Last year when I listed out a massive 100 Great Resources for Cinematographers, Camera Assistants, and Film Professionals, it was the most comprehensive list I could compile at the time.
I thought for sure that I had exhausted all sources. Well, not quite it seems.
I’ve managed to dip back into the reserves to find 100 more resources for your insatiable consumption. You might want to bookmark this one so you can keep it as a reference.
The list is separated into sections which can be accessed quickly below:
1 – 22: Blogs and Websites
23 – 32: Jobs and Training
33 – 42: Behind the Scenes
43 – 61: Apps and Software
62 – 75: Downloads
76 – 85: Work Forms and Finances
86 – 95: Tools and Gear
96 – 100: Community
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Blogs and Websites
What can I say about Phillip Bloom that hasn’t already been said? He’s a gear head to the max and will write endlessly about the newest tech in filmmaking, but he also understands that those products are tools and the real excitement comes from getting creative with them. This is one of the most glaring omissions from the original list so I’m happy to fix it at the top of this one.
Another hyphenated blogger-filmmaker, Vincent Laforet likes to take his readers on journeys to discover new cameras, tools, and techniques as he unearths them himself. He shares a wealth of information that comes from real-world practical experience and updates with admirable regularity.
An electrician is a juicer in industry lingo and Michael Taylor has earned that title wholeheartedly after his thirty-plus year career. His “Confessions of a Hollywood Juicer” read almost as movies themselves with poignant storytelling and charismatic charm — qualities we all wish the studios Taylor works for would recognize more often.
The dolly grip might be one of the most underrated positions on set so it’s no surprise that “D,” the author of Dollygrippery, is often humble yet always useful. His posts are split between practical advice and interesting stories, both which I find important to read and understand. Dollygrippery opens your eyes to a crew position you rarely give second thought to, but definitely should.
5. Going for Picture/It’s a 1st AD Thing
The first time I contacted 1st Assistant Director Michelle of this site, I had to stop myself from gushing too much about her stellar blog. I didn’t want her to think I was a groupie or anything — even if I was! The result ended up being a guest post I wrote for her site, but strip that away and there’s still tons of cool stories, pictures, and great articles up there. If you’re a producer, please give her a job so she can have more material to post with!
“Assistant Director” is a more descriptive title than you’d think for this blog. If you’re uninterested in the chaotic workings of the production team, don’t even bother reading. But if that fast-paced and (sometimes) brutal world excites you, dive into it head on and you won’t be disappointed.
7. Anonymous Production Assistant
Though the original writer has long since retired from the Anonymous PA blog, their feisty spirit in the ruthless film production world lives on through the snarky articles, blunt advice, and peeved annoyances that make up the articles on the site — and the successor of it. When I was first starting out in the industry, I latched onto this site like a leech and was fascinated by the crazy world with which I wanted to pursue a career.
“…because art direction matters,” is the tagline of Art Departmental and the greatest reason you should start reading this site. It’s chock full of interviews, case studies (called “production design porn”), and generic industry advice. But you don’t need me to tell you that — once you go visit and see the pretty pictures yourself, you’ll get sucked in.
Wide Open Camera covers a little bit of everything: editing, camera, producing and gear. If you can’t find an article you like in one category, there’s bound to be one you do in another. I like WOC because they try to cover topics no one else seems to think about. Exhibit A: How to Pack Your Video Gear for Travel on the Cheap
10. Gaffer’s Unite
It hasn’t been updated since July, but the articles sitting dormant on Gaffer’s Unite are ripe for the picking. The posts have the kind of inside access into the world of gaffing that only someone who has been there and back could provide.
11. John August
I don’t care what job you do on set now, you most likely got into this industry because you care about stories. And even though John August is a screenwriter, his musings on story and the industry as a whole are applicable to anybody that’s tried to scratch the creative itch.
12. Mikejones.tv
On the sidebar of his site, Mike Jones’ bio states, “All opinions on this site are those of Mike Jones…” And that’s just the way I like it. His opinion is exactly why I like to read his articles. In particular, when he gets in your face about things — like being an amateur — is when he’s at his best.
