Filmmaking / Directing

It’s not about how much you spend — it’s about how cleverly you create. Some of the most believable worlds are built with imagination, not money.

Here are a few ways to make your sets cinematic, even on a tight budget:

1. Repurpose Materials: Use existing items creatively.

2. Focus on Key Details: Hig...

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I went to see this film and it is not my style of writing. But seeing it and others during the film Festival did something. It got me and gets me out of my comfort shell. I also helps me see other films that traveled across the world in the Indie world. But I am writing for TV only or a different genre. So, how can it help me in a place like Kansas or Kitchener Ontario or even Tokyo to know about a Belgium film filmed in London or got London financing and filmed in Belgium and India and banked a major star to play the lead? Well it matters to help you understand how the business works outside your bubble of knowledge and writing style. Meeting other filmmakers helps you create more, be influenced and helps you expand your writing style in ways, shapes and forms you might not have expected. I humble met actor after actor of films and projects I hadn't heard of. I met filmmakers of the projects that are getting seen in other countries and shot in others as well. I got to sit in on hearing the state of the business of financing. I got to learn about GAP financing and how was getting it. I met distributors from China who have deals with France and South Americans who deals in Europe. Again, how does this help me in Anchorage, Alaska? How does this help me based in Florida, but working in Taiwan? And so forth places? I helps you learn, meet and see where you could go? You never know what you may learn from distributors or producers or actors who are dying to act in your film. If you show up at your local film festival or a bigger or major one how your sphere of influence may change. I learned about financing grants and met the people who got them and could ask them about their applications. I could talk with producers working with their filmmaker and how their relationship works or how they work in a room. I hope you can try out the local film festival and print out cards like I did and where some funky clothes you don't usually wear. Be transformed by taking yourself out of the bubble we write in into the world of the possible!! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQpHRxagTYM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Maurice Vaughan

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1 person likes this
- Yanina Koroleva
1 month ago

You're right, Yanina Koroleva. I like to convey desire in scripts by a character's action, like having a character stare at the other character or having both characters watch each other at an event....

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Yanina Koroleva

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- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Absolutely, Maurice.

The “almost” moments — the held glance, the quiet awareness — often say more than any declaration.

When the audience feels what isn’t said, that’s where cinema starts to breathe.

Vincent Turner

1 month ago

So you are telling me to experiment and do it right now? That’s crazy because seriously where can it go

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Well there is reelshorts.com and it's not commercially successful (and won't likely be since it's all user-generated content). Audience doesn't care about about vertical versus landscape, they care ab...

Patricia Chaylade

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2 people like this
- Vanessa Chattman 2
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Hi there,

Congratulations on being in line to direct your feature that’s such an exciting step, especially when it’s a story you didn’t write yourself. Your post really resonated with me.

I’m a film com...

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1 person likes this
- Vanessa Chattman 2
1 month ago

Hey, Brandon Keeton! Congratulations on being in the running to direct the feature! As a screenwriter/ghostwriter, I ask the director or producer questions about the story and questions about the prod...

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Mike Boas

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2 people like this
- Gale Grande
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Find your local film and theater Facebook groups and post there.

Xahid Khan

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3 people like this
1 month ago

If you are a beginner then go to canva and search for casting call design, customize it with your requirement like required actor details including height, colour, age. provide your contact number, em...

Phuc Quang Vu Dao

Backstage and local Facebook groups are great starting points! Also check out Actors Access. Wishing you all the best with your short film!

Gale Grande The Casting Network, Breakdown Services "Actors Access" - I personally wouldn't use Backstage because they try to will charge you (as well as the actors) and they are very low results now,...

That’s crazy I was a PA on bus stop in college. But I know a guy in SA TX that wants to do film. Idk how much help I’ll be

Ron Reid

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- Ron Reid
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

This should be a blast to attend!!

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- Ron Reid
1 month ago

I hope everyone has a great time and has success at AFM 2025, Ron Reid! I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's experience!

Vincent Weberink

That’s a great point, Maurice — combining locations is such a clever way to stretch a budget. It’s amazing how a few simple changes in set dressing or camera angle can completely transform a space. Thanks for sharing that tip!

Absolutely, Martin — I love that mindset: limitations as design prompts. It’s such a creative way to look at it. As for lighting tricks, I often rely on bounce light from practical sources — a lamp, o...

Couldn’t agree more, Jack — the right location can do half the storytelling for you. I love how unique architecture or outdoor textures instantly elevate a film’s visual tone. Smart scouting really is an art form

You're welcome, Vincent Weberink.

The passion behind the filmmaking to tell a story!!!

I use mood, feelings, characters, situations, objects, places, and themes in my scripts to make emotional connections with my audience, Geoff Hall.

I agree that what a film - or any piece of art - means to an audience or any person in an audience is none of the creator's business. Art occurs when there is a complete communication. If a tree falls...

Vic Alexander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2zRZPLSlyU -- I found this about Kubrick.

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1 person likes this
- Behnam Hojati
1 month ago

Hi, Behnam Hojati. Some of your post didn't show up. You can edit your post by clicking the downward arrow to the right of your name, selecting "Edit Post," and reposting the text....

Behnam Hojati

Thank you for your help

You're welcome, Behnam Hojati.

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2 people like this
- Behnam Hojati
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Behnam Hojati Rhythm and timing is vital of course. I hope you are sensitive to performance within that mix. Because audience connects ONLY with people and performance. So pacing and timing must suppo...

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2 people like this
- Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Thank you, Shadow I completely agree.

Sometimes editing has to serve the story and the performance rather than the rhythm itself. When a scene carries genuine emotional we...

Filmmaking / Directing

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