The Practical Filmmaker

The Practical Filmmaker
  • 5.0 (14)
  • TV & FILM
The Practical Filmmaker

The road to success is rarely a smooth ride. Join us every other Thursday as Tanya Musgrave talks nuts and bolts with industry professionals as they share the steps on how they got their success today.

  1. 12/15/2022

    #70 Becoming Your Own Boss | Steph Cullen

    Leaving the comfort and security of a corporate gig to become your own boss can be frightening. This week we walk with Steph Cullen, freelance filmmaker, on her transition from corporate life to freelancing. In this episode, she talks about creating legal contracts, insurance, and her favorite nonprofit. Listen to hear how Steph has transitioned from corporate life to becoming a freelancer. Key Points: 1:30 - How she got started 3:39 - Why she left the security of her corporate job 8:27 - Creating legal contracts 11:55 - Favorite gear 15:14 - Types of projects she takes on 16:06 - Something going wrong 20:30 - OMG Female Filmmakers 23:02 - Favorite Nonprofit to work with 24:48 - Highlight and lowlight of freelance experience Links: Nick Richey Episode University of Idaho Law Clinic Art List IO Freshbooks Website Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    31 min

  2. 12/01/2022

    #69 Props Fabricator for Film & TV | Eric Anthony

    If you have a passion for metal artwork, you might be interested in becoming a props fabricator. This week Eric Anthony Leong, Props Fabricator, shares how he started in the industry. Eric's film resume includes Black Adam, Till, and Marvel. In this episode he talks about venturing into the industry, working on set, and setting rates. Listen to hear how you can turn your passion for creating metal artwork into a film career. Key points: 1:30 - Becoming a prop fabricator 7:29 - Venturing into the film and television world 11:03 - Getting details on how the props are being used 11:39 - Communicating with different departments 14:10 - Who eats the cost when someone makes a mistake 16:41 - Working on set 20:15 - Union requirements 23:08 - Setting rates 28:30 - Something going wrong with materials 30:10 - What is overlooked 34:32 - Tools of the trade 37:50 - Why he's in the industry 46:06 - Average build time Links: YouTube Facebook Instagram Website Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    51 min
  3. 10 Days until our Virtual Mixer!

    11/18/2022

    10 Days until our Virtual Mixer!

    In 10 days, we'll be having our 2nd annual virtual mixer on the Gather platform! Go to @practicalfilmmaker on insta or thepracticalfilmmaker.com to sign up! Filmmakers/Showcase: -John Quinn - Editor (Horror genre, The Chosen) -Nick Richey - Indie Writer/Director of 1-800-HOT-NITE -Alex Goetz - outdoor filmmaker (NatGeo, BBC) -Nina Vallado - Documentary filmmaker (Student Academy Award finalist) -Theo Brown - Indie Writer/Director - Feature -Lenny Leonardo - Indie Writer/Director - Series -Sydney Tooley - Writer/Director (Sun Moon with Sony Affirm) Giveaways/Prizes include: -1 TB NVMe SSD -$30 Film Tools Gift Card -Gaffe tape galore! -Practical Filmmaker swag! Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    2 min

  4. 11/15/2022

    #68 Skipping Film School Indie Writer/Director | Nick Richey

    Should you skip film school? This week Nick Richey, indie writer & director, shares how he went from an economics major in college to making feature films. In this episode, Nick tells how he skipped film school, making his latest project 1-800-Hot-Nite, and paying himself as a director. Listen to learn if film school is right for you. Key points: 1:24 - How he got started in the industry 6:45 - First feature film 9:25 - No formal education  11:34 - Something going wrong  15:14 - Investing in your career  18:54 - Latest film 1-800-Hot-Nite 23:30 - Favorite day on set 25:23 - What went wrong on set 32:50 - Screening went wrong 34:24 - Creating coming-of-age films 36:32 - Next project 38:28 - Making a distribution deal 48:34 - Paying yourself  54:06 - Favorite gear 57:29 - How to trust your guy on casting Links: Low Low Trailer 1-800-Hot-Nite Trailer Studio Binder Studio Binder YouTube Shot Deck Atlas Lens Twitter Instagram Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    1 hr