13. Filmmaker IQ
After stumbling across Filmmaker IQ, I was admittedly skeptical. I couldn’t figure out who wrote it. Then I found out it’s a community driven site with multiple writers and I accepted it. Not all of the posts are home-runs, but many are and there’s tons of “popcorn content” — heavy on flavor, light on nutrition.
So maybe their website could go for a facelift, but their advice is more useful now than it was ever before. With even further democratization of cinematic tools, every day we march further into the future and the DIY attitude that Microfilmmaker embodies and emboldens is indispensable.
15. the C47
Like its namesake, theC47 is dependable. Unlike its namesake, its not disposable. Founded by Jem Schofield, the website features a daily video update to satisfy your needs for learning about film production.
16. Matthew Duclos’ Circle of Confusion
No it’s not the title of an off-strip Las Vegas magic show, it’s a website run by Matthew Duclos and oozes with his passion for lenses and lens optics. Boring to you maybe, but exciting to those of us who understand that a great lens can pay-off visually as much, if not more, than a great camera.
17. Steadi3D
I want to thank Pedro Guimaraes for tweeting me (@evan3168) his website and opening my eyes further to the expanding world of 3D production. As a cameraman, Steadicam Op, and Stereographer, he has a unique skillset and knowledge to share. Having never worked on a 3D production, I was drawn to Pedro’s workflow and behind the scenes affairs.
18. NextWaveDV
Do you wake up every morning hoping for a magical 4K Canon DSLR camera to be released for $200? Do you wear a RED hat? Or do you simply love filmmaking equipment? Then check out NextWaveDV who cover more cameras, rigs, accessories, and software than I even knew existed. A great resource for gearheads.
19. Quantel Blog
Quantel is the company behind the great ARRI Digital Factbook and their blog is just as substantial of a resource. I also love how they pick a theme for each month and explore that in their articles (for example, this month is “Emerging Talent”) with considerable care and quality.
20. The 99 Percent
In existence long before Occupy Wall Street became synonymous with the name, The 99 Percent is a blog for creatives, freelancers, and people who think big. It’s a constant source of inspiration, motivation, and practical consideration when it comes to tackling projects, big and small.
21. Freelance Folder
Though freelancers come in many shapes and sizes throughout a variety of industries, the mentality behind the independent spirit rings true through them all. Freelance Folder is a site that covers the obstacles you encounter as a freelancer and offers advice on how to burst through them. Not every article is applicable to film crew freelancers, but many are.
22. Freelance Switch
Freelance Switch is another website based around freeing yourself from the shackles of a 9-5 and its unique focus around enabling you to switch into that lifestyle has landed it a spot here. It’s also been a great resource for me as I try to figure out the etiquette in invoicing, establishing a rate, and maintaining paperwork — the boring side of freelancing.
Jobs and Training
Variety is the ultimate trade magazine of the film industry or, more specifically, Hollywood. So if you’re looking to break into that slice of the movie pie, Variety’s Media Careers job search is a good place to start. With all the respect the magazine itself brings, you can rest assured you’re not getting screwed over like on Craigslist.
24. Reel Clever
Reel Clever brings a unique approach to the realm of industry jobs. Not only can you promote yourself or look for work, but manage projects and promote your films as well. In short, it’s an all-inclusive filmmaking free-for-all — in a good way.
25. Actors and Crew
Another site that combines a social element to the job-seeking world, Actors and Crew is a platform to connect, network, and get hired for productions. As its name suggests, it’s targeted towards anyone with business on a film set whether in front of the camera, behind it, above or below the line.
26. iCrewz
Any crew site that actually lists “Camera Assistant” as a job title earns a special place in my heart — and iCrewz does exactly that. That’s important because it means iCrewz actually understands how crew are structured and how they work together. Unfortunately, I find their Flash-based interface slow and jumbled on my Mac, but if you look past that there is probably a job waiting for you.
27. Crew Net
Crew Net isn’t going to win any design awards anytime soon, but that’s OK because it’s functional. As a job-seeker, you create a profile — complete with demo reel — and can search posted jobs or be found by employers searching for crew. It’s free for a basic membership, so even if you only get one job out of it, it could be worth your time.
