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Focus Forward Films | $100,000 Filmmaker Challenge
Focus Forward Films is a new documentary series of 3-minute films focusing on today's innovators. An impressive roster of documentary filmmakers are already
Looking for a camera, do you know much about Panasonic SD90?
I browsed shops for cameras yesterday and the Panasonic SD90K was recommended by a guy who sounded like he knew his stuff. It was $654 in the shop, but
Every week Pond5 gives away a new free stock footage clip. This week it's a beautiful snowboarding shot. It's filmed in HD 1080 (1920/1080). They are also offering 25 FREE sound effects. In addition to the freebies, tons of amazing footage of anything you can think of. You can find the free downloads on their homepage: Pond5 Homepage. Enjoy!
If you saw Who Killed the Electric Car?, which was a tragedy in its essence, you want to watch Revenge of the Electric Car. This film, directed by Chris
If you're a woman in the filmmaking world, take heart! Here's a string of quotes from women attending the Sundance Film Festival this year. This was shot at the Chicken and Egg party. Thanks Trixie Films for shooting this!
Jan 26, 2012
The Listening Project | Documentary Review
What a simple, yet profound idea. Travel the globe and ask people what they think about America. I was struck by some of the answers. Not that they were
I discovered my asexuality in June of 2011. I spent most of my life wondering what was wrong with me, and convincing myself that I was just a late bloomer.
Write An Article - Promote Your Film, Grow Your Audience and Build Credibility
Write an article for Desktop Documentaries and build awareness for you and your film project. This is a great opportunity to promote your documentary, build credibility and grow your audience!
Here is the documentary I put together. IT IS a true story about my life as a stand up comic.. I think I could make it better, but just don't have money
Press Pause Play Documentary | Free or Paid You Choose
Would you pay for a documentary if you had the choice or watch it for free?
Technology is forcing new business models around filmmaking and other artistic endeavors. Press Pause Play is a documentary film that explores the changing landscape of art within the new digital culture. And the documentary itself is examining new forms of film distribution.
Watch the full documentary here (free version) and join the conversation..
Roy W. Dean Film and Video Grants | Next deadline is April 30th
The Roy W. Dean Spring Film Grant is one of several grant award packages given out each year by Carol Dean and From The Heart Productions. There's a small cash prize and a slew of in-kind donations worth $30,000+. Even if you don't win, this is a great opportunity to get feedback on your documentary film proposal as Carol gives a free 15-minute consultation to everyone who applies!
Instead of starting off with a young healthy person who eats junk food to become unhealthy, this documentary will start off with a 70 year old former US
It's no secret that a great documentary title can help create buzz for your film. Here are a few tips for coming up with a catchy title and also checking legal use.
Fundraising Tools | Documentary Proposal and Budget Templates
Funding is often the biggest hurdle for documentary filmmakers.
Unless you are independently wealthy, you're going to need to convince those with money that your project is worth their support. You may even be trying to convince a top notch film crew to help you make your film.
How do you convince others to join your effort? A big first step is to put together a documentary proposal and budget...
Filming sports and extreme action often requires a high amount of creativity, courage and specialty gear such as mini-video cameras, steadycams, underwater gear and cranes.
Watch this cool trailer about "highlining" and then learn from the filmmaker how he did it.
Is it the script? The impact on society? The entertainment value? Cutting edge effects? Innovative storytelling? Superb journalism. Was it a box office hit? Some or all the above?
Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea | Make A Personalized Video!
If you've waited until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping, here's a quick and meaningful gift idea. Upload your photos and/or video clips to a very cool online editor called Animoto and within minutes you'll have a very cool personalized music video. It's FREE for mini-videos or as little as $3 to burn your video to a DVD. You'll be amazed how easy this is and how awesome your videos will look. Be sure to look for the special holiday-themed templates.
2012 Vimeo Festival + Awards | Submissions Now Open
The Vimeo Festival + Awards is a celebration of the best original videos online. There are 13 categories, including documentary, music video, narrative and experimental. Each category winner receives a $5,000 grant and one overall winner receives a $25,000 grand prize.
In about 3 months I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail. This trail goes from Georgia to Maine which is equivalent to 2,181 miles. I am new to long distance
If you're looking for some fun and creative Christmas gifts to give family and friends, what about a home made video? We did some brainstorming and came up with a fun list of ideas to get you started.
Confessions of a Filmmaking Amateur | My First Documentary
Guest Blog Post: I've been spending the past several months shooting footage for my first documentary at a mental wellness facility in my hometown. I say mental health because that has a more positive connotation than mental illness facility. And that is what it is referred to by the man who....