  5. 11/03/2022

    #67 Becoming a Freelance Producer | Bryan Fellows

    When starting as a freelance producer, you will make mistakes, and it's okay. This week Bryan Fellows, a freelance producer for Nascar, Nat Geo, and Disney+, shares how he overcame his mistakes from starting out as a freelance producer. In this episode, he talks about his career pivot, getting started in producing commercials, and the tools he uses to streamline his workflow. Listen to avoid easy mistakes when starting out as a freelance producer. Key Points: 1:36 - How he started 4:18 - Wanting to Direct 7:10 - Starting own production company 11:54 - When a project didn't work out 15:01 - Pivot point to producing commercials 27:22 - Getting started into the commercial world 31:37 - Learning on the job 35:12 - New software to help producers 36:48 - Turn around expectations 39:30 - Bidding on a job 42:06 - How to quote for his time 45:41 - Favorite tools Links: Episode 6 Where Spot Video Village Hot Budget Movie Magic Set Hero Studio Binder Frame IO Wrapbook Notion Website Instagram Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    1h 1m

  6. 10/20/2022

    #66 Becoming a Set Designer for TV & Feature Films | Cece Destefano

    If you have a passion for designing and like to manage large projects, becoming a set designer might be for you. This week Cece Destefano, Production Designer, for Alias, Empire, and They/Them, shares how she got started in the industry.  In this episode, she talks about how to get your big break, her favorite gear, and how to get started. Listen to learn how to become a set designer for TV and feature films. Key points: 1:26 - How she got started 6:03 - How to get your big break 11:08 - Big break 19:11 - Set structure for the production designer, set decorating, and art department 23:15 - Favorite set to build for Alias 29:07 - Top 5 resources  32:23 - Favorite gear 38:17 - Pay rate 40:39 - Something going wrong 43:31 - Budgeting for construction costs 47:52 - How to get into the industry Links: IMDB Website Artemis Pro Spectro Bosch Laser Measure  Sun Seeker Scriptation  Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    53 min

  7. 10/06/2022

    #65 Intro to Wardrobe Dept | Ashley Heathcock

    If you love fashion and making films, check out the Wardrobe Department. This week we have Ashley Heathcock to share how she went from working for a local designer in New Orleans to designing costumes for TV shows and movies. In this episode, she talks about how she got started, the rules of the trade, and joining the costume guild. Ashley has worked on Magnum PI, Bright, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Listen to learn how you can turn your love for fashion and filmmaking into a full-time gig. Key points: 00:00 - Intro 2:05 - Getting started 5:49 - Wardrobe Dept terms 7:15 - Modifying and creating pieces 8:46 - What happens to costumes after the shoot 10:27 - Rules of the trade 11:21 - Aging and dyeing process tips 16:34 - Difference between a bad and good job 18:10 - How to get started 21:30 - How early in the process are you brought in 22:12 - Pay rate for costumers 22:44 - Prepping costume truck 26:21 - Expectations for pay 27:55 - What does it take to get into a union 32:38 - Getting started in the union 33:44 - Finding other costume designers 35:04 - Favorite Gear 39:35 - Something going wrong 43:55 - Weaving personality into the design 44:41 - Best places to get materials Links: IMDB Local 478 Union New Orleans Costume Desing Guild Sync on Set Mood Fabrics Connect on Instagram Website Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    51 min

  8. 09/22/2022

    #64 Journey From Filmmaking To Commercial Photography | Lanewood Studio

    What happens when you question your career in film? This week Corey and Emily Critser share their journey of leaving LA for the South East and launching a commercial photography business. In this episode they share what skills transitioned from film to photography, bidding on jobs, and setting their rates. Listen to hear how their risk paid off. Key points: 1:09 - Transitioning from filmmaking to commercial photography 8:37 - Blending and photo and video projects 12:50 - What skills transitioned from film to photography 16:14 - Bidding jobs 22:23 - Working with an agent 26:35 - Setting rates 31:22 - Full-day shoot price range 34:45 - Favorite gear 37:37 - Something going wrong 42:59 - Managing work-life balance Links: Lanewood Studio Instagram Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram Watch more episodes on YouTube Find more filmmaking resources

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The road to success is rarely a smooth ride. Join us every other Thursday as Tanya Musgrave talks nuts and bolts with industry professionals as they share the steps on how they got their success today.

Information

  • Creator
    The Practical Filmmaker
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2022
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Practical Filmmaker
  • Show Website
    The Practical Filmmaker

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