28. Media Match
I like what Media Match has to offer freelancers — a no-hassle search form and the opportunity to connect with other crew. There’s even a forum to discuss day rates for your position.
Those of you living on the West Coast of the USA near the moviemaking capital of Hollywood should pay attention to this one. It’s job listings are skewed towards your locale and the long list of internships provides great opportunities to get your foot in the door and start establishing a career.
The best way to learn about camera assisting is to start working as a camera assistant. The second best way to learn is to take a class taught by a top-notch camera assistant — like Doug Hart. Every summer Hart teaches a unique class for “Film and Digital Camera Assistants” at the Maine Media College.
AbelCine is not only a well-respected rental house, but a great place to receive specialized filmmaking training. I first became aware of their classes when I thought about becoming Phantom camera certified and have been amazed by the wide variety of courses they offer. If you’re looking to get a crash course in anything, keep an eye on their calendar.
32. REDucation
Fairly obvious by its name, REDucation are classes taught by RED Digital Cinema about their cameras. The classes cover production, workflow, and even cinematography basics. I have no personal experience with them and so my concern is their potential inability to be honest about the shortcomings of their own cameras — but you can always learn that on Day 1, right?
Behind the Scenes
33. Making Of
I’ve featured a video from Making Of (Sterling Wiggins, 2nd AC) on The Black and Blue before. The site, formed by Natalie Portman, is an entire library of behind-the-scenes goodies. And not just the normal fluff. Making Of actually interviews gaffers, grips, best boys, and tries to find the real work being done to make movies — or at least the work you rarely get to see.
Kodak tries very hard to remind us film is not dying. In doing so, they’ve gotten in touch with some of the biggest names to have “ASC” attached at the end of them — Michael Goi, Shane Hurlbut — as well as names that need no introduction — Christopher Nolan, Matthew Wiener — and asked them questions. Their answers are both revealing and informative.
35. Steve Johnson FX on YouTube
When I discovered that practical FX wizard Steve Johnson (Ghostsbusters, The Abyss, Spiderman 2) was spilling his treasure chest of secrets on YouTube, I was glued to my screen for hours. He tells stories, gives advice, and shows exclusive behind-the-scenes videos from some of the biggest blockbusters of our time.
36. The Hobbit Blog
Peter Jackson is famous for his revealing production diaries. They are one of the reasons Lord of the Rings fans soaked up the extended editions of the movies. I was one of those fans. Now I’m happy to see new videos for The Hobbit as Jackson and crew wrangle dwarfs, wizards, and Gollum with a cavalry of RED Epic’s.
37. Film Riot
Ryan Connolly hosts Film Riot, a surprisingly entertaining yet extremely informative take on DIY filmmaking. In the few episodes I watched before writing this, there were some great sketches with some effect in it that Ryan then teaches you how to replicate. You definitely need to go through the backlog here as there’s tons of info to absorb.
38. Joe Carabeo & Astray Productions
Astray Productions is run by Joe Carabeo and provides an inside look at his various projects. As a filmmaker, Joe is talented. As a crew member, he is gracious, helpful, and funny. I know this because I’ve worked with him. He also has a great weekly podcast you should check out.
39. SoundWorks Collection Film Sound Profiles
“The sound guy is like the bassist in a band,” a film professor once told me, “nobody wants to be one, but everybody needs a good one.” Encapsulated in that sentence is the thought that sound somehow plays second fiddle to visuals, but audio is much more important than we willingly give credit. Watching the SoundWorks film sound profiles on movies like Tron: Legacy, Drive, and Cars 2 only further cement that truth.
40. TED Talks on Film and Entertainment
If you don’t already know what TED is, you’re about to get sucked into a black hole of fascination. TED is an institute that hosts speakers who give presentations on a variety of subjects, including filmmaking. Start with “J.J. Abrams’ Mystery Box” then try not to watch everything that intrigues you — don’t say I didn’t warn you!