Documentaries That Change Society | Video Commentary
When you make your documentary, you have the potential to change thousands of lives. Documentaries can be one of the most powerful mediums on the planet.
Film Producer Sharon Reed explains what she likes about documentaries, covering three docs in particular that have made a significant impact on society.
This video is part of a series from the Naked Filmmaker YouTube Channel.
Dec 2, 2011
Best Places To Watch Documentaries Online (And Off)
Ready to watch documentaries online or on television? There are thousands of free documentaries ready to watch right now if you just know where to look.
The Documentary Channel Best of Docs 2011 Kicks Off Tonight | Win Prizes for Watching
Starting tonight at 8pm EST and throughout December, The Documentary Channel will air one new "best of 2011" documentary starting with Oscar nominee "Operation Homecoming." And YOU can win prizes, such as iPads and camcorders, just for watching and voting for your favorites.
Question: I need advice buying a camcorder. I'm going to be doing some interviews that I'd like to video record. Initially they'll appear only on the web,
Looking for funding or distribution for your documentary? The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation based in England has two funding programs for international documentary filmmakers.
Whether you're shopping for yourself or for someone else, here are some fun and practical gifts that every filmmaker would love.
From camcorders to books to Hollywood celebrity gift packs, we did our best to pick a fun variety of items everyone would enjoy no matter their age or filmmaking skill level.
Behind the Scenes with Documentary Filmmaker Kate Schermerhorn
Just one day after Kim Kardashian ended her 72 day long union, documentary filmmaker Kate Schermerhorn released her film "After Happily Ever After", a quirky thought provoking look at modern marriage. It's a great example of a documentary told from a personal point of view.
Go behind the scenes with documentary director Kate Schermerhorn for an insightful Q & A on her filmmaking journey and lessons learned.
Filmmaking Amateur | Odd Two Camera Shoot (Day Fourteen)
I recently shot a couple of interviews for a video segment about Koinonia Farm, a small Christian community in southwest Georgia. This was the first time
Want to hob nob with some of the biggest names in documentary filmmaking? Coming up on December 2nd in Los Angeles is the International Documentary Association's 27th annual fundraising event that celebrates outstanding achievements in documentary filmmaking.
Director Les Blank is set to receive the Career Achievement Award from director Werner Herzog.
Video 101: Interview with Television and Video Producer Lisa Lubin
Lisa Lubin is a three-time Emmy Award winning television writer/producer/editor/video consultant with more than fifteen years of experience. For nearly ten years, Lisa produced an award-winning weekly lifestyles, travel, and entertainment magazine show on ABC Chicago.
We asked Lisa to share a few tips and tricks for video and documentary newbies.
Documentaries are hot and Hollywood is paying attention. On October 26, 2011, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented a panel discussion entitled The Rise of Non-Fiction Movies. Hear from some of the top documentary filmmakers talk about the "new golden age of documentary film".
From The Academy: The Rise of Non-Fiction Movies
Moderated by R.J. Cutler ("The September Issue"). With Amir Bar-Lev ("The Tillman Story"), Davis Guggenheim ("Waiting for 'Superman'"), Lourdes Portillo ("Senorita Extraviada" ("Missing Young Woman")), Ricki Stern ("Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work"), Molly Thompson ("Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer") and Diane Weyermann ("Casino Jack and the United States of Money").
Oct 31, 2011
How do I prepare a sales pitch for a documentary
Question: I want to sell a documentary movie that won awards to Arabic TV stations. How do I present it, what questions should I ask and how much do I
Crowdfunding - with Jennifer Fox and Katherine Nolfi
Jennifer Fox's newest documentary film MY REINCARNATION raised $150,456 via Kickstarter, more than any other completed film in the history of the crowdfunding
This documentary does not want to denigrate the gypsies, romanians or europeans! Just wants to show the truth, reality and differences between romanians,
Just Released! If you're looking to take your documentary filmmaking to the next level and you need a budget, you are in luck! Announcing our brand new Documentary Budgeting E-Guide and Template Pack.
Two FREE budget templates included for a limited time.
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Funding is often the biggest hurdle for documentary filmmakers. 
- One of the top 50 documentaries to see before you die.
Lisa Lubin is a three-time Emmy Award winning television writer/producer/editor/video consultant with more than fifteen years of experience. For nearly ten years, Lisa produced an award-winning weekly lifestyles, travel, and entertainment magazine show on ABC Chicago.
