The filmmaking site for everyone
Filmmaking for beginners
Free information about film storytelling, the filmmaking process, and how to choose the right equipment
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Education downloads
Interactive ebook, a short movie to edit, and free planning templates to help you learn or teach about film and filmmaking.
Training and projects
On-site training, projects and workshops for organisations, and 1:1 courses for individuals, in the UK, Europe and beyond.
I believe that filmmaking is for everyone. Learnaboutfilm gives you the information you need to tell your own stories with film.
Tom Barrance
Telling your story
To make a good short movie, you have to understand film language. That means the way you set up and film individual images, how you use sound, and how you put them together to tell your story and influence what people feel about it.
You can make your movie flow by following some simple rules about where to put your camera, how to frame your shots, and how to edit them together.
The filmmaking process
You need to follow an organised process for planning, shooting, and editing and sharing your movie: it’s explained here. You can also learn about making a factual video and iPhone/iPad filmmaking.
Choosing equipment
You need to choose the right camera and other equipment. I’ve compared the best affordable cameras for starting filmmaking.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can make movies with cameras costing under $300/£250, or even with your iPhone or iPad.
This article will help you choose video cameras for children and teens.
Techniques and ideas
You can get lots of ideas by watching other people’s films. If you want to make original, creative films you need to learn from other filmmakers and watch movies you wouldn’t normally see, like this one.
This section includes ideas about how to use still photos, film poems and poem films, and how great filmmakers have used sound.
Interactive filmmaking book
Making Movies Make Sense explains film language and filmmaking from first principles for ages 9 and up. Designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac.
Video clips to practise editing
My package Editshots is a hands-on way to learn about film storytelling: it includes a complete short movie for you to edit yourself, with a step-by-step guide. You can buy it by secure download for $15/£15 (individual).
Start Making Movies ebook
My new ebook Start Making Movies, out Summer 2019, explains film storytelling and how to plan, shoot and edit short movies and videos. Sign up for updates
Effective film training
I provide filmmaking training and workshops for organisations around the UK and in Europe.
I also provide training for individuals and small groups.
How can I help you?