41. Charlie Rose
I find Charlie Rose to be, at times, abrasive and arrogant, but he still lands some of the biggest names in entertainment for interviews. John Lasseter, Ben Stiller, Michael Caine — they’re all up there ready for you to watch and find out their secrets.
42. Netflix
Bitch and moan all you want about the price hikes, but Netflix is still one of the greatest things to happen to cinephiles. Having access to thousands of hours of movies has never been easier than it is today. Watch, study, learn, rinse, repeat.
Apps and Software
43. Perian
For anybody running Mac OS X, Perian is a must-have. It provides QuickTime support for a number of essential video codecs that don’t come standard such as Flash and WMV. And it’s free.
44. Combined Community Codec Pack
As a Windows alternative to Perian, there is the Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) which also provides supports for a bunch of non-native video codecs for Windows users. CCCP is also free.
45. VideoLAN (VLC)
VLC is the most versatile media player I know of. With Perian installed, Quicktime can handle most video formats/codecs, but you’ll occasionally encounter some weird file type and be thankful you have VLC to play it.
The AJA DataRate Calculator is exactly what its name suggests — a program that helps you figure out data rates, consumption, and storage needs for your digital cinema workflow. The desktop version works the same as the iOS counterpart, but is good to have anyway just in case.
47. REDCINE-X
RED software has always been a necessary evil for me, but if you plan on working with RED footage at all — even as a camera assistant — REDCINE-X is required to properly check the integrity of your R3D files. The program does more, of course, and I suggest you read Ryan Koo’s tutorial on color grading with REDCINE-X as a start.
For a more robust color grading, there is DaVinci Resolve. Or if you’re not privy to a $995 price-tag, there’s DaVinci Resolve Lite — a similarly powerful free version of Black Magic Design’s software. Just recently they’ve lifted a lot of restrictions on what the Lite version is capable of which makes it an even more wonderful program for extremely cheap.
49. Automatic Duck
Transporting cuts, meta-data, and other editing info across programs has always been fickle. Even XML import/export can be tricky depending on the program. Automatic Duck has long provided solutions for editors looking to transfer between Final Cut Pro 7 and various other programs — now they’re giving the plug-ins away for free. For how long is uncertain, so grab them now while you still can!
50. FCS Remover
Completely clean removal of Mac OS X programs has always required a third-party solution. But even those can be unreliable when it comes to first-party software. FCS Remover is the best tool for uninstalling or repairing Final Cut system files. I even used it to remove only the serial number so I could input a different one instead.
51. ShotPut Pro
I’ve worked with and heard from tons of people who swear by ShotPut Pro, a program that transfers your footage to hard drives and performs checksums on it. At $99 it’s no impulse buy, but the price tag might be minimal compared to the excruciating pain of losing an entire day’s worth of footage.
52. R3D Data Manager
R3D Data Manager works much in the same way as ShotPut Pro, but specializes in RED camera footage. From my review on it: “For the DIT and data loaders out there, the program is good to have in your arsenal, especially if you can justify the cost against your earnings. But if you’re tight on a budget and could use the money elsewhere in your production, put it there.”
Having never personally used Al3xa Data Manager, I can’t be certain, but I’m going to assume it operates very similarly to R3D Data Manager. In that case, my opinion remains the same: if you can afford it and are willing to pay for the peace of mind it provides, then get it.
54. ARRI Alexa Camera Simulator
The ARRI Alexa Camera Simulator might be the coolest thing on this list. It allows you to mess with the menus, buttons, and settings of the Alexa as if you had one in front of you. It looks beautiful on a computer, but is best used on an iPad and is perfect to practice with when you’re about to embark on a film shooting Alexa.
Knowing the basics of cinematography and the mechanics of a camera is crucial if you crew near the lens. The DSLR Camera Simulator gives you an environment to test out shutter speeds, f-stops, ISO, and other settings to see how the image changes without having to pony up the money to buy a camera yourself. It’s also just fun to play with when you’re bored!
56. Kodak Interactive Lighting Demonstrations
Some of the most useful knowledge I’ve gleaned on set has come from watching others light. With 360-degree images, Kodak gives us a glimpse of how professional cinematographers are lighting actual scenes. The images are even labeled with the type of lights used and the footcandles the subjects read at.
