By Victoria Buchy from Velvet Icons Productions
We’ve selected a handful of blogs and podcasts from around the web that cover a broad base of filmmaking information. These sources focus on different areas of the business for writers, directors, producers, crew, actors and general filmmaking enthusiasts.
Blogs
The Independent Film School - https://theindependentfilmschool.com
Indie filmmaker and writing coach Ela Thier is committed to your creative breakthroughs and success! Writers will appreciate her supportive approach to unleashing your best writing. Low-budget directors and producers will benefit from her can-do-attitude when it comes to making your first film and understanding storytelling to the fullest. Ela offers a number of free webinars and is available for courses and private coaching.
Mediaversity Reviews - https://www.mediaversityreviews.com/blog
Mediaversity is challenging the status quo by focusing on diversity in the film industry. The blog includes original research, infographics, and ‘Best Of’ lists highlighting the successes and pitfalls in Hollywood releases, indie films and the film festival circuit. Their annual lists and regular reviews are a great way to discover stories from diverse voices.
No Film School - https://nofilmschool.com/topics
No Film School is a classic online indie filmmaking resource. The site covers a wide range of topics from scriptwriting to the tech product announcements. Their film discussion Boards are also a great resource for the latest conversations taking place amongst indie filmmakers. You can start a discussion of your own or participate by signing up for a free account.
Playback - https://playbackonline.ca/
Everyone in the Canadian industry should know about Playback trade magazine and website for staying up to date with trends, news and announcements specific to the Canadian sector. If you’d like to do more than scan the newsletter headlines, you can subscribe for a reasonable monthly or annual fee for in-depth industry news and job listings.
Raindance https://www.raindance.org/
Raindance is an international resource for independent filmmakers. There are not only local chapters (London, Toronto, LA, Vancouver, etc) that offer courses and workshops for your career and creative development, but you can also follow the organization’s signature film festival. You’ll find many remote resources here including mentorship and online courses.
Studio Binder - https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/
Studio Binder, a popular production software, has a blog that will have you well-informed on all aspects of filmmaking, from the most basic to the more advanced. There are no silly questions here! Not sure what a Line Producer does? Wondering what a Dutch angle is? Studio Binder has a wealth of detailed answers for you, often with helpful and professionally-made videos.
Podcasts
No time to read the Internet? Stay informed on your daily walk or when cooking dinner with some of this essential filmmaking listening.
The Business with Kim Masters https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business
Savvy host and journalist Kim Masters is on top of the latest Hollywood news and industry trends that are affecting the business at large. You’ll enjoy her smart, in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors on their most recent projects and various topics of concern in filmmaking today. There’s also always a bit of juicy banter with long-time friend and colleague, former editor of The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Belloni.
Firecracker Department https://www.firecrackerdepartment.com/
Host and creator Naomi Snieckus says it best: “The Firecracker Department has become more than just a podcast! It is a place for women and non-binary artists to come together as a creative community and be heard, seen, supported and empowered to honour their most creative self and to take action!” In addition to the podcast with Canadian writers, directors, producers and actors, you can catch Sunday Sparkcasts on Firecracker’s Instagram, a monthly online script reading session, and most recently, an online program for budding filmmakers under the age of 15.
Scriptnotes with John August & Craig Mazin https://johnaugust.com/scriptnotes
Are you into the nitty gritty of screenplay writing and the writer’s life? John and Craig reveal all in their widely-popular screenwriting podcast that also dips into production and current affairs in filmmaking. John and Craig, both experienced and credited writers in feature films and television take an honest approach to the realities of the writing craft as well as the successes and shortcomings of working in the entertainment industry.
Women on Screen Out Loud - https://www.womenonscreen.ca/wosoutloud
Women on Screen, founded by Lauren Mackinlay, Farah Merani and Ciara Murphy has brought its commitment to dynamic and inclusive representation of women in film and television to the podcast world. These podcasts are uniquely formatted, combining readings of personal essays from influential women in the industry with a brief interview discussion. Hosted by Lara Jean Chorostecki & Jennifer Pogue, you’ll meet a wide-range of creatives from the Canadian industry and explore their perspectives.
Meet Victoria (who I met on a wonderful short film, SNOWBIRD, made during InsideOut Mentorship Program):
Victoria is a seasoned executive who is addicted to organizing creative chaos. She draws her expertise from more than a decade of leadership roles in the non-profit and performing arts sectors. She began her career managing sales campaigns for Canada’s largest theatre producer, Mirvish Productions. As the Director of Operations at The Glenn Gould Foundation, she produced complex live events for numerous Glenn Gould Prizes. Victoria later served as Executive Director at the Toronto Children’s Chorus, an internationally-renowned choral program where she managed business operations and directed multiple international tours.
Victoria is also a film and television script supervisor who trained with respected industry veteran, Daniela Saioni. Victoria enjoys the technical details of being a “scripty” and the opportunity to work closely with directors on the magic of visual storytelling.