Down and Dirty DV

As promised just (barely) in time for Halloween...I'm giving away my personal recipe for creating really cheap, easy and realistic bullet hole FX. This is an early sneak preview from the upcoming narrative filmmaking book, "The Down and Dirty DV Filmmaking Guide", dropping from Focal Press next winter. With a little modification, pretty much this same technique can be used to create all kinds of realistic looking wounds...gashes, cuts, open sores, flesh wounds, deep scrapes, festering boils, warts, vampire bites, werewolf wounds, and mongoose scratches...that's all I can think of at the moment, but you can break out the liquid latex and make-up and use your own imagination. Happy Halloween everybody!

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Christine Evangelista for UBATV.com's filmmaking show, "The Reel" - and here it is. You can see more episodes of "The Reel" at UBATV.com.

Digging through the vast D&D vaults (a shelf and bag full of poorly labeled DV tapes) I discovered a long forgotten episode from NAB 2007 that I shot but never got around to editing. There are a few cool tools featured here - The Red One Camera, Losmandy SpiderDolly, and the Wrist Shot amongst others. Enjoy.

In episode # 12, Stacey Parks, author of "The Insiders Guide to Independent Film Distribution" and founder of the indie distribution website, FilmSpecific.com, shares her "4 Key Aspects to a Distributable Film".

Part 2 of 2 2 years ago, I interviewed filmmaker, Pete Chatmon, while he was in the process of raising the money for his first feature film, "Premium". He raised all the money and got his film on Starz and Showtime. Fundraising for a feature film is not just the math of putting together numbers on paper. It's also the business, social and psychological challenges of convincing people (including yourself) that you have a solid plan and the ability to execute that plan to it's fullest possibility. Not only did Pete manage to successfully raise the money for his first feature, "Premium", he got distribution and ended up on Showtime, Starz and with DVD's sold by major retailers. Here are Pete's tips for how you can get your head right to do the same.

Part 1 of 2 2 years ago, I interviewed filmmaker, Pete Chatmon, while he was in the process of raising the money for his first feature film, "Premium". He raised all the money and got his film on Starz and Showtime. Fundraising for a feature film is not just the math of putting together numbers on paper. It's also the business, social and psychological challenges of convincing people (including yourself) that you have a solid plan and the ability to execute that plan to it's fullest possibility. Not only did Pete manage to successfully raise the money for his first feature, "Premium", he got distribution and ended up on Showtime, Starz and with DVD's sold by major retailers. Here are Pete's tips for how you can get your head right to do the same.

Highlights from "The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide" Book Launch / Benefit Party. This benefit provided free copies of the book to 3 different filmmaking non-profits that serve inner-city teens in NYC.

"5 Sound Rules to Live By" - 5-minute teaser video excerpt from the Crazy Phat Bonus DVD which comes FREE with the brand new "Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide" (Focal Press, Sept. 2007). AVAILABLE NOW at DownAndDirtyDV.com and book stores everywhere. "Although it takes years to master the individual elements of the craft, this book is an effective guide to every major concept you would be exposed to in a classroom setting (without the hefty price tag)! I overwhelmingly recommend this text to any aspiring broadcast journalist, documentary maker or film maker...This book is a 10!" -Jessica Creech, Reviewer - Micro Filmmaker Magazine “This ain’t your mama’s film book... In keeping with the dynamic premise, the book has a luxury presentation that makes you feel like a successful filmmaker – or that you soon will be – from the word go... Its 296 pages are chock-a-block with very useful illustrations. But the clincher seem to be the DVD which is all part of the package.” -British Film Magazine

Check out the latest hypest Down and Dirty DV Camera Guide featuring specs, prices, and commentary on some of the hottest DV and HDV cameras on the market. Don't buy or rent a camera without it! Subscribe to the Down and Dirty DV Nation mailing list to receive exclusive FREE updated Camera Guides as soon as they hit the streets. Go to DownAndDirtyDV.com for more FREE pages or to order a copy of the whole book... (277 pages, 200+ illustrations, $24.95) Stay tuned. More video podcasts are on the way! No fluff, no puff, no B.S.... just straight-up practical guerrilla filmmaking knowledge. Who loves you, Baby?... Down and Dirty DV, that's who.

Just in time for the Winter festival season, here is a section from my book, "Down and Dirty DV : Vol. 1 - Documentaries". These are just some tips to help you get the most out your festival experience. Go to DownAndDirtyDV.com for more FREE pages or to order a copy of the whole book... 277 pages of step-by-step tutorials and advice featuring 200+ illustrations, diagrams, and charts! Stay tuned. More video podcasts are on the way! And don't miss our special DV Camera Guide.

In our inaugural video podcast, Oscar-nominated docmaker, Adrian Belic ("Ghenghis Blues", "Beyond the Call"), shares words of wisdom about the intersection of passion and business in guerrilla filmmaking.

In this ENHANCED two-parter I discuss all the many resources out there to help you get started in filmmaking and hone your filmmaking skills. In this second half I discuss tv shows about filmmaking, websites, DVD's, workshops, film school and more.

In this two-parter I discuss all the many resources out there (traditional and new) to help you get started in filmmaking and hone your filmmaking skills. In this first half I discuss some popular film books and talk about documentaries and DVD's about filmmaking.

In pt. 2 of "How to Choose a Camera" I cover other features to look for in a DV camera that you may wish to consider depending on your budget, experience-level and type of shooting. I also discuss buying vs. renting and how to avoid common online scams.

In part 1 of this debut episode I introduce the Down and Dirty DV Project and discuss the main features digital filmmakers should look for when choosing a video camera for purchase or rental.