Nothing fancy here, just another data/storage calculator for digital systems. Except that this particular calculator is a web-app so it can be accessed from any device connected to the web without having to download anything.
Another web-app, Power Load Calculator is geared towards juicers and best-boys who need help crunching the numbers on how many amps, watts, and lights they can run on a circuit.
59. Sunrise/Sunset
We’ve all had those shoot days where the call-time said one thing, but you knew the real shooting time was as long as the sun stayed in the sky. Sunrise/Sunset is a nifty web-app that tells you exactly when you can expect the first AD to start getting on your ass to roll camera (and when they’ll call wrap, too).
Celluloid is still running through the cameras of many sets leaving 2nd AC’s to figure out how many feet have run through the gate. As a web-app, the Film Rate Calculator is convenient and simple. No frills and no hassle.
61. Useful Cinematography iPhone Apps
Over 500,000 different apps have been downloaded more than 18 billion times in Apple’s iPhone/iPad App Store. Here is a series of posts I wrote with the best and most useful cinematography apps. Even if you think you have all the apps you could need on your iPhone, you may find one or two here that makes life on set easier, so check them out.
Downloads
The DSLR Cinematography Guide is one reason Ryan Koo’s NoFilmSchool is a go-to filmmaking resource. And for good reason: the massively informative guide is not only free, but available online or as a beautifully designed PDF.
The default look profiles for Canon DSLR’s aren’t the best — they’re over-saturated, high-contrast, and give humans a pink glow. But once you install Technicolor’s CineStyle look profile, you’re able to shoot a flatter image which gives you more flexibility to color correct in post-production. A must-download for Canon DSLR owners.
64. Magic Lantern DSLR Firmware
Though I have never tampered with the firmware of my own Canon T3i
65. O’Connor Labs
Over at the “labs” website of O’Connor — famous for their camera support heads — you can download diagrams, schematics, and other technical information about cameras and camera accessories. Not everything there is essential knowledge, but a lot of it is good information for camera assistants to at least be aware of.
66. Kodak Film Packaging Components Diagram (PDF Link)
I absolutely love this little PDF document Kodak threw together and put on their website. In very simple graphics it explains how to read a film can, the difference in film formats, and info about perfs, cores, and winding. If you’re looking to start loading film (or get better at it), then print this out and sleep with it under your pillow.
67. David Elkins’ Film Magazine Threading Diagrams
Another great resource for loaders are the threading diagrams David Elkins makes available on his website. Just about every major film camera is up there with pictures of threading, feed, and take-up.
68. Panavision Technical References
There are too many references Panavision offers for me to pick any one to list it here. From manuals and quick start guides to charts to reports on such things as “The Art of Light,” Panavision provides it all. It’s a list about as comprehensive as the one you’re reading right now.
69. Kodak Tools for Students & Educators
Technically we’re all “students” in the film industry. To say otherwise would be ignorant. But that’s beside the point. If you’re looking to get a basic overview of color, cinematography, and filmmaking, then this is your one stop shop. Likewise if you are trying to teach or mentor about the subject, Kodak’s got you covered too.
When I was doing prep-work as 1st AC on a RED shoot, I went ahead and created RED specific camera reports from a variety of different types of camera reports I had seen. The result was a template that enabled easy marking of traditional notes (lens, f-stop, etc.) as well as RED-specific meta-data.
The RED One Pocket Guide is a downloadable PDF designed to put the most important information into your pocket for quick and easy reference so you can work faster and better with the RED One digital cinema camera. Created by yours truly, it really is useful and valuable to have on set. It’s even available in a mobile format.
The RED Epic Pocket Guide is an essential roadmap for those who want to get past the burden of the technology and get straight to making great films. Whether you work at a rental house and slip the guide in your Epic packages for clients or are a film school student who wants to learn more about professional digital cinema, the RED Epic Pocket Guide helps you understand the camera so you are comfortable with it on set.
