Toolbox
Based in the heart of London, Raindance has a huge selection of resources for indie filmmakers and is our recommended Toolbox site. Founded by Canadian, Elliot Grove, in 1992 it is dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film in the UK and around the world and combines its annual Raindance Film Festival with the prestigious British Independent Film Awards and Raindance.tv plus a wide range of training courses.
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We do the surfing, so you don’t have to!
The MiShorts team have trawled the net to create this toolbox of links to shorts-related websites. As it is intended for filmmakers of all experience levels, some of the links will be obvious, but we've tried to dig deeper than most of you probably have time for and hope there will be a few surprises for even the most hard-bitten professionals.
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This list is only the beginning, so suggestions for additional websites and/or categories, no matter how left-field, are welcome.
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Films About Filmmaking
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Learn about low-budget film production with this excellent on-line series from Parkes Productions.
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| Episode 1 intro, story, characters |
| Episode 2 casting, auditions |
| Episode 3 wardrobe, rehearsals, call sheets |
| Episode 4 camera, sound, lights |
| Episode 5 night shoots, filming in rain, catering |
| Episode 6 editing workflow, music |
| Episode 7 CG effects, clearances |
| Episode 8 the trailer |
| Bonus Episode bloopers |
Community Sites
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Ask questions about filmmaking, find cast and crew, promote your film(s), advertise services, events, etc.
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| Shooting People The biggest and best UK filmmaker site, despite concerns about its increasingly commercial approach. Masses of useful information and nine bulletins to post in, including two for US filmmakers. Annual subscription: £30 |
| Talent Circle Not as comprehensive as Shooting People, but still has lots of useful information and a full menu of bulletins. Free to join. |
| Studentfilms.com US student version of Shooting People with huge forum section and eye-watering black/ blue colour scheme. |
| Film Shed Newish site with the usual forum, blog, event listings plus an interesting new projects section. |
| DFG Website of the Documentary Filmmakers Group: 'the home of British Documentary' |
| Digital Director Large forum-based site aimed mainly at video/films editors. |
| METTA MEDIA Indian-based network of filmmakers and artists, offering their talents and work as 'gifts to the world'. |
| Filmmaker.com Large US site for mainly West Coast indie filmmakers, featuring a chat room and LA Survival Guide. |
| Shout New south-east based site with upload facility for members films and showreels. |
| OTTfilms Website of this established and successful collective of filmmakers who help each other make films. |
| CG Society Slick, US film-related forum site with lots of extra features. |
| BBC Film Network This one's got the lot, including the excellent Filmmaking Guide. |
| Documentary.org Website of the International Documentary Association with lots of clips from new films and a community area. |
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Directories
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Websites containing lists of filmmaking sites
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Equipment Reviews
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These sites have been selected mainly because they have been created by enthusiasts and are mainly not-for-profit, so more likely to publish impartial reviews
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Festivals
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Sites providing links to UK and international short film festivals and feature festivals with a shorts section
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Miscellaneous
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A far from definitive list of broadcasters, UK/international film bodies and mavericks. Suggestions for additional sites welcome.
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Services
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Sites providing advice, guidance and services for indie filmmakers.
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| DVD DeMystified Everything you wanted to know about the DVD format, but were too afraid to ask. Coming soon...Blu-ray Demystified! |
| DVD Format Everything you wanted to know about the DVD format, but were too afraid to ask. Coming soon...Blu-ray Demystified! |
| Getting Paid Interesting list of sites that offer cash to filmmakers and independent video producers for their work. Needs updating. |
| Film Education UK site providing information on a wide range of free resources, courses and conferences, services and screening events, mainly for teachers. |
| Short Film Funding Guide Mixed bag of links still in development with a strong funding bias. Some links are obvious, but others are highly imaginative. Make sure you scroll down to the sample funding package for 'Melodie En Sous-Sol', a French documentary project. |
| Film-trader.com Broadcasting and media industry one-stop-shop for new and used equipment classifieds. |
| Screening Room Map Great site for anyone looking to hire a screening room, preview theatre or cinema in London. |
Students
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Resources and Information for people looking to learn more
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| Reel Show International Italian site run by an English filmmaker that shows graduation films and portfolios of film students from all over the globe. |
| NAHEMI National body representing the majority of UK films schools, who promote UK student films nationally and internationally. |
| Arts and Humanities Large database of UK film studies resources selected and evaluated by subject specialists for lecturers, researchers and students. |
| Screen Site US version of the Intute site designed principally for educators, students, and researchers of film, TV and new media. |
| Young Filmmakers Great site for young filmmakers of all ages. |
| Courses Useful list of film courses to suit everyone, from people wanting a formal qualification or just a weekend workshop. |
| Filmmaker's Toolkit Handy UK site for film students and teachers. |
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