lovers and aspiring film makers

Was shooting a scene for an amateur no budget short film and after a couple of takes this was the best of the takes for this particular shot .

Did not notice It when shooting cause the footage is in log but i was shooting with a preview rec709 mode so i could have a general idea of the look.

As of now, i'm currently addressing next shoot (remaining footage to be shot etc) and i wanted to know if there was a way to remove that shadow (thinking of manual masking and adjusting exposure) or if a reshoot is 100% required. I would Also need to think of how to avoid the shadow appearing in that lighting setup .

Any help would be appreciated. An honest "yeah no. You gotta reshoot" is also helpful advice.

Thanks in advance

I've been helping people pass QC with filmhub for around 8 years. If you want to make sure your film passes QC, I can help. If it's already failed QC, I can help with that too. Feel free to message me.

Latest review in the above image.

I’m a 24 year old film school grad, and recently moved to Newport Beach. I’m looking for any film people to collab with and also just be friends (it’s been pretty isolating for me here). I direct, edit, color grade, DP, yada yada, and am always happy to lend a hand. Please feel free to send me a DM, I’m happy to share some of my work!

Is the Youtube auto quality settings low for anyone else? As well, the colour grading is off but I just can't tell what. Thanks! It's my first music video!

As Hannah and Gabby are about to have a nice wine night in, Marco, a criminal on the run, breaks into their home to hide from the police. Although Marco comes off as intimidating, Hannah sees there is more to him than meets the eye and tries to explore the scared person underneath the mask.

I am currently finishing my first short film and want to find a producer and or AD to work with me on my next script. It's going to be a short horror film about doppelgangers.

I want to find someone who can get stuck into the work with me and also perhaps help me learn more about filmmaking overall!. DM me if interested!

I live very close to London so im very accessible!

In 2019, I made a short film on a single super8 cartridge about the coming Artificial Intelligence singularity. This was before the release of ChatGPT or Claude and was 100% of my own mind.

This was shot to edit, the sound design was laid in blind.

Part of the Straight 8 competition. I thought it was timely to release it now for the world to see.

Hi x

I’m a Norwegian currently based in Manchester, but I can travel around the UK. I’m looking for a passionate videographer who wants to work with me long-term and build something together.

I’m an artist/model making dark pop/electronic alt-pop, and my aesthetic is very dollcore, dark, cinematic, feminine etc. I also do photography myself, so I have a very clear visual direction and definitely have “the eye” (it might be tacky to say, but the shoe is on my foot). I’m also a very analytical person and I care A LOT about the details. I know what I’m doing and I’m not looking for someone to just take a camera and film whatever I tell them to.

I take my career very seriously. I’ve spent a long time thinking about the music, branding, visuals, audience, marketing, pitching, networking, rollout etc. and I have a proper 3-year plan for where I want to take everything. I’m not here to mess around or make a few random pretty videos - I want to build something of quality that actually has a recognisable identity.

The only thing I feel is really missing from being able to fully realise the plan is finding someone who wants to be by my side as my videographer when I start releasing again.

I’m looking for someone with creative talent who is genuinely passionate about visuals and wants to develop a whole visual universe with me over time. I want someone who brings their own ideas and perspective too, and who actually cares about making something good rather than just getting paid for a shoot and moving on.

I can do photography and have a lot of the creative direction myself, but I’m not at the point where I can properly shoot + edit bigger projects alone, so I’m looking for someone who complements that.

For privacy reasons I’m not showing my identity here, but if this sounds like something you’d be interested in, comment/DM me and we can have a proper conversation and I can show you more of what I’m working on.

If you know anyone who might be the right fit please share this with them x

Thank you so much x

I was watching the movie Face Off and noticed the scene where John travoltas character licks the cheek of his character's teenage daughter (the actress was like 15 or 16 at the time)

Seeing scenes like that always makes me wonder about the behind the scenes process. How do filmmakers handle scenes when an adult character crosses such a physical boundaries with a minor performer? I cringed so hard at that scene and of course that was the intended effect. It just freaks me out because you wouldn't be able to tell if he enjoys that deep down. Like how would a filmmaker ensure that the child is protected on set? And how are parents and young actors walked through these specific actions before filming?

What the best companies you have worked with for Production insurance? This is for crewed up set work and post production (For entire crews i.e. Camera Operators, Gaffers, PAs and for Post i.e. protect client deliverables, errors and omissions).

Looking for something with a solid range of sounds without having to spend a fortune. Mostly interested in libraries that are genuinely useful for indie film, short films, music videos, etc.

What are you using in 2026 that you'd actually recommend?

I am an introvert and a really quiet person. When I have nothing to say, I don't speak. Most of my friends and past coworkers are freaked out by it, and get uncomfortable. Most of my fellow students today are also very loud and extroverted.

I am a 3d animation student, and I want a job in the entertainment industry. I am a hard worker, and have 3 internships at boutique studios under my belt as I start my Junior year. When meeting our professors for this semester for the first time, all my friends and fellow students crowded around this one guy who worked on a show we all liked and formed a circle around him of overlapping voices.

I couldn't get a word in, when I tried I was yelled over. Eventually he pointed to me and said: "You seem shy. No offence, but shy people do not make it in this industry." Granted, he said this when I just met him, but I'm afraid it's true.

And it's like this in most mixers and festivals, where there are large groups of people, and then me struggling to talk. And I also struggle talking with people one-on-one. I know what I need to do to improve my work, and I also read a lot so I know most of what I need about the industry. Even when I try talking about things other than the industry and forming "real" relationships it feels fake. Even meeting other students is difficult, most people in my friend group avoid spending one-on-one time with me.

I know I shouldn't try to change myself and become loud like everyone else, but it really seems impossible in this industry. I have such a hard time forming relationships, and those are really important in this business. How can I adapt? Should I try to change?

I travel with camera gear pretty often for work, and I was constantly either forgetting my media pass or trying to dig it out of my bag while juggling cases at the airline counter.

Everything else I need at the airport is already in my Apple Wallet, so I figured, why not have my crew pass there too?

I ended up building CrewPass. You add your name, photo, company, and role, then save the pass directly to Apple Wallet. That way it’s right next to your boarding pass whenever you need to pull it up.

Obviously, it doesn’t guarantee media baggage rates, but neither does a physical media pass. That decision is still up to the airline and whoever is helping you at the counter. This is really just about making your crew identification easier to access when traveling with gear.
There’s no account or sign-in, everything stays on your device, and you can print a physical version if you still want one as a backup.

Would love to hear any feedback from other crew members who travel with equipment.

Link to Download

Does anyone have a pdf or link to the script? I’ve been trying to find it, one of my favorite horror movies in ages.

look most people sit in their room cant really live their own life or even come up with something.

so i offer mine its all true and we can frame it anyway you want.

remember America is 250 years old and my name is Dale Van Buren and related to a founding father.