When I released this pocket guide for ARRI Alexa, it was downloaded over 1,000 times in 24 hours! People loved it. Like the two RED guides mentioned above, the ARRI Alexa Pocket Guide is a downloadable PDF designed to help you operate the Alexa with ease.
74. ARRI Alexa Pocket Guide (from ARRI – PDF Link)
Unbeknownst to me until I made my own, ARRI Group CSC already had their own ARRI Alexa Pocket Guide. However, mine and theirs are quite different. Whereas mine fits on one page, theirs is a flip-book of multiple pages. It is still insanely valuable, however, and I suggest Alexa users download a copy immediately.
75. ARRI Look Creator for Alexa
One of the major features ARRI recently released for the Alexa is the ability to create looks on your computer and apply them to the camera during shooting. This allows cinematographers to deliver a closer-to-finished image to the editor before settling in with a colorist to hammer it out. It’s also great for shutting up nosy producers or crew who might ask, “Why’s this look so flat?” when staring at a monitor on set.
Work Forms and Finances
76. David Elkins’ Production Forms
Having the right paperwork is half the battle of staying organized in the camera department. Deal memos, equipment checklists, camera reports, and even film can labels — David Elkins provides a plethora of amazing forms for you to use and exploit.
One question I get asked quite a bit is, “What’s a decent day rate for a [crew position]?” The answer is almost always circumstantial and dependent on a number of factors including budget, position, and your experience. These results from a day-rate survey a few years ago, however, might give you a good starting point for what’s fair.
78. UK Film Crew Day Rates (2009 – PDF Link)
Here is another day-rate survey, but for the UK market. Using these numbers, pick something that seems fair and adjust accordingly to what producers are willing to shell out.
79. Box/Kit/Equipment Rental Inventory Form
How I wish I got to use this particular form more. I am rarely given an equipment rental these days, but when you are, it’s best to itemize what you are bringing to the production both for their records and for yours.
Paul Harrill, the author of Self-Reliant film, was a professor of mine in college, so I was lucky enough to hear his tax tips for filmmakers in person. I can tell you confidently they are sound and wise approaches to dealing with finances — something few filmmakers and freelancers think about until they’re knee deep in it.
Money won’t come to you if you don’t invoice and request for it. Having an invoice template that’s easy to fill out makes you more agile to respond to your invoicing needs. It seems silly, but there are times you will procrastinate to send for money — trust me, I know.
82. Freshbooks
If you want an even easier way to invoice, check out Freshbooks. They allow you to send traditional mail or e-mail invoices and even give the person your invoicing the option to pay instantly via PayPal. While 3 clients/month is free, $20/month is the cost to have up to 25 different clients — but if you’re really sending that many invoices, the cost will justify itself.
83. Mint.com
Mint.com is a personal finance tracking application. You can access it on your computer or on their various mobile apps. I just started using it a month or so ago and love it. It consolidates all of my accounts into one monthly sum, organizes my expenses into categories, and lets me budget money for the future. Part of the struggle of freelancing is being your own accountant and Mint.com is a big help in that regard.
84. Resume Advice from The Anonymous PA
Originally this section was going to be “Resume Templates,” but Googling around churned up only awful looking resumes. So instead of looking for how job sites think you should craft your resume, take advice directly from someone working within a production office who knows what works and what doesn’t.
85. Forms and Paperwork from Dependent Films
A comprehensive list of filmmaking paperwork. The titles speak for themselves — storyboard templates, continuity logs. They may not all be useful for those in the camera department, but for those times when you put on your producing hat, they may come in handy.
Tools and Gear
86. Amazon
OK, so Amazon isn’t strictly a filmmaking gear seller. And it doesn’t always have the specific items you want. But it does have some of the best prices and fastest shipping. Plus, if you buy from this link above, a small portion of your purchase helps pay for the hosting and other expenses of The Black and Blue!
87. Adorama Camera
I’ve had great experiences with Adorama Camera in the past few years when ordering tiny items like step-up rings or lens tissue. They offer a wide selection of gear at generally low prices and sometimes the cheapest. If you’re shopping for the best bargains, check Adorama before you go ahead with your purchase.
Located a stone’s throw from me in Washington D.C., Barbizon is one of the largest retailers of expendables and other film gear on the East coast. You won’t get FilmTools pricing here — as I’ve demonstrated before — but you will get the same stuff at a reasonable cost without having to ship cross-country.
89. The Rag Place
This one’s for the grips: Hollywood’s Premiere Source for Motion Picture Fabrics. The Rag Place sells diffusion, crates, flags, nets, and whatever else you might use to cut, shape, and block light.
90. Cam Cushions
When you spend all day pressing your eye onto a camera’s viewfinder, you’re not exactly living in the lap of luxury. It’s easy for the viewfinder to become sweaty, dirty, and possibly spread an eye disease. That’s why you want to cover it with a special type of eye cushion called an eyepiece chamois.
91. Storage Review
Hard drives are quickly becoming the film negatives of our movies. That’s a scary thought to many because, well, hard drives can be unreliable and fail. Storage Review helps to curb some of those fears at least a little bit by informing you of the most dependable hard drives on the market.
92. DIY Projects for Camera Assistants
What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is, I bet you have time for one of these DIY projects. Do-it-yourself isn’t always about pinching pennies and saving a few bucks, sometimes it’s about making good use of your free time and building a custom tool.
93. Pelican Cases
Like them or not, Pelican Cases are a staple of film gear. Rental houses all over the world take advantage of their sturdy toughness. Whether you’ve got your own camera you rent out or you want an empty case for emergencies, Pelican provides a light-weight solution.
94. Anvil Cases
The other major casemaker is Anvil Cases. For lenses, I love these bad boys. Anvil Cases look and feel like they could survive a Drone attack. They’re even tougher than Pelican Cases. The price for that durability, however, is weight — they’re incredibly heavy.
95. CineGear Expo
Once a year in Los Angeles and again in New York, there is a magical holiday for cinematographers, camera assistants, and filmmakers obsessed with film equipment: CineGear Expo. All the major manufacturers come out to set up booths and show off new light boxes, follow focus’, or handheld rigs — and more, of course.
Community
Friends of the ASC is a program started by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) to create an atmosphere of mentorship between experienced cinematographers and those who want to learn the craft. It costs money ($100) but you get exclusive access to online content, an ASC mag subscription, and invitations to special events.
97. Reddit
As a place to find cool articles, Reddit is top-notch, but where the site truly shines is its sense of community amongst its users. The site is divided into “sub-reddits,” which are mini-communities focused on specific topics. Subreddits like /r/filmmakers, /r/wearethefilmmakers, and /r/filmmaking are good places to interact with other film fanatics.
Adam Cohen has been spearheading an active filmmaking community on Google’s social network, Google Plus. His efforts are culminating in the Unofficial Google+ Film Festival which you are welcome to participate in. Also circle up with Adam to get info on Hangouts with others in the film community.
From P2 to DSLR, NLE’s and VFX, the DV Info Net Forum has all your acronyms covered when it comes to community discussion. It’s lively and thriving, which is rare for some of the older forums.
100. Other Crew
By far the greatest resource that is available to working film professionals is their colleagues and other crew. Crew have the best advice, the greatest techniques, and all sorts of secrets that they’ll reveal, especially if you’re working for them. Do not alienate those you work with and they will undoubtedly pay off your kindness in spades through recommendations, advice and genuine friendship. I ended the last list with this resource and I end this one with it too because I truly believe in the value of people in the film industry.
Hey, Did You Bookmark This Yet?
Or did you just scroll all the way down here?
Don’t worry — I’m not here to judge. If you actually read every single word in this article and ended up here, well then bravo! For most of us, however, there’s just too much to consume in one sitting.
That’s why I urge you to bookmark this page so you can reference it whenever you get the craving to learn.
Whenever you have downtime, instead of checking Facebook (again) or staring at your screen, pick something on this list and make use of your time!
Oh — I almost forgot, there’s another 200 resources I’ve put together that you should check out, too:
I’d also love if you please shared this around so others can benefit from the valuable resources via the social buttons below.